Vibrant and Sunny

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey y'all, and welcome to All Things Tampa, your ultimate
visitor's guide to one of Florida's most vibrant and sunny cities.
Vibrant and sunny. Maybe we're talking about my personality, oh boy. Anyway,
Whether you're here for the sparkling Gulf Coast beaches, the
bustling River Walk, of the history of Ebor City, or

(00:21):
the thrills of bush gardens, we've got you covered. But
we're not stopping at the tourist checklist. We'll take you
off the beaten path to hidden gyms, local hangouts, and
the spots that only Tampa insiders know. From the best
Cuban sandwiches in town to sunset views that will leave
you speechless. We're here to help you experience Tampa like

(00:45):
a true local. So pack your shades or bring your appetite,
and get ready to fall in love with this beautiful city.
This is all Things Tampa. We have been all about Tampa.
We have been all over the place on Tampa and
how to get there, how to get around once we
get there. We've talked about some food and culinary the lights,

(01:10):
We've talked about activities. We've talked about a lot about Tampa,
and Tampa's one of my favorite places, even though I've
only been there a few times. It's one of my
favorite places because it's where Clempson won the national championship
and beat Alabama a few years ago, which just still
warms my heart. But this isn't about me or my
football prejudices. This is about Tampa and about you going

(01:34):
there and you visiting and what that's all about. Okay,
so let's let's get into I thought about just doing
breaking this down into like budget hotels, mid range hotels,
and luxury hotels, but I'm just gonna lull them all together.
You'll figure it out, so budget friendly to luxury options. Okay,

(01:58):
So you know we've successfully navigated our way to Tampa.
The next step is planning the adventure is securing the
perfect hotel or accommodation. Your choice of lodging will significantly
impact your overall experience, and think about it this way,

(02:18):
all right. I can tell you I've been to I
used to travel for work two weeks out of the month,
and if I ended up in a bad hotel, it
ruined my whole week. I mean it really did. I
would switch hotel halfway through the week if it was
a bad experience. You know, it's just one of those things.

(02:40):
Even though I'm not in the hotel that often, when
I'm done with a hard day work, you know, and
I probably having to burn it at both ends because
I'm having to take clients and stuff out to dinner.
When I get back to my hotel room, I don't
want a little bitty closet with a bed in it
and a little fake refrigerator that this smaller than the

(03:02):
one I had in college. I want some space. I
want a decent place. I want it to be nice
and clean. I want a few amenities. Right. So the hotel,
though people say, well it doesn't matter where you stay
because you're never going to be there will be s
on that, Okay, because it does matter. It absolutely matters,
especially if you're on vacation. I mean, you want to

(03:23):
go and you want to be comfortable where you're staying.
You want a home base because you don't have a
home anywhere else. Your car is not going to work.
You might not even have a car there. So my
advice is if you're traveling with a significant other and
particularly a family, you know, pony up a little bit

(03:44):
and We're going to talk some budget options because we
all go through different stages of life and whatever where
you sometimes you need a budget options and sometimes you're
going to go full out opulence. So we're going to
talk about all of them. But I just kind of
want to throw that in there. Where you stay, don't
ever downplay it. It is incredibly important to your trip.

(04:08):
Whether it's business pleasure, full on vacation, or a long weekend,
it doesn't matter. So your choice of lodging is going
to significantly impact your overall experience, like I just said,
so influencing your comfort, convenience, and budget. Tampa offers a
ton of accommodation options, catering to every taste and budget,

(04:33):
from budget friendly motels and to luxurious resorts. This episode,
we're going to guide you through the various choices, helping
you find the ideal place to rest your head after
a day of exploring the city's wonders. And you know what,
we want it to be a better place than just

(04:56):
resting your head. I talked about this earlier, where you know,
it's part of the experience. I don't want to go
somewhere and have that tiny little room that I'm just
feel like I'm stuck in you know, I need some
space to move around. That's why I always like to
find a two room deal, a suite. Maybe. You know,

(05:18):
if you can get that extra little half bath, especially
if you're traveling with your significant other, that can be huge.
You know, I'm talking about atle half bath. You know
what we call that. I'm not going to beat it,
but that is what that half path is for, so
you're not just sharing a bathroom all the time. I
always look for that half bath. You just need a

(05:40):
little more space, That's what I'm saying. So don't forget.
Even in a budget hotel, lots of times, for an
extra twenty five dollars, you can bump up to a
two room suite. Now, it's not the taj Mahal No,
and may not be the Rich Carlton or the four Seasons,
but you know what, it's a step up and it
gives you some space. You need some space. Even if

(06:01):
you're by yourself, you need some space. But I'm on
the phone, I'm walking back and forth. But I'm thinking
I'm walking back and forth and there's no big dew,
there's no room to walk, and a lot of these
little hotel rooms. So that's that's just my opinion. So
let's see. So let's begin with the budget conscious traveler.

(06:22):
Tampa boasts a number of excellent and affordable motels. I'm
often located conveniently near major highways and attractions. These establishment establishments.
They may not offer the same level of luxury or
as the high end hotels, but they provide comfortable, clean

(06:44):
and functional rooms totally. Yep. Absolutely, and it's significantly less
prices right, also lower price. Many budget motels offer amenities
such as free Wi Fi, swimming pools, free parking, making
them practical and cost effective way for those traveling on
a tight budget. So for me, and we're all different,

(07:05):
I'm just talking to me when I have to drive
somewhere and say it's a maybe it's a twelve hour
drive or thirteen hour drive, and I'm not gonna do
it all one day because I get tired. I'm not
twenty years old anymore. I'm not going to drive through
the night. So I will find a place like this
what we're talking about, the budget friendly motel to spend

(07:26):
the night on the way up, because that's really when
I'm so tired around get out of the car, I'm
gonna run through a place, get something to eat. I'm
gonna take it to the room. I probably have a
bottle of wine or something like that in my suitcase.
I'm gonna have a glass wine. I'm gonna eat my
food and maybe watch fifteen minutes of TV and then
I'm going to sleep. I don't even see the room,

(07:48):
I don't see the motel nothing. I'm in and out.
But when I'm at my destination, I'm want a nicer places.
That's my story. I'm sticking to it. So let's see.
So the free stuff, the free parking, to type budget.
When you're researching budget motels, it's advisable to check online reviews.

(08:11):
It's imperative that you do so. And don't just look
at the first review and see a five star, you know,
go through fifteen or twenty of these things and see
if there's some consistency. You don't want to get there,
like for me after a twelve or thirteen hour drive
and find out that there's no way in heck you're
laying in that bed. You know what I'm saying, No
bed bugs for me, please. So the booking websites, they're

(08:37):
great to use. You know booking dot comhotels dot com, whatever,
and they do have some good reviews on there. Pay
attention to the location. Proximity to public transportation or key
attractions can significantly reduce your transportation costs or in my case,
I want it as close to the interstate as I
can get it. Websites like Expedia, like I said, will

(09:00):
give you some good comparisons. Remember to also check for
deals and discounts. Many motels offer lower rates during the
off season or extended stays. Get luck with your extended stay.
Moving up the scale, maybe I'm just a snob, but
I'm not just a good old boy from Alabama. Moving

(09:22):
up the scale, we find a range of mid range
hotels that offer a balance between price and comfort. So
now we're getting into my range. Okay, this is a
little bit more what I'm looking for at a destination. Okay,
this is the low end of what I'm looking for.
These hotels generally provide a wider array of amenities than

(09:44):
the little budget motels, including upgrade, upgraded rooms, fitness centers.
There might be some suites that you can get a
hold of, or you can stay in on site restaurants.
To me, that's imperative I love. I don't know why.
The food's never great for the most part, but I
love being able to just walk down and grab a
burger and grab a chicken sandwich, grab a salad, and

(10:06):
a cocktail or glass of wine and sometimes even business centers,
which I think you find in most of these hotels.
At this point. Their locations are often more central, providing
easier access to the city's attractions and entertainment venues. Many
mid range hotels in Tampa are situated within walking distance
of popular restaurant shops and cultural attractions, eliminating the need

(10:30):
for constant taxi or ride sharing expenses. Again, online booking
sites are invaluable tools for comparing these prices and reading
the reviews, so this allows you to choose the hotel
that best fits your needs and preferences. Consider things like
the hotel's proximity to your planned activities, the availability of

(10:54):
free Wi Fi, and the overall cleanliness and maintenance of
the premises. These actors can significantly impact your overall satisfaction.
For travelers that are looking for something a little bit
more luxurious, like Mois That's French, Tampa offers a selection

(11:15):
of upscale hotels and resorts. These are often, you know,
very spacious and elegantly appointed. They're going to have some nice,
big suites, a wide range of amenities including spas, fine dining, restaurants,
and a concierge service. So this is a vacation, right,

(11:36):
This is where I'm going to stay if I'm going
on vacation and I'm going to stay in a hotel.
Many luxury hotels in Tampa are located in prime waterfront locations.
They offer some really awesome views of Tampa Bay and
the surrounding landscape. Think about the amenities that are important
to you. Do you value a luxurious spa experience, Yeah,

(11:57):
I don't put my wife does so check that box.
Do you prefer a hotel with multiple dining options? I
do check that box. Do you require a fitness center
or business center? I take my business center with me. Actually,
for the most part, fitness center. Check that box. These
these considerations will help narrow down your choices and ensure

(12:20):
that you select a hotel that meets your specified needs.
So I pretty much need all of those except for
the business center. So beyond traditional hotels and motels, you know,
there are other things, right that we can we can
find that aren't just hotels or chains or motels or

(12:41):
anything like that. So vacation rentals, now these are huge.
Now I'm going to give you rule number one. Do
not ever say anything or call this anything but what
I'm about to say v R b Oh. Okay, if
you say the other thing that they've tried to change
their marketing to, I'm cutting you off. I'm not going

(13:04):
to say another word to you. And from here I
can turn your computer off and close your headphones up
because that is the dumbest thing I've ever seen in
my life. That has to somewhat be a marketing nightmare.
I will not even deal with them. I don't. I mean,
I hear, I hear Coach Saban who There's no way
I could play for him, or could have played for him,

(13:25):
probably because I wasn't good enough maybe back then. But
you know, he's like there spoke person now. And even
though his commercials are hilarious, the fact that he calls
them the V word. Man, you know, I bet he
hates it too. He goes home and tells his wife,
what's her name? This? This is somebody I can't remember

(13:47):
that man. I had to say that word again, the
V word, so be so here we are so. Vacation
rentals often come fully equipped with kitchen facilities, allowing you
to prepare your own meals and save on dining expenses.
This is particularly attractive option for families or groups of
friends traveling together. You know, I like to go every

(14:10):
now and then just by myself instead of staying in
a hotel, I'll get a vrbo or an Airbnb and
I'll stay there by myself. I got plenty of room.
And guess what if I need to have a meeting
and I don't want to have it in one of
the clinics or one of the offices, I have them
come to the house. We set up at the big
kitchen table, and we have us a kitchen table meeting.

(14:31):
We get things done. It's a lot less stressful. I
like it like that, I sure do. So. You know,
sites like we said Airbnb and vrbo and that is
v r BOH for a vast selection of vacation rentals
in Tampa, ranging from budget friendly options to luxurious villas

(14:54):
with private pools and stunning views. When booking a vacation rental,
you need to play pay especially close attention to the location,
the amenities provided, and the cancelation policy. Reading guest reviews
is essential, and you need to book plenty of time
in advance. This isn't really like going on to the

(15:17):
website at a hotel like Hilton dot com, Hilton Honors
and just like book now because these places there there
aren't that many of them, so you need to you
need to plan ahead. You need to book it well
in advance. And if it's if you're trying to book
during the high season, sometimes you have to book as
soon as the high season is over. Uh. I know,

(15:38):
it's like that in the Charleston area, you better if
you stayed in a place in June and you loved it,
you better book it for June the next year, because
that that's how that's how busy these things are and
they're in high demand. So the choice between a hotel
and a vacation rental often comes down to personal preferences
and priorities, as do most things in life. A hotel

(16:00):
else offer convenience and a wider range of amenities, while
vacation rentals provide more space, privacy, and the opportunity to
cook your own meals. And that's awesome. Save a lot
of money too, because you go to the grocery store,
you're not eating out every single time. And let's face it,
restaurants in the hotel they're expensive. I mean everything in

(16:21):
there is expensive. It's convenient, but it's expensive. So both
offers option offer excellent value in Tampa depending on your
specific needs. For those seeking a truly unique lodging experience,
consider boutique hotels. We haven't talked about that yet, and
these are really cool too. I like these. I could

(16:41):
deal with a little bit smaller room to stay in
a hotel like this for a few days. This would
be a long weekend er for me. These smaller, independently
owned hotels often boast distinct personalities and focus on personalized service.
They frequently showcase a local art and design, offering a

(17:02):
more intimate and authentic experience compared to larger chain hotels.
Many of these boutique hotels in Tampa are located in
the historic districts or the charming neighborhoods, not just right
downtown Tampa, providing easy access to all the attractions, and
you get a much more immersive experience within the culture

(17:25):
of the neighborhood in that part of Tampa. They offer
unique amenities and design elements reflecting the city's character and culture,
and lots of times the owner's character and culture, if
you know what I mean. So that's pretty big too,
And it's in the owners of these boutique hotels and
the people that work there are taken very seriously, and

(17:49):
that's good. You're going to get really good service in
these You should anyway, So no matter your budget or preferences,
it's crucial to book your accommodation advance. We talked about that,
particularly with the vrbos and airbnbs, but also with the
hotels and anything that you're going to book during peak season,

(18:11):
you better get on it. You better get on a
weeks ahead of time, sometime months ahead of time. You
just need to know when you're going to travel. And
we've talked about that in some earlier episodes. Remember that
Tampa accommodations, that scene is dynamic. There are new hotels
and other lodging options that are just they're popping and
popping up right and left. So even beyond the information

(18:32):
provided here, you know, research, we didn't talk about particular
hotel change or anything like that. I'm going to do
a whole section on that and restaurants, and they're gonna
lump all that together. Right now, we're talking generalities so
that we know how to what we need, what fits
our priorities and our needs, and how to book those,

(18:54):
when to book them, all that kind of good stuff.
So by carefully considering, you know, all the factors that
we've talked about, we can pretty much ensure that you're
going to have a seamless and enjoyable stay in Tampa.
And that's what it's all about. Because Tampa is an
amazing place, freeing you up to fully experience the city's

(19:14):
myriad of attractions and activities. The preparation that you put
into choosing your accommodation or your hotel or your VRBO
will significantly impact overall quality of your trip. So it's
what you need to do. As soon as you as
soon as you hang up your your headphones or your
computer with me, you need to Why don't you just

(19:37):
like open it back up and just google Tampa. This
is where you want to go and start looking for
some hotels. If you're a Hilton Honors person, if you're
a Marriott bondvoy person, whatever it is that you generally
travel and use. Take a look and see what they have,
because you probably have some points built up from that
and using points for a vacation that you've earned through business,

(19:59):
that's a special that's what those points are really for
my opinion, So I think that what we've done here,
we can we can make your Tampa adventure that much
more memorable and enjoyable. Now that you're armed with the knowledge,
you can confidently move on to the next stage of
planning for your exciting Tampa getaway. And we're going to

(20:22):
look at the individual hotels. We may do that next Yeah,
that's what we're going to do next time. So listen.
I hope you guys enjoyed, and I hope that we
will see you next time. And God bless