Late January Tampa Visit--Hotel Choice

Question

Greetings:

Planning on visiting the Tampa/St Pete area for the first time in late January.

Looking at staying in St Pete on a Thursday - Sunday for 3 nights, most likely at Hyatt Place downtown.

After that, I plan on hitting Tampa for 2 nights (Sunday - Tuesday)....looking for now at 2 hotels, Palihouse Hyde Park or Haya Hotel in Ybor City. I'm leaning towards Palihouse for now. Is that the better neighborhood/walkable??....I hope to get a reservation and dine at Bern's one evening. I suppose I could stay at Palihouse and visit Ybor City for a day or my second evening uness I'm told Haya is the superior hotel and neighborhood to stay in. Any other Tampa hotels to consider?

I am flying up from Miami and was not planning on getting a rental car the entire trip; I trust Uber would suit my needs.

Thanks

Answer

For a first-time visit to the Tampa/St. Pete area in late January, your plan to split your stay between St. Pete and Tampa makes sense. Staying in St. Pete downtown at Hyatt Place is convenient for exploring the waterfront, local dining, and arts district.

Regarding Tampa accommodations, you are considering Palihouse Hyde Park and Haya Hotel in Ybor City. Here’s a breakdown:

Palihouse Hyde Park: This hotel is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood, which is a charming, walkable area with boutiques, cafes, and a relaxed vibe. It’s more residential and quieter, making it suitable if you prefer a calm neighborhood with easy access to restaurants. Hyde Park Village offers several dining options and a pleasant strolling area. Uber or rideshare to Bern’s Steakhouse is convenient, about a 10-15 minute drive.
Haya Hotel, Ybor City: Ybor City is Tampa’s historic district, known for its vibrant nightlife, cigar heritage, and eclectic dining. If you want to be immersed in a more lively, historic, and urban environment, Ybor City offers that, but it’s less walkable for casual strolling outside the main streets. The neighborhood is exciting, but it can be a bit noisy at night.

For your preferences—dining at Bern’s, using Uber rather than renting a car, and prioritizing walkability—Palihouse Hyde Park is likely the better choice. You can easily spend a day exploring Ybor City on foot or via a short Uber ride without needing to stay there.

Other Tampa hotel options to consider:

Armature Works / Tampa Heights area: There are boutique hotels nearby offering easy access to Riverwalk and Armature Works’ restaurants and food hall.
Downtown Tampa: Hotels like the JW Marriott or Tampa Marriott Water Street provide central locations for Riverwalk, museums, and easy Uber access to Bern’s Steakhouse.
Bayshore Boulevard area: This area is scenic and walkable, ideal if you enjoy a quieter stay with long waterfront walks.

Overall, if your priority is a mix of walkability, calm evenings, and convenient Uber access to dining and attractions, Palihouse Hyde Park would serve you well, with Ybor City just a short trip away for one of your evenings or a daytime exploration.