Aloft Tampa Downtown

The Aloft brand aims to be the cool, younger sister in SPG’s collection of hotels, and anyone who has stayed at an Aloft anywhere else in the world will find the same brand standard features and style here. Artsy decor, contemporary patterns, and bold colors draw a younger crowd on weekends, while business travelers take advantage of the convenient downtown riverside location during the week. Expect Aloft’s rebranded names for traditional features, such as a large lobby area rebranded as the Re:mix space and a snack area called Re:fuel. 

Surprisingly, the hotel used to be a bank. After renovating, the hotel opened in 2014 looking like an empty warehouse with fun design elements like asymmetrical wood laminate shelves, a dual-sided gas fireplace divider wall, and concrete pillars. However, some guests have reported foul-smelling carpets. Still, the casual and hip vibe stands out against the surrounding corporate cookie-cutter hotels, and free pet stays is a bonus. 

This hotel has a riverside location smack in downtown Tampa. It’s an ideal location for anyone with tickets to a show or game at one of the nearby venues or anyone traveling on business in the area. While there are a good amount of restaurants and bars within walking distance, particularly within in the surrounding hotels, nightlife in this business district area is almost nonexistent after office hours. A free city shuttle can pick up and drop off at the hotel on request. 

• Six-minute walk to the Glazer Children’s Museum and Tampa Museum of Art
• Seven-minute drive to Channelside Walk Way
• Seven-minute walk to the Tampa Riverwalk
• 10-minute drive to Tampa International Airport
• 10-minute walk to the Straz Center for Performing Arts
• 15-minute walk to Amalie Arena
• 25-minute drive to downtown St. Petersburg 

Aloft converted the bank building’s old office spaces into guest rooms. The 130 rooms vary in size and layout -- some are on the small side -- but for the most part, pull off their new look. Like the rest of the hotel, decor is fresh and simple, though some materials and the light-wood furniture are starting to look a bit dated. During our visit, the carpets smelled like they could use a change, and the simple, IKEA-style furniture and largely blank walls felt a bit dormitory-like, though the pops of pixilated color on the drapes and throw pillows were appreciated. 

Standard rooms include both king and double queen configurations. However, space around the bed in the King Room feels tight, making the extra room in the Double Queen Room noticeable. While rooms have large picture windows, you’ll have to upgrade up a level to get views of the Hillsborough River. Ultra Savvy Suites are spacious, and each has a few concrete stairs that lead to a large terrace area outfitted with two loungers and modern wire chairs. The largest rooms are the Presidential Rooms. Aside from the size, their most popular feature is the double-long balcony that stretches from the somewhat sparse-looking living room to the bedroom. The living room’s converter couch and TV and dining table and chairs are not directly separated from the bedroom, though a large walk-in closet and bathroom area rests between them. 

All rooms have mini-fridges, USB charging stations by the beds, coffeemakers with packets of coffee, and 48-inch flatscreen TVs. Bathrooms have eco-friendly pumps in the shower filled with Bliss products and roomy showers. Guests will also find a wide full-length mirror and built-in laptop safe. 

On brand with other Aloft properties, Aloft Tampa Downtown has a WXYZ Lounge that serves up happy hour and seasonal drinks across a glass-cubed bar. Though the bar faces out toward the pool area, the bar stools and contemporary vinyl couches face the other direction. During our visit in early 2018, the pool area was being renovated and given tile flooring on the deck, new furniture, and two shaded areas in the corners. The small pool is open all year and looks out over the river. 

There’s no restaurant on-site, but the hotel’s branded Re:fuel area is stocked with healthy grab-and-go snacks and drinks, and will feature pot-style breakfast options from early 2018. These food items, as well as toiletry items from the nearby cases are available for purchase at the 24-hour reception desk. Microwaves are available next to the ice machines on the third, fifth, and seventh floors. 

There’s also a small gym with 24-hour keycard access that has contemporary LifeFitness machines, free weights, and pool area views. Water bottles, towels, and yoga mats are also up for grabs.