Grand Hyatt Tampa
Nov 4th, 2003, 02:48 PM
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Grand Hyatt Tampa
I'm going to be staying here for two nights in December (12-14) and I wasn't able to get much info from the Hyatt website (I may be too dumb to operate it). I notice that OliveOyl has a connection to this hotel and there seem to be a number of folks who have stayed in it before. I wonder if this property has a spa and if they have high speed internet in the rooms? We're definately going to hit the restaurant (Armani?). Thanks for any info.
Nov 4th, 2003, 06:00 PM
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I'd say she does have a connection. I believe her husband is the general manager. It's a great place and Armani's is wonderful. Can't answer your specific questions, but I'm sure OO will be here soon to answer for you.
Nov 4th, 2003, 07:20 PM
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Sorry, no spa Mike. There are high speed internet connections in the 7th and 8th floor rooms as well as all meeting rooms.
Armani's is wonderful, somewhat formal, serving dinner only, and on the top floor overlooking the bay. If you prefer more casual dining, Petey Browns (3 meal) is in the lobby, but my favorite is Oystercatchers, a freestanding seafood restaurant (lunch and dinner) further out in the property. The grounds consist of a 35 acre wildlife preserve with the hotel tower, then a section of casitas out toward OC's, and a boardwalk through the mangroves connecting the two areas. Oystercatchers is equally good IMO, with terrific views across the water.
I'm curious as to when you got that PCLN rate, Mike. Was it this week?
Enjoy your stay and if I can help in any way, let me know.
Armani's is wonderful, somewhat formal, serving dinner only, and on the top floor overlooking the bay. If you prefer more casual dining, Petey Browns (3 meal) is in the lobby, but my favorite is Oystercatchers, a freestanding seafood restaurant (lunch and dinner) further out in the property. The grounds consist of a 35 acre wildlife preserve with the hotel tower, then a section of casitas out toward OC's, and a boardwalk through the mangroves connecting the two areas. Oystercatchers is equally good IMO, with terrific views across the water.
I'm curious as to when you got that PCLN rate, Mike. Was it this week?
Enjoy your stay and if I can help in any way, let me know.
Nov 5th, 2003, 03:06 AM
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I also prefer Oyster Catchers. We had a wonderful window table to watch the sunset feeding show. Literally hundreds of egrets, herons, pelicans feeding at sunset created a wonderful backdrop for our dinner of superbly prepared fresh fish, a great wine selection and attentive but not fawning service.
If you want spa services, one of the best but most reasonable spas is across the Causeway and you can get day services there. Look at Safety Harbor Spa. It is an old spa, offering full range of services and has its own natural spring (that used to be a requirement for a spa) It still gets rave reviews and is usually rated up there with the big destination spas. LMF
If you want spa services, one of the best but most reasonable spas is across the Causeway and you can get day services there. Look at Safety Harbor Spa. It is an old spa, offering full range of services and has its own natural spring (that used to be a requirement for a spa) It still gets rave reviews and is usually rated up there with the big destination spas. LMF
Nov 6th, 2003, 11:30 AM
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Thanks for the tips on Oystercatchers, we'll put that on our list. We had a magnificent meal at Columbia last time we were in Tampa, but I have heard mixed reports since then.
I got very lucky with PCLN, I made the booking about 2:00pm Monday. I need a short flight to get USAir Gold status, so we put together a dirt-cheap vacation with a $160 flight and this nice hotel for such a deal. Unfortunately, I don't often stay at Hyatts any more, so I don't have a good Gold Passport status and based on my ultra-low PCLN rate, I probably can't swing a good room assignment. I will try to use my meager charm at the front desk and see what happens!
We have an odd hobby (geocaching), so we'll mostly be out hiking around local parks this trip. Hence the enthusiasm for spa services. We may check out Safety Harbor, but there is something especially decadent about getting a nice massage and then collapsing in your room -- if you have to drive it diminishes the experience for me.
One always has to eat, so we appreciate the suggestions. Our hearts (food-wise and otherwise) are in France, so formal isn't a bad thing -- but given our hiking plans, perhaps a more casual seafood place is just the ticket. I grew up in a beach town myself, so I miss the seaside fresh seafood action a lot!
I got very lucky with PCLN, I made the booking about 2:00pm Monday. I need a short flight to get USAir Gold status, so we put together a dirt-cheap vacation with a $160 flight and this nice hotel for such a deal. Unfortunately, I don't often stay at Hyatts any more, so I don't have a good Gold Passport status and based on my ultra-low PCLN rate, I probably can't swing a good room assignment. I will try to use my meager charm at the front desk and see what happens!
We have an odd hobby (geocaching), so we'll mostly be out hiking around local parks this trip. Hence the enthusiasm for spa services. We may check out Safety Harbor, but there is something especially decadent about getting a nice massage and then collapsing in your room -- if you have to drive it diminishes the experience for me.
One always has to eat, so we appreciate the suggestions. Our hearts (food-wise and otherwise) are in France, so formal isn't a bad thing -- but given our hiking plans, perhaps a more casual seafood place is just the ticket. I grew up in a beach town myself, so I miss the seaside fresh seafood action a lot!
Nov 10th, 2003, 09:46 AM
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The short answer is yes. The longer version is that you'll see most anything there right up to suits (not many), lots of sport coats, lots of dressy sweaters, more slacks than anything else and nice but casual shirts. I've been in slacks but I'm more than likely to go in a casual dress...only my taste and choice. I would not go in in shorts but some people do. By mid December when you are here it'll hopefully have cooled down a bit making shorts after dark something you wouldn't want to do anyway. You will need reservations, and try to make them far enough in advance to get a window table.
As you come into the restaurant there is a bar/lounge off to the left where Hendrix and Osborne (JT sort of music) perform from around 6 to 8. You can sit with drinks there before dinner and watch the sunset, or there is also a outdoor seating area on the patio just off the lounge (my favorite sunset watching spot).
This link to Oystercatchers has some pictures, menu info and more information:
http://grandtampabay.hyatt.com/prope...l?id=2&ssnav=0
As you come into the restaurant there is a bar/lounge off to the left where Hendrix and Osborne (JT sort of music) perform from around 6 to 8. You can sit with drinks there before dinner and watch the sunset, or there is also a outdoor seating area on the patio just off the lounge (my favorite sunset watching spot).
This link to Oystercatchers has some pictures, menu info and more information:
http://grandtampabay.hyatt.com/prope...l?id=2&ssnav=0
Nov 10th, 2003, 10:04 AM
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OO -- you should get a commission. Thanks a million for all your timely info. I'll be sure to call and book a table. A friend just reminded me there is a great Dali musuem in Tampa, we are going to have a great time.
Dec 11th, 2003, 01:21 PM
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I was just rereading this post as we prepared to leave and wanted to thank OO again. We're all set up at Oystercatchers and looking forward to our brief stay. We're still not sure about our other dinner, thinking about Side Berns, Ceviche, Samurai Blue or Columbia. Columbia is a sentimental favorite of ours from way back, but people keep telling us it isn't as good any more.
Anyhow, thanks again for all your help and great info!
Anyhow, thanks again for all your help and great info!
Dec 11th, 2003, 01:52 PM
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My feelings are that I won't "waste" a good dinner evening on Columbia. But I still think it's a great place for lunch -- the great 1908 chopped salad, the super bread, maybe some black beans. And it is still overladen with atmosphere.
Dec 11th, 2003, 03:18 PM
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Mike, hope you have a wonderful time in Tampa and that your stay here is perfect! We often do Oystercatchers on Friday nights, a TGIF...so perhaps our paths will cross. Side Berns is good too and we enjoy another place just down the street from there, St Barts. "SoHo" is a happening area. I've never had a really great meal at Columbia...always order paella, their specialty, and always find that the one I make is better--and I'm not much of a cook. The atomosphere is nice though, and if you have special memories of the place, perhaps that can make up for shortcomings otherwise.
I just looked up geocaching...had never heard of it but it sounds fascinating. I'll be very curious to hear where (approximately) you end up. Are you given co-ordinates to navigate to waypoints then further coordinates from the waypoints to others? Interesting!
Realphoebes--not sure what you mean by insider information. We've stayed there, I know the GM, but that's about as far as it goes--pretty limited information. It's a great location, and full often enough that we hate to ask for rooms. Rarely, if ever, do they come up on PCLN.
I just looked up geocaching...had never heard of it but it sounds fascinating. I'll be very curious to hear where (approximately) you end up. Are you given co-ordinates to navigate to waypoints then further coordinates from the waypoints to others? Interesting!
Realphoebes--not sure what you mean by insider information. We've stayed there, I know the GM, but that's about as far as it goes--pretty limited information. It's a great location, and full often enough that we hate to ask for rooms. Rarely, if ever, do they come up on PCLN.
Dec 12th, 2003, 04:49 AM
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Okay, 2 questions:
Who is OliveOyl? She sounds like a rare find. I'm appreciative for her wisdom.
What does PCLN stand for? I was a travel agent for several years many moons ago and I don't recall the term.
Comment: I grew up in the Tampa Bay area and never we had such a great find in a hotel as the Grand Hyatt Tampa. Thanks for the info.!
- Simple_John
Who is OliveOyl? She sounds like a rare find. I'm appreciative for her wisdom.
What does PCLN stand for? I was a travel agent for several years many moons ago and I don't recall the term.
Comment: I grew up in the Tampa Bay area and never we had such a great find in a hotel as the Grand Hyatt Tampa. Thanks for the info.!
- Simple_John
Dec 12th, 2003, 05:29 AM
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It took me a while, but I finally figured that PCLN stands for Priceline, the hotel discounter.
I don't know a whole lot about OliveOyl except that her "friend" who is the general manager of the Grand Hyatt happens to be her husband as well (isn't it nice that he's both!). OO gives great travel advice, and often gives thorough, positive, and informative information and suggestions about other hotels in the Tampa Bay area -- a most generous attitude!
I don't know a whole lot about OliveOyl except that her "friend" who is the general manager of the Grand Hyatt happens to be her husband as well (isn't it nice that he's both!). OO gives great travel advice, and often gives thorough, positive, and informative information and suggestions about other hotels in the Tampa Bay area -- a most generous attitude!
Dec 12th, 2003, 01:52 PM
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I am currently sitting in my room at the Hyatt enjoying the most amazing sunset views and getting ready to go stuff our faces. We're too tired from airplanes to go to Ybor and Side Berns wanted us to wait until 9:00 to eat, so we're going to try out the St. Barts suggestion.
The hotel has been brilliant thus far and we'll report more completely later. We'll also hold off the explanation of geocaching for another post.
The hotel has been brilliant thus far and we'll report more completely later. We'll also hold off the explanation of geocaching for another post.
