Ramada by Wyndham Venice Hotel Venezia

Nearly every aspect of this two-story hotel is immaculately maintained, from the perfectly manicured lawns to the lobby with its dramatic sweeping staircase, shining metallic wall tiles, and plush velvet armchairs. The hotel was recently refurbished, and the new chic decor makes the property a stand out among mid-range hotels in the area, even if the exterior entrances to all of the guest rooms do give fleeting motel vibes. There are several spots throughout the lobby for guests to sit among the dark hardwood accents, and whimsical, Lewis Carroll-inspired furniture is tucked away in some corners throughout. The Wave Grille is a laid-back restaurant with a beachy, but still classy, atmosphere and outdoor seating that draws a mix of tourists and locals. Many guests are here on business, but the hotel is also very family friendly and attracts a large number of tourists, too.

Set in a business area that isn't the most charming stretch of pavement in Florida, the hotel is just off U.S. 41 and around 15-minutes from I-75. There's a Burger King next door to the hotel, and other chain restaurants and big-box style stores are across the street. Venice Beach is a five-minute drive away as is the Fisherman's Wharf Marina for waterfront dining and boat hire. Venice Jetty and the excellent Crow's Nest Marina Restaurant are a 10-minute drive away, while Siesta Key Beach, one of the country's nicest, is about 25 minutes north by car. Other attractions that demand a bit longer behind the wheel include the Myakka River State Park, with plenty of trails for nature lovers, which is a 25-minute drive, and Busch Gardens theme park, which is just over an hour's drive north. Tampa International Airport and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport are both over an hour north as well.

The hotel offers a variety of room sizes, from Standard Rooms to Efficiencies to One-Bedroom Suites with sofa beds, but despite the different room sizes, all have the same decor. Warm ochre accent walls pop against the cream-and-brown color scheme that dominates the room, from bed runners to curtains to the handsomely striped carpets. Dark wood headboards, some of which are also padded, add a stylish note above comfortable pillow-top beds, and duvets match the dark, contemporary furniture throughout, including chairs upholstered with the same bright shade as the accent wall. Rooms either have one king-size bed or two queens, and all have a mini-fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, air-conditioning, and 37-inch flat-screen TVs. Bathrooms are clean and spacious, with trendy subway tiles in the bathtub/shower combos, though the large granite vanities weren't the most modern and toiletries are generic. Some rooms are pet friendly, and rooms overlooking the pool can be noisy at times -- guests should check ahead regarding either of these issues.

The outdoor pool at the Ramada Venice is heated and surrounded by comfortable lounge chairs and stylish white parasols -- it’s a large area and is spotlessly clean. The fitness center is spacious with plenty of natural light and is equipped with treadmills, bikes, and free weights, plus a hot tub. The Wave Grille is open all day and specializes in American cuisine such as steaks, ribs, salads, and sandwiches, and though it offers a full-service breakfast, it's not included with bookings. Room service is available during limited hours, and there’s a small convenience store on-site for snacks, too. Business guests are well catered for at this hotel as there’s free Wi-Fi throughout, a business center, and five modern meeting rooms. The hotel also has a laundry room and free on-site parking, and children under the age of 17 stay for free.