| check-in time: 3:00 pmcheck-out time: 11:00 am. overlooking tampa bay, this caribbean-influenced hotel is 8 miles from cypress creek golf club and 10 miles from the manatee viewing center. amenities include a bay-view restaurant, 3 outdoor pools and 2 gyms, plus 5 tennis courts. suites feature kitchenettes and dining areas, and upgraded suites add whirlpool tubs, and/or sitting areas with pull-out sofas. there's also a private beach with volleyball, a fishing pier and a marina. the understated rooms have free wi-fi, flat-screens, and private patios or balconies, plus microwaves, minifridges and coffeemakers. townhouses with 2 or 3 bedrooms are also available. some rooms offer bay views
Tampa International Airport 47 min
Manatee Viewing Center (20 min)
Protected marine reserve with a 50-ft. observation tower, trails, a boardwalk & butterfly gardens. Florida Railroad Museum (33 min)
Transport history told in interactive exhibits & a 13-mile weekend ride, plus locomotive rentals. Morean Arts Center (42 min)
Free-entry contemporary art gallery showcasing local & international work & offering classes. Weedon Island Preserve (53 min)
3,190-acre nature reserve with hiking paths, birdwatching, a paddling trail & canoe/kayak rentals. Little Manatee River State Park (27 min)
Aquatic preserve park featuring a winding river, equestrian trails, campsites, picnicking & fishing. Sunken Gardens (45 min)
Tropical, century-old attraction featuring thousands of plants, a butterfly aviary & wildlife shows. Weedon Island, Florida (55 min) Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (42 min)
Natural retreat with abundant wildlife, trails, picnic areas, a gift shop & scenic tram tours. Chihuly Collection (42 min)
Unique sculptures by legendary glass artist Dale Chihuly, plus glass-blowing demonstrations. Great Explorations Children's Museum (46 min)
Nonprofit museum offering 18,000 sq. ft. of hands-on exhibits & workshops aimed at kids. The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum) (43 min)
Extensive collection of surrealist art by Salvador Dalí housed in a building with 900 glass panels. Museum of Fine Arts (44 min)
Exhibits spanning 4,000 years, including African art, European paintings & American photography. Apollo Beach (16 min)
Waterfront community on a saltwater canal system, with a protected beach reserve & fishing charters. Vinoy Park (46 min)
Park featuring waterfront views & 11+ acres of open space, plus room for various special events. Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater (44 min)
Elegant space, with box seats & a waterfront view, hosts the Florida Orchestra & other events. | 
