The Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas Tampa

The Bay Harbor Hotel is a big balconied building skirted in palm trees situated right on the bay in Tampa. An ample parking lot greets guests at the front of the hotel, but the back reveals a beach and view over the bay. Interiors are typical of a chain hotel, though the common areas are dated and in need of a revamp. A spacious lobby is festooned with bright yellow columns interspersed throughout and lots of patterned armchairs and sofas clustered around wooden cube tables. The aged look of the hotel is palpable in the lobby furniture alone, which sometimes displays no rhyme or reason, like the black and gold Egyptian figures that flank a table with a lemon water dispenser.The hotel’s proximity to the airport attracts varied types of travelers who value the convenience of the location. Business travelers can take advantage of several meeting rooms, as well as a business center. Cruise ship customers are also frequent guests at the hotel, as the port is nearby, and the hotel often offers cruise promo packages. The hotel’s restaurant and bar is a popular nightlife spot with frequent live music nights and DJ sets, and attracts a party-loving crowd. The atmosphere of the hotel is a bit impersonal and some guests complain of disinterested staff.

The Bay Harbor is located directly on the bay in Tampa, less than four miles away from the Tampa International Airport. The hotel is situated right off of Highway 60 West, which is a convenience for guests who drive, though there are some complaints of traffic noise audible in the rooms. Downtown Tampa is eight miles away, or about a 20-minute drive. The International Plaza and Bay Street -- a large upscale shopping mall and popular destination in the area -- is less than four miles away. There is a free airport shuttle that also stops at the mall.

Rooms and suites at the Bay Harbor overlook either the bay or the parking lot and city skyline. The spaces have a typical chain feel, with generic decor and basic furniture. There are geometric carpets along with color-blocked walls in earth tones and crimson curtains and bedspreads. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, work desks, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms are lit up by floor-to-ceiling glass doors out onto private balconies, some with lovely bay views. Though all rooms are smoke free, smoking is permitted on the balconies and guests complain of odors. There are also complaints of loud music on the bay side of the building coming from the beach bar, which frequently has live music nights and DJ sets, as well as traffic noise from the nearby highway. Standard bathrooms are small and equipped with shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and limited toiletries.

The Bay Harbor has a casual restaurant and bar located on-site that serves classic American and seafood dishes. Breakfast is available at the restaurant, though is not included in the nightly rate. The bar is a lively nighttime spot, with live music and DJ sets several nights a week (some guests complain of late-night noise).The hotel has a small fitness center overlooking the bay equipped with several cardio machines and gym equipment, as well as a heated outdoor pool surrounded by sun chairs. There is also a gift shop selling snacks, souvenirs, and beach gear, as well as a business center with computers and a printer, and a coin-operated laundry available to guests. The hotel has several meeting rooms and boardrooms, and also hosts weddings and events. There is a free shuttle that goes to the airport as well as making stops by the mall. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and free coffee and tea is available in the lobby.