Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa East - Ybor City By IHG
A practical Tampa launchpad for cruisers and eventgoers with free breakfast and airport shuttles.
The verdict
Pick a traveller type to re-weight the scores and re-rank the rooms around what you actually care about.
This hotel serves as a functional stop for travelers headed to the cruise port or downtown attractions. Guests value the well-kept rooms, helpful front desk staff, and reliable complimentary breakfast. However, several reviewers highlight disruptions from bar and disco noise as well as occasional maintenance and room odor issues. 15111018
Every line below traces back to something a traveler actually wrote — open a line to read the original sentence and follow it to the source.
What travelers noticed
- Guests agree that the breakfast area is well organized and provides a solid free morning meal. drawn from the full read
- In-room kitchenettes are consistently noted for cleanliness, featuring spotless Keurigs, microwaves, and mini fridges. 15
- Visitors also appreciate the convenient access to local attractions such as Centro Ybor, the Florida Aquarium, and Amalie Arena. drawn from the full read
The catch
- Experiences with the shuttle service vary, with some cruisers praising easy airport and port connections while others note delays. drawn from the full read
- Noise levels also divide visitors, as some report a quiet night while others are kept awake by loud music from the bar downstairs. 18
Who it's for
- — Pre-cruise travelers
- — Visitors attending events at Amalie Arena
- — Road-trippers wanting free breakfast
Skip it if
- — Light sleepers sensitive to bar or disco noise
- — Guests looking for modern, updated bathrooms
Seen on camera
21 moments · 3 videos · Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa East - Ybor City By IHG
Each moment is pulled at the second a cited reviewer said the words. Play it here, or open the original video at that timestamp.
“Ah that's that mirror that shows all the details I like to use it but I don't like to F myself on it so two thumbs up fo…”
youtube.com2:45“this room is huge y'all oh my gosh I'm definitely going to be comfortable here”
youtube.com6:38“a safe in a weird spot for those of you who use the safe I don't use the safe”
youtube.com6:56“check-in was quick and eventful exactly what you want after a long day of flying across the country”
youtube.com0:29“but look at this fancy iron board”
youtube.com7:13“and a nice microwave and we have a Craig and we have some coffees and some tea”
youtube.com3:58“yeah nice size frigerator so again we're only here for one night as we're cruising out of Tampa in the morning”
youtube.com4:29“Dove shampoo conditioner and body wash very clean I have to say I'll check to see when this hotel was built when it open…”
youtube.com5:50“breakfast was good the rooms was good the bed was comfortable I didn't sleep real good because I excited to go on a crui…”
youtube.com16:06“so a they have a really nice shower head really nice let me see look at there you adjust it you have to have a stud adju…”
youtube.com3:43“the bed was comfortable I didn't sleep real good because I excited to go on a cruise so it wasn't because of the beds”
youtube.com16:08“staff is wonderful everybody's been polite”
youtube.com16:16“the TV is nice and large a lot of space”
youtube.com6:43“the TV does swivel so not a lot but the way they have the room set up it doesn't really need to swivel a lot right cuz y…”
youtube.com14:10“the thermostats over here and they have it at my favorite temperature which is 71 to me 71 is the perfect temperature in…”
youtube.com14:50“I don't think there's an exhaust in this bathroom I think it's just the two light switches yeah so the one main light sw…”
youtube.com15:16“I was starting to worry that the Swifty slumber party sing-alongs and my dehydrated airplane all-day headache wouldn't b…”
youtube.com1:22“I found the room very clean especially the bathroom and the mini kitchenette the Keurig was spotless the microwave was p…”
youtube.com1:58“miles has his book bag nice size television and I believe these are hooks that's cool like that”
youtube.com2:45“one of the standout amenities though is the complimentary shuttle to the cruise port which runs several times throughout…”
youtube.com4:05“so this is the breakfast area a hotel breakfast food breakfast including what you stay nice area here to sit and chill”
youtube.com10:29Frames are citations: each one links to its second in the source video, attributed to the creator who filmed it. Nothing here is supplied by the hotel. Creators who want a moment removed can ask and we take it down.
How to book
Score breakdown
How the 92/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
90- “so a they have a really nice shower head really nice let me see look at there you adjust it you have to have a stud adjustment I don't know if I can do it with my hand yeah it has a where you could adjust the different settings” 133:43
- “I don't think there's an exhaust in this bathroom I think it's just the two light switches yeah so the one main light switch which is kind of over the shower which is good and the mirror the light switch for the mirror” 1315:16
Food
91Location
83Noise
85Room
90Service
94Bed & Sleep
93Value
87- “Parking is in a garage. There is a excellent steak house (Shula's) on the premises - expensive.” 18
- “Many Thanks. Just wanted to state that what was said about Marriot Waterside not always being 302.00 is true. We booked it on night before our cruise in upcoming may for 200 plus taxes,etc. I realize that is still expensive but since it is our first cruise we wanted to "celebrate" a little.” 18
Where it is, how to reach it
Details checked 2026-09-10
Where it sits
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa East - Ybor City By IHG and the 38 other hotels we cover in Tampa. Hover a marker for the hotel; click to open it.
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
Beats what $ usually buys
Scores 10 points above the modest median of 82, across 404 hotels in the same bracket. In Tampa it sits 8 points above the local median of 84.
- This hotel
- 92
- Bracket median
- 82
- Index median
- 86
Based on 404 comparable hotels.
Which room to ask for
What reviewers say about where to sleep inside this building — by room number where one is named, and otherwise by floor, wing, aspect and position. Every line opens onto the quotes behind it.
Nothing is yet praised often enough to recommend.
- 1 mention
Where travelers agree — and don’t
The topics reviewers split on most. A wide bar means your experience depends on which room you get — or whose opinion you trust.
View the 71 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
- “The staff was best and we loved continental breakfast.” 11
- “Hotel accommodation was convenient, I liked extremely accommodating staff.” 11
- “The place is tidy, the room is non-smoking, the staff is consistently courteous.” 11
- “Brilliantly helpful staff, bright bathroom & good beds - all for a just perfect stay.” 11
- “We stayed 2 nights pre-cruise at Holiday Inn Express RJ Staduim, very nice, nice pool, great free breaky, I read many complaints about the shuttles but we used them many times and never waited very long at all and it was a busy spring break week.” 18
- “check-in was quick and eventful exactly what you want after a long day of flying across the country” On camera150:29
- “I loved the room, which was very specious and luxurious. There was a cozy bar with friendly service.” 11
- “Reply Share capn-crunch419 • 7mo ago yeah my boyfriend & i just are talking about making the switch to another brand. we had issues with an IHG overcharging our card back in december and that took almost 2 months to resolve and even then our bank resolved it not IHG.” 10
- “staff is wonderful everybody's been polite” On camera1716:16
- “id also just like to reiterate i did ask for clean sheets in the first 3 rooms which the manager refused to give us until the 5th room. i wouldn't have gone to 6 rooms to begin with had we just been given clean sheets.” 10
- “Picturesque, 3-star hotel with terrific staff and excellent wifi.” 11
- “At this point, we want to talk to the manager. He has not come to help the front desk employee or help us resolve the issue. Instead, he tells us that "we clearly have no intentions on being happy here".” 10
- “and a nice microwave and we have a Craig and we have some coffees and some tea” On camera173:58
- “Great breakfast, excellent service.” 11
- “The provided service was superb too.” 11
- “i also really just didn't expect the rooms to be so dirty every time. i get mistakes but that many rooms is crazy.” 10
- “the TV is nice and large a lot of space” On camera136:43
- “The area has improved some. For years it was getting to be skid row (where the homeless people roam). Used to be lots of prostitution and other bad activity along W. Kennedy too. It's cleaned up some though. If you stay there, don't venture out much at night unless you are in a taxi, don't walk around at night.” 18
- “miles has his book bag nice size television and I believe these are hooks that's cool like that” On camera172:45
- “No bellmen, but did have luggage carts. We were met with very friendly and helpful people at the desk.” 18
- “one of the standout amenities though is the complimentary shuttle to the cruise port which runs several times throughout the morning make sure you reserve a spot when you check in the hotel will also send the shuttle to the cruise port to pick you up if you are staying there post cruise” On camera154:05
- “yeah nice size frigerator so again we're only here for one night as we're cruising out of Tampa in the morning” On camera174:29
- “Great breakfast, excellent service.” 11
- “We used this Holiday Inn Express as our base for a trip mixing a day at Adventure Island with two days exploring Ybor City's restaurants, and the included breakfast made the early park morning much easier.” 1
- “The staff was best and we loved continental breakfast.” 11
- “The buffet breakfast offers a wide selection, and rooms feature spacious layouts.” 9
- “Restaurant in hotel was SMALL and the pool area was nice.” 11
- “.. the hotel did provide shuttle services to/from airport as well as breakfast. However, I was not informed about the breakfast vouchers when I checked in. In addition, I had to request vouchers every morning.” 18
- “so this is the breakfast area a hotel breakfast food breakfast including what you stay nice area here to sit and chill” On camera1710:29
- “The Tampa Convention Center, Port of Tampa Cruise Terminal, and the Channelside Shopping and Entertainment District are all within 1.5 miles. It is across the street from the street car garage and it's quite convenient to get on the street car line and go to the Channelside complex.” 18
- “Location was absolutely perfect, 12 miles to Tampa International airport, perfectly reachable. It is a special hotel, I loved average rooms and decent location.” 11
- “Wonderful location, not very far from Skatepark of Tampa😃” 11
- “Location was absolutely perfect, 12 miles to Tampa International airport, perfectly reachable.” 11
- “They have free shuttle from the airport, shuttle to the cruise port, and then they pick you up after your cruise and will take you back to the airport. This was a huge plus for me.” 18
- “stayed at la quinta which did have free independent shuttle co. for airport/cruiseport ($10). an ok location but only a few restaurants close by (IHOP next door/big shopping mall - 10 min. walk)” 12
- “The down side, is the location. This is on the corner of an office park out to the E of Tampa.” 18
- “Hilton Garden Inn (www.hiltongardeninn.com) because its location in Ybor City can't be beat.” 18
- “Offering a heated swimming pool along with 52 rooms, the hotel is close to a port. This Tampa hotel enjoys a perfect location near parks.” 9
- “Handy location, near - a freeway and the airport, however the area was really busy.” 11
- “The Westshore area is a lot cleaner and safer than the area where that Econo-Lodge is located on Kennedy Blvd - if that's the one you are looking at.” 18
- “Marriott Waterside Hotel Cracker Ken: a great location within walking distance of things to do in the S side of the downtown business core, along the water front.” 18
- “The hotel was a bit noisy (close to airport and bar.” 18
- “"The rooms directly above the bar have a lot of noise asked for a quiet room."” 18
- “....unable to sleep all night because the music from the disco downstairs can be heard (LOUDLY) in the rooms.” 18
- “I was starting to worry that the Swifty slumber party sing-alongs and my dehydrated airplane all-day headache wouldn't be a good match I am happy to report that after I got to my room I couldn't hear a thing” On camera151:22
- “Second room we were given, same thing. The room also smelled like a sewer.” 10
- “Fairfield with 15 year old furniture. Hamptons that haven't been renovated in 20 years. Very little consistency.” 10
- “I loved the room, which was very specious and luxurious.” 11
- “nice desk area have three drawers miles has his book bag” 17
- “Unbelievable view, a lovely balcony, incredible bed, too.” 11
- “Free toiletries and air-conditioning round out a straightforward, comfortable room for a multi-night stay, and the desk gives a parent working remotely a real spot to get an hour of email done before the day's outing begins.” 1
- “Had clean one bed studio suites on floor five (there was also a single pullout).” 18
- “The room I had was efficient and well-kept.” 11
- “this room is huge y'all oh my gosh I'm definitely going to be comfortable here” On camera136:38
- “Room was very specious and towels were clean.” 11
- “the TV does swivel so not a lot but the way they have the room set up it doesn't really need to swivel a lot right cuz you can still see the TV really good from either the bed or the sofa” On camera1314:10
- “the thermostats over here and they have it at my favorite temperature which is 71 to me 71 is the perfect temperature in a room not too cold not too hot” On camera1314:50
- “Cruise Package: (Weekends Only Friday, Saturday & Sunday Stays Only - I received conflicting info on these days from the desk clerks. Be sure to call about this if staying there)” 18
- “I found the room very clean especially the bathroom and the mini kitchenette the Keurig was spotless the microwave was probably the cleanest Hotel microwave I'd ever seen and the mini fridge was clean and cold” On camera151:58
- “First room we checked in there were probably 15-20 hairs all over the bed.” 10
- “"Breakfast was provided at this hotel only for certain people My boyfriend wasn't given breakfast tickets he even checked at the front desk about it and was informed that he's room didn't come with breakfast."” 18
- “Bathroom has all Dove brand products, and the room is spacious enough for 4 people comfortably.” 9
- “The main elevator was out of service. Bed wasn't the most comfortable.” 18
- “breakfast was good the rooms was good the bed was comfortable I didn't sleep real good because I excited to go on a cruise so it wasn't because of the beds” On camera1716:06
- “the bed was comfortable I didn't sleep real good because I excited to go on a cruise so it wasn't because of the beds” On camera1716:08
- “Parking is in a garage. There is a excellent steak house (Shula's) on the premises - expensive.” 18
- “Many Thanks. Just wanted to state that what was said about Marriot Waterside not always being 302.00 is true. We booked it on night before our cruise in upcoming may for 200 plus taxes,etc. I realize that is still expensive but since it is our first cruise we wanted to "celebrate" a little.” 18
- “so a they have a really nice shower head really nice let me see look at there you adjust it you have to have a stud adjustment I don't know if I can do it with my hand yeah it has a where you could adjust the different settings” On camera133:43
- “I don't think there's an exhaust in this bathroom I think it's just the two light switches yeah so the one main light switch which is kind of over the shower which is good and the mirror the light switch for the mirror” On camera1315:16
- “The bathroom was very dated.” 11
- “Generally everything was lovely, but the bathroom was cold.” 11
What we still don't know
What we can’t tell you yet, said plainly. These close as we read more coverage of this hotel.
- No reviewer has named an individual room number here yet.
- Nothing reliable said about room types.
- Nothing reliable said about floor level.
- Nothing reliable said about building or wing.
- Nothing reliable said about which side it faces.
- Nothing reliable said about view.
- Noise rests on 2 sources — too thin to rely on.
- 15 sources carry no publication date, so we cannot tell how current they are.
Ask about Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa East - Ybor City By IHG
Answered only from the coverage cited on this page. If nobody has written about your question, it will say so rather than guess.
How much we read
Solid coverage · 59/100We read 18 sources for this property, and pulled 109 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-09-11.
Watch this hotel
We keep reading Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa East - Ybor City By IHG. Tell us when you're staying and we'll follow it until then — you'll hear from us only when the verdict is rewritten, the score moves, or new reviews land. No daily mail, and the watch closes itself after your stay.
Sources
Everything quoted on this page, grouped by traveler insights, outlets, and video & podcast. Counts beside each group show everything we’ve read of that kind; no one kind can carry the score on its own.
2 of 5 summary lines above are traced to specific quotes. The rest summarise the read as a whole rather than any single document.
View all 18 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 10Having a horrible experience at Holiday Inn Express in ...reddit.comForum thread2026-02-08Recent8 quotes used
“Second room we were given, same thing. The room also smelled like a sewer.”
Read originalreddit.com - 12Tampa shuttles & Hotels - Florida Departuresboards.cruisecritic.comReview site2013-12-28Ageing2 quotes used
“stayed at la quinta which did have free independent shuttle co. for airport/cruiseport ($10). an ok location but only a few restaurants close by (IHOP next door/big shopping mall - 10 min. walk)”
Read originalboards.cruisecritic.com - 18Hotel suggestions for Tampa - Page 66 - Florida Departuresboards.cruisecritic.comReview site2007-03-21Ageing26 quotes used
“The Tampa Convention Center, Port of Tampa Cruise Terminal, and the Channelside Shopping and Entertainment District are all within 1.5 miles. It is across the street from the street car garage and it's quite convenient t…”
Read originalboards.cruisecritic.com - 1Holiday Inn Express Tampa East Ybor City Reviewwaterparkstays.comReview siteDate not stated3 quotes used
“We used this Holiday Inn Express as our base for a trip mixing a day at Adventure Island with two days exploring Ybor City's restaurants, and the included breakfast made the early park morning much easier.”
Read originalwaterparkstays.com - 2Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Tampa East - Ybor City By Ihghoward-johnson-express-inn-east-fl.alltampahotels.comReview siteDate not stated5 quotes usedRead originalhoward-johnson-express-inn-east-fl.alltampahotels.com
- 3Holiday Inn Express and Suites Tampa East/Ybor Cityvisittampabay.comReview siteDate not statedRead originalvisittampabay.com
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