Howard Johnson Plaza - Tampa Downtown Riverfront, Tampa

was a little hesitant about a H/J but wen't there anyway. When I arrived i was pleasantly surprised by the lobby and lounge area, but thats where the pleasant feelings stayed. Room was dirty and hot a/c did not work properly, called the front desk and was told they would get someone, but never showed up. Had to call back again, asked to be moved but they said they were booked. Next am went downstairs (which took forever in the elevators) and met the Dir of Sales, told her my complaints and her response was to give me her card and a cold shoulder. I asked if they were sold out and she told me no with a sneer. Lousy attitude will never return.

I read reviews before I arrived at the HJ. It scared me to death. When I got to the Airport I called the HJ and within 20 min. Manney was there to pick me up. Gentleman is the name I give him. He is so nice. My room was nice,clean,great view. Front desk, all were nice, helpful & PROS! James the Bartender was so great & pleasant, gentleman. Go Tampa Rays!!! Pool soooo nice. Andre', owner was open to all comments. Food in hotel, very tasty! Okay, they were still working on the elevators but I did not walk up & down steps!! They forgot to tell me the Performing Arts Center was right across the street. I would have checked out the shows. Anything I needed the staff made sure I had it. If I needed to get anywhere Manney got me there or someone came to pick me up. I used the safe for my jewelry, no problem. I felt safe in their space! I'm from Tennessee and I like to be in a safe space!! Oh, had computers so I could check on things from there. The other guess were very nice also so I would like to thank everyone at the Howard Johnson for making my stay a great time and I will tell others about it. Thanks Again! Janie Woodall

I called Tampa General to find out what lodging was available near the hospital. They said they had a contract with Howard Johnson Plaza. I called the Plaza and was told that there as a shuttle between the Plaza and the Airport, also between the Plaza and the hospital. No hours were given. I got in about 10:50 PM, called the Plaza and was told that the hours were 7:00AM to 11:00PM and no shuttle was available. After some discussion a shuttle was sent to pick me up. However, my plane was leaving at 8:00AM and therefore the shuttle was not available to me to return to the airport. This information should be given so people will know what to expect. It ended up costing me $28 to return to the airport. Aside from that problem, the stay was very nice. I ate in the restaurant 2X and enjoyed it both times. My room was well taken care of and it was very quiet throughout the facility. I definitely would stay there again.

Only stayed there one night and not voluntarily. The hotel is on the older side so the physical structure is not a nice and modern as other hotels. It is comfotable and clean. The carpet in the common areas could use to be replaced. It is located in a good area not too far from the airport, business district, and entertainment district. And, there are computer terminals in the lobby with free internet access. Certainly worth the $66 I spent. Though a drunk tried to bill $45 worth of drinks to my room. I had to fight with the front desk staff to have the charges removed from my bill. The front desk staff could certainly use some more people skills ... and the restaurant/bar should implement safe guards to prevent mis-billings.

I normally don't write reviews for anything. this time I was compelled to write something. the service of this hotel during my 3 days stay was awesome. With $85/night I got a van with driver who never refused me to take anywhere within 2 mile radius. Finally although I checked out at 7 am, they were kind enough to give me ride from convention center to hotel at 5PM (note that I was no more a resident) and gave me ride to airport. for FREE. Besides, free WI-FI, computer with internet in the lobby, and on spot restaurant/bar are the amenities I liked most. Staffs are very friendly. I stayed in many expensive hotels never had a good feeling like this one. To me, only downside is, there is no good restaurant within walking distance.

Looks like the hotel lobby was the only thing that was renovated. The rooms were cosmetically upgraded and that is about it. New shower curtain rod but the shower curtain looked like it came out of the 70's and was not wide enough to cover the tub area. Mold in the tub and tub would not drain. During the shower the tub had 6" of standing water and it took a min of 30 min to drain. Toilet ran for hours after flushing and a/c was loud. Sink vanity looked like something from the hotels in the 70's and it slanted where everything rolled into the toilet. Carpet was poorly installed, cut out around the a/c unit, you could see the concrete floor under the a/c unit. Waterstains on the wall of the bedroom area. Elevators need serious repair or replacement. Would not ever stay at this hotel ever again, would stay out near the airport if ever visiting the Tampa Area again. The staff was a bit rude and did not seem to care if they ever helped you or you were an inconvience to them.

The following is the negative and positve: HJ has the "Slowest" elevator service anywhere I have stayed. The bathrooms were not particualry clean and the exercise room has ancient equipment. On the positive side, the breakfast service was adequate. The lobby looked nice and modern. The location was convenient.

I can't believe this place charges there guests eight dollars a day,for overnight parking. Unbelieveable! In addition to that the only thing available for breakfast in the dining area was a 11.99 buffet. So I opted for room service for two,which was o.k. except for the fact that it only came with one set of silverware. We got tired of waiting and the food was getting cold,so we ended up having to share our utensils. the additional silverware did arrive eventually.The hotel advertises that it has recently been remodeled. When first walking in to the the lobby,it looked great,but that seems to be the only thing,that was remodeled,everything else looked very dated. I will definetly never stay there again.

After reading various reviews that rated this place as lousy I was VERY concerned about staying here for our international conference. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The hotel was very clean, the entrance and foyer were beautiful. It offered very close proximity to the trolley system and downtown restaurants and shopping. The bathrooms were not the best I've seen, but they were at least clean. The beds were soft and very comfortable and the staff was VERY pleasant and nice. I have nothing but nice things to say about Tampa!!!!

no hot water no type of breakfast which the did advertised, need to tell people that you do not offer any type of breakfast. the room was fair