We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
Back to Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa

Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa – reviews, photos

2.0 of 5
2055 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33607
Hotel amenities
Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa
Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa
Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa
Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa
Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa
Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa
Ranked #121 of 159 hotels in Tampa
2.5 of 5 stars 46 Reviews
Show the lowest price for this hotel*
Show Prices
*from our partners
Write a Review

46 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    2
    9
    9
    11
    15
Date Rating
Toronto, Canada
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
“Service rapidly declining”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

I've stayed here a few times. Rooms were, as usual, minimally acceptable. A bit grungier than in the past though.

Most notable for my last trip however, was the terrible customer service.

The woman working the front desk here on Saturdays is the least helpful staff member I have ever encountered in my entire 12-year career of business travel.

As I stood in line to book my shuttle back to the airport, there were a few people ahead of me in line. During the five minutes I waited there, I must have heard the words "I don't know" about 20 times. The questions weren't monumental either. Stuff like "Do you know where I can exchange my money for US dollars?", "Can I use this points plan to book my room?", "Can I just get some change for the coke machine?" To all these questions, the woman would, with an unsmiling and unhelpful face, sternly and dismissively just say "I don't know." It was cringeworthy to watch. I mean, even if she didn't know the answers to these questions, to not even offer polite alternatives or make some minimal effort (grab a phone book, humor the people with some semi-related info, even just be polite) was absolutely disgusting. It was one of the most unacceptable displays of customer service imaginable.

As a final and revealing point, the computer in the hotel lobby which for years has had a 15 minute time allowance for guests to print their boarding passes was no longer available (internet access had been disabled and blocked by password). The woman at the desk said she didn't know it (naturally!)

I've never encountered someone who did less at their job.

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled on business
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask JackSpade_79 about Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
hojotampafl, Webmaster at Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa, responded to this review
17 February 2012
Dear Guest,

Thank you for choosing Howard Johnson Hotel – Tampa for your recent stay in our area.

Thank you for giving us a review, it is very much appreciated. Upon receipt of your review, the following actions were taken:

• The woman to whom you referred received additional training in the courteous, helpful manner in which our valued guests are to be treated.

• Management was approached about your report and we discussed if there was some possibility of desk staff receiving additional training in various ways in which they could better help our valued guests.

I hope that the next time you visit our area, you will once again choose to stay at Howard Johnson Hotel – Tampa. We take our reviews very seriously, and I think you will be greatly pleased.

Sincerely,
Hotel Manager.
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Houston, Texas
Top Contributor
51 reviews 51 reviews
Reviews in 26 cities Reviews in 26 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
“Hotel conveniently located near football stadium and airport”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 November 2011 via mobile

Nothing fancy about this place but it is a ten minute walk to the football stadium and the yankees spring training baseball stadium. They also offer a free shuttle to and from the airport less than ten minutes away. Rooms are basic. Lots of restaurants adjacent to the hotel including a 24 hour Denny's restaurant and a longhorn steakhouse. Also shopping spots within walking distance. Excellent value for the money. Good place to stay for one night.

  • Stayed November 2011
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Ciahasher about Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Tampa, Florida
1 review
“Unclean, not in a great area”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 October 2011

I was checked into this hotel for about 15 minutes. When I got done bringing all of my stuff in the suite, that's when I noticed how neglected and unclean the room was. The walls were stained in various spots throughout the room, the carpet wasn't fully vacuumed and in the corners looked like it was never touched, and in the bathroom there was a pile of what looked like droppings of some sort that appeared to be coming out of the wall. After realizing how unsanitary the room was, I decided I was not going to be staying and immediately checked out. I guess you get what you pay for...

  • Stayed October 2011, travelled on business
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask mg0316 about Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
hojotampafl, Webmaster at Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa, responded to this review
30 November 2011
Dear Guest,

Thank you for choosing Howard Johnson Hotel –Tampa for your recent stay in our area. I am sorry that it didn’t work out.

Thank you for giving us a review, it is very much appreciated. Upon receipt of your review, the following action was taken:

• Housekeeping received additional training in the level of cleanliness required of them as our employees.

I hope that the next time you visit our area, you will once again choose to attempt to stay at Howard Johnson Hotel –Tampa. I think you will be greatly pleased.

Sincerely,
Hotel Manager.
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Travellers are raving about these Tampa hotels

Homewood Suites Tampa Airport - Westshore
4.5 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1237994?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
4 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d85885?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Country Inn & Suites Tampa Airport N
4.5 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1438759?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Comfort Suites at Fairgrounds - Casino
4.5 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1527147?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina
4 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d223867?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Atlanta, Georgia
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“there is some value here”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 July 2011

There are some bad reviews here, but let me put this in perspective. I would have rated this below average had it not been for the suprisingly good service. I only stayed here one night en route to catch a ship to Cozumel. The front desk clerk (Jerome) was extremely helpful in sorting out some mistakes I made with the booking. This place was adequate with a microwave and mini fridge. The cleanliness was good. The room itself was dated. BUT for only $50, and needing only one night, I found some value here en route to my cruise. Unfortunately they charge $10 to park here, and the cab ride to the port was $15.80 (still better than the $15 per day the port would've charged) I would recommend that they provide free parking and/or a free shuttle to the port in order the attract a more desirable clientele.

  • Stayed July 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask mg4514 about Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“This place Bites!”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 May 2011
1
person found this review helpful

Upon first glance, the hotel was not in the greatest location (right behind a steakhouse, and near several strip clubs). The room was older, but had what we needed to get by. I did notice that when walking around barefoot, that my feet became extremey dirty (I wouldn't advise going shoeless!) We didn't really have too many problems with it until the last day when upon getting ready to check-out, my BF had a several bites on his body. We didn't think too much of it, but more and more have continued to show up!! It seems to me like this hotel has a problem with BED BUGS!!!!!!! I definitely wouldn't recommend staying here........

  • Stayed May 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 1 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
Ask Shadowy700 about Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
hojotampafl, Webmaster at Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa, responded to this review
27 June 2011
Dear Guest,

Thank you for choosing Howard Johnson Hotel –Tampa for your recent stay in our area.

Thank you for taking the time to give us a review, it is very much appreciated. Upon receipt of your review, the following steps were taken:

1) Housekeeping staff received additional training concerning the level of cleanliness required of them as our employees.

2) Maintenance staff was appraised of the bites your boyfriend received and instructed to look into the possibility of bedbugs and if they exist, to see to their elimination.

I hope that the next time you visit our area, you will once again choose to stay at Howard Johnson Hotel –Tampa. I think you will be greatly pleased.

Sincerely,
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Travellers who viewed Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa also viewed

Howard Johnson Express Inn & Suites - South Tampa / Airport
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d85881?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed
Ramada Inn Tampa
4.5 of 5 stars 143 Reviews
Tampa, FL
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d281835?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites New Tampa I-75 Bruce B. Downs
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d275535?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed
View all 159 hotels in Tampa, ranked by popularity »

Been to Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Additional Information about Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa

  • Howard Johnson Hotel Tampa
  • Howard Johnson Tampa
  • Tampa Howard Johnson
Address: 2055 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33607
Price range (per night):* INR3,168 - 4,280

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

  • Manage your listing
Howard Johnson Hotel - Tampa
Show the lowest price for this hotel (from our partners)
Show Prices