38 Best Hotels in The Tampa Bay Area, Florida

Right on the Hillsborough River and close to some of Tampa's best restaurants and entertainment venues, this high-rise used to be a bank but is now a boutique chain hotel with sweeping Downtown and water views, local art in the lobby, and a homeyness that makes it seem more like a locally owned property. Business travelers appreciate the generous workspaces and gadget-friendly furnishings, but the pool, access to the Riverwalk, and closeness to nightlife make it a good choice leisure travelers, too. There are also kid-friendly amenities here, and the whole hotel is pet friendly; dogs up to 40 pounds are given a bed, bowl, treats, and toys.

Part hotel, part art gallery, Art Ovation stands out among the city’s luxury hotels with several rotating exhibits and a location in the heart of downtown. The hotel showcases a variety of styles, genres, and artistic experiences for guests and visitors. You’ll often find musical acts and other performances entertaining in the lobby, as well, and the artist’s studio features visiting creatives who share their process and their passion. The year-round rooftop pool and bar offers gorgeous panoramic downtown views.

Set in an updated 1930s building and featuring colorful, art deco–inspired decor, the artsy Avalon is a good fit for this creative city. Although it's within walking distance of everything—from the waterfront and chic Beach Drive to the vibrant Pier District and Downtown bars, restaurants, and shops—the hotel's free transfer service will take you just about anywhere you want to go.

This circa-1947, Caribbean colonial–style property—more of a condominium property than a hotel—is across from the beach and is a community within itself. Three buildings accommodate guests: The Royal Palm, the Sabal Palm Building, and the Queen Palm offer a range of options, from townhomes to studio suites and "apartos." Part of the charm of BridgeWalk is the brick walkway to the long, historic pier to various restaurants and quaint attractions.

Brought to you in part by the people behind Bern's Steak House across the street, this vibrant, cuisine-centric installment of Marriott's Autograph Collection hotels is an absolute must for foodies. Food and wine inspire everything—butcher-block tables line walls in the rooms, minibars are stocked with high-end snacks and beverages (mind the prices!), and guests can take part in world-class cooking and cocktail-making courses at the Epicurean Theatre. The Élevage restaurant serves classic dishes reimagined with a modern twist, and the Edge rooftop bar offers intelligent beverage options. Little Midway, an ice-cream parlor and pastry shop, and a wineshop courtesy of Bern's are also on site.

Exuding true old Florida charm, this resort on the Homosassa River has a marina with boat and scuba-equipment rentals, a restaurant and bar that overlook the water, and an island where monkeys cavort in the trees (don't go near them, they bite!). Resort grounds cover 9 acres of semitropical forest along the riverfront, where ducks and other waterfowl are common.

Near the airport and overlooking the Courtney Campbell Causeway, the Grand Hyatt has a lot to offer, including a peaceful trail through surrounding mangroves, a fantastic fitness center, and a shuttle to the airport and the nearby upscale mall. The decor is understated and classy, and, since the hotel caters to business travelers, rooms are equipped to accommodate gadgets. Amenities also include stellar dining options such as Oystercatchers, a waterfront seafood eatery, and the lobby-level 1823 Kitchen & Bar, which serves locally inspired dishes.

This marquee property has a look that is clean and modern yet still has a Clearwater Beach vibe, and staying here is a little less pricey than you might expect. The casual-chic lobby and bar offer excellent views of the beach and pool, and the rooms have a crisp, tailored feel. One of the on-site restaurants, Spotted Donkey Cantina, is a good bet for Mexican fare. This hotel is also right next to Clearwater Beach's revered Pier 60, which offers nightly sunset celebrations replete with performers and local artisans. Parking is ample.

Staying at this chain hotel across from Centro Ybor means you can walk to the historic district's many restaurants, attractions, and nightspots. There is an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast, but be sure to have at least one morning meal—perhaps with a café cubano or café con leche and a slice of Cuban bread slathered in butter—at a local spot.

On the edge of Downtown, a short walk (or free shuttle ride) from all the excitement, this chicly renovated 1933 property doesn't skimp on vintage charm. Many of the rooms have their original hardwood floors and bathtubs (refurbished, of course). Other big draws include its trendy restaurant and taproom, which features live music and a popular Sunday trivia night (arrive early to sign up—hotel guests get five free points), and its courtyard pool deck/bar, which hops on weekends.

Set in the heart of Ybor City, this boutique hotel blends contemporary styling and comforts with traditional elements that acknowledge the area's Spanish, Italian, and Cuban roots. Nods to history include exposed brick, preserved reproductions of works by Spanish painter Francisco Goya that were uncovered during construction, and lighting that evokes the district’s streetlights. The upscale Flor Fina Mediterranean restaurant and the casual Café Quiquiriqui are among the on-site dining options. You can also order boozy ice-pops and cocktails by the pool, or venture into the neighborhood to experience nearby J.C. Newman Cigar Company or the Ybor City Saturday Market.

One of the more recent additions to the Clearwater Beach skyline, this upscale resort towers above almost everything else in the immediate area, both in terms of height and luxury. Suites have marble countertops, balconies offering sweeping views (of the Gulf or Intracoastal Waterway), and stylish furnishings.The eigth-floor pool deck, which has a bar, is a popular spot for locals and guests alike when the sun sets. The enormous full-service spa is also notable.

Popular among business travelers, the Hyatt Regency is contemporary in design and sits in the heart of the city across from the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. In-room amenities include some high-tech touches, such as flat-screen TVs and docking stations for electronics. All rooms overlook Sarasota Bay or the marina and the lagoon-style pool and hot tub, which have waterfalls flowing into them. Your concierge will arrange fishing, golfing, and even babysitting.

A massive pool complex with a 15-foot waterfall, two winding waterslides, and a sandy waterfront are part of the allure of this sprawling resort, but it may be the 72 holes of golf, including the challenging Copperhead course, that are the real draw. Bald eagles and herons are sometimes seen on the grounds, which are beautifully maintained. Guest suites are in 24 two- and three-story lodges tucked among the trees between golf courses. Some of the roomy suites have balconies or patios. Innisbrook has enough restaurants and lounges to make it self-contained, though there are other dining options in the area.

Like the rest of historic Pass-a-Grille, this converted, 1950s-vintage property is totally friendly and totally Old Florida, with one- and two-bedroom cottages that make it great for a family beach vacation. It's within easy walking distance of the beach, and its nicely landscaped grounds feature huge live oaks and sea grapes, teak deck chairs, and a weathered fishing pier. Grills are available if you want to barbecue. Continental breakfast is served only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and there's a four-night minimum stay during holidays.

A meticulous renovation transformed a marble-adorned, circa-1905 federal courthouse into a boutique hotel where your sleek room might have formerly been a holding cell or a prosecutor's office. The hostess stand in the Bizou Brasserie, which offers French-inspired fare and a wonderful assortment of morning pastries, once served as a witness stand, and juries once deliberated at a large table that's now in the bar area. Other amenities include a pool and a fitness center. 

In addition to superb Gulf views from many of its rooms and suites, this stylish resort has two free-form pools and three hot tubs, all facing the beach.

If you're looking for upscale digs on low-key Anna Maria Island, you'll find them at this small, amenity-laden complex. Half the units here have two bedrooms, the others have three, and all have full kitchens with granite countertops as well as the latest appliances. The complex wraps around a large courtyard with a pool and a hot tub. All rooms have a balcony; all are also just steps from the beach. Beach Bistro is just across the parking lot. And though the shopping and dining on Pine Avenue isn't exactly a quick walk (it's a couple of miles north), a free beach trolley will get you where you need to go. Vacancies are scarce during high season, so book early.

On the shore of Kings Bay, this two-story eco-friendly resort, constructed in the 1960s, is on 232 acres near nature preserves and rivers. Although its exterior looks like that of a huge Southern mansion, the rooms are more comfortable than palatial (however modern). The spa offers extensive services, and the restaurant's creative, Southern-inspired fare deserves mention (think shrimp and grits or boiled peanut hummus). This resort's on-site dive shop has daily snorkeling excursions into the area's two major manatee hubs, Kings Spring, and Three Sisters Springs (when it's open).

Take a Waikiki surf shack from back in the day, shake it up with a little midcentury Miami chic, and give it a clean modern twist—that's this ultra-hip beachfront hotel to a T. Each room is furnished with a different antique lamp, rustic but refurbished dressers, and vintage surf memorabilia, and the quirky decor is balanced by the crisp white bed linens. The restaurants and bars, fire pits, Olympic-size swimming pool, Ping-Pong table, and vintage photo booth make this a fun destination for anyone who's up for something out of the ordinary.

Marble-floor hallways are softened by plush Asian rugs; public areas are adorned with fine art and fresh flowers; and rooms have luxurious bathrooms and private balconies with views of the bay, the marina, or the downtown skyline. This urban property has resort amenities, too, with a private, 18-hole Tom Fazio–designed golf course 12 miles northeast on the Braden River and a Victorian-style spa and exclusive beach facility on Lido Key, about 4 miles away. The Jack Dusty restaurant serves creative local seafood dishes and handcrafted cocktails; Bayview Burger Bar offers all-American favorites as well as unforgettable Gulf panoramas.

You’ll be hard pressed to leave the grounds of this high-rise beachfront property, where amenities include two pools—one for adults and one for children—lots of hammocks, a surf simulator, a play area, fire pits that are perfect for making s'mores, and a poolside tiki bar. Rooms aren't overly fancy, but they have mini-refrigerators and microwaves so you can heat up simple meals when you want to eat in. The on-site RumFish Grill is a popular seafood restaurant with a gigantic aquarium stocked with local sea life (in the off hours, you can suit up for a tank swim for $25).

Situated about a half hour north of Downtown Tampa, Saddlebrook is one of west Florida's top resorts, largely because it has so many things in one spot—36 holes of championship golf; the Saddlebrook Golf Academy; 45 clay, grass, and artificial-surface tennis courts; a Harry Hopman tennis program; a full-service spa; a fitness center; and a kids' club. Varied accommodations include one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, making it a good place for families.

This resort sits over mineral springs—which feed its pools and water coolers—and has been drawing visitors since 1927, though accommodations are continuously being upgraded, so expect to find high-end mattresses and luxurious linens, as well as the latest treatments and therapies in the 50,000-square-foot spa. Request a treatment room overlooking Tampa Bay and plan to spend a little downtime in the tranquillity garden. 

Deep local ties set this expansive resort apart from the area's other luxurious accommodations—it was built on the site formerly occupied by the Clearwater Beach Hotel, and its coastal-chic spaces exude history. All rooms have a water view (of the Gulf or the Intracoastal Waterway), and there are amenities to spare. The spa is a destination unto itself, and on-site restaurants include Caretta on the Gulf, known for its cooking classes, weekend brunches, creative locavore cuisine, and impressive wine pairings. Camp Ridley is a good option for kids if it's raining or if they get bored with swimming and beachcombing.

Rooms at this modern, nine-story resort, which is set amid 10 well-manicured acres along a lovely, private stretch of beach, have excellent views of the Gulf or the nearby Sand Key Park. Most rooms also have balconies or patios. It's one of the region's top convention hotels, but its many amenities—pools, a fitness center, tennis courts—make it ideal for leisure travelers, too.

Situated in a 26-story tower, this newcomer to Tampa's Downtown hotel scene stands out for its exclusive amenities and sleek, sophisticated styling. On-site dining options include Lilac, a modern Mediterranean concept from Michelin-star chef, John Fraser, and the more laidback Market at EDITION, where the menu is inspired by the cuisine of the Italian coast. The swanky Arts Club hosts performances on an intimate stage set beneath a constellation of mirror balls, and the intimate Punch Club, is a great place to unwind with a drink. 

Although it's adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center and was built for business travelers, this hotel is a good choice for other visitors given its proximity to attractions like the popular Riverwalk and the Florida Aquarium. At least half the rooms and most of the suites overlook the concrete-walled channel to Tampa Bay; the bay itself is visible from the higher floors of the 27-story tower. The pillared lobby has real palm trees growing out of the gleaming tile floors, and the coffee bar overlooks the water. On-site eateries include Anchor and Brine, Garrison Tavern, and Cafe Waterside.

Few things are as emblematic of Beach Drive's renaissance as this boutique hotel, which, like many of Downtown's best attractions, seamlessly blends old and new. The former apartment building's 1924 facade was lovingly restored by developer Chuck Prather, who also dramatically renovated its interior with eclectic decor and furnishings—guest bathrooms, for instance, have both European claw-foot bathtubs and modern, glass-door rain-head showers. Most rooms also have stately canopy beds, and some rooms overlook Beach Drive and Downtown's banyan-dotted waterfront parks. Everyone can enjoy fantastic views from Canopy, the überhip nightspot, and the ground-floor Birch & Vine restaurant has had local foodies buzzing since it opened.

The Pink Palace, as it's called thanks to its paint job, is a storied resort and Gulf Coast architectural landmark, with exterior and public areas exuding turn-of-the-20th-century elegance. Ditto for the rooms. The staff is known for friendly old-world service. The Don once was a favorite of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Babe Ruth, and Clarence Darrow. Maritana Grille is the hotel's deservedly popular restaurant, which specializes in Florida seafood and is lined with huge fish tanks. Ghost hunters may be interested in knowing that Thomas Rowe, who built this Roaring '20s–era hotel, is said to have come back after death to meet his beloved; some guests and staff swear they see the couple occasionally having a rendezvous in the garden (more romantic than spooky); others say Rowe appears in corridors and rooms.