Tampa Airport Escape: Luxurious Stay at Residence Inn Westshore
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my recent Tampa Airport Escape – a luxurious stay at the Residence Inn Westshore. Let's be honest, the word "luxurious" gets thrown around a lot, but this place? Maybe it earned it, or at least, had some REALLY good days.
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- Title: Tampa Airport Escape: Residence Inn Westshore Review - Accessibility, Luxury & Honest Opinions
- Keywords: Tampa Airport Hotel, Residence Inn Westshore, Accessible Hotel Tampa, Pool with a View, Free Wi-Fi Tampa, Business Hotel Tampa, Family-Friendly Hotel, Spa, Gym, Westshore Restaurants, Wheelchair Accessible Tampa, Hotel Review, Tampa Travel, Airport Hotel Review, Tampa Bay Vacation.
- Meta Description: A candid review of the Residence Inn Westshore near Tampa Airport. Discover its accessibility features, pool with a view, spa, gym, and on-site dining. Get honest opinions on cleanliness, service, and overall experience. Is it worth the hype? Find out!
My Chaotic (and hopefully entertaining) Review: The Residence Inn Westshore, Tampa
Alright, here's the deal. I needed an escape. A legitimate, airport-adjacent, "leave me alone with a good book and a vaguely tropical drink" kind of escape. The Residence Inn Westshore, promising luxury and a close proximity to the Tampa Airport, seemed like a good bet. Let's see if they delivered, shall we?
First Impressions & The Accessibility Angle (Because, you know, real life.)
I'm not going to lie; airports exhaust me. So, the idea of a quick airport transfer was HUGE. It took like, all of 10 minutes, tops, and the hotel looked…well, promising. The facade was clean, modern, and inviting. Now, I don't personally need full-blown accessibility, but I always pay attention because it's important! And they did make a decent effort.
- Accessibility: Elevator, ramps, and clear signage were all present and accounted for. (Yay!) I did notice a couple of things… some hallways felt a tad narrow for a full-size wheelchair. The staff were super attentive and helpful, which more than makes up for tiny stuff. They genuinely seemed to care.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Generally good, with a few minor quibbles. They're on the right track.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Definitely a plus. It felt like they put some thought into it, which is refreshing.
Checking In: Smooth Sailing (Kind Of)
- Check-in/out [express]: Yes, but… it was a little too express. I wanted someone to at least look like they wanted to be there.
- Contactless check-in/out: Definitely available, which is great in the COVID age (and, frankly, just convenient).
The Room: My Tiny Oasis (and its Flaws)
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- The Good: The bed was seriously comfortable. Those extra-long beds are a godsend after a long flight. Blackout curtains? Perfection. I basically lived in a cave, which is my ideal vacation state. The room itself… it was well-appointed. Nice TV, a comfy sofa, a little desk area. They nailed the basics.
- The Not-So-Good (and my personal gripes): Okay, here's where things get a little messy (like my actual hotel room, ahem). The "luxurious" aspect was a tad… muted. The carpeting felt a little worn in places. And one small detail that drove me CRAZY: the lighting was weirdly dim. I had to practically use a flashlight to read at night. Annoying!
- Cleanliness and safety: Mostly very good. The anti-viral cleaning thing was prominently displayed, which is reassuring. I felt safe.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I appreciate this option for those who feel comfortable.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Escape
- Restaurants: They had a restaurant!
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yep, and it was… fine. The usual suspects: eggs, bacon, pastries. Nothing to write home about, but filled the void.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes, thank goodness!
- Bar: They did have a bar! Crucial.
- Poolside bar: Even better! Sipping a margarita by the pool while reading? That’s the dream.
- Room service [24-hour]: Absolutely. I may or may not have ordered late-night fries. Don't judge.
- Snack bar: Convenient for grabbing a quick bite.
Okay, here's where things got interesting. The poolside bar. I decided to indulge in a well-deserved margarita. The bartender was this really cool, relaxed dude. We chatted, he made a mean margarita (perfectly balanced… not too sweet, not too tart… the stuff of poolside dreams!), and I watched the sunset. This was pure bliss. But then… the pool…
The Pool: A View and a…Drama?
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yup.
- Pool with view: Yes!!
- Ways to relax, things to do: Relaxing by the pool is a must.
The pool itself was gorgeous. Huge, sparkling blue, with a killer view (hence the title!). Actually, the pool area was stunning. Lots of comfy lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a genuinely relaxing vibe. But then… I saw it. This guy. He was loudly complaining about something, maybe a missing towel, maybe the sun being too bright, I don't know. The whole scene was annoying. I just wanted peace, damn it! So, I retreated to my book and ignored the poolside drama. This, my friends, is a lesson in hotel skill: The pool is only as good as your ability to ignore the other guests!
Spa & Fitness: Sweat it Out or Melt Away?
- Fitness center: Yes!
- Gym/fitness: Yep.
- Spa: They had a spa!
I'm a spa person, and a bit of a fitness machine, so, yes, I poked around. The fitness center was well-equipped, clean, and not too crowded. (Winning!) The spa… well, I didn't get a chance to try it. Sigh. Next time!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: Always appreciated.
- Dry cleaning & Laundry service: Essential for my messy lifestyle.
- Food delivery: Yes and that is huge!
- Also: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Doorman, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID Question
- Cleanliness and safety: This was definitely a priority. They were taking it seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Yep.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Present.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Pretty well enforced.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Seemed legit.
For the Kids (Or Not):
- Family/child friendly: Not a huge deal for me, but it seemed like it'd be a good choice for families.
Overall Verdict
The Residence Inn Westshore is… mostly a win. It's clean, the staff is friendly, the pool is amazing, and that margarita at the bar almost made me weep with joy. It's not quite the height of luxury, but it's a solid, reliable choice for a Tampa airport escape.
The final breakdown:
- Would I go back? Probably. Especially if I need a quick escape to soak up some sun and drink margaritas
Okay, buckle up Buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously color-coded travel itinerary. This is a messy, glorious, and probably slightly caffeinated, stream-of-consciousness rant about a potential trip to Tampa, Florida, with the Residence Inn Tampa Westshore/Airport as the shaky foundation for my sanity. (And let's be real, a good foundation is key when you're dealing with me.)
The "Tampa, Here I Come (Maybe, Probably, Definitely Need Coffee)" Itinerary (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Airport)
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of the Hotel Room
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown Tampa! (Or, the Sky Vomit Express)
- Ugh. Air travel. It’s a necessary evil, right? I swear, those tiny airplane bathrooms are designed to make you question all your life choices. Plus, the existential dread of realizing you're literally hurtling through the sky in a metal tube… well, it gets to me. Landing? Relief, pure and simple. Even if my ears are still ringing like a church bell in a hurricane.
- 1:30 PM: Baggage Carousel Bingo! (The Game of Hope and Despair)
- Find luggage. Pray to the travel gods for a suitcase that actually arrives intact. Last time? My luggage looked like it had lost a fight with a rabid badger. Actually, I think I looked like I lost a fight with a rabid badger after that experience.
- 2:00 PM: The Residence Inn - A Brief Love Affair That May or May Not Last
- Okay, the Residence Inn. Seems clean enough. The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and ambition. Hopefully, not the ambition of a pool cleaner who's tired of his job…or a serial killer with a penchant for clean hotel lobbies. Checking in. Fingers crossed for a room that doesn’t face the parking lot. (I swear, every time I’m on a plane, the universe is like, "Let's put you right in front of the most annoying thing you can see from your window".)
- 2:30 PM: Unpacking (The Art of Forgetting Where You Put Your Socks)
- The eternal unpacking struggle. Where DID I put my toothbrush? And why, oh why, did I pack six pairs of black socks? (The answer is always, "I don't know," and also, because I'm a creature of habit.)
- 3:00 PM: The Hotel Exploration - A Deep Dive into Room Service Menus and Questionable Art
- A proper hotel room exploration is critical. Where's the ice machine? Is the gym actually usable? What kind of depressingly generic art adorns the walls? And most importantly, what's on the room service menu? This is where things can get dicey. Does a hotel have a decent burger? That is the key question.
- 4:00 PM: Poolside… or not? The Eternal Conflict
- Okay, the pool. The siren song of relaxation. Will I actually go? Probably not. I'm more of a "lounge in the room with the AC blasting and watch terrible reality TV" kind of person. But I'll consider going. Maybe.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner Adventure (or, the Search for Food that Doesn't Come From a Chain)
- Okay, dinner. Let's see, what are the local hotspots? Hopefully something other than a chain restaurant. I'm tired of the predictable. Maybe there's some hole-in-the-wall Cuban place everyone raves about. (Because Tampa, right?) I'm craving some authentic Cuban food. And a really, really strong mojito.
- 8:00 PM: Bedtime (or, the Moment I Realize I Forgot to Pack My Charger)
- Alright, lights out! (Mostly). Oh crap…did I… I have a feeling I forgot my phone charger. Okay, panicking isn’t going to help. But…the horror! Ugh, it's going to be a long night.
Day 2: Culture, Sunshine, and the Realization I Can't Handle the Heat
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast (or, How I Survived on Complimentary Scrambled Eggs)
- Free breakfast! I actually quite like this. I may be an adult, but I still feel like a kid on a field trip when I get free breakfast. (Even if those scrambled eggs taste vaguely of chemicals and existential disappointment…)
- 9:00 AM: The Tampa Museum of Art - Attempt 1 (Maybe 2)
- Let's go to the Tampa Museum of Art. They have ancient Greek and Roman artifacts. Now this is something I think I could enjoy. I am a sucker for the Classics.
- 11:00 AM: Ybor City – The Cuban Heart of Tampa (and, the Need for a Second Coffee)
- Ybor City. Okay, this sounds promising. Cigars, history, and hopefully, more good coffee. It's a vibrant, historic district. I'm picturing colorful buildings, the smell of spices, and the general feeling of being transported to another time. And, of course, a strong Cuban coffee to fuel the adventure.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch in Ybor City - The Search for the Perfect Cuban Sandwich (Epic Quest Alert!)
- The Cuban sandwich. Oh, the Cuban sandwich. Finding the holy grail of Cuban sandwiches is a serious mission. I'm talking perfectly crusty bread, juicy roast pork, tangy pickles, and enough mojo sauce to make my taste buds sing. I will try everywhere. Absolutely everywhere, until I find it. (I might need a nap afterwards, because food coma.)
- 2:30 PM: The Heat - A Battle I Will Lose… Again
- Okay, heat. Florida heat. It's brutal. I'm going to try. I'm going to put sunscreen on. I'm going to drink water. But I suspect I'll still end up red-faced, sweaty, and grumpy by the end of the afternoon.
- 4:00 PM: Returning to the Hotel - The Sweet Embrace of Air Conditioning
- Oh, blessed air conditioning. The cool, refreshing kiss of salvation. I return to the hotel room, peeling off my clothes like a molting snake, and collapsing on the bed. And contemplating existence.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner - Let's Try Somewhere New (Pray for No More Chain Restaurants!)
- So, more food. It's a theme. Hmm. Somewhere I haven't found on Yelp. Maybe I should just ask the front desk for recommendations.
- 8:00 PM: Early Night (or, the Moment I Realize I'm Chronically Exhausted)
- Bed. And maybe a bath. Probably a movie. And maybe, just maybe, I'll actually use the gym. (Don't hold your breath.)
Day 3: Departure (aka, The Day I Become One with My Suitcase)
- 7:00 AM: Panic Packing (The Art of Getting Everything Back In The Bag)
- Packing. That final, chaotic dance of trying to cram everything back into a suitcase that now feels impossibly small. The last-minute scramble. The desperate search for lost socks. And the inevitable realization that you forgot to buy souvenirs.
- 8:00 AM: Last Breakfast (Scrambled eggs…here we go again!)
- Time to stuff my face again. This time while trying to decide how to explain the weird tan lines back home.
- 9:00 AM: Checkout – The Final Frontier
- Sigh. Goodbye, Residence Inn. It's been… an experience. Did I enjoy myself? Maybe!
- 9:30 AM: The Airport Shuffle - One Last Attempt at Sanity
- Okay, airport. Security. Pray I don't get pulled aside for extra screening.
- 11:00 AM: The Sky Vomit Express (Part 2)
- Ugh. Plane. Again.
Final Thoughts:
Look, this "itinerary" is a messy, imperfect, and probably slightly delusional snapshot of a potential trip. It's a testament to my tendency to overthink, my love-hate relationship with air travel, and my deep and abiding affection for Cuban sandwiches. Will everything go according to plan? Absolutely not. Will I have a good time? Probably! Because even the messiest adventures can be the most memorable.
And now, I need a nap. Tampa, here I (eventually) come.
Hyatt Place Augusta: Your Augusta Escape Awaits!
**FAQ: The Tampa Airport Escape - You Know, That *Thing*?**
* **Q: What *is* this whole "Tampa Airport Escape" thing anyway? Is it some kind of weird cult?**
* A: Haha! No cult... *that I know of.* Basically, it's the idea of either being *stranded* near Tampa International Airport (TPA) or, and this is the *real* gold, *choosing* to spend a night or two there. You know, flight delays, early morning departures, or just the sheer, glorious *vibe* of not wanting to be at home after a long trip. They call it an "escape" and I guess that's true, sometimes escaping the chaos of life is perfect, and sometimes the chaos of life is *much* better than what you're escaping.
* **Q: Why the Residence Inn Westshore? Is it the only game in town?**
* A: Nope! It's not the *only* place to crash near the airport. But it's *one.* It's pretty popular, and honestly, I get why. The location is super convenient, almost *too* convenient. You’re literally a hop, skip, and a mildly questionable Uber ride away from the terminal. But let’s be honest, the accessibility is mostly due to the fact they are constantly building *something* over there. Construction is the real constant.
* **Q: What are the "luxurious" aspects? Is it *really* luxurious? Like, diamonds and champagne luxurious?**
* A: Let's pump the brakes on the diamonds and champagne, shall we? Luxurious is a *relative* term. The Residence Inn is a... *nice* place. Spacious suites with living areas. Free breakfast (more on that later). A pool. The "luxury" comes from the *freedom*. After a long flight, not having to drive an hour to your house and just collapsing onto a sofa? Pure gold. Now, I've had some *interesting* experiences with Residence Inn breakfasts...
* **Q: Okay, spill. What's the deal with the breakfast? It can't be *that* bad, right?**
* A: Oh, it *can* be. And it's been. Look, free breakfast is *always* appreciated, especially when you're half-dead from travel. They *try*. They really do. They have the make-your-own waffles (which I'm convinced require a PhD in waffle engineering to operate successfully), scrambled eggs that sometimes look suspiciously yellow-ish (you know the ones), and a rotating cast of questionable pastries. My personal breakfast-related highlight? The time I saw a kid *dunking* a whole bagel IN the orange juice dispenser. My inner chaos demon was *thrilled*. My germaphobe inner monologue was screaming. But, look, the breakfast is free, and the coffee is usually hot. Take what you can get.
* **Q: What about the airport itself? Is it as chaotic as people say?**
* A: TPA is usually pretty great, especially considering it's an airport. Surprisingly clean. Lots of food options. Great people-watching. BUT, and this is a big BUT, it's *airport*. Expect delays. Expect crowds. Expect the existential dread of realizing how much you actually *hate* flying, all while simultaneously needing to fly to get to your next destination. The parking situation can be a *nightmare*, even if you're staying at the Residence Inn. Plan accordingly. And maybe pack a Xanax (kidding... mostly).
**FAQ: Residence Inn Westshore - The Nitty Gritty**
* **Q: Is it a good place for *families*?**
* A: Yeah, definitely. The suites are spacious, and there's a pool. Kid-friendly, as far as I can tell. I've seen a lot of families there, which honestly makes the whole experience kinda nice, a little less sad airport-y, and maybe even a bit human. I usually imagine myself in the middle of my trip when I see families having this nice little vacation before or after their main vacation.
* **Q: What are the bed/sleep situations like? Comfy beds?**
* A: The beds are perfectly adequate. Not the *best* bed I've ever slept in, but hey, I'm usually exhausted by the time I hit the pillow. The noise levels *can* be an issue, depending on your room, but the hotel tries to sound-proof. Don't bank on silence, though, this also might be because of *me*. I think I'm a naturally loud sleeper.
* **Q: The pool is good?**
* A: Yeah, it's a decent pool, especially if the alternative is sitting in the airport, or trying to find a way home. It's refreshing! The fact that, despite it being a hotel, at least everyone in the pool area is aware of the shared public space, and the chaos it brings.
* **Q: Is the location truly as convenient as they say?**
* A: YES. It's *ridiculously* convenient. Like, you could probably walk there from the airport, if you're the adventurous type and have *no* luggage and absolutely no regard for your own comfort level. Uber/Lyft are easy. The proximity to the airport is the main selling point. This is what you're in it for, really.
* **Q: Any *major* downsides? Anything to watch out for?**
* A: Aside from the already mentioned construction, the occasional dodgy breakfast item, and the general airport vibe, not really. Sometimes the elevators have a weird smell, and sometimes the air conditioning is either arctic or swampy. Just typical hotel stuff, really.
* **Q: Okay, so, *would you* recommend the Tampa Airport Escape and the Residence Inn Westshore?**
* A: Honestly? Yes. Especially if you're a frequent flyer and need a convenient crash pad. Sometimes flying can be *awful*, and sometimes the best way to deal with it is to embrace the absurdity. The Residence Inn isn’t perfect, but it’s a hell of a lot better than sleeping on a bench at Gate C. And, you know, maybe hit the pool. And skip the questionable eggs. Just... enjoy the escape.
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