FLL beachfront accomodations?

[mim100]

Hi All....we want to get our accomodations booked ...seems like FLL fills up very quickly...we are spending two nights there before our cruise...we want to be on the ocean with a room overlooking the beach...clean and spacious rooms...Lauderdale-By-The-Sea looks really nice but not many hotels?? tough to get something for only a couple of days...do some of you cruisers have some good tips for us? there's 4 of us, BTW and we could share an "apartment" type set-up...prefer middle-to-higher-end hotels...thanks for any info you can give us !!

[sfldan]

Being a big fan of Starwood Hotels, I'd recommend either The Atlantic (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/property/overview/index.html?requestedChainCode=SI&requestedAffiliationCode=LC&goToRooms=yes&lengthOfStay=1&numberOfRooms=1&numberOfAdults=1&arrivalDate=2006-08-31&departureDate=2006-09-01&rpoi=&propertyID=1475&rcdi=&linkbrand=&fromSearch=22XX&sherlockRatePlanID=&sherlockMiniRate=&sherlockRoomType=&sherlockBedType=&iATANumber=&corporateAccountNumber=&propertyDistance=&propertyDistanceInUnits=&requestType=page&page=&ratePlanName=&roomOccupancyTotal=1)
which is in Ft Lauderdale on the beach, or The Diplomat (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/property/overview/index.html?requestedChainCode=WI&requestedAffiliationCode=WI&goToRooms=yes&lengthOfStay=1&numberOfRooms=1&numberOfAdults=1&arrivalDate=2006-08-31&departureDate=2006-09-01&rpoi=&propertyID=1402&rcdi=&linkbrand=&fromSearch=22XX&sherlockRatePlanID=&sherlockMiniRate=&sherlockRoomType=&sherlockBedType=&iATANumber=&corporateAccountNumber=&propertyDistance=&propertyDistanceInUnits=&requestType=page&page=&ratePlanName=&roomOccupancyTotal=1), which is south of Ft. Lauderdale by about 15 minutes, also on the beach. The Diplomat has two great pools, that are stacked on top of each other. One has a glass bottom so that you can look up into the pool above! We go these hotels on occassion for a quick weekend getaway.

[Stevesan]

Before the monitors move this thread to the "Hotels" board, I'd recommend the Marriott Harbor Beach. Excellent resort hotel with very nice pool area, good restaurants and a private beach.

http://www.marriottharborbeach.com/

[SnorkelBear]

I agree with Stevesan. The Marriott Harbor Beach is a great place to stay. Huge pool. Nice beach. Quiet location. We stayed pre and post cruise in 2001. Happy cruisin.

[middle-aged mom]

We're staying at the Lago Mar in FLL two nights prior to our holiday cruise in December on Amsterdam. Anybody have any observations regarding this hotel? Thank you.

[torpeedo]

I have heard some very good reports on the Lago Mar. Many are leaving other hotels in favor of the Lago Mar.

[ekerr19]

We also considered the Lago Mar, but the recent reports for Lago Mar on www.tripadvisor.com (http://www.tripadvisor.com) are not that great.

If you don't mind an apartment-like set up, you may want to look at the Kira-Mar Waterfront Villas - they are rated #6 (this week,lol!) for hotels in Ft. Lauderdale, and the pictures don't look too bad.

I went ahead and booked Hyatt Pier 66 for our pre-cruise next March, but I'm torn for the post cruise. The #3 rated, Best Western Pelican Beach Resort looks really nice, but I just don't want a "motel" feel.

[Halfmoonfan]

I like the Atlantic. Huge rooms and huge bathrooms. Great little bar. However, not right on the beach. In that part of town the road runs along the beach, hotel is across the street. But no worries, first class place!

[mim100]

Thanks, everyone, for your great suggestions ! I'll be doing some surfing later and drooling over all these great places...does anyone know where I can find a good map of FLL...will help to get my bearings when I'm doing my searching...thanks !

Stevesan...I didn't know there was a hotel thread !! apologies to the monitors :)

[Hollyhawk]

Hi there,,,go to sunny.org and public transportation, then maps. This has taught me a lot. Have a 'Good One'.

[mim100]

Hi there,,,go to sunny.org and public transportation, then maps. This has taught me a lot. Have a 'Good One'.

Thanks Hollyhawk....this is a really great site !!

[refman]

first to try is the bahia mar,great accommodations and location second to try would be the sheraton yankee trader,also great location and both offer transportation to cruise terminal, we stayed at both and will use them again. yankee trader as a bonus has a SHULA`S steak house overlooking the ocean.

[OceanLiner]

We used Lago Mar and it was fantastic. Very clean, up to date, fantastic LARGE pool area, and perhaps the best section of beach for people waiting for a cruise. The beach is just a few hundred yards away from the port canal and you can sit all day and watch all the ships coming and going right before your eyes. VERY COOL.

Don't waste your money getting a beachfront of oceanfront room. The hotel is set back on the beach and you are about to go on a cruise......where you will be surrounded by ocean front the entire time. Instead, use the same dollars and upgrade to one of their suites which are very nice.

[Sea King]

Ft. Lauderdale is very very large in area

there are probably at least 100 hotels/motels in the area

you really need a map especially if you're aiming to be close Port Everglades bearing in mind Rte A1A goes long the beach quite a distance North beyond the port

Lago Mar is beautiful .. as someone said, right on the edge of Port Everglades .. you can sit and watch the ships come in and out and feel "you're right there" .. the hotel, however, is not "inexpensive"

Pier 66 is gorgeous .. no beachfront though .. magnificent view of ocean and port from Tower and of inter-coastal .. Marriott should be re-opened .. again, if you're in the tower, beautiful vews but not on beach front

no beach front for Embassy Suites or Renaissance either

suggest you try Google for map and hotels

also, try Chamber of Commerce

the earlier you start, the better the odds of getting what you want

[Pudgesmom]

We stayed at the Pelican Beach Resort last Feb. for an un-cruise related visit.

Rooms were very large, bathrooms were well appointed, and the hotel had a nice ambiance. We were able to view cruise ships leaving the harbor from our room's balcony. I believe some of the rooms may have a mini-kitchen type set-up. We particulary enjoyed the rocking chairs on the hotel's back porch.

Beth

[ekerr19]

We stayed at the Pelican Beach Resort last Feb. for an un-cruise related visit.

Rooms were very large, bathrooms were well appointed, and the hotel had a nice ambiance. We were able to view cruise ships leaving the harbor from our room's balcony. I believe some of the rooms may have a mini-kitchen type set-up. We particulary enjoyed the rocking chairs on the hotel's back porch.

Beth

Thanks Beth - I was hoping to come across someone who has actually stayed there... it looks really nice, but I guess the "Best Western" makes me think motel (not a bad thing, just not what we're looking for of this stay), and I like to check the "candid reviewer photos" on tripadvisor to see if the property really looks the way it does or if they are just slick marketing photos. I was surprised to see some really nice photos taken by regular people, so I think we may just give it a try...

One thing, if you can recall - was there a lot of construction in the area? It almost seems like all of the FLL coastline properties are undergoing rennovations...

[Pudgesmom]

I was initially put off by the Best Western thing, too, but it was utterly unlike my idea of a Best Western-no offense intended.

Ask for a room on the right hand side of the hotel- would that be south?
You may get the same view of the ships we did.

I don't recall any nearby construction-the hotel sits on a triangular piece of property bordered by a very small park and an angled road- sort of an island of land.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Beth

[mim100]

Wow, the choices are unbelievable...some of the larger hotels are already booked...maybe something's going on around that time...the more I research, the more I see that I want to try...and as I learn more, I find myself drawn to the smaller properties on the beach...some of the hotels have two bedroom apartments with dynamite views & amenities...the question now is how to whittle it all down? oh well, I don't mind having these kinds of problems !! thanks to everyone for their input :)

[ekerr19]

I was initially put off by the Best Western thing, too, but it was utterly unlike my idea of a Best Western-no offense intended.

Ask for a room on the right hand side of the hotel- would that be south?
You may get the same view of the ships we did.

I don't recall any nearby construction-the hotel sits on a triangular piece of property bordered by a very small park and an angled road- sort of an island of land.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Beth

Beth,

Thanks so much! - and no offense taken here - it was sort of what I was thinking, yet hadn't found anyone who actually stayed there yet... it looks like it will fill the bill and since DH quit smoking, it will probably be a relief that he won't have to worry about 2nd hand smoke... :)

[LTC1]

The Holiday Inn in Highland Beach (about 10 min. from FLL) is amazing. Very upscale compared to other Holdiay Inns and right on the beach. Great rates. It's been a well kept secret. I highly recommend it!

[mim100]

thanks LTC1 ....I'll check out their website...I like the "great rates" part :)