Embassy Suites Tampa - Downtown / Convention Center

I stayed at this facility with my daughter who was attending a conference at the Convention Center. The location was wonderful, actually attacted to the Convention Center by a 2nd floor skywalk. The room was clean and comfortable. We had a view of Harbour Island from our room. The pool was relaxing and sunny with plenty of chairs and towels. The staff was extremely efficient and helpful. The front desk staff answered questions and gave advise about local attractions. I especially enjoyed the complimentary breakfast and the happy hour in the lobby each evening. There was transportation conveniently available by taxi, trolley or shuttle (not included). There was a restaurant in the hotel but I didn't eat there but I did visit the Starbucks on the first floor. I didn't have a car but noted that the hotel did charge a $20/day parking fee for those who needed it. I noticed the valets were readily available for parking and friendly. Over all, I would highly recommend this hotel if you need to stay in the downtown Tampa area.

I was attending a convention for 5 days (Oct. 19 to 24) while my wife enjoyed some rest and relaxation. 2 years ago we stayed at the Hilton St. Petersburg and the difference was amazing.

All the staff we met at the Embassy were extremely friendly and approachable. The hotel was slightly more expensive than nearby hotels but the suites, complimentary breakfast and 2 hour complimentary drink (happy hour), plus the cheaper internet service actually made it the better deal and talking to others at the convention that stayed nearby, it actually cost us less overall.

The hotel is connected to the Tampa Convention Center with a skywalk, there is a trolley that runs all day to Ybor City and past the aquarium & Channelside Bay Plaza. The area felt very safe during the day & at night and my wife walked alone for miles during the day and never felt uncomfortable.

I mentioned at the beginning there was a difference between the Hilton St. Petersburg and the Embassy Suites Tampa downtown. Both hotels had great accomodations, the difference was the staff at the hotel and in the area. I couldn't believe that two areas so close together could be so different.

The one issue with the area was the lack of choices for casual cheaper dining for the budget minded traveller.

Overall I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone coming to the area.

I stayed at the Embassy Suites 3 nights while in Tampa for a convention. The hotel really is right across the street from the convention center - there is a sky bridge on the 2nd floor connecting the two.

The front desk was wonderful and let me check in early. My room was on the 17th floor, and I could not hear any music or outside sounds from the bedroom area at night.

The room was beautiful with modern appointments (such as a leather coffee table) in the living area. The bed was probably the most comfortable I have slept in (and I travel a lot for work). There is a $9.95 charge for 24 hour high-speed internet access from the room. Since I was on business travel, I didn't mind paying to have the access from my room, but apparently the lobby area is wireless.

I LOVED the pool area. It is on the third floor and it is basically a lap pool. There are jacuzzi areas built into the pool on both ends. As a business traveler, I adored the fact that this set up is not particularly kid-friendly, so there weren't kids all over the place during the few times I could use the pool. It might be different on the weekends. The pool is built so that it faces south and gets sun all day - a nice touch. There were plenty of towels and lounge chairs at the pool, and Sirius Margaritaville station playing lowly in the background, just enough to provide ambiance.

The workout room is adjacent to the pool area. All of the equipment (3 treadmills, 2 elipticals, and 1 recliner bike) were in good working order. There were plenty of towels stocked, sanitizing wipes, and the water cooler had cups. There were plenty of free weights. For such a big hotel, though, I would have thought there would be more equipment. However, I never had to wait to use a machine, so I guess it was sufficient.

The breakfast was the best of any Embassy Suite that I have stayed at. They had a make your own waffle station, in addition to the omlette station. They also had plenty of hot foods served buffet style (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, pancakes), so you could grab something quickly if you were in a hurry.

The evening happy hour was outstanding. I only went once, but got a very nice glass of white wine that was easily a 12 ounce pour. Do remember to tip the bartenders, who are very friendly, even though they are serving a large crowd.

The restaurant (Trolleys) was pricey (like most hotels), but the food was OK. I wish that there were more restaurants within easy walking distance of the hotel/convention center. Channelside has a lot of restaurants, but they're all chain type restaurants and not fine dining. Jacksons is right across the small bridge, and has wonderful waterfront dining. It is pricey, but the service was very good. The food was good to very good (the grouper topped with crab is to die for).

The hotel is also a minute walk to the St. Pete's Times Forum (where the Tampa Bay Lightning play). I went to a hockey game Tuesday evening. It was a blast - there is a huge party in the plaza in front of the arena where they sell beer, wine, and mixed drinks (something unheard of in Buffalo). I was easily able to buy a center ice ticket.

When I retrieved my car from valet parking there was hardly any wait at all. The attendant provided me with excellent directions back to the airport.

The elevators can be slow during peak periods due to heavy volume, but this is not unusual for any big hotel.

I am already planning to visit Tampa next summer with my husband and stay at the Embassy Suites.

We stayed at this hotel while visiting the tampa downtown convention center. It was very nice. The front desk staff was very friendly. The room was decorated very well and the room was very clean. The beds were comfortable. We stayed one night (it was Friday) and we heard music all night from what I could tell was from a nearby hotel. It was hard to sleep. I'm not sure if the music was due to a special event because of the boat show at the convention center. We chose this hotel because it is connected to the convention center by a skybridge but it is also very easy to cross the street as well. I would stay here again in a heartbeat if I had to visit downtown Tampa again. Oh..The valet parking was great, I couldn't imagine looking for a place to park in downtown. The valets at the front of the hotel were very nice and greeted you warmly. In the parking garge where you pick your car up, the valets seemed to be a little annoyed by you wanting to get your car and didn't greet you or really even say anything to you. Maybe a hi or good morning would have been nice or a may I see your ticket would have been ok too. Overall a really great experience. The tampa boat show was really awesome too.

Attractive facilities, great views! The staff was extremely nice , very polite and very well organized. The breakfast had a nice variety - something for everyone. It was a great location for conferences at the St. Pete Times Forum. The rooms were spacious and comfortable. We were glad there was valet parking. We enjoyed our stay.

We thought our suite was well appointed, roomy, beds were terrific with great pillows. Spacious. Breakfast Buffet was delicious and free to customers. Only downfall was slow elevators. Maids pleasant, enjoyed having microwave and refrigerator.

I stayed at the ES Tampa Convetion Center for 4 nights while attending a convention. Great walkway connecting to the CC. Couldn't ask for an easier trip across the street!!

The room was fantastic...great beds, large living area, 2 tv's, wet bar area w/ fridge & micro. My 22 year old daughter accompanied me to just relax and hang out. She enjoyed the pool...although it could be a bit larger and could use a separate hot tub area.

The cooked to order bf was fantastic...expect to gain a few pounds!! The managers reception blew me away. Thought it would just be comp beer & wine, but they practically make anything you want. Bartenders were great! Just remember to tip them!! All in all I would highly recommend it. I was disappointed to leave! I had stayed at the Marriott Waterside in a previous year and the rooms there were so small without the extra perks of BF and free cocktails. ES is the way to go!!

I thought this was a fabulous hotel. I thought that all of the staff was extremely friendly, from the check in staff to the omelet chef, to the housekeeping staff, even the bartenders (Just don't forget to tip the bartenders, even though the drinks are free!!! ). I was staying here for a conference in the convention center next door. It couldn't be easier to get there from here, just take the bridge over the street and you are there! The room was large, with a nice view. The pool is on the 3rd floor roof, and is a spa pool which has jets and is heated to I think 110 degrees. The fitness room is small be sufficient. The breakfast is everything you could hope for. The open bar each evening was a wonderful perk. I enjoyed my margaritas and mai tai's by the pool each evening. Everything was extremely clean as well, I was very impressed. Even the surrounding area is very clean and appears to have undergone a recent renovation to the city.

Stayed at this hotel over Spring Break. Originally had planned to go to Myrtle Beach but the forecasted weather was too cold. We booked the downtown Embassy using our Hilton points. We would have rathered stayed on the beach but there was nothing available with short notice with our change in plans.

The hotel is located downtown near a lot of restaurants, attractions, and close to the interstate highways. The valet parking personnel and bell hops were great. They were always pleasant and welcomed us back each day. We were concerned about the parking deck and the height of our car with the luggage topper on it, but the hotel assurred us it would not be a problem and they found no issue parking our expedition on the first floor which is reserved for taller vehicles.

The room was ready when we arrived and we checked in immediately. We found there was not enough towels in the room and when requested additional towels were brought up immediately. The suite was perfect for a family of 5. We were able to bring beach toys, board games, and all the food and Easter egg decorating items we needed. The room was cleaned daily while we were out and never had an issue with getting anything we needed.

The hotel is located next to the convention center, hockey stadium, and cruise boat docks. So there is always something going on that you can go to. We found it got a bit busy a few nights when there was an NCAA game downtown and a hockey game downtown. There are plenty of restaurants nearby that you can walk to as well as a good restaurant in the hotel if needed.

The hotel pool is small but was adequate for our 3 children who just wanted to stay at the hotel one afternoon after a morning of the Aquarium and eating out. The towel service at the pool was lacking, but we had brought our own beach towels so it did not matter.

The free drinks and snacks each afternoon were nice. Our kids loved going and getting snacks, though it was a bit congested with the NCAA in town. Seating was a bit hard to find that day during the manager's reception offering free drinks.

We planned activities each day away from the hotel and found most were within 20 minutes from the hotel. The traffic on the way back each day was bad, but we assumed this was the daily rush hour traffic. We drove to the beach 2 days and typically it was 30-40 minutes to each the beach. We went to Clearwater beach on Easter and found everyone else was also going so it took about 1 hour to get parked and onto the beach. The next day we drove to Treasure Island beach and found this beach to be much less congested and more enjoyable.

The day we left the hotel's bell hop came up and helped load all our bags and then helped load them in our car. Overall the stay at the Embassy Suites Downtown was excellent and we would definitely return and recommend this hotel to all.

Stayed here for 4 nights recently for the NCAA Tourney at the St pete Times forum next door.

Check-in was very easy, elevators worked perfectly, room was on 16th floor and faced the forum. Suite was very spacious. Both double beds were clean, and very comfortable. Bathroom was very clean and everything worked. Having the two rooms was very nice because I had an extra guest and the couch pulled out to a bed in the living room.

Hotel is walking distance to several bars and restaurants and the staff was great about everything.

Shuttle runs to the airport everyhour on the hour and costs $12. Parking is $20 a day for valet but I took a taxi and didnt have a car so it wasnt a big deal to me.

would recommend staying here for sure. This place is great for couples, families, and singles just hanging in tampa.

Excellent location close to all downtown amenitites, cruise port, convention center. Excellent rooms (Suites) with all amenitites. Great breakfast and very nice although small pool. Great service at reception and room. Can't fault it. Valet parking was $19 including tax per night but that is standard rate in any city hotel.

Stayed at the Tampa Embassy Suites in Dec. 2007 for 3 days before our cruise I was there with my husband and three children . Hotel was Very close to cruise terrminal. wich was a plus. and If you are into Hockey ,You are maybe a block away from St Petes Times Forum so we took the kids to a Tampa Lightening game. Hotel was very clean and the the staff was very pleasant the managers reception at night was very good and the breakfast very good and when traveling with three picky children it was nice than they all had eaten allot for breakfast they enjoyed everything. The children enjoyed the 3rd floor outdoor roof top pool. I would definently stay at this hotel again plus i would recommened this hotel. It is a great hotel for all ages.

I reserved this hotel for seven staff memebrs for a conference across the street at the convention center. Being from Wisconsin, using the outside rooftop pool was great and warm. Everyone really enjoyed the rooms, breakfast and afternoon receptions with two free drinks. This was a great way to start our night as we walked to nearby Channelside entertainment district. We also took the trolley from right in front of the hotel to Ybor City for history and fun. The rooms were confortable, valet parking worked out well. The price was right, way cheaper than the Marriott across the street. We would recommend this hotel to everyone. Thanks previous tripadvisor reviewers for recommending this hotel for us.

Both my wife and myself would like to praise the Embassy suites for the excellent service. Though our stay was only two days the service and condition of the room and taff were superior. This is a recently renovated Embassy suite. The location is excellent to the Tampa downtown resturants and nightlife. The breakfast area was large enough to sit a busy crowd and the food was serve and prepare well. In the evening is a mangers happy hour where liquor, beer and wine is serve for the hotel guest and accompanied by snacks such as chips and cheese. From the hotel it is easy to catch a trolley to downtown resturants which is a plus as you do not need a car. The only negative comment is the hotel charges for parking which is $18-20 a day. I think this should be included in the hotel stay and may prevent future guest from returning.

The hotel is in an exellent location... with a train thats right at the front door that you can take for a few dollars to great night life in Ybor City.. and Channel side.. lots of good food, shopping, comedy clubs, Have to try Carmines' deviled crabs!

Our room had lots of space.. extra clean, nice bath, city views, best cooked to order free breakfast, and free happy hour too!

Take the train and leave the car.. don't have to worry about parking or drinking and driving. It runs till 2 am on weekends. Valet parking only so bring tip $

Will go back on next trip to Tampa

Quick Review on the Embassy Suites (E/S) in Tampa near the convention center.

Property looks new to brand new. Tall hotel overlooking downtown Tampa and the Tampa Harbor. Near the trolley car that runs to Ybor City, across from the Marriott.

E/S was very clean, with the typical suite layout (2 rooms, nice size bathroom, desk, etc.) Internet is available for $9.95/day.

Free breakfast in the morning with an omelet bar, cereals, fruits, etc. Very nice value.

Workout room is average size but with five treadmills, elliptical trainers, and a bike (and some weights). Has a small pool.

The property overall is in good shape and clean, with a beautiful lobby. There's an evening reception every night with free drinks and snacks as well.

Raymond James football stadium is about 25 mins away (with traffic).

Valet parking is $19/day. Room Service is available. I would recommend this hotel (or the Marriott next door) if you are planning on staying in Downtown Tampa.

We stayed for a convention in August 2007 and had a great time. Very easy access to the convention center and the trolley is right outside the door to take you to the entertainment area and aquarium. The breakfast is wonderful and you can't beat the free cocktails. Many of my associates stayed at other hotels in the area and were quite jealous of all these great ammenities they didn't receive at their hotels (and they paid more for their rooms). The rooms are very spacious, up to date and clean. My husband really appreciated the mini fridge. The only downside would be the slow elevators and valet parking, but was the norm at all other hotels in the area ($17 per day). I would definitely stay here again if I'm ever in the area!

I was attending a conference at the convention center during my stay. The Embassy Suites is directly across the street and has a connecting sky-walk for easy access. It would be nice if the sky-walk had been enclosed or at least covered since Tampa usually gets an afternoon shower each day, but it was still nice to have.

My room was a non-smoking room with two double beds. All of the rooms here are two room suites. Very spacious! The front room is a living area which has a sofa (can be made into a bed), a side chair, ottoman, table and flat screen tv. The back room is the bedroom which has an armoire for your clothes as well as a full length mirror and flat screen tv. The bed room has its own door which is nice since you can close that door at night and not have to listen to any noise from the hallway and atrium area. In between these two rooms is the mini bar area with a microwave and small fridge and sink. The bathroom is across from that. I usually do not use the shampoo/conditioners/soaps that hotels provide, but I liked the Embassy Suites' toiletries so much that I never even touched the ones I brought. They were great!

Also, these beds are some of the most comfortable I have ever found in a hotel - and I travel quite a bit.

The full breakfast buffet each morning was great! I went down to the lobby each morning and fixed myself a breakfast tray and took it back to my suite. The waffles are a must!

The front desk staff and bellman were always so very pleasant and helpful.

The only problem I had, which was minor, were the tvs in the room. There were some channels that had picture and no sound, and others that had sound but no picture. It was an intermittent problem, but I still found something to watch when I wanted to so it was not a big deal. I just found it very bizarre. The tv would also change channels on its own when I was no where near the remote or set. Really strange!

I would recommend a high floor so that the noise from the atrium area, especially during the manager's reception, is not a problem.

The Florida Aquarium is just a trolley ride away. The trolley stops right in front of the hotel. It goes to the Channelside area and Ybor City, both of which have a number of restaurants and shops. (I recommend Bernini's in Ybor City and Gallagher's in Channelside.) There is also a movie theater near by. My room overlooked the St. Pete Times Forum and the cruise ship port.

Everyone I talked to that stayed here during the convention really loved it. I can not say enough good things about it. I was ready to go home, but I didn't want to leave my suite AND my maid behind. They were both outstanding!

From the moment we arrived everything was just flawless! Valet was great, check in was fast and friendly...The room was immaculate and gorgeous as well with a fabulous view of downtown Tampa...I booked the room because I was going to see The Police in concert and what a great deal this turned out to be...I literally walked out of the hotel and crossed the street and I was at the door of the St Pete Times Forum...Getting back to the hotel was equally easy even in the crowds of people...It was fantastic having a birdseye view from the 13th floor looking out the window high above and watching the people walking back to their cars and traffic as far as the eye could see! And their I was comfy in my suite...The Manager's reception was fantastic...FREE DRINKS!!! I was drinking margarita's and tequila sunrise's for nothing more than a tip to the bartender...I must give Alexandria (front desk) a very special mention, she made our stay so very wonderful...Her customer service skills are superior and was greatly appreciated...It was my birthday and she brought me lots of candy, soda and even a birthday card to my room as a suprise! Such a nice touch! Words cannot express the amazing time I had at this particular Embassy Suites! I found the hotel and suite in which we stayed to be luxurious compared to so many other hotels which I've paid more but received so much less...We felt very safe and secure, appreciated the in room safe, it's in a very nice area of Tampa and not far from the aquarium which My nephew (he's 3) and I loved, it's just a hop skip and a jump on the trolley which is very cool if I may add...The pool was fun and with a nice view as well...The beds were so comfortable and breakfast was a dream, everything you could possibly ever want is included on the buffet...As I said before It was truly flawless in everyway...I will look forward to returning again as I will be a loyal guest whenever I'm in the Tampa/St Pete area...I wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else...

When I travel to Tampa (approx. 8 times during the past year), the local office usually books me in this or that hotel near downtown. Despite my preference for Marriott properties, I take what is paid for by others.

.

While I have enjoyed Hilton's & Hampton Inn's in the past, I wasn't aware that Embassy Suites was one of their brands (I am a "tin" HHonors Member, so what do I know?).

.

This is a new (completed in late 2006) property with a great staff and amenities that were surprisingly up-to-date and luxurious. I would not hesitate to stay here again. The location is upscale urban, close to the cruise terminal, aquarium, sports center and convention center, several good restaurants, etc. Parking is a bit tricky and a bit expensive for Florida ($16/day for Valet), but that's the only drawback.

.

Breakfast was good. Ice, tv's, beds. 4 fast elevators. And again, a very good staff that seemed to care.

Every room in this hotel is a suite-room with two TVs, one or two beds in the bedroom (depending on whether you want a king bed, or two queens) and a pull-out couch in the suite room. There is a door between the two rooms that shuts close for privacy. The bathroom is well-stocked, and any forgotten toiletries can be ordered up complimentary from the main desk. The beds and pillows are very comfortable and soft, although I prefer a slightly firmer bed and chose to sleep on the pull-out couch instead.

The free buffet-style breakfast every morning is fantastic. Cooked to order omelets are a nice touch, but the wait can get long at times. There are usually two chefs making 4 omelets each at any given point in time, but towards the end of the breakfast period, only 1 chef is available.

The happy hour (free drinks) from 5:30pm to 7:30pm becomes quite loud and noisy in the evening. The piano on the 2nd floor is obnoxiously loud, but if you retreat into the bedroom and close the door, the loud just about disappears.

Room service is a bit on the expensive side by the time you add the gratuity, taxes and delivery fees. But it isn't absolutely prohibitive. Channelside with a variety of restaurants and bars is within 10 mins walking distance away.

The only con to staying at this hotel is the steep rate for overnight parking. With tax it comes to $21.80 per day, and the charge adds up quick based on how many days you stay at the hotel.

Overall, I enjoyed my stay at the Embassy Suites. I was at the hotel to attend an event at the Convention Center next door, so the convenient walkway between the hotel and the convention center was very much appreciated! I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone who needs to be in or near downtown Tampa.

We stayed at this property for a 20 year reunion. Location was great! Plenty in the immediate vicinity to keep us busy! Suite was spacious, clean and very quiet! I didn't hear any neighbor noise or street noise, which is unusual but welcomed! Breakfast had a super selection, something for everyone. We did have to search for a table for a little while, as it was a bit crowded. Didn't partake in the managers reception as the line was really long for the drinks and the food was just tortilla chips, pretzels and salsa. The service at this hotel was excellent! I had several interactions with the staff, and each time they were excellent to me!

My parents, husband and kids got a couple rooms here for Thanksgiving last year. We were visiting relatives in Tampa, and got a great rate - $99. The hotel was new, clean and nice. We enjoyed the free drinks each night and found the hotel very comfortable. Also enjoyed Starbucks. Navigating around the hotel was tough due to construction, but great location - near some nice restaurants.

Everything about my stay was great. The staff was courteous and helpful. The rooms were clean and very comfortable. I appreciated that they changed my room from a double to a king.

There were two televisions in my suite and more importantly the av inputs weren't blocked so hooking up the DVD player wasn't an issue.

The only complaints I had were that the only free internet was in the cramped business center and that the maid kept replacing the towels that I put on the rack to save.

Neither was really a major inconvenience to me as the free full breakfast, grits, eggs, cooked to order omlettes (and pretty much any other egg related thing you could ask the chef to do) made up for the cost of internet. And the towels thing was more a mark against their green lodgings status and not an inconvenience.

Also while the pool was a bit of a disappointment to real swimmers (or just tall people) the fitness center was top notch.

The location is awesome as it's right in front of the streetcar station and the trolley stops. There's several restaurants in the immediate vicinity and Channel Side is only a few minutes walk or you can hop on the streetcar. There's also a Publix supermarket very close by and there's some fast food options a healthy but reasonable walk, or a short trolley ride away from the hotel.

My family and I stayed at the Embassy Suites Downtown for three nights. The rooms are nicely appointed, clean, and good beds. I am really picky about where I lay my head down so I look for a quality hotel. It was a bit cold when we were there so we didn't try out the outside pool. As far as the Continental Breakfast...........all I can say is WOW!!!!! This hotel served a true FULL made to order omelets. The buffet had waffles, pancakes, bacon, sausage, grits, oatmeal, fruit, cereal, muffins, breakfast potatoes, bagels, etc. I know I am missing some food items but they had so much (which was all complimentary) it was awesome. This really sets this hotel apart from any of the other hotels in the Area. My only complaint about this hotel was....I pre-registered with five people in my room. My husband and I, along with our three children. Of course they did not have enough towels in the room for the number of people in our party (not unusual) The problem was when I requested additional towels the first night it took three calls to the front desk and an hour later to get additional towels. Our last night it took four calls, two hours, and me having to go down to speak with a manager to get additional towels. This was just ridiculous. I had never experienced anything like it before. They really need to work on this issue, which was unexceptable. Other than that the hotel was great.

The hotel is very close to the convention center, has a Starbucks in the lobby and the evening drinks and morning breakfast are great. The rooms are a nice size, typical for Embassy. I was underwhelmed by the service however.

The shower in the room was never very hot, luke warm at best. One morning there was NO hot water. I called the front desk and left my cell phone and asked them to call me when the water was fixed. I never received a call, but when I went back to the room, the water in the shower was luke warm again.

They missed an opportunity to excel at customer service, instead, they missed the mark.

Stayed at Embassy in Tampa for a conference across the street at the Marriott. Great location and convenient. Trolley right outside to take you anywhere. Wonderful service. Breakfast terrific- no lines. Drinks in the evening a plus. Room service was quick and good. High speed internet in room for a fee. Rooms are smaller than other Embassy locations I have stayed- corner rooms a little bigger. My room was on 3rd floor and view from window was the back of a building- couldnt even stretch to see what the weather was like in the am. That was my biggest complaint.

Great hotel if attending conference at the Convention Center. Hotel very clean, staff friendly. Pool is small and could use a little more ambiance, but the water temp was perfect and it was clean. Evening cocktails are a plus, although the only food served is tortilla chips and pretzels. Restaurant small and plain. We ate at the two restaurants at the Marriott Waterside, both excellent. We found two great little restaurants within walking distance - across the channel from the Marriott in the condo village.

We enjoyed our stay at the Embassy Suites. The staff was extra friendly and helpful. The room was nice and housekeeping did a great job. The free breakfast was very good with a wide selection of hot and cold items. We also enjoyed the free drinks in the evenings. Pool area was very nice. The parking was very expensive here. I would have liked a fancier restaurant on site, the food was adequate though.

We stayed three nights on the 9th floor while exploring tampa/st pete's and found the hotel a good base for this. It's a very new hotel and therefore in good condition. Comfy bed, very clean spacious rooms. Food options were somewhat limited in the evening, but the morning free breakfast was one of the best buffets we have seen in a hotel of this grade. Happy hour FREE drinks every evening between 5-7 and reasonable bar prices outside of this.

We were concerned about valet parking; yes it is expensive, but it is primarily a conference/business hotel. It was $18+ dollars per 24 hours to park, but the hotel was cheap anyway. Staff were all very nice.

Only drawback; the design of the hotel means that everyone's lounge rooms look out onto the atrium with the lobby and bar in the centre on the ground floor (Bedrooms have external views). This means that bar sound doesn't travel to the bedroom. It did travel to the lounge room though, so when there was a big crowd in the bar we couldn't relax and watch tv etc for the noise, which can go on late when there are functions.

If you're in Tampa for a convention or conference at the Tampa Convention Center across the street from the Embassy Suites, you can't do too much better on location than this place. There is the Marriott Waterside, too, directly facing the Embassy Suites. Both have huge location pluses for convention goers that make up for any minuses.

The Embassy Suites opened just a year or two ago, so it's still very fresh looking. Decor is current and modern. It feels a little small throughout, as it was built to fit in a tight space in the downtown waterside area.

I was doing business all day long at the Tampa Convention Center during my four-day visit. I liked having the skyway walkway (the pedestrian overpass) that allowed me to avoid having to cross the street between the hotel and convention center during heavy traffic and also cross the trolley tracks. It's not a huge perk, mind you, but it does make for a faster, more convenient trip back and forth from the hotel to the center.

The not-so-good news is that EVERYONE at the conference I was attending also seemed to be staying where I was and at the Marriott Waterwise. As a result, elevators were really backed up during peak times, check-in involved the longest wait I've had in several years, and breakfast was a packed zoo of convention goers (I waited 15 minutes to get an omelet made). The front desk, in particular, seemed unprepared for the traffic and was understaffed each time I had to stop by for assistance. I am Hilton Honors Gold member, and generally, I feel like I get grade A service from the front desk at Hilton properties. I didn't feel like I got that here.

My king suite (all rooms are suites, technically, as they have a living room area and another separate bedroom area) itself was smaller than most Embassy Suites rooms, but worked just fine for me being there on business. The king bedroom had a sink and mirror in it, but a friend told me her two double bed suite did not have the sink in the bedroom. The bed was very comfortable, and I slept well each night. The shower had a lot of hot water and water pressure, in spite of the convention crowds following a similar time schedule.

I did use the hotel gym two times, and there was no problem finding open equipment among 5-6 cardio machines and free weights. The workout room is small, but clean and attractive. The pool is right outside the workout room, and though it's also smaller than one might expect, it's very elegantly designed with waterfalls and squirting water spouts.

Room service was prompt, and the food was better than expected (not awesome, but not bad, either). I had salads with dark green lettuce (not iceberg), and a sandwich I ordered was fresh and well prepared.

I walked to Channelside with friends one night, and the Thai place there is worth a visit, if you like Thai -- Thai Thaini, I think it's called. It's upstairs in Channelside, next to Bennigan's. This place definitely is a good Thai restaurant and appears to be locally owned -- so I would say it's much better than the "upscale Applebee's" description some used to describe the eating fare at Channelside. I would rank it about a 7.5 or 8 out of 10.

We traveled via cab to Timpano one night to hear live music and get dinner, and found that to be a fun, vibrant restaurant/bar scene with very good live music. (BTW, we're all musicians, so we're picky about what we call "good.") It's about 15 minutes to that restaurant via cab. The host who greeted us there was a studio singer who recorded with Frank SInatra, which was fascinating to hear about (and he's a charmer, too).

I probably wouldn't pick the Embassy Suites unless I was attending another conference across the street. But it's a great option for those who have business to conduct at the Tampa Convention Center.

I stayed at this hotel for a meeting. The rooms are very spacious, comfortable and clean. Breakfast is WONDERFUL! It was very convenient to the cruiseport, and all other downtown areas. It is connected to the convention center which made it very convenient for meetings. The only problem was the elevators. We were on the 18th floor. There were only 2 elevators which meant we had to wait long periods of time. If they had just one more elevator it would be great!

This hotel is very new and you can walk to St Pete Times Forum, Convention Center, Channelside shops and restaurants.

The room was very well decorated, very very comfy bed, and even an exhaust fan in the bathroom. Someone did think things through when building this. The manager's reception was 2 hours and breakfast of course was included..very good, all was very fresh.

Close to most major highways. I would definitely stay again if I needed a hotel in that area.

Stayed here this weekend while my daughter and I visited the University of Tampa. New and beautiful with 2 sets of glass elevators overlooking the river and a really nice "swim spa" (read small pool). Suites spacious, although the way it's set up the bath room door must always be closed or you can't walk through from the living room to the bedroom. Two TVs and modern furnishings. Lots of free breakfast selections included in the buffett and really great free drinks every night from 5:30-7:30. You can easily walk to the St. Pete Times Forum, Channelside, and the Aquarium. You can also jump on the very convenient streetcar to take you to these places and beyond to Ybor City. The Sheraton and Hyatt are closer to the campus but are older and not renovated. It was a 17 minute walk from the hotel to UT. Taxi rides are a set $22 fare to and from the airport. I'd definitely recommend the Embassy Suites at the Convention Center.

Very convenient location for downtown business and attractions. You can walk to Harbour Island or the Forum. The street car lines connect right in front of the hotel, just outside the door. The breakfast and reception are a bit of a stampede, but not surprising considering the sheer size of the hotel. A full service Starbucks is in the lobby. There are a lot of aging Embassy Suites out there, but this is above your average property. Request a bay view room.

The Embassy Suites Downtown Convention Center is a great place to stay before going on a cruise.

The rooms are comfortable and the property is up to Hilton standards. The made to order breakfast was a great way to start the day. The pool is a great place to relax and read the morning paper.

The only negative is that the price we were given by the hotel for the cost of the airport shuttle was double what they had told us. The front desk at Embassy Suites failed to mention that the price was per person an important distinction we learned that should be talked about before entering a cab or shuttle bus in Tampa. Some charge per destination while others charge per passenger.

You can walk from the hotel to the cruise port though on a hot day a cab will just cost a few dollars and only take a couple of minutes.

A great property and a nice hotel. We would stay again.

This is a brand new 20 +/- story hotel. It's very pretty inside and out. Staff was very friendly, helpful and professional. I see what the other reviews mean about the elevators. A long wait time to get one. Also see what they mean about breakfast. It was a "madhouse" at breakfast, but again staff was very courteous and nice. We found a table although it is alittle cramped considering the size of the hotel. Location of the hotel is great. Valet parking went smooth, again valet staff very polite. Overall, great hotel and experience.

I stayed one night at the Embassy Suites in downtown Tampa near the Convention Center for a wedding celebration at the same hotel. The rooms are all very spacious and the suite area with two televisions and a sofa really helped since we have a two-month old boy who needed space for supplies and a fridge for the milk. The bathrooms were immaculate and the toiletries up to standard. The bed was comfortable, the view so and so, it showed a parking lot. There is a pool, a narrow one though, but we did not use it. The wedding reception at the hotel was also very good, above the average for this type of hotel, with good food and service. The next day we went for breakfast and all was very good, although being Sunday morning there was a lot of people in line, but the food was excellent, especially the omelette station.

It is true, only 4 elevators for a big hotel is a little painful, since wait times are long, but the view from the elevators was very nice, you overlook the downtown area and the shoreline.

Overall a very good experience in a brand new hotel.

We were a little skeptical prior to booking our reservation in consideration of some of the earlier reviews. However, after our three-night stay we have nothing but nice things to say about the property. We had just arrived from the Embassy Suites USF after a four-night stay visiting Busch Gardens and found the difference to be night and day. This hotel is much newer, nicer and in a better location adjacent to the Tampa Trolley Car substation and the St. Pete Times Forum. It's pretty cool to say the least. For about two dollars each way you can shuttle to Channelside where they have an abundance of eateries and the Florida Aquarium. Further down the line you have Ybor City, a local haunt famous for cigar making and some night life. It's somewhat dumpy but worth a look.

The rooms were clean and newly decorated. We stayed for approximately $159 a night which was a great deal considering you get the complimentary breakfast and the two hour "happy hour" from 5:30-7:30. The food at Trolley's was good despite the small confines of the restaurant. The hotel opens up the entire downstairs lobby for its breakfast so it doesn't prove to be a problem. However, the line for omelets is really long so you need to arrive early. The Starbucks in the hotel lobby is a nice added feature and hits the spot.

We had the benefit of staying during the AVP Professional Volleyball Tour that set up shop in the parking lot next to the hotel. It was a nice added feature to walk next door to take in a few of the games. All of the players stayed at the hotel and were no problem whatsoever. Across the street is the Tampa Marriott Waterside which has a beautiful walkway around the marina and provides you with a great view of Harbour Island. While there isn't a lot to do in the immediate vicinity the area is safe and attractive. The Embassy Suites is connected via skywalk to the Convention Center on the third floor. That area also has some nice walking areas along the water.

We had a great time and would definitely recommend the hotel to other travelers staying for business or pleasure as it appears to cater to both.

Our family of five stayed for one night, pre-cruise. It just happened to be the fourth of July and what an awesome place to watch the Tampa Bay fireworks. (Just head to the third floor outdoor pool deck.) Prior to that , we hopped on one of the downtown trolleys (station is directly outside the front door) to go down to Channelside for a delicious dinner at Tinatapas.

Although the hotel was beautiful and our room was clean, there were various things that did not impress me about this Embassy Suites. We stayed on the fifth floor, and we could hear the lobby noise, like it was right outside our door. I'm not sure that staying on a higher floor would be a good idea, though, because the four elevators were ridiculously slow. I used the coin laundry facility and found that in order to get there, I either had to wait on the slow elevators or use the stairs, that required me to go outside to the pool deck to then come back in. (Very inconvenient!) And then there was the buffet line at breakfast - OUTRAGEOUS! The set up doesn't work well at all, because it is too condensed. There was a good selection of foods, and I would have loved to have eaten an omelet or waffles, but there just wasn't any way for me to go through those lines, plus the cereal/fruit/scrambled eggs/bacon line with the kids. They do have a lot of tables and chairs, but when you see one opening up, you have to jump on it, or who knows when you might find an open table, again.

And at check-out, make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to stand in-line to collect your car at valet (required) parking. My husband, who regularly stays at Embassy Suites in the Southeast, was definitely bothered by the fact that they didn't allow anyone to call ahead for their car to be ready and required everyone to stand in line (like at the buffet).

Booked a king suite and got a great corner suite on the 15th floor. Check in was okay, staff at the front desk was not very friendly and didn't seem to be thrilled to be there. Room was great, very clean and wonderful. Happy hour was nice, but the bartenders have a bit of an attitude. You can't beat the location and being able to take the trolley to Channelside or Ybor City is fantastic.

Was I happy with the hotel and room, yes but the attitude of the staff at the hotel needs some improvement. It was great for one night but I'm not sure that this is where I would want to spend a long vacation at.

I'm writing this during my second night...it's a good hotel w/v. slow elevators so don't be in a hurry if you're staying here! Average for an Embassy Suites - some I've stayed (such as Denver) in have offered better quality of wine and hor d'oeuvres for the manager's reception.

I last stayed at this E. Suites in December, when it cost $100 less per night! That's a pretty steep price jump, though probably comparable w/other hotels in the area during summer vacation time.

This was a reward stay for us - close to UT where our daughter goes to school but would not recomend. Very clean - staff was friendly. Hotel was overrun by 500 high school students - could not eat breakfast due to crowds - kids pushing buttons in the elevator, etc. It was bad luck for us that we happened to coincide with this group. However due to the noise level in the room itself and we were in a corner room I would not recomend this hotel.

Everything was great until we checked out the next day. We put down a 60 dollar deposit and we were told that whatever money we didn't use would be given back to us at the end of our stay. The money was never given back. It was however a beautiful hotel with a great view but I won't ever stay there again.

This hotel warmed up after being there a couple of days. the front desk staff are friendly but very busy. The worst part of the hotel is the small so called "double beds" more like twin beds. Noise from the lobby tends to carry up the open atrium. Request Kingsize beds.

We traveled to Tampa for some business, had stayed at the Renaissance Marriott at International Plaza previously, and wanted the "downtown" experience. The draw? The perfectly functional trolley that takes you to Channelside, Ybor City, and the Aquarium where we planned to attend AquaEve for the New Year. I liked that it was near the water as well. Daring move! There were reservations about St Pete's Forum (huge sports center), and the fact that ESDC was in the central biz district, which like many cities tends to experience mass evacuation after 7pm. Our biz was not downtown or at the convention center across the street, so we were really there to literally get a feel for downtown Tampa.

Several comments about the above attractions and getting there -- Channelside and the aquarium are easily walkable, skip the trolley rolling at 2mph. Channelside restaurants can be described as slightly dressed up TGIF or Applebees. Pass. (I do like watching the crazy huge cruise ships come in and disgorge passengers.) The aquarium is quite a bit better than the one in Baltimore and Honolulu; go visit. Ybor City is on the other side of the tracks; you have to pass through a "dead zone" to get to the shops and bars. But DO NOT go to Ybor City in the evening. The people who go are not sketchy, just very rough -- and this easily describes the women. So the men dredge up images of prison inmates. Sorry Ybor City. It does have a great amount of LIVE MUSIC, and an especially good band at Gasper's Grotto. But when we left around midnight when things were picking up, there were at least 2 police cars per block, for blocks and blocks and blocks. What do you think that says?

OK ESDC! Here's the upside:

- bed was super comfy & firm, but sheets had too much starch and we had the itchies, so don't squirm in the bed

- breakfast buffet was included, and they have a great spread every morning (skip the omelette line which is nuts)

- room service was better than channelside restaurants, but not always

- suite was huge, view great in the evening

- if i was downtown or at the convention ctr, or loved sports, this would be your place

The downside (we roomed near the top, 18/FL):

-- elevators too slow for folks at the top floors, and not sure stairs were an option at the lower floors

-- on the 18/FL we could hear the club music from a place TWO BLOCKS away on saturday night... wow

-- too many very dramatic, highly expressive sports fans here and it created that sort of environment

-- $18 parking fee

Overall, the hotel was quite efficient, esp the parking attendants. It's location is central, and more useful for sports or downtown business minded visitors. Foodies and leisure travelers stay away. There are other locations at a lesser price at equal quality to access the sights around Tampa. You'll have to drive no matter what you're in town for. The EMDC was not "our" hotel, Tampa downtown not for us. That said, it was comfortable and functional.

We checked in for a 2 night stay. When we got to our room the safe was not working. After 3 telephone calls to have it fixed maintenance arrived to state that the door needed to be replaced and could not be done until the next day. We contacted reception and got a room change there was no offer with help with the luggage. Next day when we returned at 4.30 pm our room had still not been cleaned. At 4.50 a lady arrived I told her just a change of towels and to have the bed made. It was only the next morning I realised she folded the wet bath mad and folded it over the bath. The valet was way to tip orientated you even had to get them to collect your car if you wanted to get something out of it.

A lovely hotel very well located but they need to get some things sorted a lot better

I don't often write reviews, but am compelled to do so here because of my experience at this hotel. While it's a brand new property in a fabulous location, everything is cramped in the lobby and other facilities. The bar is small; the breakfast area is small; the pool is small; the fitness room is small; the business center is small; and on and on. All of this leads one to leave feeling as if one just received a two star experience for a four star room rate.

The worst of all was the breakfast. It literally was like waiting in line at Disney World on a crowded day to get onto a popular ride just to experience their "free breakfast".

Next time I stay in Tampa, I will pass on this hotel and stay at the Marriott Waterside, the Westin or even at the older Hyatt Property, all of at which I've stayed and find better than this new Embassy Suites.

I write all of this with disappointment because I was excited that downtown had a new upscale hotel. That was, of course, until I stayed there.

Evidently it is common practice for downtown Tampa Hotels to overbook and "walk" customers with out notice. I had a confirmed reservation for July 16, 2008. I planned to stay downtown for an event at the St. Pete Times Forum. Instead I got to stay at the Double Tree by the airport. I arrived at the Embassy Suites downtown between the 3PM check in and the 6 PM cut off time and was told that the hotel was overbooked but they had a room for me at another hotel. I had to negotiate for transportation. I am a Hilton Honors member but this made no difference. I don't understand how Hilton can flood my e-mail with marketing offers but not manage to notify me that they sold my room out from under me. After talking to several people who were walked that same night by downtown hotels it is apparant that this is common practice at most downtown Tampa Hotels.

I am intersted in joining a class action suit to stop this systemic practice.

People.. JUST DON'T GO THERE... The service might be OK so might the breakfast be.. Would you want to lose all the money and get identity theft??? That's exactly what happened to me.. I was by the pool they managed to go through my papers and stole all the cash I had.. They made me file a complaint and the "management" was suppose to "take care" of the matter.. THEY DID NOTHING... they had some guy call me and tell me they questionned the house keeper and she said she didn't do it so they had to believe her!!! (--)! DON'T GO THERE TRUST ME.. There are many other 5 star hotel that are just across the street and as good if not better..