Priceline Hotel: Hotel in Tampa that will pick up at Port and bring back to Hotel

[bigredsfan]

yes it is me again...looks like we are leaning to taking a cruise, and would like to spend 1 night post cruise in Tampa. We are looking at suggestions on Priceline for this night, and wondering the best place to stay...ie, Downtown, or one of the Airport Zones. I see many listed but can't find one.

We would like a 4* with Pool, and free shuttle that would pick up at the Port and take us back to the Hotel. Also, a Hotel that would take us to the Airport the next day.

Let me know if you need more details, and look forward to any replies.

Thanks yet again

[thereuare]

...we are leaning to taking a cruise...

Please post once you're plans are firm... hotels offered change frequently and those appearing now might not be the ones offered once you're ready to commit to a hotel.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[bigredsfan]

Please post once you're plans are firm... hotels offered change frequently and those appearing now might not be the ones offered once you're ready to commit to a hotel.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

okay, will do. Kind of had to have an idea if staying 1 night in Tampa was doable before we book anything so will see how plans go.

[thereuare]

Check HOTWIRE, Expedia, Orbitz, and hotel websites to get a feel for what rates might be possible for the dates you're considering.

[bigredsfan]

we have firmed up December 3rd for 1 night coming back from our cruise, to stay in Tampa, and leave from the Airport next day.

So, we are looking for a hotel that would pick us up from the Port and bring us to the property. Searched on cruise forums, and Hotwire and can't seem to find one that will pick up from Port, most seem to have Airport shuttles. We can rent a car for the day but if we can find this hotel we can save the money having to do so and use the Hotel facilities..

3.5*-4* hotels on PL seem to be in our budget and it seems that the Airport and Downtown Zones would be the ones to look at?

Also curious what the difference in proximity to the Airport there is between the South, West and North Zones

[thereuare]

So, we are looking for a hotel that would pick us up from the Port and bring us to the property... can't seem to find one that will pick up from Port...

Even if you found one that offers this service, there would be no way to bid for this specific property on PRICELINE.

What is your budget for this stay? Are you willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel OR is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or higher for this stay?

If you enter 'Tampa, FL' in the search box on the top right of the board, you'll see the PRICELINE zones on a map and can zoom in/out to see their proximity to the Airport, using the mile marker key on the bottom right corner of the map to determine how far the zone is from the airport relative to the others.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[bigredsfan]

will do the search and see what I come up with...we can pay a bit more for a 4* yes as it seems like the winning bids for this level are not much higher than a 3.5*. Would like to spend mid $60's/night which seems okay with winning bids for off peak times. Last year in FLL we narrowed down a bunch of hotels and called each one to make sure they had what we needed

[bigredsfan]

don't see the zones on a map after I do a search for Tampa....input at the top of this board or main page?

[thereuare]

If you enter 'Tampa, FL' in the search box on the top right of the board, you'll see the PRICELINE zones on a map and can zoom in/out to see their proximity to the Airport, using the mile marker key on the bottom right corner of the map to determine how far the zone is from the airport relative to the others.

I'm referring to the Priceline Search Box on the top right of every page of the board, to the right of "Our Exclusive Free Tools".

Another source is MAPSandHOTELS.com which will display all the area hotels within a given radius you choose for any given address/location.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[bigredsfan]

ah, found it..duh! looks like the Port is a ways away from the Airport and nobody will offer free shuttle back and forth. Probably best to rent a car for the day and look at the Airport bid zones on PL and go from there. My guess is most will offer free shuttles back and forth from Tampa Int'l.

[Romelle]

If you search on something like "tampa port shuttle" all sorts of companies will show up offering their wares. Might be worth doing this search for a comparison to the car rental.

Romelle

[Travelling Java Consultant]

Airport South and West are about equidistant to the airport. Airport South is generally a bit easier to drive to the TPA because if you stay in the right lane, Spruce leads directly into the airport. Depending on what property you get in Airport West, you may need to use Memorial to get to TPA. Memorial is five lanes of high speed traffic with confusing road signs. Use the shuttle if possible.

But if you get lucky, you may win the Marriott Airport in zone West; that hotel is connected directly to the airport terminal.

You are not going to find even a 3* hotel in Airport North.

Hope this helps.

[bigredsfan]

helps a lot, thanks! Messed up by foot here so haven't been able to firm up our travel plans...pretty sure that all the hotels in the South and West Zones will shuttle to and from the airport which will be easiest. Probably rent a car for the day and drop off to the Airport same day then rely upon the shuttles....so many Florida Airport are confusing to get around!

[bigredsfan]

haven't forgotten about this thread..we were going to bypass a Priceline bid and book a Hotel at Rocky Point that shuttles back and forth but it is still quite costly. Just signed up to a Hertz Gold Club card and once active it gives you a free weekend day rental. That being said, once confirmed we will rent a car and book a Hotel near the Airport in Tampa. Come that time, I will ask for advice on where to book in the 3.5* range, etc.

Should we keep this thread active till then ?

[thereuare]

Yes, just continue this thread once you're ready to move forward.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[bigredsfan]

okay trip is finally booked, so here is my update:

We are flying out of Tampa on Dec 4th and will need a hotel, preferably close to the airport to that provides a free shuttle. We will have a rental car in all likelihood, so free hotel parking would be a benefit. I don't need any more than a 3.5* as long as it has a nice pool, and shuttle/parking. I would also like to pay around $50 if possible.

From all the Airport Zones, any particular zone to recommend? If we do have a car and keep it at the hotel overnight, should I avoid any zones that make it hard to get into Rental Car drop offs at TPA? I seem to remember a post by someone saying to try to focus on one particular zone if driving to the airport. Not sure if it's easier just to drop off our car the night before the flight and take the hotel shuttle to the airport.

Cheers

[thereuare]

We are flying out of Tampa on Dec 4th...

So you need a hotel for the nite of 12/3, correct?

I don't need any more than a 3.5* as long as it has a nice pool, and shuttle/parking.

When using PRICELINE you have to be willing to accept any hotel in the zone at the select at the star rating (or higher) that you choose... if you want to ensure the hotel has a Pool you'll need to use HOTWIRE and choose an offer which shows the Pool icon. You can then use the amenities shown to take a guess as to the property offered, which will then also give you some insight (assuming you guessed correctly) if the pool meets your definition of 'nice' as well as if a shuttle is offered and if there is a charge for parking (with PRICELINE these would be 'unknown' before your purchase)

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[bigredsfan]

yes we are just looking for one night...if I had a good idea of which zone is best, what I have done so far is check out the hotels in those zones and the hotel website itself for it's amenities. Have also checked past wins to see what my best chances are. Seems most offer the same things...

[thereuare]

The Airport West zone is closest to the airport, but i know the Souht-Westshore zone is bid quite frequently as well... i would start with those two.

Once you've confirmed your zones let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... and your searches too! (please click these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links before replying)

Thanks.

[bigredsfan]

will do thanks...I will search through HOTWIRE for amenities in the South and West zones. Lots of 3.5* in the South it looks like and just 1 in the West. Pretty good chance of getting that one if we bid West.

[thereuare]

(please click these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links before replying)

2x

[bigredsfan]

didn't see any offering for the West Zone on Hotwire or PRICELINE links directly as most hotels seemed to show up on TPA Westshore. Looks like the 3.5* hotels are fine for us, am I realistic in thinking we can get a room for around $50?

Not sure if you need more info from me still..

[thereuare]

Around the $50 mark seems reasonable... if not, should be within $5-$10.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[bigredsfan]

sorry for the delay again, but we weren't sure if we would rent a car and book on PL or book direct with a hotel. We have a early flight out of Tampa on the Sunday, so any hotel that offers free breakfast would not work for us as we would have to leave to the Airport too early. So it looks now as if we will pay for a rental and have the car for the day to shop/beach, etc. I would like input here if possible with these criteria:

- we need a hotel for one night, December 3rd

- we would like to spend in the $50/night range, which should be 3.5* which is fine. I would also likely be okay with the Hyatt Place Airport/Westshore at 3*. We are 5 people and I know there is no guarantee of getting 2 double beds, but my guess is we would be fine for that time of year

- free parking, outdoor pool, as well as free Airport shuttle

- looks like Airport West and South would be fine too, doesn't matter to me

also looks like Embassy Suites is listed as 3* in the same Zone, and on the hotel website doesn't look like they have a comp. shuttle

Hope this is all the info I need to give you guys, yet again, LOL

[thereuare]

- free parking, outdoor pool, as well as free Airport shuttle

Are these wants or needs??

You can't guarnatee any of these things when using PRICELINE or HOTWIRE.

With PRICELINE you can receive any hotel in the zone at the star rating (or higher) that you choose... there is no way to only bid on a hotel with free parking, an outdoor pool, and/or a free airport shuttle. With HOTWIRE you can take a guess as to the hotel being offered and then research the hotel to see the amenities offered, but it's still a 'guess' and no guarantee that you'll receive the hotel you're expecting. HOTWIRE typically costs a little more than PRICELINE, but you stand a better chance at getting a hotel with the amenities/services you're seeking.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.