Busch Gardens Accomodation

[Britchick]

has anyone stayed over when they've gone to Busch gardens? can you recommend a hotel? how far is it from Clearwater?

thanks

[foreverducky]

I would say it's about an hour, give or take a few, depending on when you go. Mostly due to traffic.

Sorry, I never stayed at any of the hotels near there, as I lived in the area.

[MMCMK]

has anyone stayed over when they've gone to Busch gardens? can you recommend a hotel? how far is it from Clearwater?

thanks

Hiya
We have stayed over a couple of times but you may know that Busch is sited in a "metropolitan" area of Tampa. 1st time we were lucky enough to Hotwire a deal in a 5 star about a mile from the park. Although the hotel was perfect we didnt like to venture outside the complex at night. The 2nd time we stayed at a Days Inn about 5 miles off on 1-275, not a very nice area at all but we stayed in the motel grounds. The last time we stayed about an hour out at St. Petersburgh at Holiday Inn Sunspree. that was perfect, but to be honest unless we have other reasons to stay in the Tampa area then we would much rather stay in Orlando and take the drive to Busch, it feels much safer.

[Britchick]

no i didn't know that, thanks

[catrancher]

Or... there's my perennial favorite. The Don Cesar resort on St. Petersburg Beach. About 45 minutes to an hour away from Busch Gardens and right on the Gulf of Mexico.

Tom (... yes, I'm prejudiced. I grew up in St. Pete!)

[Britchick]

now Tom you've anticipated my next question! where to stay at Clearwater and how far is it travelling to Busch?

ooh and how many days at Busch do you need?

[catrancher]

now Tom you've anticipated my next question! where to stay at Clearwater and how far is it travelling to Busch?

ooh and how many days at Busch do you need?

Well now, the Don Cesar is actually on St. Petersburg beach. Not Clearwater.

Actually, I think that in today's world, it's just as fast if not faster to get from St. Petersburg beach to Tampa as it is to get from Clearwater to Tampa. From St. Petersburg beach, it's almost all interstate highway to Tampa. From Clearwater, about your only shot to Tampa is highway 60, the Courtney Campbell parkway (also know as the Courtney Crumble to local residents).

How long to stay at Buch Gardens? I don't know. It's been so long since I actually went there that anything I would say would be a guess.

Tom (... I really miss Florida! Why'd I ever leave???? )

[Britchick]

Tom did you see the price per night in their basic room?

[catrancher]

Tom did you see the price per night in their basic room?

Hey! I said it was nice. I didn't say it was cheap!

Tom (... ahhh... luxury!)

[Britchick]

i'm not sharing a room with my two for $600 per night plus tax lol - does look lovely though!

any other suggestions?