We stayed at the Courtyard Marriot the night before my surgery. The staff were very welcoming and friendly. The shuttle service to the hospital was excellent and very accommodating. We were actually able to make an independent arrangement with the contracted company to have them take us to St. Pete's beach right after the surgery. The cost was comparable or perhaps even a little less than other quotes I had gotten from other cab companies.  

In retrospect, I would definitely have returned to stay at the Marriot the night following surgery instead of heading to St. Pete's beach. However I had made a reservation in advance so that is what we did.  I thought we could enjoy a little "get-away" before returning home to California. However, I was VERY tired after the surgery, from getting up early in the a.m. and the time change.  My neck and throat were also quite sore and as it rained quite a bit (July), I ended up sleeping the entire time (two days). The only time we left the room was to eat out at the hotel.  The best part was that our room had a  beautiful view of St. Pete beach that I was able to enjoy while recuperating.     

BEST. HOTEL. STAY. EVER.

One anecdote should suffice:

Deborah, the big, beautiful, competent, motherly woman at the front desk,  asked this anxious,  ponytailed old "child of the 60's",  "You're here ALONE?!!! Darlin' you need a hug!!!".   OH,  did I ever! Don't think you can put loving compassion in a training manual, but it sure speaks well of Marriot's hiring policies, to say nothing of that wonderful woman and her warm heart!

I treasure that moment and VERY needed embrace as one of the signal moments of a momentous few days in Tampa.