Hotels In Fort Lauderdale?

[advocado]

Taking Maasdam on January 25th for Panama Canal. Plan to stay in Fort Lauderdale for a few days before embarkation. Looking for a nice hotel. Don't care about ocean front (I'll get plently of that on the cruise). Cost not the most important consideration. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[TrojanCruiser]

Taking Maasdam on January 25th for Panama Canal. Plan to stay in Fort Lauderdale for a few days before embarkation. Looking for a nice hotel. Don't care about ocean front (I'll get plently of that on the cruise). Cost not the most important consideration. Any suggestions? Thanks.


We're staying at the Lago Mar for one night pre-cruise on the Zuiderdam. I've read mostly good reviews- also a few not so good... I'll let you know our experience when we get back...

[Pilot70D]

Let me recommend two hotels to you. I have stayed in both on many occasions.

First is the Embassy Suites on AIA which is also 17th Street. This hotel is literally around the corner from one entrance to Port Everglades. There are many good restaurants near by and shopping is also convenient. Travel time from Ft. Lauderdale International is no more than eight to ten minutes.

The other is the Marriott North which is north of Cypress Creek. This hotel has always provided an exceptional level of comfort and service. When I fly to Ft. Lauderdale I leave the plane at Ft. Lauderdale Executive and stay at the Marriott North because it happens to be no more than half a mile from this airport. Travel time to this Marriott from Ft. Lauderdale International is fifteen to twenty minutes.

Hope this is helpful information. Enjoy that next cruise. BTW while in Ft. Lauderdale go to Ernie's on Route 1 for lunch. Best conch chowder anywhere. Not a fancy restaurant but super good chowder. Ernie's is located on the west side of Route 1 and is almost equidistant between SR84 and A1A.

[GraceNWill]

Another great restaurant (not a chain) not far from Pt Everglades is the Tropical Acres. It has been there since 1949, I believe. I think it is owned by the same people all those years. Just an old fashioned place with great food and service. They have the best cheesecake with cherry topping that I have ever had!

I guess you would call it a steakhouse but they serve seafood and other things.

It is west of I-95 (just) and on Griffin Road.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have stayed many times at the Embassy Suites both pre and post cruise. It is so close to many things including the new Harbor Shops.

[kelmac]

This section of CC will give you loads of information:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=415

I would look at using Priceline, Hotwire or Easyclick. Four star hotels tend to be the best bargin. Winter prices are higher compared to summer.
Good luck!

Kel

[cusyl]

January will be high season in FLL, so you would be much better off to use priceline dot com as others have stated. The Rennaisance on 17th Street is very close to the pier and if you ask for a high floor facing the port you can see the cruise ships. As I recall, I chose a 3 star hotel downtown and was given Rennaisance, which is a 4 star hotel.

[terrydtx]

When we cruise out of Pt Everglades we always fly in the night before and have found the Ramada Inn Fort Lauderdale located 5 mins from the port and the airport to be a very nice and affordable place to stay. It is on Marina Mile Road and the phone number is 954 584-4000. We are booked there the night before our Volendam cruise next month for $85 for a king room, booked through Ramada web site. The hotel has an on site restaurant and a full hot breakfast is included in the rate. Several nice restaurants are within walking distance as well. They also have free airport pick up and free shuttle to the pier. The last time we stayed there were a lot of pre cruise people at the hotel. I almost forgot they have a very nice outside Tiki bar by the pool. Most other places that are nice in FLL are well over a $100 per night.

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

We always stay at the Hollywood Beach Marriott. It is a little pricey and about a 10 minute drive from the airport & 5 minute drive to the port, but it is located on the broadwalk, has an outdoor tiki lounge, restaurant, pretty & spacious rooms, and has a gorgeous beach.

[jbhcw]

We just stayed at the Embassy Suites in September and enjoyed our time there. We could see our ship from our balcony, there are stores near by and the Manager's Reception and full breakfast were nice. The food in the restaurant was not that good but there are restaurants nearby.

Unfortunately rates there for our upcoming Feb cruise on the Zuiderdam are over $300 per night. I've made reservations at a Hyatt Place nearby, it was formerly an Amerisuites. Hoping we made a good choice:) The East Coast Depatures Board has loads of great infomation.

Terrydtx, thanks for the info on the Ramada, may check that out as we're still open to another hotel, keep wishing the ES would come down a little:D

[sail7seas]

A Poster named Bequia posted this list of FLL hotels on this Board a short while ago.

Lots of links to research:



SE 17th Street (closest to Port Everglades and FLL)...

Renaissance... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/FLLBR

Embassy Suites... http://www.embassysuites.com/en/es/...ctyhocn=FLLSOES

Ft Lauderdale Grande... http://www.fortlauderdalegrande.com

Extended Stay America... http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/...ter-marina.html

AmeriSuites... http://amerisuites.com/reservations....asp?facid=3929

Comfort Inn & Suites….http://www.choicehotels.com

Holiday Inn Express…http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/fllcc?_requestid=681519

Fort LauderdaleBeach...

Lago Mar... http://www.lagomar.com/

HarborBeach Marriott... http://www.marriottharborbeach.com/

Pelican Beach Resort (only the NEW tower)... http://www.pelicanbeach.com/

St.Regis….http://www.starwoodhotels.com/stregi...ew/index.html?



HollywoodBeach...

HollywoodBeach Marriott... http://www.hollywoodbeachmarriott.com/

Westin Diplomat... http://www.diplomatresort.com/

Dania

Sleep Inn…http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=FL664

Marriott Courtyard Airport/Cruiseport…http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/FLLHT


Airport

LaQuinta Inn & Suites…http://www.lq.com/lq/properties/propertyProfile.do?ident=LQ985&propId=985

Holiday Inn…http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/fllas?_requestid=682206

Hampton Inn…http://www.hamptoninnftlauderdaleairport.com/
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[mindydaile]

Let me recommend two hotels to you. I have stayed in both on many occasions.

First is the Embassy Suites on AIA which is also 17th Street. This hotel is literally around the corner from one entrance to Port Everglades.


Right around the corner, like walking distance? Or take a cab distance?

[DedeM]

Right around the corner, like walking distance? Or take a cab distance?
Definitely take a cab - don't walk. It's very close, but you don't want to walk there. Port Everglades is huge and industrial. :)

[sail7seas]

Especially if you are toting luggage with you.

[Harry1954]

hotels such as Embassy Suites, Marriott, etc are great .. we stayed at Lago Mar on a cruise out of FFL a couple of years ago and it was absolutely awful so I hate to say that but this was our experience.
harry

[joedebnh]

Hotels in FLL in January are expensive. We always use Priceline or Hotwire and have saved as much as 50%. What we do is make a backup reservation that can be easily canceled and then start bidding about 30-45 days before the trip.

To get suggestions on how to bid, try betterbidding.com.

[Roz]

I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Plantation. They picked me up at the airport and took me to the cruise terminal in the morning. I don't need beachfront property (and prices) when my only reason for being there is to get in a day ahead of the cruise.

Roz

[karen&kevin]

Last December we stayed at the Hyatt Pier 66 with a great rate from Priceline. When we arrived at the hotel pre-cruise, we upgraded for $30 to a tower room with a huge balcony overlooking the cruiseport.

It was a fabulous way to start our cruise - our evening eating dinner on the balcony, watching the ships depart was one of the best nights of my life. The pools are heavenly and we ate lunch at a fabulous restaurant called Bimini Boatyard. It was a bit of a long walk but totally worth it!

It was also a quick cab ride from the airport and to the cruiseport. I would definitely recommend this hotel, but try to get a tower room instead of the lanai/garden rooms. The hotel isn't cheap but we had success getting a better rate on Priceline.

Good luck with your decision!
Karen

[sail7seas]

We have stayed at Pier 66 dozens of times through the years. We always loved that hotel but our last stay was a little disappointing. There seemed to have been changes. We have not been to FLL for over a year (unusual for us) but we are returning in November and are booked to try Pier 66 again. We SO hope it is like we always enjoyed as we have great memories of many wonderful stays there.

I'll post comments when we return about our experience there.

[mindydaile]

I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Plantation. They picked me up at the airport and took me to the cruise terminal in the morning.

Is this transportation included in the cost of the room, or is it an additional charge?

[Pilot70D]

Right around the corner, like walking distance? Or take a cab distance?

This Embassy Suites Hotel is truly within easy walking distance of restaurants and the port itself.

There are restaurants within 500 yards or so of the hotel's front door. The port is between and a half a mile away which I would equate to an easy ten minute stroll. This gets you to the gate and security checkpoint near AIA. Please bear in mind that Port Everglades is a reasonably big port with many different terminals for the various cruise lines. Your ship could be docked at one of the terminals near the gate. If not the furtherest terminals are approx. 3/4 of a mile from this gate. Vehicular traffic is quite heavy within the port with ship reprovisioning, passengers returning, passengers departing, etc.

Ernie's is an easy cab ride from the Embassy Suites and well worth it. I would climb a tall mountain and then slide down a three foot long razor blade into a glass of alcohol to get to their conch chowder.

Everyone have a great day out there. :-)

[DedeM]

I still wouldn't walk there, no way.

[sail7seas]

I agree. Walking (especially with luggage) is not a good idea. It is such a short ride, a taxi cannot cost very much. For sure it is under $10.

[Oceanwench]

I've never seen anyone walking along those roads into the port.

[Roz]

Mindy, the shuttle was included in the price of the Plantation Hampton Inn room. I tipped the driver both times.

There are restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. It's a very clean, nicely decorated and landscaped Hampton Inn.

Roz

[mindydaile]

Mindy, the shuttle was included in the price of the Plantation Hampton Inn room. I tipped the driver both times.


Thanks Roz. I'm trying to compare prices for the various hotels and knowing that bit of information helps me make a more accurate comparison.

Right now it's looking like the Plantation Hampton Inn might be the winner. :)

[Roz]

Mindy, glad you found the information useful. I'd suggest calling them before making a reservation to make sure they still offer the shuttle service.

Roz

[newmexicoNita]

Is this transportation included in the cost of the room, or is it an additional charge?yes, they will pick you up at the airport, transport you to the hotel, they have a van that will take you anyplace within a few mile radius: we used them to go to dinner and stop at the liquor store to stack up on wine. the next morning we were on the van and on our way to the pier. The hotel is very friendly, rooms are nice and the price as good as you will get for a clean, nice hotel.

Nita

[DedeM]

If you stay in Plantation and want some really good Cuban food, go to Padrino's on University Drive. :)

[DedeM]

Restaurants in Plantation are slim pickins, so here are more ideas for you so you don't have to spend $30 for a cab into Ft. Lauderdale to eat.

Subs - La Spada's on University Dr.

I heard KM at the Grapevine is good. I haven't tried it, but I have eaten at his previous restaurant Armadillo Cafe which was excellent.
http://www.equilibrix.com/grapevine/grapevine10_06.html
http://www.southfloridaceo.com/article162.html

Oh carp, it's now known as Bistro 256 at the Grapevine. Sorry. It's probably good too as the Grapevine Gourmet Market is excellent.

[mindydaile]

Thanks newmexicoNita, DedeM, Roz, and others for all the great information!

[CruiseLiz]

I was looking at Fort Lauderdale hotels the other day and I came across some inexpensive rates on Craig's List. I'm not sure of the web address, just do a search for craigs list fort lauderdale and then select "vacation rentals" under the housing tab.

I found the hilton garden inn for $129 and another one I can't remember. I just thought I'd let you know that there are some listings on that site.

There are also bunches of listings for condo rentals including one at the Wyndham for $90 a night on weekdays (2 night min though)

[advocado]

Zowie!! I started this thread expecting few responses, at best. You guys are all great. The best. Thanks for your input.

Harvey

[Marmarjudy]

When you say there are restaurants within walking distance, are we talking safe walking distance? And what type restaurants? And is there somewhere, again within safe walking distance, to get beer for the room (not to take onto the ship :-)

I'm looking for our precruise room for Jan 5th and prices are ridiculous. We have been to Ft. Lauderdale many, many times pre-cruise so only want a reasonable place to stay within a reasonable distance of the port, with a decent restaurant/bar close and somewhere to buy beer for the room.

Thanks,
Judy

[Williebill]

My wife and I are also looking for a pre-cruise hotel for next December. The Hollywood Beach Marriott looks like a nice place to stay; I also hear that HAL has staff there. I wonder if the hotel has airport pickup and cruise ship pier delivery.

[sail7seas]

HAL offers Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Marriott Hollywood Beach for their pre-cruise hotel packages. They list them in the back of the Caribbean Brochure and I'm sure they are on the HAL site.

[prescottbob]

Sleep Inn?
Ahoy!

The following are my thoughts from last May. We've reserved a room for 3/08 and the prices have increased to approx. $130 range (with taxes, winter rates and what-not). Fortunately, I got one one of those BofA promotion Visa cards two months ago for the Clarion chain, i.e., Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, etc. (16,000 free points on application) and the 3/08 overnight will be a 'freebie'. Adequate for our 'needs'.
Here's the post:

"We recently embarked on a 5/07 cruise from Ft. Lauderdale. Our circumstances were that our plane arrived around 1600 hours and, of course, we wished to get to the port around noon the following day. I had made reservations on line for the Hampton site ($229 / night) and Sleep Inn site ($89 / night). Since we weren't really staying for any length of time I'd thought we'd give Sleep Inn a try since both motels provided free pickup from the airport and free shuttle service to the Port Everglades dock.
Although a bit dubious about staying at once was called a 'cheapo' motel we were pleasently surprised. I had requested a ground floor room (which we got),the room was quire adequate and clean, the pool and spa were great and the motel provided free WiFi. There was a Publix supermarket across the street in a shopping center (where we picked up wine, Gatorade, etc. for the voyage) that also contained several small restraunts (we had wonderful calzones in the Italian one). There was also a new Walgreens just down the street from the motel that we used to purchase those last minute 'odds and ends'. And, I might add, the motel had a very nice breakfast buffet that included waffles. On our next cruises (scheduled 3/08 with HAL) we will be staying there again. Good luck and have a great cruise."

Hope this helps. Your gonna have a GREAT CRUISE regardless.

Bon Voyage and Good Health,

Bob:)

[Roz]

Judy,

Regarding the Hampton Inn in Plantation, there are sidewalks on the surrounding streets. There was a strip mall type development within a couple of blocks that had a Red Lobster, Olive Garden, steakhouse, bbq place, etc. Granted, not local gourmet dining, but adequate and I didn't have to pay for transportation.

I was by myself and felt very safe.

Roz

[bobnsandi]

I found the hilton garden inn for $129 and another one I can't remember.


Not specific to FLL, but we have stayed at two Hilton Garden Inns and had a great room and spectacular service. Both were near airports (LAX and SEATAC), and appeared to cater to business travelers more than cruise passengers. However, in both cases, the staff could not do enough for us. While the LAX room was large and comfortable, the room near SEATAC was the most comfortable hotel room we've experienced. Both had excellent Internet connectivity and services.

Hope this helps.

[JimVrhovac]

We have stayed at the La Quinta last several trips with excellent results.

Near large mall with several retaurants and good transportation to ports.

Courteous service and clean rooms...

Ruth & Jim

[prescottbob]

Ahoy!

I have no financial interests in the Clarion Chain but plug in the dates and search the site and see if this meets your needs:

http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=FL664&sid=wKwYi.43A4dgf0X.7&sarea=85281&sname=Ft+Lauderdale&sstate=FL&scountry=US&sradius=40.23&slat=26.1220&slon=-80.1435&schain=A&exp=&scity=&sort=dates&type=&map=y&month=3&day=11&depart_month=3&depart_day=12&srp=SSC&amenity=ARPSHTL&nroom=1&nadult1=2&nchild1=0&nadult2=1&nchild2=0&nadult3=1&nchild3=0&nadult4=1&nchild4=0&nadult5=1&nchild5=0

Bon Voyage and Good Health!
Bob:)

[Sea Island Lady]

Go with The Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard.
http://www.riversidehotel.com/

We have stayed at the Renaissance and the Embassy Suites. Neither was overly impressive, although the rooms in the Renaissance were nice. We had a terrible experience with noise at the Embassy Suites.

Our last stay was at the Riverside and we stayed in the Executive wing. WOW!!! We received a large nicely decorated room with a small balcony and a really nice bathroom. Our rate came with a free breakfast for two. The hotel is an older hotel that has been r3ecently renovated and the Executive wing is new. The hotel is connected to the Cheesecake Factory and just a hop to the water taxi and shopping. Beautiful views!

[peaches from georgia]

Looking for a nice hotel. Don't care about ocean front (I'll get plently of that on the cruise). Cost not the most important consideration. Any suggestions? Thanks.
I absolutely concur with the previous poster on the Riverside Hotel, esp. if you don't care about being on the beach. This is one of FLL's primo hotels, staying on Las Olas Blvd is terrific for window shopping, real shopping (unique shops, galleries, and antique shops), a lot of good restaurants, and just plain people watching on the blvd. Check out the website and you will see how much fun being on Las Olas is. It's near the port, you can hop on the water taxi, see the waterfront homes on the Intracoastal Waterway and get on and off as you wish. We always stay at the Riverside and love it. It is anything but another touristy chain hotel.