Tampa (or vicinty) hotel recommendations

[beedj]

We (myself + wife + 13 yr old daughter) need three nights accom in Tampa area in early Aug - we'll be generally exploring the area, hour or two on beach each day, and also visit Busch Gardens before heading south / across to Miami then Keys.

Unsure whether to base ourselves nearer Busch Gdns or near coast for these first few days - and if near coast then Clearwater or maybe there are nicer places a few miles up or down coast?

Any recommendations on
a) best location/area ?
b) specific hotels ? (slight preference for quirky/independent rather than chain, but not fixed). flexible budget - say £100/night

We'll be spending some time later in trip in Marco Island, so for these first three night don't want to be heading much further down coast.

[LHRFlightman]

Anna Maria Island.

Google it.

[Bluebarge]

LHRFlightman said:

Anna Maria Island.

Google it.

+ 1 - gorgeous place - nice beaches, nice restaurants, nice family feel.

[beedj]

Thanks, nice restaurants, family feel etc sounds perfect - but maybe a little far from Busch Gdns (60 mls). Anything similar a litle further north ? - eg dunedin, tarpon springs etc (tho these just place names on a map to me & not necessarily good places to stay...)

[LHRFlightman]

beedj said:

Thanks, nice restaurants, family feel etc sounds perfect - but maybe a little far from Busch Gdns (60 mls). Anything similar a litle further north ? - eg dunedin, tarpon springs etc (tho these just place names on a map to me & not necessarily good places to stay...)

I've been told the is nowhere like Anna Maria so with that I'll say no.

We did Busch from there, it's an easy drive and no more than an hour. If your just going to Busch the once, I'd deal with the journey as a few days on the island is bliss.

[Bluebarge]

We also did Busch from AMI - was about an hour even tho satnav and signage was sh*t and abandoned us a mile or two away from the entrance (note directions from their website carefully). Was not a problem.