This 14-story waterfront hotel is frequented primarily by business travelers and conference attendees. The hotel underwent a $15 million renovation in spring 2008. From the entrance, arriving guests take an escalator or elevator to the huge lobby, with separate registration, dining, and conversational areas. The seating area has windows.

The InterContinental Hotel Tampa is part of the huge, 11-story Urban Center in the Westshore business district. The hotel lobby nestles between two giant atriums with lush foliage and promenade shops. Hotel clientele—-mostly business guests--unwind at Shula’s No Name Lounge and dine in Shula’s Steak House.

What to expect: The hotel's elegant marble lobby and registration area lead to a restaurant and a lobby bar with a grand piano, leather armchairs, and subdued lighting. Tropical plants and soft neutral décor throughout lend a resort-like ambience to the property.

Amenity highlights: The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay has two outdoor swimming pools, a spa tub, and a spacious sun deck for visitors hoping to soak up some of the Sunshine State’s rays. A boardwalk overlooking the nature preserve connects the main hotel and the casita area. The hotel’s on-site business center has computer workstations, high-speed Internet access, and a full-service, staffed document center.

Insider tip: This Tampa hotel is located on a 35-acre waterfront wildlife preserve, an area of salt marsh, mangroves, and tidal pools. The preserve was given the First Annual Florida Audubon Society Corporate Award for Environmentally Sensitive Development.

Bring your binoculars to catch a glimpse of roseate spoonbills, brown pelicans, and other marsh wildlife that make their home on Tampa Bay, or just relax and enjoy the sunset from the boardwalk gazebo.

What to expect: A 50-foot-tall guitar modeled on one played by Paul McCartney greets guests at this Tampa hotel and casino operated by the Seminole Tribe. Framed photos of rock legends (think Elvis and Jim Morrison) as well as rock memorabilia, including costumes and guitars, are showcased throughout this huge entertainment complex.

Amenity highlights: An outdoor splash pool, sundeck, and children's pool surrounded by lush tropical landscaping create an inviting oasis for guests of the Seminole Hard Rock.

The hotel's 90,000-square-foot casino has 2,200 gaming machines, 50 poker tables, plus the Casino Center Bar, featuring flair bartenders and the "Tower of Power," a massive tower covered with video screens.

Insider tip: The hotel's poolside cabanas have TVs and refrigerators and are housed inside "chickee" huts that replicate the construction used by the local Seminole people in the creation of their traditional homes.

Opened in 2004, this eight-story hotel adjacent to the International Plaza shopping and dining complex offers old-world Mediterranean style in a modern setting. A landscaped outdoor courtyard surrounds a marble fountain, and the bright lobby features hand-glazed tiles, custom furnishings, jewel tones, and original artwork.

What to expect: The two buildings of this low-rise hotel provide convenient accommodations for visitors to Busch Gardens, the University of South Florida, and several nearby hospitals. With complimentary shuttles to Busch Gardens and the hospitals and with a shopping center across the street, many guests choose not to drive.

Amenity highlights: In addition to the convenient complimentary shuttle transportation to nearby destinations, this hotel offers a business center with two workstations and hotel-wide complimentary wireless Internet access. An inviting garden courtyard has a heated, freeform pool and the children’s pool has a model pirate ship anchored in it.

What to expect: The hotel is shaped like a “V”, with the courtyard opening onto the tip of a small peninsula that juts into Old Tampa Bay. The peninsula faces back toward the mainland and the mangrove-wetlands of a nature preserve. A heated waterfront pool with lounge chairs and hammocks provides excellent views. Jet skis can be rented on site, and beach swimming is one mile away at Ben T. Davis Beach.

Amenity highlights: Upon arrival, guests are greeted with warm chocolate-chip cookies. The Galerie Restaurant and Lounge, serving all meals, offers indoor dining and outdoor terrace seating overlooking the lush, landscaped courtyard and Old Tampa Bay beyond. A complimentary shuttle drives guests to points within a three-mile radius. Wireless Internet access is complimentary in public areas.