Super 8 Tampa

I’m writing this from room 144 at the Tampa Super 8. I’m a solo budget traveler and usually seek out the low cost places. Been to a lot of dumps. This is the best value I’ve found after a week in the area. I stopped first at the Vista on Bealls and was turned off by the nasty greeting I got and their denying the on-​line price for a single of $ 64.95, insisting it’s now $ 89.99 plus tax. Then I came one stop south on 295 and walked into this place. Very friendly greeting and an immediate offer to lower their regular$ 79.95 rate to $ 69.95, because I’m a senior.
The room is a pleasant surprise. Clean and well equipped with a fridge (on and clean) and shampoo which was provided at only one other place. Got good advice on getting to the airport tomorrow and offer of a wake up call. This is the only 4star rating I’ve given all week.
It’s a little farther north than I had thought, but right off 275.

I stayed here about two years ago in August 2012 around the time of the Republican National Convention.
You might be asking yourself, «Why would you write a review so long after your stay?»
Recently I started writing reviews for various hotels across the US at which I’ve stayed over the past three years. It didn’t take long for me to reflect on the 100 or so hotels to think of that one star stay.
I almost always book a 3 star on Priceline, sometimes a 2.5, rarely a 2 star but never a one star. Well, except this time. Rooms were booked SOLID in the area due to the RNC and this was the only Priceline deal available, charging me what I would normally pay for a three star hotel.
At least, that was the market at the time. The rates in Tampa have gone up this year compared to previous years, unfortunately.
I’d be interested to hear a theory or two on that one.
Anyway, wow, you won’t believe what happened. I loved these Little Debbie Nutty Bars back then but have been turned off to them since. I opened one and left the other in the container. I went to eat the other later and was appalled and grossed out to find teeth marks in the bar. Something took a bite out of it.
Gross!!!
It looked like a rat got to it before me with these serrated markings on one end.
I seriously thought about leaving right then and there but money was tight and so I huddled in my bed with nothing to defend myself but a pocket knife on my keychain.
I read the other review earlier and agree with everything said, except the part about the attitude of the personnel. Not that I disagree, I just haven’t had that much experience with them or more to the point, this factor is a mere subtlety in comparison to the other experience i had.
Don’t stay here unless you are backed into a corner or have a rat fetish!