The Bristol at Tampa

Pros

• Kasey Marando is the best nurse ever.
• Therapy is great.
• The assistant administrator is great.
• Nursing is good.
• Wonderful facility, well lit, very clean, and amazing staff.
• The nursing care is great and activities are great.
• Mrs. Collins is the best nurse here.
• The environment is great; staff is responsive; the courtyard area is great for visiting.
• The administration is fantastic and cares for residents.
• The staff are reliable and friendly; they feel like family.

Cons

• The Bristol is described as the worst facility to place a loved one, with rude, unprofessional staff and residents left dirty for hours.
• The building is dilapidated and dirty, with roaches and strong odors of urine, and residents are not cleaned regularly.
• There are frequent reports of theft or loss of residents' belongings and clothing.
• Communication is severely lacking: calls often go unanswered, hold times are long, and administration fails to follow up.
• Medical care is inconsistently or dangerously delivered: medications are missed or delayed, essential equipment is not managed properly, and patients aren't adequately supervised.
• Night and weekend staffing is chronically insufficient, leading to neglect and unsafe conditions.
• There are serious safety incidents reported, including a shooting in the parking lot and staff conflicts.
• The facility is labeled a COVID nightmare with high case counts and restricted visiting, with some feeling care is sacrificed for money.
• Food is described as awful or inedible, leaving residents hungry or undernourished.
• Privacy and HIPAA concerns are raised, with front desk staff allegedly disclosing information and talking loudly around patients.
• Billing issues persist, including charges after a resident's death and unresolved accounts.

Review

The Bristol at Tampa is best suited for families whose priority is rehabilitative care and a clearly structured therapy program, anchored by a front-line team that can be responsive when properly supervised. Review patterns converge on two dependable strengths: a capable therapy regimen and aides and nurses who, when available, deliver attentive, compassionate care. For a loved one entering short-term rehab or a careful inpatient recovery, the facility can produce real gains - so long as staff remain engaged, communication is timely, and family members stay actively involved to press for needed attention. In short, this community can be a solid recovery-focused option for family members who are prepared to supervise closely and advocate vigorously.

That said, serious caveats demand attention. A consistent, reliable day-to-day experience is not guaranteed, and many families should consider alternatives if dependable staffing and predictable operations are nonnegotiable. Recurrent complaints include long wait times for help, alarms, and staff unavailability, plus reports of miscommunication or incomplete follow-through on medical orders. There are also credible concerns about safety, cleanliness, and personal belongings, along with a pattern of exits and entries that leave some families unsettled about oversight. For a resident who requires tight supervision, high vigilance about meds, or frequent reassurance, these gaps can overwhelm any therapy gains.

The strongest pros - effective therapy, compassionate nurses when present, and solid social services - can partially offset the downsides, but only to a point. When therapy teams are engaged, progress can be meaningful, and social services often helps families navigate transitions and paperwork. Administration has shown the ability to implement policy changes and address concerns in certain cases, which creates a pathway for improvement. Positive experiences frequently center on individuals who go the extra mile, such as standout therapists, dedicated CNAs, and reception or concierge staff who facilitate smoother transitions. Yet those bright spots are unevenly distributed across shifts and units, limiting their offsetting power.

Another layer of reality is the substantial variability from unit to unit and shift to shift. Some families report warmly professional interactions, clean environments, and attentive care; others recount disorganization, unresponsiveness, and safety concerns that feel systemic. Complaints range from missed meals and delayed medications to difficulty locating belongings and insufficient front-desk or front-line leadership. Not every reviewer voices the same experience, but the pattern across many accounts is a mix of commendable care in some moments and troubling gaps in others, underscoring how much the day-to-day atmosphere depends on staffing rhythms and leadership presence.

For families weighing options, practical steps matter. Plan a hands-on tour with recent residents and ask to meet the on-floor supervisor and the unit manager. Probe nurse-to-patient ratios, medication-management protocols, and how alarms are staffed and answered after hours. Request current incident or follow-up logs and inquire about recent leadership changes and their impact on safety, cleanliness, and belongings handling. Speak with social services about discharge planning and coordination with hospitals, and verify accessibility to therapists and activity schedules. And, if possible, observe a dining and activity period to gauge how residents interact and whether meals and programming feel responsive and respectful.

Ultimately, The Bristol at Tampa can be a strong fit for families prioritizing rehab and active engagement when the right staff are on duty and when families stay vigilant and involved. However, the facility's well-documented struggles with staffing consistency, communication gaps, and safety concerns make it a less reliable choice for long-term custodial care or for those needing constant, meticulous oversight. If a loved one enters with complex medical needs or if reassurance about daily operations and dependable med management is nonnegotiable, alternatives merit serious consideration. The decision should hinge on current leadership stability, transparent communication, and a proven track record of reliable, person-centered care across shifts.

This part of Tampa, Florida offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With multiple pharmacies such as Walgreens, Winn-Dixie, and CVS Pharmacy nearby, residents have easy access to necessary medical supplies and medications. There are also several cafes like Starbucks and King State for socializing or enjoying a leisurely coffee outing. In terms of healthcare, the area is well-equipped with reputable hospitals like Florida Hospital Tampa and H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center located within close proximity. Additionally, there are various dining options ranging from fast food chains like Chick-Fil-A to more upscale establishments like Acropolis Greek Taverna. For medical services, there are reputable physicians in the area including University Diagnostic Institute and ForCare Medical Center. The presence of public transportation options such as train stations like Stanleyville Train Station and Nairobi Train Station makes getting around the city convenient for seniors. Places of worship such as St Paul Catholic Church and Grace Family Church cater to spiritual needs, while parks like Carrollwood Village Park offer green spaces for outdoor activities. Lastly, entertainment options include theaters like AMC Highwoods 2 and AMC Veterans 24 for movie enthusiasts. Overall, this part of Tampa provides a well-rounded environment with essential amenities for comfortable senior living.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.2 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• King State (6.9 miles)
• Panera Bread (7.2 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Florida Hospital Tampa (0.9 miles)
• AdventHealth Tampa (1 miles)
• H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center (1.2 miles)
• Florida Hospital Carrollwood (5.6 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital (5.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Portillo's Hot Dogs (1.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.1 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (1.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.3 miles)
• Acropolis Greek Taverna (1.9 miles)
• McDonald's (2.8 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.9 miles)

Physicians

• University Diagnostic Institute (1.4 miles)
• Ambulatory Surgery Center - Tampa (1.7 miles)
• ForCare Medical Center (2 miles)
• Moffitt McKinley Outpatient Center (2 miles)
• Children's Health Center (2.9 miles)
• Innovision Eyecare & Eyeware (3.6 miles)
• Tampa Bay Bone & Joint Center (4 miles)

Transportation

• Stanleyville Train Station (2.5 miles)
• Nairobi Train Station (2.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Paul Catholic Church (4 miles)
• Idlewild Baptist Church (5.3 miles)
• Grace Family Church (5.6 miles)
• Vishnu Mandir (6.3 miles)

Parks

• Nye Park (5.1 miles)
• Carrollwood Village Park (5.4 miles)
• Rivercrest Park (5.9 miles)
• Grant Park (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Highwoods 2 (5.9 miles)
• AMC Veterans 24 (6.8 miles)