The Hilton Garden Inn in Ybor City has changed hands, underscoring the district’s growing profile as one of the most competitive submarkets in Tampa’s hospitality sector.
Opened in 1999, the 96-room hotel has long served leisure travelers drawn to Ybor’s cultural character and business guests tied to downtown Tampa.
The sale represents more than a property transaction. It underscores Ybor’s ongoing revitalization and highlights the growing investor interest in the city’s hotel market.
What Happened
The Plasencia Group, a Tampa-based hospitality advisory firm with three decades of experience, arranged the sale of the Hilton Garden Inn. The property, steps from downtown and surrounded by Ybor’s historic streets, is positioned to capture demand from multiple segments, including corporate, group and leisure travelers.
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The Hilton Garden Inn has long been one of Tampa’s standouts. Its strong current performance, combined with Ybor’s resurgence, positions the property for a promising future,” said Nick Plasencia, the managing director at The Plasencia Group. “We’re honored by our client’s confidence in our team and look forward to seeing the hotel flourish under new ownership.”
Since its founding in 1993, The Plasencia Group has executed over 125 hotel transactions across Florida, solidifying its role as a trusted advisor to owners and investors navigating the state’s evolving hospitality market.
Why It Matters
The sale comes at a pivotal moment. Ybor City—once America’s cigar capital—has steadily reinvented itself as both a historic destination and a modern entertainment hub.
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Proximity to downtown Tampa, combined with new residential and mixed-use developments, has made Ybor increasingly attractive for hotel investment.
For Tampa hotels, the competitive landscape is tightening as new developments rise in and around the urban core.
Ybor’s mix of historic character and proximity to the urban core continues to attract both investors and travelers, positioning the district as a key node in the city’s hospitality market.