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Howard Johnson Express Inn - Tampa North/Busch Gardens: Traveler Reviews

2.0 of 5
720 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33612
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Howard Johnson Express Inn - Tampa North/Busch Gardens
Ranked #115 of 158 hotels in Tampa
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56 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveler rating
    3
    9
    12
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Date Rating
Miami
1 review
“Worst Hotel Ever!”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed July 20, 2012

Upon entering at the check in spot, the front desk area was dank and smelly. I looked over to see where the so called breakfast spot was and it was a couple of rinky dink wooden tables that would not have fit even our family of 5 comfortably let alone if other travelers came in. With all that being said, I still tried to give it a chance figuring the rooms would be more up to par. The hotel hallways smelled of smoke and mildew. There was running water spots at different areas of the rug. Upon entering our room, I realized that we could not stay at this hotel. There were roaches running around on the desks, it was very disgusting. I requested a smoke free room but the whole hotel smells of smoke and mildew. This is not a hotel to bring your family to stay for even one night. After checking out the room I immediately called another hotel to make a reservation to stay and let the front desk manager know that we could not spend one night here, he did not ask me any questions about why I wanted leave or anything, he just proceeded to refund me my money as if he already knew what my issues were. This reminded me of one of those seedy hotels you see on tv that people go to for one night stands. I was very disappointed in this hotel because I've stayed at Howard Johnson hotels before and this hotel is not on its level in any way. I do not recommend this particular Howard Johnson Hotel at all!

  • Stayed July 2012, traveled with family
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Kayvonne about Howard Johnson Express Inn - Tampa North/Busch Gardens
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Orlando, Florida, United States
1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Really is a Roach Motel”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed April 2, 2012

This hotel is the worst, I repeat the worst, hotel I have ever had the horror of staying at. The AC unit was not working, the roomed smelled dank and moldy. My fiance and I had trouble breathing. While deciding what to do we looked over to the nightstand and guess what, german cockaroach was staring at us, then we saw another. That was it, at 4:00 a.m. we packed our bags and left that dirty, dank, roach infested room. Carpet was disgusting, and blanket had burn holes. At almost 70 dollars a night after taxes, and being a Howard Johnson, I am really disappointed. If I didnt know any better I would of guessed this was a $30 a night crack-wh-re motel. I told the boy in the front that i was checking out, and asked if he knew they had a roach problem, he said no and didn't offer any assistance. I find that hard to believe.
The roaches came out in a lit room and had no qualms of people being there. That shows me the roaches been there quite a while and are used to people. Roaches will run just when a light is turned on period, yet alone stand their ground when a person goes to kill it, yeah right.

Room Tip: Go to another hotel entirely.
See more room tips
  • Stayed March 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Antoinette R about Howard Johnson Express Inn - Tampa North/Busch Gardens
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

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“Great value, nice staff and pool area”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 13, 2012

This is one of the nicer places I have stayed for such a low Priceline rate as I got. The room was large and comfortable with a huge bed, TV and microwave, and excellent bathroom amenities (nice soap, and conditioner!). The carpet was very old and needed replacing though. Pool area looked excellent--you could really do laps in that pool. The hallways seem kind of grungy and ugly though. Breakfast selection was horrible--no fruit or anything healthy. Check in staff (at 1:00 a.m.) was incredibly sweet and pleasant, really made me feel at home (Raven B. was the woman's name who checked me in) and they let me have a late checkout since I got in so late. Location of motel is good, convenient with 7-11 right across the street.

  • Stayed February 2012, traveled solo
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
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Ask flyermontana about Howard Johnson Express Inn - Tampa North/Busch Gardens
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Dirtiest hotel I've ever seen”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed January 19, 2012

I stayed there with my family because it was really close to Busch Gardens. The rooms were very dirty, the carpet could not have more stains and dirt. Same for the bed covers. The toilet in my room was falling off the wall. The bathtub was NOT white, more like brown. Honestly I find hard to believe someone EVER enjoyed themselves there. I was glad to leave and NEVER come back. It's worth driving to a further hotel. I'll never stay there again. I was the one that booked it and I apologized to everyone for making them go thru one night there. Really disgusting.

  • Stayed January 2012, traveled with family
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Charlene H about Howard Johnson Express Inn - Tampa North/Busch Gardens
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Spartanburg
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
“Ok.”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed January 5, 2012 via mobile

Decent. Overall ok. Near Busch Gardens if your going thru.

  • Stayed June 2011
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Ask BadB about Howard Johnson Express Inn - Tampa North/Busch Gardens
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Additional Information about Howard Johnson Express Inn - Tampa North/Busch Gardens

Also Known As:
Howard Johnson Express Inn - Tampa North/Busch Gardens Hotel
Howard Johnson Express Inn - Tampa North/Busch Gardens Hotel Tampa
Howard Johnson Tampa
Tampa Howard Johnson
Address: 720 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33612
Phone Number:
Region: United States > Florida > Tampa
Amenities:
Business Center Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Pets Allowed Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
Ranked #115 of 158 hotels in Tampa
Price Range: $
Hotel Class:2 star (2*)
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