Site Inspection at Palihouse Hyde Park Village in Tampa, Florida

Tampa's Hyde Park Village is an assortment of shops and local restaurants that draw a young crowd, with events, happy hours and retail therapy readily available. It's a nice distance from downtown Tampa — meaning you can access it easily without feeling like you're in the thick of it. Palihouse is located within this neighborhood, so accessing the shops and restaurants is extremely easy and encouraged.

The hotel is boutique in style and size — with only 36 rooms, it feels intimate but not cramped. In fact, the rooms themselves are surprisingly spacious, with a dedicated sitting space perfect for working. A double closet to unpack your luggage (or to store all your new finds), a full mini bar with a mini Smeg refrigerator and microwave and ample space around the bed. Most rooms come with King beds — a select few have queens or double queens. Each room comes with its own gallery wall of hand-selected artwork, and the hallways feature vintage framed Hermes scarves — so it's safe to say their artwork is far from the typical stuffy hotel type. The rooms manage to be individually decorated and homey while maintaining a clean, hospitable hotel feel.

The lobby is the beating heart of the hotel. When I arrived on a Friday afternoon, the (extremely aesthetic) bar was already filling up with patrons for their daily happy hour specials. There's a buzz around the reception and bar, where kindly mixologists are ready to serve you handcrafted cocktails like the flamenco rosa or the Brazilian wax. You can also order light bites and meals from the bar, a perfect accompaniment to an afternoon cocktail.

Don't miss out on exploring the area around the hotel — there are recommended restaurants and bars, all within walking distance. My favorites are Forbici for casual pizza and pasta, or if you want a higher-end experience, head to Meat Market for steak and amazing cocktails. For dessert, ice cream from Oddfellow is a must. If you overindulge, the hotel has a partnership with Barry's across the street for discounted day rates, and they're working on a gym on site.

Parties can reserve the entire hotel (all 36 rooms) for events – perfect for weddings or corporate retreats — in fact, there was a wedding party there when I visited. With its great location, business and leisure travelers alike can enjoy a comfortable, well-designed stay in the heart of Tampa's most vibrant neighborhood. This hotel is perfect for solo travelers, too.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Florida. In need of further inspiration? Check out Cady Bailey's guide, How to Spend a Weekend in Tampa Bay.