Beware - Get written price confirmation

My family stayed at this hotel March 19th - 21st based on other posted reviews, and I was in general agreement with other reviewers' positive comments ... until we tried to check-out. I had previously called the Dona Michelle location twice - one time to make reservations (including their Busch Gardens Package and upgrading to Jr. Suite) and second call to confirm reservations (about two weeks prior to arrival). I asked for the TOTAL price (specifically asked that it include all upgrading charges, tax, etc.) and wrote that quoted amount in my notes. Upon checkout, price was ~$40 more than quoted. There were no incidental room charges incurred (phone, etc.) so I showed the hotel clerk my notes with total price written on the paper and asked (nicely) for an explanation. The clerk could not figure it out so he asked the Manager for help. The Manager came out to the front desk with an attitude saying that the price charged was correct and he didn't know where I got my quote from (his staff!). In my opinion, he was rude and embarrassed me in front of other guests and my 8 year old daughter. I am not a confrontational person, so I just signed the tickets for the increased amount and left, but will never go back based on how I was treated. I guess I've learned a good lesson - get all reservation quotes IN WRITING in the future.

Wonderful Hotel

This hotel is excellent, the staff, the rooms, the breakfast, the 'happy hour' in the evening. The only downfall that this hotel has is that the location is a little 'out of the way'.

I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone. Made my holiday!!

A very good hotel!

My family (including two kids age 6 &9) stayed here January 10-11 and again on the 23rd. I had read all the previous reviews and they are pretty much accurate, it is a very clean, nicely appointed hotel. The rooms are suprisingly spacious, especially after we stayed at the Disney Pop Century. However, there are a couple of observations I need to make. The free computer access was nice, but the impatient and annoyed Businessman hovering behind me was not. This hotel is primarily geared to business travellers, less so to families with small kids. The outdoor pool is not heated. The free breakfast was a nice bonus. As a travel professional, I was able to obtain a reduced rate, and each front desk person I dealt with made a comment about it. Call me paranoid, but after that, I felt a distinct coolness coming my way. In all fairness however, the Manager (who must sleep in the back room, he is ALWAYS there!) and staff seemed to be very friendly to the other guests. Maybe it's just me. The location is far from downtown and the airport, but it is a nice suburban residential area, lots of restaurants nearby and not too far from Busch Gardens. I would definetly recommend this place!

TERRIFIC HOTEL

Really pleasant, clean room and an outstanding staff headed by Manuel, the superb general manager who obviously has inspired his whole team to do a great job. Best breakfast buffet we've had anywhere. Plenty of restaurants and shopping just down the street. We travel a lot and wish we could find hotels like this everywhere.

Wonderful hotel

this hotel is just wonderful clean clean clean comfortable large rooms the whole hotel is great the manager manny and his staff are friendly and will help you with all your travel need from were to eat to what to see they find all the informatin for you in just minutes the free breakfast in the morning was like going to IHOP but it was free great location close to busch gardens you can buy 10 day ticket at the front desk for a adult ticket for 10 days was only 79 dollar and this is for unlimited admission to bursch gardens and adventure island for ten days we are going back to tampa again next year to stay at this wonderful wonderful hotel

Manny is the manager with the most!

The Windgate Inn was a clean, friendly, well oiled machine. It ran like clock-work and the manager and staff were friendly and intelligent. The rooms were large, clean and perfect. The jacuzzi was a blessing, the breakfast and morning papers a great touch! All in all this is the place we are returning to. They can even get great deals on car rentals that are brought right to the Inn for you. Everything is mint. I don't think it would be the same if Manny wasn't there. He is an amazing manager and person.

Thank you for a wonderful stay! It made our trip!

A class act

Hotel was immaculate, service staff was informative, friendly.

Breakfast bar was an added plus. Room was spacious and well attended to. Only downside was our room had mattreses that were on the older side. Would recommend this hotel highly.

Excellent Hotel

This is a great 2 1/2 star hotel. A safer, better, choice than many 3 stars, at a lower cost.

Am typing this from the hotel (business center with one computer with free internet access for guests) at end of a 3 night stay (12/31 to 1/3).

Meets and exceeds expectations. Rooms are as advertised -- larger than typical hotel rooms. Very well kept. Free breakfast, in-door hot tub, small exercise room outdoor pool.

Great location in North Tampa, an upper-middle class suburb with lots of good restaurants nearby. The staff are great. The General Manager, Manuel, is very helpful and seems to be on duty at all hours!

The location is an easy 10 minute drive from Busch Gardens (simple straight drive), and is next to the I-75, but is very quiet.

This hotel is an award winner among Wingate properties.

Wingate Hotel

We stayed at the Wingate in July 2003. The staff at the hotel were great, and always helpful! We liked the location because there's shopping all along the road, on both sides of the Interstate, and lots of restaurants. The location was also convenient as a midway point between Plant City and Tampa.

We also enjoyed the outside pool and the inside hot tub, plus the daily breakfast buffet and the afternoon happy hour.

We also stayed at the Wingate because we had high-speed Internet access in our room.

We plan to stay at the Wingate again when we visit Tampa!

Mike Royer Phoenix AZ

Loved the hotel and the area around it!

A really great place to stay! I was there in June of 2002 and loved it. One of the best things about this hotel is its location; There is a great Movie theatre near by (Muvico) and a lot of places to eat (like Ruby Tuesdays). Not too far from Tampa's attractions (Make sure you visit Ybor City).

The staff was really great and the room exceptional.

The next time I visit Tampa, I will definitely stay at the Wingate in North Tampa.