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I had a free night certificate expiring with no travel plans where it could be used and decided to not let it go to waste. The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay is one of my top hotel picks from last year is only seven miles from my winter home. The property is beautiful and covers 35 acres. It was the perfect way to have a little one-night staycation.
Anthony’s Take: The hotel is conveniently located near the airport. If you have a car, it’s great for exploring Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tampa. If not, plan to relax and enjoy the many amenities that this property has to offer including a great boardwalk through the marsh around Tampa Bay, two pools, tennis courts, and more. This property continues to impress me and is a great value when redeeming points (and paid rates are also usually reasonable).
Booking
I booked directly from Hyatt.com on a “Standard Room Free Night” rate. I had a Category 1-4 free night certificate expiring and was able to apply it online. I booked a King Guest Room and was upgraded to a Casita Suite. The Casitas are my favorite part of this hotel and I always request one. To get upgraded to a Casita Suite was an unexpected bonus. The hotel was fairly empty and all room and suite types were available. If I wasn’t using the certificate, a standard room cost 12,000 points or $289 and the Casita Suite was reasonable at 20,000 points or $589. The hotel has closed its lounge indefinitely, but provides Globalist guests with a $30 daily voucher to be used in either of the two on-site restaurants. A full breakfast buffet is also provided in 1823 Kitchen & Bar. I requested a late checkout and was given it without issue. Also, since I was staying on an award redemption, parking and the $25 daily destination fee were also waived.
The destination fee includes everything above. I found it always waived as a Globalist.
Transportation to/from the Hotel
As mentioned, the hotel is seven miles from where I live. I drove over in less than 15 minutes and parked my car.
Location
As mentioned the hotel is located conveniently near the airport. Once you’re on the grounds, you’ll forget all about this as the property is lush and relaxing.
Check-in
I arrived at the main building (where check in is located) around 5:00 PM. I parked my car in front and ran in to get keys. The hotel is split into two parts. The main building and the Casitas. I love the standalone Casitas and always request one. I had done a mobile checkin, but the mobile key did not appear. I stopped by the front desk and was immediately assisted. The agent gave me my key, the $30 voucher, and explained that breakfast was in the restaurant located a few steps away. She also informed me that I had been upgraded (I had already seen this in the app) and asked me if I wanted a late checkout. She was friendly and the process took only two minutes.
The lobby has plenty of seating. 1823 Kitchen & Bar is located a few steps from reception with a large bar and restaurant.
Additional seating is found down a few of the hallways. Here you’ll also find ballrooms.
Casita Suite (2028)
There are 444 rooms including 24 suites at the hotel.
The suite is two stories with a living room, dining area, galley kitchen, and half bath downstairs. The bedroom and full bath are upstairs. There is also a small patio behind the unit. It opens into the dining area. The light fixture over the table did not work.
The half bath is to the right upon entering.
There is a vanity and toilet in here. I liked the extra bright mirror in this bathroom and the one upstairs.
Around the corner is a galley kitchen. It had two refrigerators, a microwave, dishes, a sink, and a coffeemaker.
One of two refrigerators.
The coffeemaker, bottled water, and tea were in the kitchen.
The kitchen also had a breakfast bar with stools. One of the sconces was not working.
The kitchen is off to the side of a decent-sized living room.
Stairs led up from here to the bedroom and full bathroom.
At the top of the stairs was a large closet. It had a robe, slippers, iron, and ironing board inside. Plus, some wallpaper straight out of Blanche Devereaux’s bedroom.
The bedroom featured a comfortable king bed.
Across from the bed was a TV and dresser.
The safe was found in here.
The en-suite bathroom was pretty small but functional with a vanity, toilet, and stand-up shower.
Toilet and shower
I love the Balmain toiletries here. A nice luxe surprise in the bathrooms.
The hotel also provides mouthwash and toothpaste.
Public Areas & Amenities
The hotel has a fitness center, two pools (the main one is pictured above), tennis courts, an ATM, and a walking trail over a boardwalk through the edge of Tampa Bay.
Pool near the Casitas
Oystercatchers restaurant is near this pool. We used the $30 credit to get some Calamari Fries and Crab & Lobster Bisque to go. Both were very good.
One of my favorite amenities at this hotel is the walking path and dock. The dock is accessible behind the Casita pool.
It’s a great place to sit and watch the wildlife. We even saw a shark fin break the water on another visit.
Nearby, you’ll find kayak and jet ski rentals.
In front of the Casitas are several Koi ponds.
There are also waterfalls and other water features to make the property look even more lush and tropical.
Just past Oystercatchers, you’ll find one entrance to the walking trail (the other end is at the main building).
The trail is shaded in most parts and offers a relaxing walk.
You can see birds, crabs, and other wildlife along the trail.
It also provides some beautiful views of Tampa Bay.
About half way through you’ll find a gazebo.
The ATM is found in the lobby.
Breakfast
Globalists are provided with a complimentary breakfast buffet. It’s not huge, but has all the bases covered with fruit, yogurt, breads, pastries, cheese and meats, and multiple hot items. Some pastries pictured above.
Fresh fruit
Yogurt and condiments
Smoked salmon and berries
Meats and cheeses
Chicken sausage
Bacon
Scrambled eggs
Egg bake with cheese and vegetables
Breakfast potatoes
Bagels, bread, and a toaster
Oatmeal and cereal
Wrapped fruit to go
Overall Impression:
The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay offers comfortable rooms and suites, two pools, tennis courts, and a lush boardwalk through the edge of Tampa Bay. It’s just 15 minutes from home and I’ll be back again soon.
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
