Best Western The Westshore Hotel, Tampa

Advantages: An underrated treasure on Florida's Gulf Coast
Disadvantages: None really

.... LOWERY PARK ZOO On West Sligh Avenue, Lowery Park is a treasure well known to Tampa residents, less so to tourists. It is one of the top three ‘middle sized zoos’ in the States and has over 40 acres of open-air natural habitat displays. It boasts a Manatee reservation, aviaries and children’s petting zoo. There are daily Birds of Prey shows. Whilst in this part of town take a trip onto Dale Mabry Highway and visit the Raymond James Stadium. This is the home of the ‘Bucs’ (Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL team). They aren’t doing at all badly this season – they beat Green Bay Packers 21-7 while we were there. Eat at: Shula’s Steak House (at Wyndham Westshore Hotel). No, this isn’t an émigré from the Archers! Dan Shula was the manager of the Miami Dolphins for many years and led them to an unequalled 100% season in 1973. 10. A TRIP... Read review

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Advantages: Tampa is in Florida, the sunshine state.
Disadvantages: Avoid our rainy season. July - October.

...is 'Citrus Park' mall. This one is really pretty, and has lots of individual shops to browse in. Even if you are not interested in buying, you may just want to take a walk through it. This one is to the north of Tampa. There are every kind of restaurant you can think of and more. Basically every chain restaurant is situated in the area. From Burger King, to T.G.I. Fridays. There are different ethnic places to eat, and yes, there are some English pubs. However, don't expect to get the same food as in England. They do the best they can with the food, but I certainly wouldn't pay the higher prices they charge. You can, of course drink the beer. Yes, they have Bass, Guiness, just to name a couple. What I would do, is suggest that you check out the yellow pages, in your hotel, for your eating preference. The nightclubs are numerous... Read review

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Advantages: Independently Owned & operated Good Quality
Disadvantages: Very Few

...Best Western Hotels are among the world’s largest hotel brands but is actually somewhat unusual. This international hotel chain is made-up of individually owned and operated hotels and inns around the globe. However, reputedly it is not easy to qualify for membership of Best Western – prospective members must meet some very exacting standards and each hotel in UK is independently inspected on an annual basis by the AA. Globally there are around 4,000 hotels in the group whilst there are several hundred in the UK. Some are bustling city centres hotels, others are nicely converted Elizabethan lodges and some are plush Georgian style country manor houses. Among Best Western hotels in London are the Delmere Hotel, Hyde Park, the John Howard Hotel, Kensington, the Mornington Hotel, Lancester Gate, Raglan Hall... Read review

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