Save Big With Tampa Hotel Deals from Groupon
Ybor City's cigar legacy, the Columbia Restaurant's flamenco shows, and a waterfront that has transformed almost completely in the past decade. Tampa moves faster than most Florida cities. Channelside, Hyde Park, and the Riverwalk anchor the hotel market, each covering different price ranges and atmospheres. Tampa hotel deals are competitive year round, and the city works well as a base for day trips to Clearwater, St. Pete Beach, and Anna Maria Island.
200+ deals
Tampa Guide
Forbes magazine ranked Tampa the fifth best US city for enjoying the outdoors. Much credit goes to the beaches, not to mention weather that’s sunny more often than not. Abundant green spaces and year-round opportunities for fishing, surfing, and golfing along the waterfront offer a laid-back, family-friendly vibe during the day—though things can pick up considerably at night.
Go Outside
- Lettuce Lake Park: Wooden boardwalks alongside centuries-old cypress trees and 240 acres of natural splendor. An observation tower overlooks a beautifully unspoiled stretch of the Hillsborough River. Keep an eye out for alligators and herons on a free guided nature tour, or rent a canoe and go it alone.
- Clearwater Beach: Located on a barrier island 30 minutes from Tampa (but worth the drive), this award-winning beach is known for its white sugary sands, which stretch for miles along the Gulf.
- Big Cat Rescue: The country’s largest sanctuary for exotic cats. Take a tour to see leopards, lions, tigers, and more.
Family Fun
- Busch Gardens Tampa: Ride roller coasters and get up close and personal with more than 2,000 animals at this famous theme park and zoo. One of the newer thrill rides, the Cheetah Hunt, reaches speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.
- Channelside: This entertainment complex near the Port of Tampa boasts an IMAX movie theater, a bowling alley, and kid-friendly chain restaurants, as well as upscale diversions for grownups.
- Florida Aquarium houses 20,000 marine animals, including penguins, sharks, and dolphins. Kids can explore interactive exhibits and enjoy live shows.
Culture and Nightlife
- Soho District: Tampa’s nightlife and dining hub, filled with high-end clubs, shops, dessert cafes, and historic architecture
- Ybor City: When this historic neighborhood was home to cigar manufacturers, thousands of Spanish, Cuban, and Italian immigrants lived here. Today, you’ll find an array of restaurants, bars, and galleries, as well as a museum chronicling Ybor City’s past. Be sure to try a Cuban sandwich while you’re in the neighborhood.
- Tampa Theatre: A beautifully preserved movie palace built in 1926. The Wurlitzer organ is still played before screenings.
Where to Stay
- Emerald Greens Condo Resort: Located near Busch Gardens, this upscale hotel sits on the grounds of Carrollwood Country Club, giving guests easy access to the 27-hole championship golf course.
- Palmer House Bed and Breakfast: Award-winning B&B offering hearty cuisine, comfortable rooms, and lots of hospitality
- Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina: This downtown hotel is set on the waterfront, near streetcar stops and restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common Tampa offers bundle savings around family stays, beachfront resorts, and park-and-stay packages. Many hotels near Busch Gardens and Tampa International Airport discount suites that include breakfast, parking, or shuttle service, while St. Pete Beach resorts frequently package pool access, beach loungers, and kids-stay-free perks.
Yes, families visiting Busch Gardens can often save with hotel packages that combine lodging, discounted park admission, and free or reduced parking. Partner hotels around the USF and Busch Gardens area frequently include breakfast, pool access, and shuttle service, giving families value within a short drive of the park.
Affordable beachfront options near Tampa are typically found along St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island, where condo-style suites and resorts like Island Grand at TradeWinds or RumFish Beach routinely bundle pools, beach chairs, and waterslide access. Flexible travel dates outside peak holidays usually unlock the lowest nightly rates.
Budget-friendly stays in the Tampa area are commonly available at roadside and airport hotels such as Red Roof Inn properties, Country Inn & Suites near Tampa Airport North, and midscale brands along the I-75 corridor. These usually include WiFi and breakfast, which helps keep short stays under about $125 per night outside major events.
Romantic weekend stays around Tampa often center on historic or waterfront properties in downtown St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, including spots like The Don CeSar or smaller inn-style lodgings near the waterfront. Couples usually look for packages that include spa access, pools, on-site dining, or sunset-facing balconies.
Travelers can book condo-style accommodations at places like Sailport Waterfront Suites on Tampa Bay and Provident Oceana Beachfront Suites near the Gulf, where kitchens, separate living areas, and private balconies are standard. These setups work well for longer visits and often reduce food costs compared with traditional hotel rooms.
The best price on Tampa stays usually comes from booking flexible dates, avoiding major game weekends, and comparing refundable versus prepaid rates across a few neighborhoods. Many travelers also watch Groupon for limited-time Tampa offers, especially around airport hotels, downtown stays, and nearby Gulf Coast beach resorts.
For a short trip focused on attractions like Busch Gardens, staying in Tampa usually offers better value, with lower nightly rates and easier access to the airport and downtown Riverwalk. Beachfront resorts on St. Pete Beach cost more per night but add extras like direct sand access, larger pools, and on-site waterfront dining.