Pros

  • 2 pools with bar service, plus a lobby bar
  • 3 on-site restaurants, including a classy Italian restaurant with bay views
  • Choice of regular rooms or remote casitas
  • Tennis courts, ping-pong, and an artificial beach
  • Good-sized rooms with flat-screen TVs, work desks, and iPod stereos
  • 24-hour fitness center
  • Walking trail through saltwater mangroves
  • Sauna, whirlpool, and massage room
  • Free self-parking
  • Free shuttle to the airport and shopping malls
See More Pros

Cons

  • 15 minutes from downtown Tampa
  • No attractions within walking distance
  • Fee for Wi-Fi
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The Grand Hyatt is essentially an airport hotel that caters to business travelers, but its lovely location on a 35-acre nature preserve makes it feel more like a resort. Highlights include two pools with bar service, three restaurants, two tennis courts, a 24-hour fitness center, and an artificial beach with ping-pong tables, lounge chairs, and a fire pit. About 10 percent of the hotel’s 442 guestrooms are private casitas, clustered in a mini-community that's accessible through a mangrove forest. Guests looking for a slightly cheaper alternative should try the nearby DoubleTree by Hilton, which has similar rooms and free Wi-Fi, but fewer amenities and dining options.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay

Scene

This reliable chain hotel is an attractive choice for business travelers and families.

This 442-room hotel was originally built in 1986, and a $16 million makeover in 2012 has made much of the property feel fresh and modern. Quality restaurants, above-average amenities, and an attractive location on a nature preserve easily make the Grand Hyatt the best airport hotel in Tampa.

The clientele are mainly business travelers, who come for gatherings in the hotel’s 19 boardrooms, ballroom, and outdoor pavilion. The property also sees a fair share of leisure travelers and families, who are drawn to the private casitas and lovely grounds.

The property is split into two areas -- a main tower, where most of the rooms are located, and a casita area, where two tennis courts, an artificial beach, secondary swimming pool, and Oystercatchers restaurant is located. The quieter casita section is on the opposite side of a mangrove forest, accessible by a short walking path or shuttle.

See More Scene

Location

Picturesque location on a 35-acre nature preserve with easy access to the airport, but nothing within walking distance

The Grand Hyatt is located on a nature preserve at the edge of Tampa Bay, right beside the Tampa International Airport. There’s not much surrounding the hotel, other than saltwater mangroves and highway. Two shopping plazas are less than 10 minutes away, and visitors can reach downtown Tampa in about 15 minutes, assuming there’s no traffic.

Those willing to drive up to 20 minutes can reach nearly all of Tampa’s attractions, including the Lowry Park Zoo, Convention Center, historic Ybor City, The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay Times Forum sports arena, and the Museum of Art. The hotel shuttle transports guests to the airport and nearby shopping malls, free of charge, but it doesn’t go downtown.

Guests should rent a car if they want to visit the area’s nice beaches, located about 45 minutes away on the Gulf Coast.

  • 8-minute drive from shopping at WestShore Plaza
  • 9-minute drive to Tampa International Airport (free hotel shuttle service)
  • 10-minute drive from shopping at International Plaza
  • 10-minute drive from Rocky Point Golf Course
  • 15-minute drive from downtown Tampa
  • 15-minute drive to the Tampa Museum of Art
  • 15-minute drive from The University of Tampa
  • 15-minute drive from shops, dining, and nightlife in historic Ybor City
  • 17-minute drive to the Tampa Convention Center
  • 16-minute drive from the Amtrak train station
  • 18-minute drive to the Tampa Bay Times Forum sports arena
  • 20-minute drive to The Florida Aquarium
  • 20-minute drive from the Port of Tampa (for cruise ship travel)
  • 20-minute drive to Lowry Park Zoo
  • 20-minute drive to St. Petersburg International Airport (Taxis cost about $40.)
  • 25-minute drive to Clearwater
  • 28-minute drive to Clearwater Marine Aquarium
  • 30-minute drive from Busch Gardens amusement park
  • 45-minute drive to most gulf coast beaches
See More Location

Rooms

Decent-sized rooms have modern essentials, but no minibars.

The hotel’s 442 rooms and suites, fully renovated in 2012, have modern decor and simple, understated style. Standard guestrooms are fairly sized at 350 square feet and have all the basics -- flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, iHome stereos for iPods -- but no minibars. There’s also no 24-hour room service, so guests craving a 3 a.m. snack are out of luck.

Suites range from 700 to 1,300 square feet and have extra perks, such as wet bars, refrigerators, DVD players, and even baby grand pianos.

The casitas on the other side of the property have the same amenities as their non-casita counterparts, plus small outdoor patios. Casita Suites have two floors and feel like cozy rental houses. Considering the quiet location, nearby pool, restaurant, tennis courts, and artificial beach, the casitas are a good value, costing only slightly more than the regular rooms.

Rooms sleep a maximum of four people, or up to eight people with connecting rooms.

  • 37-inch flat-screen TVs
  • iHome stereos for ipods
  • Coffeemakers
  • Work desks
  • Shower/tub combos
  • Rollaway beds (in rooms with kind beds only)
  • Pull-out sofas in Executive Suites, Casita Suites, and Premier Suites
  • Small patios in casitas
  • Dogs allowed for a fee (in Casitas only)
  • Cribs available
  • No balconies
  • No minibars
  • Fee for Wi-Fi
See More Rooms

Pool

Two pools, a Jacuzzi, and an artificial beach

The hotel has two pools: the Tower Pool at the main hotel, and the Casita Pool, located a short walk through the mangroves, next to Oystercatchers restaurant. Both pools have bars that are open on the weekends and some evenings.

The heated Tower Pool is ideal for swimming laps and also has a whirlpool.

The unheated Casita Pool is slightly smaller than the Tower Pool and is situated next to an artificial beach with ping-pong tables and a fire pit.

See More Pool

Fitness Center

24-hour fitness center has a range of modern equipment, plus outdoor activities.

The hotel has a nice fitness center, plus outdoor activities, such as basketball, jogging, and tennis.

  • Treadmills, ellipticals, and strength training machines
  • Inflatable exercise balls, mats, free weights, and resistance cords
  • Free headphones, cold towels, and cold bottled water
  • Individual TV screens on select cardio machines, plus wall-mounted TVs for the room
  • Ping-pong, basketball hoop, two tennis courts, and walking trails
  • Two running trails go past the hotel
See More Fitness Center

All-Inclusive / Food

Seafood, Italian, and American restaurants, plus a lobby bar

The hotel has three restaurants to choose from, plus a lobby bar that serves drinks and bar food.

The most high-end restaurant is Armani’s. This swanky venue is located on the hotel’s 14th floor and has excellent views of the bay. It’s open for dinner and serves pricey Northern Italian cuisine. On the weekends a piano player fills the dining room with jazzy tunes.

Oystercatchers is a seafood restaurant next to the bay, about a five-minute walk from the main hotel. It has indoor and outdoor seating and is open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.

Petey Brown’s is located next to the hotel lobby. This American-style restaurant serves simple breakfast and lunch dishes, plus a few seafood specialties.

All restaurants have kids' menus except the Lobby Bar. Room service isn’t available all night, though it is offered until late.

There’s not much to eat within a mile of the hotel, besides fast food and chain restaurants surrounding the airport. Fortunately, guests should be able to find affordable dishes at most of the on-site restaurants.

See More All-Inclusive / Food

Services

Free shuttle, business center, sauna, and massages

  • Massage services available
  • Sauna and whirlpool
  • Free shuttle goes to airport, nearby restaurants, and shops (but not downtown)
  • Business center with free printing
  • Babysitting services
  • Gift shop
  • Casitas are pet-friendly (for a fee)
  • Valet parking available
  • Room service until late (but not 24-hour)
See More Services

Oyster Hotel Review

Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay

Scene

This reliable chain hotel is an attractive choice for business travelers and families.

This 442-room hotel was originally built in 1986, and a $16 million makeover in 2012 has made much of the property feel fresh and modern. Quality restaurants, above-average amenities, and an attractive location on a nature preserve easily make the Grand Hyatt the best airport hotel in Tampa.

The clientele are mainly business travelers, who come for gatherings in the hotel’s 19 boardrooms, ballroom, and outdoor pavilion. The property also sees a fair share of leisure travelers and families, who are drawn to the private casitas and lovely grounds.

The property is split into two areas -- a main tower, where most of the rooms are located, and a casita area, where two tennis courts, an artificial beach, secondary swimming pool, and Oystercatchers restaurant is located. The quieter casita section is on the opposite side of a mangrove forest, accessible by a short walking path or shuttle.

See More Scene

Location

Picturesque location on a 35-acre nature preserve with easy access to the airport, but nothing within walking distance

The Grand Hyatt is located on a nature preserve at the edge of Tampa Bay, right beside the Tampa International Airport. There’s not much surrounding the hotel, other than saltwater mangroves and highway. Two shopping plazas are less than 10 minutes away, and visitors can reach downtown Tampa in about 15 minutes, assuming there’s no traffic.

Those willing to drive up to 20 minutes can reach nearly all of Tampa’s attractions, including the Lowry Park Zoo, Convention Center, historic Ybor City, The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay Times Forum sports arena, and the Museum of Art. The hotel shuttle transports guests to the airport and nearby shopping malls, free of charge, but it doesn’t go downtown.

Guests should rent a car if they want to visit the area’s nice beaches, located about 45 minutes away on the Gulf Coast.

  • 8-minute drive from shopping at WestShore Plaza
  • 9-minute drive to Tampa International Airport (free hotel shuttle service)
  • 10-minute drive from shopping at International Plaza
  • 10-minute drive from Rocky Point Golf Course
  • 15-minute drive from downtown Tampa
  • 15-minute drive to the Tampa Museum of Art
  • 15-minute drive from The University of Tampa
  • 15-minute drive from shops, dining, and nightlife in historic Ybor City
  • 17-minute drive to the Tampa Convention Center
  • 16-minute drive from the Amtrak train station
  • 18-minute drive to the Tampa Bay Times Forum sports arena
  • 20-minute drive to The Florida Aquarium
  • 20-minute drive from the Port of Tampa (for cruise ship travel)
  • 20-minute drive to Lowry Park Zoo
  • 20-minute drive to St. Petersburg International Airport (Taxis cost about $40.)
  • 25-minute drive to Clearwater
  • 28-minute drive to Clearwater Marine Aquarium
  • 30-minute drive from Busch Gardens amusement park
  • 45-minute drive to most gulf coast beaches
See More Location

Rooms

Decent-sized rooms have modern essentials, but no minibars.

The hotel’s 442 rooms and suites, fully renovated in 2012, have modern decor and simple, understated style. Standard guestrooms are fairly sized at 350 square feet and have all the basics -- flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, iHome stereos for iPods -- but no minibars. There’s also no 24-hour room service, so guests craving a 3 a.m. snack are out of luck.

Suites range from 700 to 1,300 square feet and have extra perks, such as wet bars, refrigerators, DVD players, and even baby grand pianos.

The casitas on the other side of the property have the same amenities as their non-casita counterparts, plus small outdoor patios. Casita Suites have two floors and feel like cozy rental houses. Considering the quiet location, nearby pool, restaurant, tennis courts, and artificial beach, the casitas are a good value, costing only slightly more than the regular rooms.

Rooms sleep a maximum of four people, or up to eight people with connecting rooms.

  • 37-inch flat-screen TVs
  • iHome stereos for ipods
  • Coffeemakers
  • Work desks
  • Shower/tub combos
  • Rollaway beds (in rooms with kind beds only)
  • Pull-out sofas in Executive Suites, Casita Suites, and Premier Suites
  • Small patios in casitas
  • Dogs allowed for a fee (in Casitas only)
  • Cribs available
  • No balconies
  • No minibars
  • Fee for Wi-Fi
See More Rooms

Pool

Two pools, a Jacuzzi, and an artificial beach

The hotel has two pools: the Tower Pool at the main hotel, and the Casita Pool, located a short walk through the mangroves, next to Oystercatchers restaurant. Both pools have bars that are open on the weekends and some evenings.

The heated Tower Pool is ideal for swimming laps and also has a whirlpool.

The unheated Casita Pool is slightly smaller than the Tower Pool and is situated next to an artificial beach with ping-pong tables and a fire pit.

See More Pool

Fitness Center

24-hour fitness center has a range of modern equipment, plus outdoor activities.

The hotel has a nice fitness center, plus outdoor activities, such as basketball, jogging, and tennis.

  • Treadmills, ellipticals, and strength training machines
  • Inflatable exercise balls, mats, free weights, and resistance cords
  • Free headphones, cold towels, and cold bottled water
  • Individual TV screens on select cardio machines, plus wall-mounted TVs for the room
  • Ping-pong, basketball hoop, two tennis courts, and walking trails
  • Two running trails go past the hotel
See More Fitness Center

All-Inclusive / Food

Seafood, Italian, and American restaurants, plus a lobby bar

The hotel has three restaurants to choose from, plus a lobby bar that serves drinks and bar food.

The most high-end restaurant is Armani’s. This swanky venue is located on the hotel’s 14th floor and has excellent views of the bay. It’s open for dinner and serves pricey Northern Italian cuisine. On the weekends a piano player fills the dining room with jazzy tunes.

Oystercatchers is a seafood restaurant next to the bay, about a five-minute walk from the main hotel. It has indoor and outdoor seating and is open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.

Petey Brown’s is located next to the hotel lobby. This American-style restaurant serves simple breakfast and lunch dishes, plus a few seafood specialties.

All restaurants have kids' menus except the Lobby Bar. Room service isn’t available all night, though it is offered until late.

There’s not much to eat within a mile of the hotel, besides fast food and chain restaurants surrounding the airport. Fortunately, guests should be able to find affordable dishes at most of the on-site restaurants.

See More All-Inclusive / Food

Services

Free shuttle, business center, sauna, and massages

  • Massage services available
  • Sauna and whirlpool
  • Free shuttle goes to airport, nearby restaurants, and shops (but not downtown)
  • Business center with free printing
  • Babysitting services
  • Gift shop
  • Casitas are pet-friendly (for a fee)
  • Valet parking available
  • Room service until late (but not 24-hour)
See More Services

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.