Book online or call
Book online or call
Location.
Situated in Tampa, Howard Johnson Express Busch Gardens is close to University Mall, Busch Gardens, and Adventure Island. Also nearby are University of South Florida and Lowry Park Zoo.
Hotel Features.
A complimentary breakfast is served each morning. In addition to a seasonal outdoor pool and complimentary newspapers in the lobby, Howard Johnson Express Busch Gardens features a safe deposit box at the front desk. Onsite parking is complimentary.
Guestrooms.
Guestrooms at Howard Johnson Express Busch Gardens offer safes and coffee/tea makers. Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access is provided. Televisions are equipped with cable channels. Additional amenities include hair dryers and irons/ironing boards.
Charges may apply, see hotel policy below
Air conditioning is available for an extra charge
Cribs/Infant beds are available for an extra charge
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Air conditioning is available for an extra charge
Cribs/Infant beds are available for an extra charge
We have included all charges provided to us by this hotel. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book.
Located in northeast Tampa, Busch Gardens is one of Florida’s top attractions, combining both wild rides and wildlife. The amusement park features 10 roller coasters and more than 2,000 animals. Other nearby family-friendly venues include the Museum of Science and Industry and Lowry Park Zoo. The University of South Florida is north of Busch Gardens. On campus, the Sun Dome hosts big concerts.
see all hotels in Tampa"avoid this place"
People were fighting in the hallway at 2 am. Noisy, smelled bad. Old. It was loud noise, people talking on cellphone or fighting. I called the front desk at 5 am after the noise didn't stop. There was also a security guard but he didn't do anything. The breakfast was awful.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"good location"
it was comfortable my time thereGenuine Hotels.com guest review
"Older hotel but decent for price"
Near Busch Gardens which helps those looking for a cheaper alternative than staying closer. Staff was very friendly. Room was clean but small and looked like it came from the 1970's. Drain in shower didn't work well but other than that, nothing really to complain about.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
This guest did not leave a comment.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"Clean"
The hotel was clean along with the room but not getting your room cleaned except on Mondays or Fridays is unacceptable. At the very least there should be a trash pickup to avoid little critters from invading rooms. Also, the neighborhood is not a good neighborhood and the other customers for the most part seemed to be up to dirty business so I did not […] feel safe. I would not stay here again nor would I recommend it to others. Read moreGenuine Hotels.com guest review
This guest did not leave a comment.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
This guest did not leave a comment.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"You get what you pay for"
It is a older building and pretty rough. The staff was fine and had no problems with reservations. The bathroom was nasty and the room had a lot of age to everything.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"Really? The bed was broken?"
Well, the bed broke while we were sleeping which really sucked. It's near a bad neighborhood as well. It is definitely close to some good eats and close to Busch Gardens but there are closer hotels.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"Stop over before cruise"
My wife and I enjoyed our stay at the Ho-Jo, we picked it because it was fairly close to the Tampa port where our cruise left from. The location offered a few eating choices (waffle house, burger king, mcdonalds) and even a few quick stop stores and flea market. The front desk clerk (Amy) was more than nice and arranged or our cab rides to the port […] and upon our return to the airport. (we stayed one night before our cruise, and the night following our cruise) Although the decorum was dated, it was clean and comfortable. It served the purpose we needed. There was a small fridge and a microwave for use. We would definitely stay there again. Read moreGenuine Hotels.com guest review
"Not bad for the rate"
For a hotel that is located about 1/2 mile away from Busch Gardens, it wasn't a bad stay. The room was only used for showering and sleeping. The room was clean and had a great view of the pool! Although I don't recommend walking around in that neighborhood at night... A lot of food options all over the place. For the price, I wouldn't mind staying there […] again... Read moreGenuine Hotels.com guest review
"Needs updating"
This motel is quite old & needs to be renovated. The outer doors creak &the hallways & stairwells are dark & dingy. The staff are friendly.Genuine Expedia guest review
"good place to stay"
I enjoyed it.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"close to USF"
When we arrived at the facility, the loby had a very horrible odor, smelled like mold, they did not have our reservation, (this was fault of Hotels.com) had to wait an hour to get paperwork faxed and confirm reservation, the hotel employee was wonderful though, very polite and professional, went out of his way to assist us.. The couple that arrived […] after us, had the same problem. We requested a smoke free room, the linen smelled of smoke and there were burn holes in the comforter. Was told that the breakfast was an "all americanmeat breakfast" this was untrue, not only was this untrue, but the container of milk that was for the coffee was just sitting on the counter and not even on ice. Area was close to attractions and school but there were many "women of the night" walking right in front of this facility would not recommed this site!!! Read moreGenuine Hotels.com guest review
"ok for one night"
Better in the light of day. A little scary at night. Ok to sleep for one night. Staff was nice.Genuine Expedia guest review
Dirty room . Hotel in need of updating. No real problems other than that.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"Friendly staff was the only saving grace....."
I wouldn't stay there again. The staff was nice.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"Right off of highway"
Good accommodations for the price. Near many restaurants and mall.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
Works as a place to sleep when doing things in the area, but not the ideal place to stay if you want conveniences or to relax. Breakfast choices were basic and minimal, but at least they were complimentary.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
This guest did not leave a comment.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"Ghettoville"
You get what you pay for. Only reason why I booked here was because I'm on a budget and it was close to Busch Gardens. I stayed here for two nights and every night there was some kind of ghetto fight going on outside at like 2 am. Overall the hotel served its purpose, there were no roaches and the sheets were clean. I would stay here again for the same […] cheap price, not a penny more. Read moreGenuine Hotels.com guest review
"Very dirty"
I booked this hotel because it was close to the wedding we attended. It was so nasty that even though the wedding ended at midnight we decided we'd rather start our long drive home rather than pay for another night there. The bathrooms were dirty, and looked like they hadn't been swept let alone scrubbed in a while. There were cracks in the wall all […] throughout the room. The AC unit wouldn't regulate the room temp...you either had it on and it would run continuously and make it freezing, or you could turn it off and then the room would be hot and stuffy. The thing I hated the most though was the carpet. My daughter and niece were in the room a few hours and when they went to bed their feet and toes were COMPLETELY black. It was absolutely disgusting. We booked this room because it was cheap, but next time we'll pay more to get a cleaner room elsewhere. Read moreGenuine Hotels.com guest review
"Nice room & helpful staff"
The lady at the desk was very quick and efficient in getting us into our room. The king bed was very comfortable. Not sure if there were others in rooms near us, but it was very quiet in our room. We were able to enjoy the TV without having to worry about people in rooms near us Overall a very good experienceGenuine Expedia guest review
This guest did not leave a comment.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"Don't do it"
Stayed here overnight, as we had taken our daughter to Busch Gardens Halloween Horror Night...the hotel was scarier! Bad neighborhood, hall carpeting was dirty and smelled. Could not have stayed more than one night. Front desk staff was very nice, but overall, the place needs to be torn down!!Genuine Hotels.com guest review
This guest did not leave a comment.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
Very clean and very friendly staffGenuine Hotels.com guest review
"not bad for the price"
hotel is old and in need of a re-model. very comfortable beds, not in a very good area though, barbed wire on the fence surrounding it.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"Good for the $$$"
We only needed it for one night. I was good, the room was clean the staff was pleasant and its 5 minutes away from Busch Gardens! Would definitely book again for this price!!!!!Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"Good for the money and proximity."
We stayed at the hotel because we were going to Bush Gardens. It wasn't for anything but to sleep. The hotel is older and has its flaws, but for what we needed it was great. You were less than 4 miles to Bush Gardens. There are tons of restaurants near the hotel. It is great for the price and location if you are only sleeping there.Genuine Expedia guest review
This guest did not leave a comment.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"love ir"
Very clean,great pool, very friendly staff. Will stay here againGenuine Hotels.com guest review
This guest did not leave a comment.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"beaches were distant but nice zoo close by"
It was ok for the price i paid but expected better breakfastGenuine Hotels.com guest review
"Good value"
Good price and location to go to Busch gardens. I would stay there again.Genuine Expedia guest review
This guest did not leave a comment.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
This guest did not leave a comment.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
Smelly carpet and air condidition!Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"Horrible"
Microwave was not clean! Mildew or old food was still under glass plate. Front desk clerk had no personality and maintenance person was rude and condescending. Pool was clean but had a large hole in bottom that was unsafe. Roach running up our door when we walked into our room. Cheap hotel!Genuine Expedia guest review
"Low quality hotel"
This hotel was very run down. There were two homeless people on the parking lot, when we pulled in. The doors to the hall had no security locks, anyone could walk right in. We didnt feel safe there. the room was average, but fridge didnt work, and Ice machines in a hallway were broken too. The only chair in a room was dirty. The overall appearance of […] the room was bad. The bathrooms were not maintained. The rooms and bathrooms need to be redone. Lobby was not maintained. Lacking of paint and wall paper. The continental breakfast was scarce. One day, they ran out of milk. The other day, no bagels and juice. We have stayed in several Howard Johnson and respected the name and quality of prior stays. This is defintely one location I will not want to stay again. Read moreGenuine Expedia guest review
"Don't expect much."
Ice machines weren't working, so we had to buy ice every day of our six night stay. Carpets and furniture were filthy. When we complained, we were told that they were compliant with Howard Johnsons standards and that ice was an amenity and were not required to provide it. There were other issues; I could go on. If these are HoJo's standards, I certainly […] will not be staying at a Howard Johnsons ever again. BTW, this hotel advertises that pets are welcome but they are not. Just a heads up. Read moreGenuine Hotels.com guest review
"It sucks"
The owners need to remodel and upgrade the rooms, like the bathrooms and tv's. They hot water was not working in the first room they gave us and the tube was messed up so therefor, we had to move to another room. Also, they should not advertise breakfast because it was very poor, they had cereal and ran out of milk, I told they manager and he replyed […] he will get sum later. I'll never stay there again. Read moreGenuine Expedia guest review
"would not recommend"
Definitely a case of pictures being deceiving. The hotel lobby was in mediocre shape and that was just a preview for the room. The cleanliness is decent but the actual furniture, walls, etc. were worn. Just felt VERY run down making it also feel dirty, although the rooms were cleaned. On the bright side, the staff was very friendly and professional […] . Read moreGenuine Expedia guest review
"tampa area"
the hotel was quiet, but bring a pillow there pillows are very small and they wont give u extra pillows wen u ask for them . in my room i got one queen size bed, all appliences did not work coffee machine and microwave. found two roaches in the room, you get wat u pay for. the pictures make it look nice but you get wat u pay for......wouldnt returnGenuine Expedia guest review
Everything was great except for the pillows. One big and one small.Both very uncomfortable.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"Decent"
Very good for price!Genuine Hotels.com guest review
"You get what you pay for!"
Location was great, near dinning and attractions, but it looked horrible... I never took my shoes off, not even to shower... Went into the pool and there were rocks, leaves and bugs on it... In the bottom of the deep end you could see the fter wasn't doing its job.... Beds and pillows were comfortable, but they need to clean the place! They would get […] better bussines! Read moreGenuine Hotels.com guest review
"Very friendly staff"
Staff was very nice, pool was very clean, beds were very comfortable. The only thing is the bathrooms needed some work done, but I would stay again.Genuine Expedia guest review
"Skip this hotel"
Area was not so great. Inside the hallway you could smell cigarettes smoke.Genuine Expedia guest review
It was ok.the hotel was old we had to move to a different room cause the tub was stop up.maintence stay trying to unstop the tub for abttwo hrs before they move us.i personally wouldnt stay again.Bt hey you gt wht you pay for.Genuine Hotels.com guest review
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