Review: Grand Hyatt Tampa

I've stayed there many times and love this review. Being outside I'm confronted with snakes regularly as well as biting insects after dark. Its a gorgeous property in a beautiful setting but I would warn people to be ready to see Florida's natural wildlife habitats for all their glory.

One of my favorite hotels in FL. Go there at least 2-3 times/year for my pho + Bern's trip.

Best Vietnamese (Saigon Deli) and best steakhouse (Bern's) in the state.

I have to disagree with you, I stayed there a week ago and the staff kept on making mistakes (at the restaurants). Service was bellow average. As a non-status holder (at Hyatt), I think that you don't get the same as anyone else would.

When you mention the free cookies/new initiative, you say it's a nice touch "in your opinion." Whose opinion would it be? It's your blog.

Your parents won't let you stay with them, even in exchange for all those flights you've bought them with miles?

You didn't mention Oystercatchers, and its Sunday brunch by the bay, a Tampa tradition… Is it still open?

It looks like they've done a beautiful job of renovating. I stayed at the property last about 4 years ago and found it to be really tired and beat up, with rooms that seemed small for a Grand Hyatt. Don't be fooled by the beautiful setting and some of the descriptions of the hotel, it's not a resort, but as Lucky notes, a business hotel in a setting more typical of resorts.

Good review, never stayed there yet. The rooms are at 12K points/night. Do you know what it would be for points + cash? Do they even offer that?

Lucky, was searching for an old review you did on Grand Hyatt Dubai but when I enter the search on the main page, nothing comes up, could you link me to this review please ?. thanks

@ choi -- Hmm, not sure I've ever reviewed the Grand Hyatt Dubai, actually. I have stayed at the Park Hyatt, as well as Grosvenor House, and you can find those reviews here: https://onemileatatime.com/reviews/hotels/

"and walk-in shower (I’ll take that over a shower/tub combo any day)."

Every time you type that, your Lufthansa ducks start crying...

what about the other room types here? i'd love to see a review of the casitas.

"It’s nice to have an “open” public space in a hotel to sit, where they’re not trying to sell you anything."

I love open communal hotel space - and it's so often underutilized! If I am reading or doing work or even just hanging out, I'd much rather do it in the lounge or atrium or bar rather than shut up in my room (unless it is a TRULY ridiculous room).

I have to know! What do bloggers get for reviewing Hyatts. is this something new? Are you guys getting a few hundred dollars or free stays? There have been 20 Hyatt reviews on boardingarea.com in the last week alone.

Don't get me wrong I'm 100% great with you guys making money, heck it's a business and I benefit from everything you guys do including the reviews.

"...all the Diet Pepsi my heart desires" - thought you were a Diet Coke loyalist?!?!

You can drink both, but you can desire only one 😉

I go to Tampa probably two winters out of every three for a long weekend of Bern's, Cuban food, and a drive down to Siesta Key. I like the GH Tampa when I can get it for $119+tax-ish for Fri/Sat nights, with the 3500 bonus points (Diamond and lounge). The last time I was in town, however, they had a conference going on there and expensive rates, and I decided to unload some excess Hilton points instead.

Do they have a suite upgrade option with two beds?

@ gilbert -- Yep, still open, but I haven't been there in years.

@ Nick -- Points + Cash would cost 6,000 Gold Passport points plus $75, though rates here are usually quite reasonable, so I never redeem points to stay here.

@ wwk5d -- Hah, they don't like shower/tub combos either.

@ indy -- I've actually never stayed in a suite or casita in my dozens of stays here.

@ Paul -- Legally and morally I'd have to disclose if I were being compensated for it. I get nothing out of it, I'm just a loyal customer. I wouldn't look at Boarding Area as "one." It's a collection of 50 or so blogs, and content isn't connected in any way.

@ UA-NYC -- Hah, I do indeed prefer Diet Coke, but if I don't have a choice...

@ Nick -- I could be mistaken, but I don't think they have any suites with two beds.

Lucky-
Have you ever tried out the Westin Tampa? That's my fave in the area.

@ Sem -- I haven't, will have to try it next time since it's so close to the Grand Hyatt.

Lucky, I seem not to be getting emails since the switchover to the new web design. I tried subscribing again, but it tells me I'm already subscribed. Any suggestions what to try next?

My husband would agree about the "airplanes are gorgeouser" view! He loves a hotel with airport views 🙂

That is my hotel option in Tampa. Hotel feels fresh and I always have a great experience there.

@ Philippe - while it's likely that Lucky gets somewhat better treatment as a "regular" (there was a post here recently about how hotels treat frequents guests), his sample size is much bigger than yours. Although, I can totally understand how a bad service experience may be enough to question a wisdom of coming back to a restaurant/hotel/etc.

Last time I stayed here, I had a power outage at this hotel (eak!). However, it was a nice touch that they had the elevators and front desk computers on emergency power.

I am having my wedding there dec. 6th it will be outside...are there really a lot of bugs/mosquitos there??? Coming a long way to have it....so I want everything to be go well.

TWO people who actually like Bern's? Is it the French brothel decor, mediocre steaks, or amateurish waitstaff that you like? YUCK. I cringe any time I have to go there for a function, even if the meal's being paid for by someone else.

At one time, Bern's was good. I remember those days. BUT that time has long passed. There's plenty of other places to get a decent steak in Tampa these days. I get much better meals (and service!) from Ruth's Chris over on Westshore.