We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
All 158 Tampa hotels

Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown: Traveler Reviews

3.0 of 5
111 W Fortune Street, 275N Ex-44 I-4/275S Ex-45A, Tampa, FL 33602
Hotel website
Hotel deals
Hotel amenities
Special Offer
Earn 2000 Bonus Points
Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown
Enter dates for best prices
Check-in Check-in Check-out Check-out
Show Prices
Compare best prices from top travel partners
HoJo.com Travelocity Expedia.com
and 12 more sites!
60%
Ranked #89 of 158 hotels in Tampa
GreenLeadersBronze level
Write a Review

206 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveler rating
    42
    65
    38
    38
    23
Date Rating
Orlando, Florida
Senior Contributor
44 reviews 44 reviews
11 hotel reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
41 helpful votes 41 helpful votes
“Reservation problems”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed November 10, 2012

I was to stay here for a conference. I had to cancel the reservation. The downtown hotels have a contract with the conference that says that if reservations are not cancelled by a certain date, one nights stay will be charged. Not a problem if they take the reservation correctly. The person who took my reservation over the phone misspelled my name. Why in the world are they incapable of looking up the confirmation number without the name? You'd think the name on the credit card would have helped her spell it. I would have given them one star, but after talking to two people at the 1-800 number, the local person at the hotel was able to find the problem. I have stayed at various hotels in downtown Tampa through the years. I can't recommend any of them. Stay outside of the city.

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled on business
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask ChrisAndFamily about Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
FoleyT, Manager at Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown, responded to this review
November 15, 2012
Thank you for sharing your concerns with reservations at the Howard Johnson Plaza Downtown-Tampa. I apologize that we did not have the correct...
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Summerfield, Florida, United States
Senior Contributor
46 reviews 46 reviews
8 hotel reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Very nice hotel in downtown Tampa, Fl”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 5, 2012

We have stayed at this hotel many times when we were going on a cruise out of the cruise port in Tampa. The rooms are nice and you can walk to several restaurants in down town Tampa. It is a safe place near the performing art building and has plenty of free parking.

Room Tip: It used to be very reasonable, but the last time we booked a room, the price went up considerably.
See more room tips
  • Stayed February 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Randy C about Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Florida
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“Pleasant staff, but not much else.”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed July 28, 2012

I booked this room 6 months in advance through the Howard Johnson website with a rate that included free parking and a continental breakfast. Upon arriving to the hotel, check-in was delayed due to many people checking in at the same time. The lobby was updated and looked good. Most of the front desk staff were friendly and courteous, except for one member who I interacted with twice. During check-in, I was told that parking was not included in the rate (I had booked a ship & shore package that included parking, but was not asked if I was cruising, they just assumed I wasn't. When I booked the rate, it did not say that it was ONLY for people cruising, but I could understand that since I wasn't cruising, then it might not apply. Hey, I was being honest! So that was an unexpected $8 per night.) I also let them know that I was bringing my dog (a 10lb poodle) to which the unfriendly clerk asked me, "You know there's a $75 charge for the dog's stay, right?" Yes, I knew from looking at their website though I thought that was a bit exorbitant (especially for the condition of the property). Once checked-in, we made our way to our room on the 9th floor. The elevator ride was precarious (serious maintenance is needed as they sounded like they would either plummet or just stop working...all 3 of them!) but the elevator did work. Once in the room, we immediately noticed a pizza restaurant flyer under the door. This turned out to be a daily occurrence with anywhere between 1 and 3 menus popping in randomly. A quick inspection of the room found the furniture to be fine, but the tv was outdated: no RCA jacks, channel selection was limited, the channel guide was inaccurate, reception was snowy; the ceiling had water damage in the tiles as well as the drapes nearby, the coffeemaker’s reservoir had a plastic chunk sitting in it and wouldn’t close properly, the ice bucket didn’t have a liner, the bathroom fixtures were old and in need of either replacement or deep cleaning (rust in the shower, water stains in the sink). I will say, that the air conditioning worked EXTREMELY well, which was a vast relief in the central Florida mid-summer's heat. The bed was comfortable and the linens were clean (bedspreads being the exception...it felt dirty so we didn't use it). The hallways were dank (my husband said they reminded him of a locker room). The rate said that a continental breakfast was included, which was inaccurate, as the restaurant didn't seem to be open during the morning hours.
I mention the ice bucket liner because I went downstairs and asked the clerk (the unfriendly one was the only one up there, unfortunately) for a liner, to which she curtly said that she didn’t have any down there, then rummages through cabinets before saying “oh wait, here’s one”, then proceeds to hand me a garbage can liner. When I point out that it’s for a garbage can (way too big), she hesitantly asks, “Do you want me to have one sent up?” Sensing that this would be too much to ask, I passed. This clerk was the only one who was consistently unpleasant. The daytime front desk manager (her name escapes me, unfortunately) along with the rest of the staff were very pleasant and the bright spot of an otherwise dour experience.
The stay was rather uneventful, except for the fact that the room keys suddenly stopped working on the second day. A quick trip to the front desk yielded another nice staffer who pleasantly assisted me with this problem. The room was at the end of the hall and relatively quiet, though you could hear all of the doors slam in the morning. Wi-fi was fine, when the hotel was empty. In the evenings when the guests were back (most turned out to be people taking the bar exam), the connectivity was virtually non-existent. It clearly isn’t capable of handling that many people utilizing bandwidth. Check-out wasn't too problematic, except for the bill. The $75 pet fee accidentally got charged 3 times, but again, the desk staff assisted with this matter. While reconciling my hotel bill to my credit card, though, I found that there was an inaccurate charge (the entire bill including the extra $150 pet fee, though I was told I wasn't charged), a credit for the charge, a charge for the correct amount, but a remaining charge that is still pending days later (perhaps it's a hold that I wasn't aware of and will be released soon?). Finally, it is worth mentioning that I was told by the staff that come the fall, the vast majority of the hotel will be used as a dormitory for nearby UT students. This would definitely prevent me from staying again, as my college dorm days are not something I'd like to relive anytime soon! It might be a little more expensive or time consuming, but I would definitely stay elsewhere.

Room Tip: Ask for a room as close to the top as possible, with a city view.
See more room tips
  • Stayed July 2012, traveled on business
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 2 more reviews by jboss37 for Tampa
Ask jboss37 about Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
FoleyT, General Manager at Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown, responded to this review
August 8, 2012
Thank you for taking the time to share your previous experience at the Howard Johnson Plaza Downtown-Tampa. I apologize that your stay was less than satisfactory. We are currently undergoing renovations to improve our hotel rooms and select common areas. As we continue to make beautifications through out the interior of the hotel I have taken note by your experience that we will also be retraining the staff. We look forward to your future return when renovations are complete. Please feel free to contact me directly for any further assistance.

Sincerley,

Tracy Foley
Assistant General Manager
(813)223-1351 ext 3102
tfoley@tampahjp.com
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Travelers are raving about these Tampa hotels

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites New Tampa I-75 Bruce B. Downs
4.5 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d275535?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
4 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d85885?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina
4 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d223867?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Emerald Greens Golf Resort & Country Club
5 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d951572?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Comfort Suites at Fairgrounds - Casino
4.5 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1527147?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Well Suited For Team Travel”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed July 17, 2012

Our AFL recently traveled to Tampa for a game, and the accommodations at this hotel were above expectations. The staff were all courteous and beyond helpful with any and all needs we had.

  • Stayed July 2012, traveled on business
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service

Review collected in partnership with Wyndham Hotel Group

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Caitlin K about Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
DeLand, Florida
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Loved it!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed July 3, 2012

While my husband was having surgery at Tampa General, I lodged at HJP. I was skeptical after reading some of these reviews, but the price was good so I took a chance. And I am so glad I did! My 14th floor room was perfect. Beautiful view of Tampa Bay and the city lights. It was very clean and new and stylish. Great amenities. Staff was great, restaurant and lounge good. The hotel was being renovated but the construction was not outright visible to the guests. Thank you, HJP, for making a trying medical situation more pleasurable for me when I would return to my room in the evenings.

  • Stayed June 2012, traveled solo
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask njdw32720 about Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
, Assistant General Manager at Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown, responded to this review
July 7, 2012
Thank you for providing your kind comments regarding our Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown hotel. We love it when our guests share their experiences after enjoying their stay with us. I am personally glad to hear that you enjoyed your 14th floor room. We are doing some construction in the hotel but it is mostly behind the scenes and very little construction can be seen by our guests. We are in the process of upgrading our fitness center and guest laundry to be more accommodating to our guests. We hope to see you again soon after the renovations are complete.

Sincerely,
Tracy Foley
Assistant General Manager
(813) 223-1351 x 3102
tfoley@tampahjp.com
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown
Check-in Check-in Check-out Check-out
 
 
Red Roof Inn Tampa Busch
Great value on a similar hotel
Tampa, FL
3 of 5 stars 86 Reviews
Show Prices
Still looking for a hotel?
Highly rated hotels in Tampa
Trendy
InterContinental Hotel Tampa
InterContinental Hotel Tampa 4.0 of 5 stars 548 reviews
Family-friendly
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites New Tampa I-75 Bruce B. Downs
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suit... 4.5 of 5 stars 288 reviews
Romantic
Comfort Suites at Fairgrounds - Casino
Comfort Suites at Fairgrounds - ... 4.5 of 5 stars 328 reviews
Luxury
Westin Tampa Bay
Westin Tampa Bay 4.0 of 5 stars 250 reviews
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d87623?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Style_Xsell
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d275535?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Style_Xsell
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1527147?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Style_Xsell
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1237006?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_Style_Xsell
Travelers also viewed these Tampa hotels
Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Down... 4.0 of 5 stars 130 reviews Residence Inn Tampa Downtown 4.0 of 5 stars 127 reviews Howard Johnson Express Inn & Sui... 4.0 of 5 stars 133 reviews Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel 3.5 of 5 stars 489 reviews
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d87639?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d223863?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d85881?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d112455?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
View all 158 hotels in Tampa, ranked by popularity

Been to Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Additional Information about Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown

Also Known As:
Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown Hotel Tampa
Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown Hotel
Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa Downtown
Tampa Howard Johnson
Howard Johnson Tampa
Address: 111 W Fortune Street, 275N Ex-44 I-4/275S Ex-45A, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone Number:
Region: United States > Florida > Tampa
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Business Center Fitness Center Free High-Speed Internet Pets Allowed Restaurant Room Service Shuttle Bus service Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#8 Onsen Hotels in Tampa
Price Range: $
Hotel Class:3 star (3*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
The Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown is located adjacent to the David A Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and the beautiful Hillsborough River. The hotel is approximately 1 mile from the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa Bay Historic Center, Tampa Bay Times Forum, Channelside Dining and Entertainment Complex, and the Port of Tampa Cruise Terminals. The Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown offers a complimentary on-demand shuttle service from 7am until 10pm, 7 days a week. Popular Attractions include Channelside Dining and Entertainment Complex, The Florida Aquarium, and Historic Ybor City. Hotel Amenities Include:- All Non-Smoking Rooms- Onsite Restaurant, WaterWorks Bar & Grill, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.- Free Wireless High Speed Internet Access- Free Local Calls- Business Center- Outdoor Swimming Pool- Onsite Fitness Center- Complimentary Gym Access at Lifestyle Family Fitness- Complimentary Shuttle Service within 2 milesTampa International Airport is only six miles from the Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa ... more   less 
Reservation Options:
TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Wyndham, Travelocity, Expedia, Hotels.com, Otel, Hotwire, EasyToBook, Olotels, getaroom.com, Cheap Tickets, Agoda, Priceline, Venere, Tingo and HotelsClick so you can book your Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

  • Manage your listing
Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown
Enter dates & see best prices*
Check-in Check-in Check-out Check-out
Show Prices