Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites TAMPA/ROCKY POINT ISLAND

I'm not often motivated to write a review about a hotel; usually hotels are average, so I only write if one is exceptionally good or worse than average. Here's the good and bad on this place. So first, the bad. I should preface my comments by saying I really am not overly demanding or sensitive in terms of what I need from a room; I stay generally in lower-to-moderate priced hotels and know what to expect, and I don't really expect a whole lot. Having said that, the bed in our room at this Holiday Inn Express was rock hard, the pillows felt like rolled-up sweaters, and the bed had scratchy, uncomfortable sheets. The room's A/C unit was the older kind that turns itself on and off noisily every 15 minutes, making it very difficult to sleep. And the walls are pretty thin, so the early morning (8 AM) maid work in the rooms near us was impossible to sleep through. Although I don't really care much about appearances as long as the room is clean and quiet, it didn't help the feeling of the place that the paint was peeling off the ceiling in our room. The breakfast served in the morning was fine, and actually pretty diverse. However, the orange juice machine was putting out orange-flavored water, and when I mentioned that to the person working the breakfast area, she responded that the machine was working normally because it had been filled the day before. I then repeated patiently that the OJ was undrinkable and she said maybe they had set the machine to dispense the wrong amount of water, and that was the end of that conversation. There was no offer to fix it. Later in the morning, I went down to use the fitness room and found that both treadmills were broken (it would have been impossible to use the fitness room anyway since it was inexplicably 20 degrees hotter than the rest of the hotel and had no independent thermostat). The front desk sent me to their nearby sister hotel, the Hampton Inn, but the Hampton Inn's treadmill was also broken. Since having access to a gym is a major reason why I choose a particular hotel, the fact that it was essentially nonfunctional did not make me happy. When I complained to the front desk, the desk clerk just sort of shrugged and said "sorry", but didn't sound like she really cared. The good is that when I indicated to the clerk that I felt the hotel owed me something for the lack of gym access, she asked me what it would take to make me happy, and I suggested a 50% discount on the room, to which she agreed. So I appreciate that. And the room was clean, which I also appreciate. I also like the fact that they operate a free shuttle to/from the airport. All that is quite nice. But it didn't outweigh the negatives to me.

Very nice and professional; Clean; Breakfast was unbelieveably wonderful ;For the price no one should complain

Customer service was terrible. At the same time, the overall attitude of the employees was unmistakeably poor; it was all about them. Asking for anything seemed to be a pain for them. I will never stay there again. Not only that, but I had neck surgery, did not get in the room I wanted the first night, and took an act of patience and kindness on my part for them to switch rooms for me. And, I had to keep reminding them to switch my room. What I am trying to say is that if I did not push for customer service, they would have never given it.

great location only mins from bush gardens food was great at hotel and staff was great pool had great view

We were so fortunate to be given a room on the Bay side and overlooking the pool. Our view was beautiful day & night. We actually got to see a dolphin from our window playing in our cove. Unfortunately we never made it to the pool due to our busy schedule. The breakfast was up to the usual Holiday Inn Express standards but it would have been nice if the hours were more extended on Saturday & Sunday mornings. Our steam iron and ironing board wouldn't work but were promptly replaced. It would be nice to have wireless internet in the rooms but the wired internet connection worked fine. I have to say that one employee stood out above all the others. [...] at the front desk was phenomenal! He was friendly, courteous, efficient and he even helped me with my laptop!We would stay here again without a second thought!

we went to Tampa for a graduation hotel was clean but was surprised there was no dorm fridge in room no wireless access unles you went to lobby most people there were friendly except the guy that was there at night he just looked at his book and gave you short answers to questions. we got in late asked where was a good place to eat tossed a menu to me that was it

Excellent location. We went to Busch Gardens which is very close. We also went to the Gulf coast and spent a day at the beach. Then, we went south along the coast to John's Pass which is an inlet to Tampa Bay from the gulf. There are many shops and a restaurant plus a boardwalk/dock with fishing excursions, watercraft rentals, etc. We even watched a dolphin that swam up to the shore. We spent hours in the hotel pool every day.

Courteous staff, felt that several of them went out of their way to engage the guests. Adequate facilities in a really good location (short drive to lots of Tampa Bay's attractions). Would stay there again if/when in Tampa.

Very nice hotel for the price. nice heated pool for the kids to swim in on the day's when nothing is planned. Only down fall no store close by to shop for snacks and food., you have to drive 5 - 6 miles for that. so plan ahead when you are out. Staff friendly, at 5pm always freshed baked cookies for the hotel guest. This trip was a relaxing one, went to Clearwater Beach ant Big Cat Rescue., Ball Game at Bright House Field home of the Phillies. i use to live in Clearwater Florida so mainly stayed in that area. So much to see The Pier in St. Petersburg, Busch Garden's in Tampa, easy excess to Hwy's to get to Disney World, Hwy's redone and now much easier to get to the airport from the hotel. We dropped off our car rental and it took 10 mins. I would go back to this hotel with my family.

The hotel was a little run down compared to the other hotels in the area, but was also cheaper. There was rarely an open table at breakfast and the food was of average HI-Express quality. There are very few good restaurants in the near vicinity. Note that you'll have to drive at least a few miles and fight horrible Tampa traffic to get to standard fast food or casual big-box restaurant options. It took us over 30 minutes in traffic to get to a Mexican restaurant only 5 miles from the hotel. The housekeeper had apparently forgotten to clean our room after the first night. After we noticed the error and complained to the front desk, we were told we had to wait until the next day for a cleaning. Overall, I wouldn't have high expectations for this hotel, but would be happy with a cheaper rate compared to others in the area.