The cold and wintery conditions of Philadelphia lately prepared me for my recent business trip to the Florida Gulf Coast. My three-day itinerary included stops in Tampa, Estero, Sarasota and Fort Myers. I arrived extra early at PHL, expecting a slowdown in the TSA process, as just that morning I had seen news of widespread delays caused by the current shutdown. To my pleasant surprise, airport staff continued on, business as usual, and got me through the gate at normal speed with smiles on their faces — there’s something to be said about the friendliness of the airport staff, considering current conditions.

As I touched down in Tampa, I grabbed my bag and headed to the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, my lodging for the night. From the outside, the grandiose hotel sits directly on the water and boasts an eye-catching design with its purple lights ascending up the façade. Hotel staff was quick to check me into my room and allow me time to see some of the hotel features that set it apart.

The rectangular columns of the hotel lobby rise into the high ceiling, opening up the room as soon as you walk in. I grabbed a drink at the bar, then headed up to my room to see what was waiting for me. Upon arrival, the room’s view stood out the most. Miles of visibility across the Garrison Channel provided a warm welcome and a postcard-esque representation of Florida.

The next day I headed out to meetings and subsequently drove down to Sarasota in a Hertz rental car with Francis Gallagher, Global Traveler’s publisher & CEO. To me, the warm Florida weather is among the state’s best features, beaten only by its no-tie policy. All went according to plan, and we departed the next day for Estero, the last leg of our trip before taking off at RSW in Fort Myers.

The flight back was smooth and made me grateful for the trip’s success, which came with no disruptions or bumps in the road. Everything seems a bit easier on the Gulf Coast of Florida, and whether it be work or vacation, I’m sure I’ll find a way back soon.

— Chris Sager, account executive