Holiday Inn Express Tampa N I-75 - University Area by IHG

Hotels
•
Holiday Inn Express
7.1 (176 reviews)
13294 Telecom Drive, Tampa, Florida, 33637 , Tampa , US
+1 813-972-9800

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Facilities

Elevator
Fitness facilities
ATM/banking
Gift shops or newsstand
Conference space
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Kayaking nearby
Television in common areas
Free breakfast
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly, helpful staff (multiple mentions)
Clean and comfortable rooms for many guests
Good location / close to USF and coffee shops
Gym available and appeared nice
Comfortable beds and quiet hotel
Cons:
No hot water reported repeatedly
Slow check-in and slow towel delivery
Breakfast often wiped out / slow to replenish
Room issues: moldy or smoke smell, stains (reported blood), broken springs, peeling bathtub finish
Hot tub out of service and some maintenance/vent issues
Management non-responsive to some guest complaints (including missing refund)

Categories

Cleanliness
5.8
Many guests reported clean rooms and comfortable beds, but several serious cleanliness issues were called out (moldy smell, strong smoke smell, what looked like a blood stain on a mattress, peeling bathtub finish), lowering this score.
Service
8
Staff are frequently described as friendly and helpful (multiple mentions, including specific praise for 'Janet'); however there are notable service failures (front desk didn’t follow up on no hot water, very slow towel delivery, long delay at check-in) making service mixed but leaning positive.
Location
8.5
Several mentions of a good location and close proximity to USF and nearby coffee shops; location is a clear positive in the reviews.
Room Quality
5.5
Room comfort is noted (comfortable, quiet) for some stays, but multiple reports of problems (rooms hot, moldy smell, broken springs creating soft spots, missing AC vents, stains) indicate inconsistent room quality.
Amenities
7.5
Amenities are mixed: gym is praised and pool appears fine, but the hot tub was out of service and breakfast service (an amenity) is unreliable at times.
Value for Money
7.2
Some guests called it a great deal and had decent family stays; however maintenance and service lapses reduce perceived value for others, yielding a slightly above-target score overall.
Food and Beverage
6.3
Breakfast quality is inconsistent—some praise it, but several reports describe the breakfast bar wiped out or slow to be replenished, which pulls this score down.
Overall Experience
8
Overall impressions are mixed: many guests enjoyed friendly staff, clean and comfortable stays, and good location, but repeated maintenance issues (hot water outages, room defects, stains) and service lapses led to several negative experiences. The final overall score reflects that balance.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-11-05 14:21

Property Description

Recreational Opportunities: Don't miss out on the outdoor pool and fitness center to stay active during your stay.

Complimentary Amenities: Enjoy free wireless internet, daily buffet breakfast, and self-parking for a hassle-free experience.

Convenient Location: Situated near top attractions like the University of South Florida and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, make the most of your visit. Ready to experience a blend of comfort and convenience? Book your stay at Holiday Inn Express Tampa N I-75 - University Area now.

Important information:

  • Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
  • Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.
  • Contactless check-in and contactless check-out are available.
  • This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).

A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: TPA

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets not allowed

  • Pets

    Service animals are exempt from fees/restrictions

  • Check-in & Check-out

    Contactless check-out is available

  • Sustainability Certifications

    Property follows a brand or regulatory agency's sanitization guidelines Clean Promise (IHG)

  • General

    Cashless transactions are available

See all policies

Location

Property Accessibility

Total Disability Score: 42.86
Public Area
  • Ramp: No
  • Entrance Door Width: 82
  • Entrance Leveled: Yes
  • Pet Friendly: No
Reception And Restaurant
  • Reception Hearing Accessible: No
  • Reception Wheelchair Accessible: No
  • Restaurant Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Elevator
  • Elevator Audio Signals: No
  • Elevator Braille Numbers: Yes
  • Elevator Contrasting Buttons: No
  • Elevator Visual Signs: No
Show all accessibility features

Guest Reviews

7.1
Based on 176 reviews
Cleanliness: 5.8
Service: 8
Location: 8.5
Room Quality: 5.5
Amenities: 7.5
Value for Money: 7.2
Food and Beverage: 6.3
Overall Experience: 8
N
N1120WYjerrys • Business
4
NO HOT WATER
Pros:

If you do not mind cold showers, luke warm at best, it is a good hotel in a good location.
I ask front desk to check hot water and they told me they would and get back with me. Never heard back. Also overheard two other guest talking at breakfast about no hot water and they told front desk also and was told it may be because of the cold weather, low was around 40, and that was three days after I let the front desk know.
I travel for work and have stayed in hundred of holiday inn expresses and never had an issue with no hot water for more than 1 day. I am on day 7!!
Never again.

2026-01-18 • via Tripadvisor
G
Go12325357755 • Friends getaway • Inverness, Florida
2
Unpleasant and unprepared
Pros:

We had a very bad experience because on the app where I booked our stay they asked what time we would arrive and check in was at 3 so I told them to expect us around 3. We got there at 3:20 and they told us it would be like 5 mins till our room was ready they were just putting towels in it. So we waited and watch so many other people come in and get there room keys and head to there rooms. So FINALLY we got our room keys after stilling there in the lobby till 4:35 we got to go to our room. Well when we got to our room there were NO towels even in our room so we asked them for some and it took them over an hour to bring them to us. Then the next morning they said breakfast was from 7 to 10 well we went down around 8 and the whole breakfast bar was completely wiped out no food for us to eat. I heard other guest asking for more food and they were making it but it took the over 30 mins to finally put out some new food for us. I just wish the were a little bit more prepared for the guests. So I had a bad experience because of us going to a concert and wanting to leave the hotel at a certain time but the wait for our room keys made us late for it.

2025-10-14 • via Tripadvisor
C
Colleen • family
10
Pros:

2nd stay and no complaints. Clean and comfortable. Has 3 coffee stores walking distance. Cozy coffee next door has good food and a bar, dont let the name fool you. Minute drive to usf campus.

2025-10-06 • via Nuitee
C
Clinton
10
Pros:

The staff was excellent! Very attentive and helpful! The rooms were very spacious, clean, and comfortable. The gym was nice as well. The pool looked good but we didn’t get in. The hot tub was out of commission.

2025-10-06 • via Nuitee
J
james • family
8
Pros:

Nice & clean

2025-10-05 • via Nuitee
A
Alyta
8
Pros:

Staff was very friendly. A little out dated as far as normal wear and tare but overall good stay.

2025-10-02 • via Nuitee
C
Christie
2
Pros:

Hotel staff terrible

2025-10-01 • via Nuitee
F
Franklin • family_with_children
8
Pros:

Decent stay for a family.

2025-09-30 • via Nuitee
T
THERESA
10
Pros:

Comfy bed and pillows, clean room, quiet hotel, good breakfast, and super friendly staff

2025-09-29 • via Nuitee
R
Rebecca • partner
10
Pros:

The staff is very welcoming property very nice .very clean

2025-09-26 • via Nuitee
K
Kelli
8
Pros:

Janet at front desk was very helpful checking me in and ensuring my room was great. Needed for a quick two night stay to be close to campus.

2025-09-25 • via Nuitee
M
mackenzie
2
Pros:

Room was hot and smelled like mold when we walked in. When we were about to check out noticed what looked like a large blood stain on the mattress of room 303. I am disgusted and won’t be staying here again. staff was very nice however.

2025-09-22 • via Nuitee
J
Jordan
6
Smoke smell
Pros:

Room has a strong smoke smell. Aside from that the hotel was good.

2025-09-21 • via Nuitee
L
Loudemilla • family
10
Pros:

Very comfortable and quiet. The staff makes eye contact and greets you while passing by.

2025-09-21 • via Nuitee
T
Tina
10
Stay
Pros:

From check in to check out it was amazing. Staff was friendly and literally ensured we were good

2025-09-20 • via Nuitee
C
Chrishawn
6
Pros:

Still haven’t received my $50

2025-09-18 • via Nuitee
M
Mari
4
Pros:

there were a couple of issues with my stay, I wrote about it send an email to management, but I have not received an answer as of today. The bed that I slept had broken springs, so it had a soft spot in the middle, the bathtub refinished was peeling off, the A.C.vents were missing so the air was not flowing towards the beds

2025-09-05 • via Nuitee
C
Clayton • partner
10
Pros:

Very clean and friendly staff.

2025-09-05 • via Nuitee
W
Wren
10
Pros:

Staff is very helpful!

2025-09-04 • via Nuitee
G
Gilbert
10
Pros:

Great deal

2025-09-04 • via Nuitee