Tampa Airport Escape: Luxurious Stay at Country Inn & Suites
Tampa Airport Escape: My Unfiltered Take on Country Inn & Suites - Buckle Up!
Okay, folks, let's be real. Airport hotels? Usually a necessary evil. But the Country Inn & Suites near Tampa Airport? Actually surprised me. I went in expecting beige and bland, and, well, I got some beige, but also a dose of… dare I say it… comfort. I'm writing this review mostly for YOU - the weary traveler, the stressed-out business person, the family desperately escaping the airport chaos. So, let’s dive in, because honestly, there's a lot to unpack, and I'm going to be brutally honest.
Accessibility & Safety – The Bare Essentials, Done Pretty Well
Look, accessibility is crucial, and Country Inn & Suites gets a thumbs up here. They've got elevators (thank GOD!), and the website mentions facilities for disabled guests. I didn't personally test every nook and cranny, but the important stuff seemed covered.
Safety-wise? They hit the basic marks. Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, CCTV, and 24-hour security – all present and accounted for. They're all about that "safe" feeling. Which is essential in, you know, the real world.
Cleanliness & Pandemic Protocols – My OCD Self Approves (Kinda)
Alright, let's get to the COVID-19 era stuff. The cleanliness game is STRONG here. I was slightly neurotic walking in, but honestly, I left feeling like they took their hygiene seriously. Sanitizing equipment? Check. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. And the staff? They seemed genuinely committed to keeping things clean. I saw them wiping down surfaces constantly, and more importantly, the rooms felt fresh. The room sanitization opt-out thing is a nice touch, too, giving you a bit of control. They even had individually-wrapped food options, which, let's face it, feels reassuring.
Now, full disclosure: I'm personally more of a "wash your hands until they bleed" kind of germaphobe, but even I relaxed a bit. I saw Hand sanitizer everywhere, which is a major win in my book!
Internet – Bless the Free Wi-Fi Gods!
This one’s EASY. FREE Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank you, universe! I could finally download those Netflix binges! (And actually, yeah, they have decent internet speeds.)
Rooms – That's Where the Magic… Or at least, Comfort, Happens
Okay, okay, let's get to the rooms. They are clean, which is my highest priority! Air conditioning is in full effect. Blackout curtains? A gift from the gods, especially after a red-eye. I sunk into the extra-long bed (thank you, whoever invented those!), and the pillows were fluffy enough for a good night's sleep.
They had a mini-fridge, a coffee maker (essential!), and even a little desk setup, which was actually usable. The bathroom? Clean, functional, and importantly, had hot water. I’m telling you, the basics are HUGE when you're traveling.
Food, Glorious Food (or, "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Buffet")
Confession time: I love hotel breakfasts - even the mediocre ones! The Country Inn & Suites has a pretty decent free breakfast buffet… or rather, it had a buffet. Currently, it's a slightly modified version, with a grab-and-go option, but I hear the real buffet will be back. I’m a person who loves choices, so hoping to get back to the Buffet soon!
The good stuff? They had coffee (duh), pastries (yes!), fruit (yay for vitamins!), and some hot options. Nothing life-changing, but it filled me up. I didn’t explore the other dining options too far, but there's a coffee shop, and…well, if you're like me and just need substance, you’ve got it.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – A Bit of a Mixed Bag
Okay, I wouldn't call this place a "destination spa." But hey, you're at an airport…you're not expecting miracles. They have a fitness center… that I sadly, did not use (judging me? I know, I know). There's an outdoor pool, which looked inviting (I saw some families enjoying it, so that was a good sign). I didn’t find a sauna, steam room, spa, or anything like that.
This place is NOT about luxury spa treatments and crazy amenities. It's about being comfortable and having a safe place to land.
Services & Conveniences – Airport Life Made Slightly Less Annoying
They’ve got a concierge, which is always a plus. Daily housekeeping (thank you!), and a free car park! They do have a shuttle service, and that makes everything easier (especially when you've got luggage). Other useful things: Currency exchange, laundry, luggage storage, and a gift shop (gotta grab that last-minute souvenir, right?).
For the Kids & Family Fun – Pretty Good, Actually
This place is family-friendly! They have kids facilities, and I saw a family with kids enjoying the pool. So, if you're traveling with the little ones, it looks like a pretty safe bet.
The Quirks, the Imperfections, and the Truth Bombs
Okay, I'll be honest: it’s an airport hotel. It’s not going to be perfect. The decor is pretty standard hotel-y, and it's not like a super-unique experience.
And look, there’s always something. The pool might be crowded at peak times. The buffet might not be Michelin-star quality (but hey, it’s free!), and the Wi-Fi speeds might fluctuate sometimes. But on balance? I was pleasantly surprised.
The "Sell Me This Hotel" Speech (or, Why You Should Book It Now)
Here's the deal, folks: You're stuck at the Tampa airport. You need a place to crash that’s CLEAN, safe, and easy. The Country Inn & Suites offers a surprisingly comfortable escape from the airport chaos. You get free Wi-Fi, a decent breakfast (or access to one!), and a super-comfortable bed. You can relax by the pool, and they even have a free shuttle.
Here's the deal:
- Tired Traveler's Paradise: Need a place to crash after your flight to Tampa? This place is your haven.
- Stress-Free Start/End: Free shuttle to and from the airport and convenient.
- Budget-Friendly Comfort: Decent rates AND it's clean, comfortable and safe.
My Final Verdict? Book it. Seriously. If you're stuck at Tampa Airport, it is a pretty good option (and a heck of a lot better than sleeping on a bench!). You can find a clean room, a comfy bed, and a safe place to land, all close to the airport.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, slightly chaotic, and hopefully hilarious world of my stay at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Tampa Airport North. Let's see if it lives up to the hype… or, more importantly, if I live up to the hype of being there.
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for a Decent Coffee (and Sanity)
1:00 PM: Arrive at Tampa International Airport (TPA). Okay, let's be honest, airport pickups are a logistical nightmare, especially when the ride-sharing app decides to have a meltdown. My phone is playing with it's time and the app keeps saying my driver is 2 minutes away, only to reset to 10 minutes, then back to 3. Argh. Eventually, after what felt like an eternity spent staring at a digital map, I found my designated car. Yay! (Internal scream of joy).
2:00 PM: Check into the Country Inn & Suites. Oh, the lobby! It's nice, I suppose, with those predictable generic "hotel" vibes, though that carpet is, I think, trying to hypnotize me with a pattern of swirling beige flowers. The front desk person, bless her heart, was either new or just incredibly laid back. I’m really thinking she’s new and I'm kinda rooting for her in that moment. It felt like a very long explanation of my booking. I felt bad that I was interrupting whatever she was doing, but I also wanted a room key and a sense of belonging.
2:30 PM: The Room Reveal! Okay, its what you expect. Clean-ish. The air conditioning is blasting like a polar vortex. And there’s that distinct hotel room smell – a heady mix of cleaning product and… ambition? Who knows. I swear I opened the window and there was a faint whiff of the swamp. My view of the parking lot is… well, a view. And my initial thought, "I could live here for a week," immediately evolved into "Where's the coffee? The coffee is the most important thing."
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Coffee Catastrophe. The in-room coffee maker? A sad appliance, emitting a pathetic gurgle. The coffee itself tasted like sadness, despair, and the end of a long day. I briefly considered risking the lobby coffee, but I'd heard whispers it was even worse. So, it was the quest for a good coffee that I'm on. This turns to a search for a good spot nearby. Google to the rescue! Or, more like, Google slightly misdirects.
4:00 PM: I walk to my first coffee destination I found. It was a Starbucks, it had to be. Easy, Safe, and reliable. At 4:00pm, it seemed like a crowd of people came out. It was the school pick up and I was stuck with the kids and a line. After waiting for 15 minutes. I ordered a coffee and immediately felt better. Maybe because it tasted better or because this experience made me feel like I had earned it somehow.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Unpack, Attempt to Relax, and Curse the Lack of a Decent Desk Chair. This is where the trip goes off the rails a bit. I try to work. The chair. The chair! Its not ergonomic, it's stiff, it feels like a medieval torture device on my spine. I find myself hunched over in a position that would make quasimondo weep. Note to self: Next trip, bring my own inflatable desk chair. Or, failing that, invest in a good chiropractor.
7:00 PM: Dinner at the place I was told was the best. It was a restaurant named "Mel's Hot Dogs" and all their locations are closed. Why did they tell me that?! After feeling like an idiot for an hour of researching and searching. I decided on a place that was closer, and this time, I called ahead!
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Dinner and Regret. At a place called “Burger Culture". It was the only place open. It was greasy, the service was slow, and I’m pretty sure I contracted a mild case of food poisoning. I spent the night in agony. I’m now convinced I wasn’t meant to enjoy any aspect of this trip.
Day 2: Recovery and a Glimmer of Hope (Maybe)
7:00 AM: Wake up. Feeling like a walking biohazard. Stomach churns, head throbs. Curse the burger, the restaurant owner, and the universe at large. I should probably call the front desk at the Country Inn & Suites, right? They are supposed to care. But I hesitate. Honestly, I’m afraid of more disappointment.
8:00 AM: Attempt to eat the hotel breakfast. The buffet – a symphony of sad-looking scrambled eggs, rubbery sausages, and what I suspect is instant oatmeal. I take a tiny bite. Nope. The toast is also sad and doesn't pair well with the butter. I take a water bottle and run out of there.
9:00 AM-12:00 PM: The rest of the morning is spent in a haze, wrestling with the effects of the previous night's culinary adventure and desperately trying to find a cure for my despair. I watch terrible TV, and consider checking out and going home. But. The trip has just started.
1:00 PM: I decided to find a quiet café. I found it and I was able to chill. I got a coffee and some food. At least the food and coffee were good here. I felt a little better.
2:00 PM: I decided to find some things to do. I went to a museum. Nothing remarkable, but it was something to do.
6:00 PM: Head back to the hotel and relax. No more food from anywhere, just some water and rest.
Day 3: The Escape
- 9:00 AM: Wake up, ready to get out. I check out of the hotel. I'm not exactly sad to leave. Don't get me wrong, the Country Inn & Suites wasn't the worst hotel ever. But the quest for good breakfast and functional furniture, and a decent meal outside, was something out of a movie. I needed a full week to explore.
Final Thoughts and Rating (Probably)
The Country Inn & Suites at Tampa Airport North, in the grand scheme of things? A hotel. Its not good or bad. It had a bed, heat and air conditioning, and a place to watch tv. But its not the coffee. The furniture. The experience. And the trip as a whole was something else. Honestly, I'd give it a solid 2 out of 5 stars. And a warning for the coffee: bring your own.
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Okay, So Tampa Airport Escape... What *IS* This Thing, Exactly? Is It Even Worth It? (Spoiler Alert: Probably Yes, But...)
Now, the Country Inn specifically? I'll be honest, it's not the Ritz. But it's clean, it’s functional, and it's 100% better than that airport bench you were considering.
Alright, Location, Location, Location! How Close *ARE* We to the Airport, Really? And is it actually quiet?
Okay, the "quiet" question? That's tricky. You’re near an airport. There *will* be some noise. But the rooms are surprisingly soundproofed. I mean, I'm easily startled (ask my cat), and I slept like a BABY. Mostly. One time, though, I swear I heard a jet engine taking off *inside* my head. (Okay, maybe it was just the rum in my evening cocktail... don't judge.) But seriously, it’s manageable. Bring earplugs if you're super sensitive. Or, you know, drink more rum. Your call.
The Rooms: Are They Actually Worth Sleeping In? And Are There Any Hidden Fees?
Hidden fees? Well, the good news is, they don't try to nickle-and-dime you *too* much. They advertise the free parking, though you may have to park at the far end sometimes. But then again you already paid for the hotel. But generally, what you see is what you get.
Breakfast: Let's Be Honest, Is It Just Cereal And Fake Eggs? (And What About Coffee?) This is VERY important.
The rest of the food? There are usually eggs (probably from a carton, but hey, eggs), and sausage. Cereal, yogurt, fruit… the usual suspects. It’s not gourmet, but it's free and fills you up before you face the airport. I once saw a guy load a whole mountain of food onto his plate. Felt bad for him, I kind of wanted a second waffle at that point.
Amenities: Pool, Gym... Do They Even Matter? What's the Vibe?
The vibe? It's pretty low-key. People are there to get some rest before or after flights. No wild parties. Mostly just bleary-eyed travelers dragging their suitcases around. I like it.
What's the Check-In/Check-Out Process Like? And How About Parking?
Parking is free. Hooray! But here's the thing: depending on when you arrive, it can be a bit of a free-for-all. You might have to park a little further away from the entrance. I remember one time I had to haul my enormous suitcase through the rain at 5 AM. It was not fun. But hey, free parking, right? Consider it extra squats.
Anything REALLY Good that You Specifically Remember? (And Maybe Something Terrible?)
The bad? Once, I was there during a convention, and the elevators were constantly packed. Waiting for an elevator, when you're tired, is the absolute worst. Maybe I should have taken the stairs? Nah.
Oh! AndWhere To Sleep In
