Introduction
Looking for the best pre-cruise hotels near the Port of Tampa Bay, perhaps with park and cruise packages, airport and cruise port shuttles, affordable rates, and close to restaurants and bars?
In this series of articles, we explore the best cruise hotels in Tampa Bay.
Map of Popular Hotel Clusters near Port of Tampa Bay
In the map below, I highlight 5 popular hotel areas. Each area offers something different, from lower prices to bustling nightlife, to free airport shuttles. Let’s look at each area to help you decide where to stay!
Google Map of Port Tampa Bay
You can view the locations of hotels on Google Maps below. When you select a hotel, you will see photos and a description of important amenities for cruise guests such as breakfast, parking, airport, and cruise port shuttle options.
Airport Hotels Cluster
There are 25+ hotels close to Tampa International Airport in an area known as Westshore. Rates are generally lower than the Downtown hotels yet you are only 20 minutes from the cruise terminals! Most airport hotels offer free shuttles from the airport but shuttles to the cruise port are not available.
The area is business-like and quite nice. It is spread out and you may or may not be within walking distance of restaurants and/or shopping (International Plaza Mall for example). If you are willing to use rideshare, you can dine at fine establishments, and browse upscale shopping malls.
There are too many hotels to discuss here but you can see photos, descriptions, and information about shuttles on my Google Maps above. Just click on each hotel icon.
Average Rideshare Fares from this area to Port Tampa Bay
- UberX – $12
- UberXL – $19
West Tampa Hotels Cluster
There are only a few hotels between the airport area and Downtown. I call this West Tampa but in reality, there are three hotels in South Tampa and two near Historic Hyde Park.
The South Tampa hotels (about 15 minutes from the Port) are affordable and near strip malls with typical shops and small restaurants.
Average Rideshare Fares from this area to Port Tampa Bay
- UberX – $10
- UberXL – $16
Quality Inn Airport-Cruise Port
Airport Shuttle – FREE, Hot Breakfast – FREE, Port Shuttle – $8 per person, Stay and Cruise Package includes the room and cruise shuttle, Park and Cruise Package includes the room, parking for 14 days, and shuttle to the Port
Best Western Tampa
Airport Shuttle – NO, Parking – FREE, Hot Breakfast – FREE, Port Shuttle – NO
Historic Hyde Park (about 10 minutes from the Port) is quaint and upscale but unfortunately, there are only two hotels.
Epicurean Hotel
Airport Shuttle – No, Valet Parking – $20, Breakfast – $30, Port Shuttle – No
The hotel is near a few restaurants but it is isolated and nowhere near quaint Hyde Park Village. The hotel has several onsite restaurants.
Hyde Park Hotel
Airport Shuttle – No, Parking – FREE, Breakfast – No, Cruise Shuttle – No
The hotel is near a few restaurants but it is isolated and nowhere near quaint Hyde Park Village.
Downtown Hotels Cluster
Downtown Tampa is fun and popular and safe. While most visitors congregate channel side near Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, there are also several nice hotels in the central business district. At this time, the Channel District closest to the Port has two hotels.
Getting around is easy thanks to the free TECO Line streetcars.
I group this cluster of hotels into 3 areas – Channel District, Channelside, and Downtown.
Average Rideshare Fares from this area to Port Tampa Bay
- UberX – $7
- UberXL – $10
Hampton Inn
Channel District. Dual-brand property with Home2suites. Free Hot Breakfast. Parking – $25 per day. Cruise Parking is available – book with Parkway Parking – $12 daily. FREE cruise shuttle. Walking distance to streetcars and Port. The street is loud so book rooms on the 8th floor or as high as possible. Lovely views from the pool above the parking garage.
Home2Suites
Channel District. Dual-brand property with Hampton Inn. Free Hot Breakfast. Parking – $25 per day. Cruise Parking is available – book with Parkway Parking – $12 daily. FREE cruise shuttle. Walking distance to streetcars and Port. The street is loud so book rooms on the 8th floor or as high as possible. Lovely views from the pool above the parking garage.
Average Rideshare Fares from this area to Port Tampa Bay
- UberX – $7
- UberXL – $10
Tampa Marriott
Airport Shuttle – No, Hot Breakfast – Extra, Port Shuttle – No, Valet parking – $38 per night. Hertz onsite.
JW Marriott
Airport Shuttle – No, Valet parking – $38 per night, Port Shuttle – No, Hot Breakfast – $28
The Westin
Airport Shuttle – No, Valet parking – $40 per night, Port Shuttle – No, Hot Breakfast – $22
You can watch cruise ships sail in the distance from some high rooms. Easy walk to many restaurants and bars.
The Tampa EDITION
Airport Shuttle – No, Hot Breakfast – $20, Port Shuttle – No, Valet Parking – $40 per night.
ROOST Tampa
Apartment hotel designed for extended stays but suitable as a pre-cruise hotel. Airport Shuttle – No. Parking – $30 per night, Hot Breakfast – No, Port Shuttle – No
Embassy Suites
Hot Breakfast – FREE, Valet Parking – $37, Park & Go Package includes lodging, parking for 1 night, and shuttle from/to Airport and to/from the Port,
Average Rideshare Fares from this area to Port Tampa Bay
- UberX – $10
- UberXL – $16
Hotel Tampa Riverwalk
Resort Fee – $28 per night, Airport Shuttle – No, Valet Parking – $40, Port Shuttle – No, Hot Breakfast – $20+, Book a high floor (7 for example) because of the street noise
Aloft
Airport Shuttle – No, Valet Parking – $35 per night, Port Shuttle – NO, Hot Breakfast – $10
Hilton
Resort Fee – $28, Airport Shuttle – No, Parking – $37 per night, Port Shuttle – No, Hot Breakfast – $30 but with $25 credit for use at hotel outlets except room service,
Hyatt Place
Airport Shuttle – NO, Hot Breakfast – YES, Valet Parking – $35 per night, Port Shuttle – NO
Courtyard by Marriott
Airport Shuttle – NO, Valet Parking – $30, Port Shuttle – NO, Breakfast – $10+
Residence Inn
Airport Shuttle – NO, Hot Breakfast – FREE, Parking – $25, Port Shuttle – NO
Floridan Palace
Airport Shuttle – NO, Hot Breakfast – YES, Park and Ship Package includes bed and parking for 1 night, Extra parking – $15, Port Shuttle – NO
Le Meridien
Airport Shuttle – NO, Valet Parking – $35, Port Shuttle – NO, Breakfast – EXTRA,
The Barrymore Hotel
Airport Shuttle – NO, Parking – $10, Hot Breakfast – $15, Port Shuttle – FREE, Ship and Shore Package includes stay, parking for up to 10 days, and shuttle to/from Port,
Historic Ybor City Hotels Cluster
Lively Ybor City is known for boutiques and vintage shops on 7th Avenue, which also hosts cigar bars, nightclubs, and Cuban and Latin American eateries.
This is my recommended place to stay for a good time before your cruise! The three hotels are just an easy walk from all the action.
If you travel light, you can even hop on a free TECO Line streetcar for a short ride to your cruise terminal! Just know that the streetcars are packed on certain weekends with little room for large suitcases.
Average Rideshare Fares from this area to Port Tampa Bay
- UberX – $7
- UberXL – $11
Hilton Garden Inn
Breakfast costs extra – $13. Parking – $18 per night. Compare the Snooze and Cruise Package with free parking and breakfast for 2
Hotel Haya
No airport shuttle, Valet parking only – $35 per night, breakfast extra, no port shuttle, Free streetcar station behind the hotel
Hampton Inn
Free Hot Breakfast, Parking – $25 a night, Free shuttle to Port of Tampa, Free streetcar station across the road, no airport shuttle
Ybor City Hotels Cluster
A few miles east of Historic Ybor City is a cluster of several hotels for budget-minded cruisers.
The area appears run down with several gas stations, a few fast-food restaurants, and not much else but it is only 15 minutes from the cruise terminals. To be safe, ignore the strange characters roaming the parking lots and avoid walking the streets after dark.
Average Rideshare Fares from this area to Port Tampa Bay
- UberX – $11
- UberXL – $16
I recommend only two hotels in this area.
Quality Inn & Suites
Free parking. Continental breakfast. Free shuttle to the Port. Stay Park and Cruise Package allow 14 days of surface parking with shuttles. (Cruise parking is roughly $11 per night)
Holiday Inn Express
Free parking. Hot breakfast. Free shuttle to the Port. Stay and Cruise Package allows 14 days of surface parking with shuttles.
Booking Your Hotel
Just type PORT OF TAMPA in the search block followed by your travel dates;