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: 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.

Amenity highlights: From early morning to late evening, the hotel provides complimentary airport transportation. A sundeck, outdoor pool, and lounge chairs are located on the hotel’s ninth floor and offer panoramic views of Tampa Bay. The fitness center includes exercycles, stair stepper, elliptical cross trainers, and circuit machines. Wireless Internet access is complimentary throughout the hotel.

What to expect: 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.

Insider tip: The adjacent International Plaza and Bay Street shopping and dining complex offers 200 stores and designer shops, including Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co., and Nordstrom. There are 15 sit-down restaurants, a concierge and visitor center, and a beach-themed children’s play area.