NORTH PALM BEACH, FL—Driftwood Hospitality Management has completed a nearly year-long renovation program at the Hilton Tampa Downtown.
The 520-room Hilton Tampa Downtown, formerly a Hyatt, was purchased by Driftwood in late 2012, with plans for a complete hotel transformation. The company invested $13-million to redesign the property, from guestrooms to public spaces.
All guestrooms now offer new furnishings and a more modern color scheme. Bathrooms have been restyled using granite and marble. In addition, all guestrooms now feature a work area with WiFi and an iHome stereo with an iPod docking station. New amenities include mini-refrigerators and coffee makers.
Tampa Hotel Suites are available with upgraded accommodations, contemporary kitchenettes, spa tubs and pool views.
Driftwood also revamped the hotel’s food and beverage program. The hotel now features a full-service Starbucks; 211 Lounge, which has an open-air feel with plasma screen TVs as a backdrop; and The Den—an extension of 211 Lounge.
The hotel also features a rooftop sundeck, outdoor whirlpool, heated outdoor pool, complimentary 24-hour fitness center and 24-hour business center. More than 30,000 sq. ft. of flexible function space is available to business or social groups.
Nearby attractions include the Tampa Convention Center, the Florida Aquarium, Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa Bay Times Forum and Channelside.
More than 400 members of the local community, including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, got a look at the property during a grand reopening celebration and ribbon cutting on Thursday, Oct. 17.