The listings below are organized into three geographic areas: near Busch Gardens Africa, downtown, and Ybor City. If you're going to Busch Gardens Africa, Adventure Island, Lowry Park Zoo, or the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), the motels near Busch Gardens are much more convenient than those downtown, about 7 miles to the south. The downtown hotels are geared to business travelers, but staying there will put you near the Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Museum of Art, the Henry B. Plant Museum, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, scenic Bayshore Boulevard, and the dining and shopping opportunities in the Channelside and Hyde Park districts. Staying in Ybor City will put you within walking distance of numerous restaurants and the city's hottest nightspots.
The Westshore area, near the bay, west of downtown, and south of Tampa International Airport, is another commercial center, with a wide range of chain hotels catering to business travelers and conventioneers. It's not far from Raymond James Stadium and the New York Yankees' spring-training complex. Check with your favorite chain for a Westshore-Airport location.
Room rates at most hotels in Tampa vary little from season to season. This is especially true downtown, where the hotels do a brisk convention business year-round. Hillsborough County adds 12% tax to your hotel bill.
Discount Packages -- Many Tampa hotels combine tickets to major attractions such as Busch Gardens Africa in their packages, so always ask about special deals.
Near Busch Gardens Africa -- The nearest chain motel to the park is a former Howard Johnson's that's now the Safari Lodge at Busch Gardens Maingate, 4139 E. Busch Blvd. (tel. 813/386-1000), a motor lodge with very cheap rooms. It's 1 1/2 blocks east of the main entrance. A bit farther away, the 500-room Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, 3705 Spectrum Blvd., facing Fowler Avenue (tel. 800/362-2779 or 813/977-7066; fax 813/977-7933), is the plushest and most expensive establishment near the park. Almost across the avenue stands LaQuinta Inn & Suites, 3701 E. Fowler Ave. (tel. 800/687-6667 or 813/910-7500; fax 813/910-7600). Just south of Fowler Avenue are side-by-side branches of AmeriSuites, 11408 N. 30th St. (tel. 800/833-1516 or 813/979-1922; fax 813/979-1926), and DoubleTree Guest Suites, 11310 N. 30th St. (tel. 800/222-8733 or 813/971-7690; fax 813/972-5525).
