Write Around Tampa

Renaissance Tampa

4200 Jim Walter Blvd

Tampa

Oh, but a girl could get used to this. This hotel is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, luxury at its finest. That’s me as a visitor, an observer. But how does it stack up as a writer? Let’s go!

Quality and pricing of food and drink:

There’s a little restaurant off the lobby, not open right now, but the concierge told me he could fix me any kind of coffee, cappuccino, latte or tea that I wanted. Not sure of the prices, but it is the Renaissance (i.e. $$$$$). Lots of men in the lobby—all men, actually, I’m the only woman—and all of them are eating lunch in brown bags so it’s a bring your own kind of vibe, which suits me fine (I went to Einstein bagels before I got here for a Santa Fe on an everything). But as the hotel is located in International Plaza, the food and drink choices are endless, ranging from affordable to super-‘spensive. If you go to Ocean Prime, tell them Rachel sent you. No, don’t; they have no idea who I am. Tell them Victor Hedman sent you. He’s who sent me, thank you, Victor Hedman.

Are there enough outlets?

There are pop-up outlets at the tables, so you tell me.

How’s the wifi?

Four different connection choices, one of which is complimentary general access. Wonderful. Agree to their terms and you’re on.

Will my muse come out?

Yes! (And while I’m writing this one of my absolute favorite songs came over the system “Met Him Last Night” by Demi Lovato featuring Ariana Grande, I’m so happy right now, it’s like being at Disney. No wonder the NHL players stay here when they come into town to play the Lightning). The property is so elegant, classy, there is an overabundance of stimulation yet just the right amount. I could be in a chalet in Switzerland, a palace in Monaco, a castle in England, a ritzy hotel by Tampa International for all I know. Your imagination and fingers will fly, fly, fly.

How long can I park it?

As long as you can take it, which is to say, until your body melds with the fluffy chair that comes with pillows so you can adjust your seating height (I needed two pillows).

Final rating: 5 out of 5 laptops

Rachel Remick’s fiction and non-fiction stories have appeared in various magazines, among them Rosebud, Bluestem, Brushfire, and ellipsis . . . literature and art. A frequent contributor to women’s magazine Sasee, her writing has also been published in several volumes of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books, the most recent of which is The Spirit of Christmas, on sale now. She lives in Tampa, Florida and wants to wish you all the happiness of the holiday season.