Luxury hotel at its best
Written: Nov 05 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Nature preserve, white beaches, Oystercatchers & Armani restaurant
Cons: None at all
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| maceyr's Full Review: Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay |
If there was ever a luxury resort that I would re-visit again, it's the Hyatt Regency Westshore in Tampa, Florida. We stayed there in June during a conference my husband had that was presented there and the hotel delivered. I thought of the conference as a vacation since my husband was busy with the conference, and it ended up being one because of the quality and services of the hotel.
The Hyatt Regency Westshore is located minutes from the Tampa International Airport and boasts 400 rooms and over 14 storeys high. It sits at the shores of the beautiful Tampa Bay overlooking the long, bridge that almost touches the water, to Clearwater. It also provides an additional 45 separate Spanish villa type bungalow suites with tiled floors and ceiling fans, located just a walk away from the main building for those who prefer a much more quiet and private environment. There are non-smoking rooms and special accessible rooms available. We stayed at a room which overlooked the Tampa International Airport's runway. The view of planes landing was spectacular as we could see the smoke generated by the landing of the plane's tires against the tarmac. We were very impressed with the view as well as the lack of noise generated by the planes taking off and landing from the outside.
The rooms are air conditioned and supplied with the usual remote controlled cable movie TV, pay per view movies, electronic door locks via magnetic cards, coffee maker, iron, ironing boards, AM/FM alarm clock, hairdryer, full bath with amenities such as shower cap, lotions, shampoo and conditioner, telephone with voice mail and lighted message indicator, data port for computer hookups, and a daily delivery of newspaper at the door. There is also a video menu that allows a review of your account and express check out via the TV. Our room was also supplied with a mini bar stocked with snacks and alcohol.
Stepping inside the hotel, on the left is the lobby and main desk with the elevators and stairs to the second floor as well as a small gift shop. There is a health and exercise room located on the second floor. It can only be accessible by your room key card. Inside it, there is a whirlpool, sauna and an exercise area with mats and weight lifting equipment. There is a TV in the corner, right by the Stairmaster equipment. Other exercise equipment provided includes stationary bicycles, treadmills, rowing machine, and free weights. You can also get a massage there but it must be by appointment. There is also a pool that is accessible on the second floor.
If you take the elevator, at the top is a semi-formal, exquisite Italian restaurant called Armani's. There, take in the breathtaking views of Tampa's skyline, Tampa Bay, and the international airport while you dine on specialty Northern Italian dishes and enjoying live piano playing. Their dishes are considered Tampa's best and have won many distinguished awards.
Back at the entrance, if you continue forward, you'll see the Lobby Bar, a lounge for drinks and people watching. There is a piano and most times there is live piano playing. Looking outside, you'll find an outdoor pool. On the left is Petey Brown's, a casual dining restaurant featuring daily buffet during breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is even an ice cream bar with fresh fruits and other toppings. If you continue down, the corridor turns left and you will find a few conference rooms usually booked for special occasions or conferences. If you continue, there are glass doors on the right that will lead you outside to a path that takes you to the 35 acre nature preserve.
Outside, the hotel boasts a 35 acre nature preserve in a marsh, swamp like setting. You can take a stroll out to the gazebo to see the pink flamingos, or continue on the wood planked walkway to the Spanish villa typed bungalows (Casita) and to the seafood restaurant, Oystercatchers. If you take the stroll around dusk, you can easily catch numerous brown marsh rabbits feeding on the grass. They are very quiet and almost are not afraid of people.
Passing by the Casita bungalows along the path, you reach the parking lot of the Oystercatchers restaurant, a seafood restaurant catering to the semi-casual to business crowd. Fresh, exotic seafood are offered daily and is a stop not to be missed. The restaurant is situated overlooking the beautiful waters of Tampa Bay and offers a spectacular view of the bay.
Right next to the restaurant is an outdoor pool with poolside chairs and a white, sandy beach, great for relaxing in the warm sun and watching Tampa Bay and the numerous airplanes landing on the airport's tarmac. I have spent many sunny days after eating at Oystercatchers, lying down and enjoying the sunshine and view.
Other services and facilities of the hotel include: free shuttle to the airport, valet parking, room service, laundry and dry cleaning, business center, covered parking, baby sitting, safe deposit boxes at front desk, 24 hour currency exchange,
basketball court, two lighted tennis courts, outside jacuzzi among others.
The service of the hotel and its staff are top rate. They are very courteous, friendly and helpful. The rooms are spacious, clean and very inviting. Due to the numerous hotel facilities and its services, I fell in love with the hotel. From the several luxury hotels I've stayed in so far, the Hyatt Regency Westshore was the best. I would greatly recommend it, although it may be a bit pricey. But, if you have to live it, this is the way to go.
Thank you for taking the time to read and rate my review.
Recommended:
Yes
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maceyr
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