Point Me to the Miles

Surf & Sun Tampa Style: DoubleTree Suites Tampa Bay

Introduction
Pasco to Salt Lake City (SLC)
SLC to Los Angeles (LAX)
LAX, “The Bump,” and Torrance Marriott
LAX to Atlanta
Atlanta to Tampa
Hotel Review: DoubleTree Suites Tampa Bay
Exploring Tampa Part 1: Honeymoon Island
Hotel Review: Tampa Marriott Waterside
Bern’s Steak House Tampa
Exploring Tampa Part 2: Cigar City Brewery and Clearwater Beach
Hotel Review: Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel
Exploring Tampa Part 3: Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center and Ybor City
Tampa to New York (LGA)
New York to Minneapolis (MSP) to Pasco, WA (PSC)

After exiting the SkyClub, I headed to the baggage claim office to claim my bag, which had arrived almost 12 hours earlier.  I called the hotel, considering they offer a complimentary shuttle, and the van arrived fairly quickly.

Within 5 minutes we pulled up to the front entrance to the hotel, which I forgot to take a picture of.  What I found impossible to not take a photo of, was the reason for which I choose this hotel–the fact that it sits right on Tampa Bay.  PHENOMENAL!

Overlooking Tampa Bay

Hotel review aficionados, fear not, I have included entrance and lobby photos, courtesy of kayak.com:

DoubleTree Suites Entrance, Courtesy of kayak.com

Double Tree Suites Tampa Bay Lobby, Courtesy of kayak.com

Upon checking in, I was greeted by a delightful Italian, who’s name tag said he was originally from Rome.  He asked me where I was from, and when I told him Washington, he responded “Ah, right around the corner.”  It took me a second, but I soon caught on.  “Take a left to California,” I responded, “then take a right, and if you come across those strange folks known as Canadians, you have gone too far.  I take it you are from across the pond?”

After checking me in, he inquired if I was allergic to anything.  I quickly responded “Italians.”  Unknown to me, Double Tree Suites is famous for giving out warm cookies, and wanted to make sure I wasn’t allergic to nuts.  Only him–just kidding, it was a very enjoyable check-in.

When I reached my room on the 6th (top) floor, I was pleased to find a small welcome amenity waiting for me, in addition to my cookies:

Welcome Amenity/Kitchen and Desk Area

The room rate was fairly reasonable (~$150), especially considering the standard room is a decent-sized suite of about 650 square feet.  The living room area is fairly spacious:

Living Room

To the right is the entry way to the bedroom area:

King Bed

Down the small hallway to the right is the closet area where I ran into my twin…

The Lorax, My Twin??

As I noted at the time, I was treated to a nice complimentary breakfast due to my Gold status with Hilton.  Really just the food was free, as I was charged for orange juice and coffee, but still a pretty good deal:

Breakfast Plate 1

And why not a little more free food?

Double Tree Suites Tampa Bay Breakfast

Overall, the hotel has some drawbacks, as it is certainly not the most glamorous location to stay.  And there are a couple of restaurants and other hotels around, but the property lies on a peninsula separated from town by a 6-lane highway.  But it still was a pretty good place to for starting my trip in Tampa, with decent service and an EXCEPTIONAL view.