Hotel question

Question

I haven’t been to Tampa in a very long time and will be spending 3 nights there primarily to take my friend to Bern’s Steakhouse since they’ve never been. I already have the restaurant reservation on her birthday. We will not have a car.

I’m debating between The Epicurian Hotel (since it is across the street from Bern’s) or the Hotel Flor since I usually prefer Hiltons. I also would consider the Downtown Hilton, but it looks more like a convention/group events hotel.

Are any of these in better/more walkable areas? Is there much in the area around Berns for other restaurants and shops or are we better with one of the other choices and just Uber to and from Bern’s? We are fine using Uber but like some walkability. I’m not sure what we will do with our time. Maybe explore the River Walk or go to The Museum of Fine Arts or the Florida Aquarium?

Thanks for any thoughts about the hotel choices or other advise.

Answer

It sounds like you have a great trip planned, especially with the reservation at Bern’s Steakhouse! Here's a breakdown of the hotel options you're considering and how they fit into the area in terms of walkability and nearby attractions.

The Epicurean Hotel: The Epicurean is directly across the street from Bern's Steakhouse, making it incredibly convenient for your dinner reservation. This is an upscale boutique hotel with a focus on culinary experiences, so it could be a fun choice, especially since you're going to Bern’s. The location is in the Hyde Park area, which is a charming neighborhood with a few restaurants, cafes, and shops within walking distance. It's a great choice if you want to be close to Bern’s, but keep in mind that it’s not as centrally located to other major attractions in Tampa like the Riverwalk or the Florida Aquarium. However, if your main focus is dining and you want the convenience of being close to Bern’s, this could be your best option.

Hotel Flor: Hotel Flor is located in the Seminole Heights area, a neighborhood that has been growing in popularity in recent years. It’s a trendy, artsy area with a mix of local restaurants, bars, and shops. While it's a bit farther from Bern's (about a 10-minute drive), this hotel has a more intimate, boutique feel, and if you prefer staying in a Hilton brand, this could be a good option. You would likely need to take an Uber to Bern’s, but this area does offer a great local vibe with more walkable options for food and drinks if you're looking to explore beyond the usual tourist spots. It’s also close to the Riverwalk and downtown Tampa attractions, so if you're planning to visit places like the Florida Aquarium or museums, this location is a solid choice for easy Uber access.

Downtown Hilton: The Downtown Hilton is a more traditional hotel, located in the heart of downtown Tampa. While it is a larger, convention-style hotel, it’s in a very walkable area with lots of nearby attractions, including the Riverwalk, museums, and the Florida Aquarium. This hotel gives you easy access to more of the city’s tourist destinations, and since you're interested in visiting these spots, it could be a great base for exploring. However, it is further from Bern’s Steakhouse (about a 10-minute drive), so you would need to Uber there. The area around the Downtown Hilton is more commercial, but it’s still very walkable with options for food and shopping. If you’re looking for the most centrally located hotel in terms of sightseeing, this would be a great choice, but it’s not quite as convenient for Bern’s.

Other Considerations: Since you mentioned being fine with using Uber, the location of the Downtown Hilton might be the most ideal if you're planning to do a variety of activities in Tampa, like visiting the Florida Aquarium or the Riverwalk. The Hyde Park area near The Epicurean Hotel is lovely but a bit quieter in terms of activities beyond Bern’s, while the Seminole Heights area offers a more local and artsy vibe but is farther from the typical tourist attractions.

Conclusion: If your main focus is being near Bern's Steakhouse and having a great culinary experience, The Epicurean Hotel is your best bet, especially if you want to be within walking distance. However, if you’d like a bit more variety in terms of nearby attractions and walkability to museums or the Riverwalk, the Downtown Hilton could be a better choice, even though it’s farther from Bern’s. Hotel Flor is a good middle ground if you're looking for a boutique experience with a local vibe and don’t mind taking an Uber to Bern’s.

Hope this helps, and enjoy your trip to Tampa! :)

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