Tampa Marriott Water Street

Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina is a tower hotel that's located right on the waterfront in downtown Tampa. The boxy exterior gives the hotel a slightly dated appearance, though it's in good shape. The interior of the hotel has nods of Florida thanks to the creative atrium addition of palm trees. Sections of real palm trunks have been glued to the bases of the tall sculptures that stretch all the way up to the ceiling before fanning out with green fronds. The effect is done so well they often pass as real trees to both tourists and locals alike. Checkered yellow and white marble floors run under the palms, while marble-tiled columns stretch to the ceiling. Guests on the mezzanine level walk on old-fashioned patterned carpet and the tops of the lobby's palm trees peek above black iron railings. 

This hotel isn't built for socializing, but, from the Great Room to the rooftop pool and Concierge Lounge, there's plenty of space to do so. Open year-round, this property draws heavily on corporate guests, though it also attracts couples and families. 

This hotel is located against the channel in downtown Tampa, making it a convenient spot for boats to dock. It’s a popular location for anyone with tickets to a show or game at one of the nearby venues, and having the Tampa Convention Center a five-minute walk away is convenient for business travelers. However, this stellar location can be a traffic nightmare during events. There's a free trolley stop across the street that guests can take to several spots in Tampa, including Ybor City.

• Four-minute walk to Amalie Arena
• Seven-minute drive to the Straz Center for Performing Arts
• Seven-minute walk to the Tampa Riverwalk
• 13-minute walk to the Florida Aquarium
• Eight-minute drive or 20-minute walk to the Glazer Children’s Museum and Tampa Museum of Art
• 13-minute drive to Channelside Walk Way across the channel
• 14-minute drive to Tampa International Airport
• 29-minute drive to downtown St. Petersburg 

Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina is set to complete room renovations by mid-2018. The new 719 guest rooms will have a chic look to eventually replace all the dated, warm color palettes and patterns with cool blues reflective of a subtle nautical theme inspired by the hotel's waterside location. The new decor also sports beige laminate tile floors, thick carpets with contemporary blue gradients, lovely artwork on gray walls, and various shades of modern gray cushioned furniture. Woodgrain paneled all-in-one entertainment centers with desks have floating shelves, ultra-modern vinyl cushioned pod benches, and large wall-mounted flat-screen TVs. Features include air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers; bottled water and Wi-Fi costs extra. Bathrooms are stylish and comfortable thanks to space-saving sliding barn doors, large showerheads in walk-in and bath/shower combos, and updated square vanity sinks with wood-lined cubby hole storage. 

The hotel's Stay Well rooms have extra wellness perks like in-room aromatherapy, vitamin C infusions in the shower, air purifiers, and a lighting menu that adjusts for circadian rhythms, energy, and relaxation. These rooms come with or without balconies. Upgrades to suites buy fully separate living rooms with a writing desk and/or dining table, TVs in both the bedroom and living room, balconies with water views, and a king bed. Concierge Level Rooms include freebies like an honor bar, minibar, free breakfast, evening turndown service, and access to the Concierge Lounge. 

Features at this hotel cater to both business travelers and tourists. The third-floor, heated pool is a favorite among guests. The large size is a pleasant surprise, while the shaded cabana pods and cushioned wicker couches are a nice addition to the rows of contemporary loungers. A full service bar offers drinks and casual eats like hamburgers, and guests can either eat at the collection of tables and chairs or head back to their loungers. Just be warned, there aren't a lot of umbrellas and it can get hot, especially in the whirlpool. The 24-hour fitness room is free and stocked with modern LifeFitness cardio machines, free weights, and weight machines. A sauna is available for relaxing. 

Room service is available and features packaged, locally-sourced items, and there are a few sit down dining options at the hotel. The Waterside Grill serves three meals a day featuring elevated American cuisine like scallops with bacon jam or steaks alongside a view of the marina. The Champions Sports Bar is more for classic pub grub like burgers, and is the place for live sports games and a good selection of beer. There's also a Starbucks with all the usual fixings right off the lobby -- a common occurrence at Marriott properties. 

The Concierge Lounge is accessible to Marriott Rewards members or guests who booked Concierge Level rooms. This 24th-floor space is a quiet and relaxing spot that offers drinks, small plates, and a free breakfast. There's space to lounge or get work done.

The hotel is home to a marina with 32 slips for guests that arrive by boat. Wi-Fi is free in the Great Room lounge area, but costs extra in rooms. Both valet and self-parking come with a daily fee. Guests can download the Marriott app to make digital requests.