Anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn in Cocoa Beach

[jtb123]

I've read many places that this hotel is very dirty and people have been very disappointed. Has anyone stayed there recently? Hoping to hear they have improved.

[crystalloubear]

We were recently on a cruise (NCL Dawn) and going to this this hotel to use the pool and beach was offered as an excursion from the ship. Everyone that went there said it was awful and dirty.

[luckey1]

We just did a one night beach getaway. It is old looking and separate buildings not a hotel with any sense of security. Once you are used to inside hallways it's hard to go back to this. Also unless you get the most expensive rooms you don't get an oceanview.

[momofmeg]

I have found this true of alot of motels in recent years. Chains like Ramada Inn which used to be a nice place to stay are dumps. What I have been told even though these are part of a chain-some are privately owned like a franchise instead of owned by a corporation- a lot of foreigners are buying these franchises and they just don't plain understand American's standards are higher. What I have found if the price seems to good to be true-beware-the mattresses are old, hard and lumpy, the sinks cracked and stained etc. carpet old etc. as they haven't been remodeled either . I did not find it so much dirty as needing remodeling and even if a place is clean who wants to sleep on a hard lumpy mattress-I don't and if you are a person with allergies-the old carpet sure is not going to help.

Lets face it-for a decent motel we need to pay at least $75-100 -a night. Beware if the price is any cheaper.

[katman]

We have reservations for one night prior to our Magic cruise in mid-November. I can post something then, if it's not too late for what you need. I'd also read some not so nice things, so I'm curious as to other's feedback as well. I got it through priceline for less than $40, so I'll probably get what I paid for. Oh, well. A bed and a shower the night before the cruise is all I'm looking for ....

[sandy54321]

There will be some serious remodeling of those old and dirty hotels after the damage done by hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. DH and I took a ride down A1A yesterday and saw piles of lumpy old mattresses out at the dumpster by more than one hotel. The Doubletree closed after Frances for a complete remodel according to the salesperson who books events. And yes, those bargain rooms booked online can be disasters unless you have no allergies and can sleep on anything.

[MickeyMark]

There are 2 Holiday Inns on Coco Beach.
The one called Holiday Inn "Oceanfront" is the older more spread out hotel that you hear lots of "bad" reports about.

The one closer to the pier called Holiday Inn "express" , is smaller, newer, built in 2000 I believe.

[sandy54321]

On the local news last night out of Orlando it was estimated that 2500 hotel rooms along the Space Coast have been damaged by water. I think many of those are farther down toward Melboune. Still, to be safe, if you have a reservation in the near future it might be a good idea to make sure it can be honored. Many places along A1A still have no power or phones --can you belieive it, even Ron Jon's was closed on Monday and all of the county schools are still closed -- so you may not be contacted by the hotel.

[momofmeg]

We stayed at Comfort Inn. Although it was older it was clean and decent a block from the beach, had a great pool. It also had a hot tub and a tennis court. They also offer 2 room suites and the park and shuttle thing to the cruise ships.

We met people on our cruise who stayed at the Marriot courtyard which they found nice and it too also offered the park and shuttle to the cruise ships. They paid $79 for 2 adults and 1 child. We paid $109 for 3 adults.

I can't understand why you would spend the extra $$$s for a nice Disney cruise and then stay in a dump. Face it folks if the hotel is only $40-$50 a night it is going to be a dump-when you pays thousands for a nice cruise why not spend a little extra for a decent hotel.

Believe me guys- I have learned that the hard way. Never again will I stay in a $40 hotel room.

[suzsummit]

The Holiday Inn in New Smyrna beach is nice -- It's right on the beach -- this is a beach where you can drive your car on it -- they have suites with full kitchens ( full size fridge, microwave, dishes ect...) and EVERY room has an ocean view. Although I did not eat at the hoel they had room service but across the street was the most amazing seafood restaurant -- Most things fried but the Locals will wait up to an hour for a table here -- that has to tell you something -- huge servings! small prices:). If you like garlic crabs, you clean em and a place to see manatees I'll send you a a place not too far away.

New Smyrna is just north of Cape Canaveral seashore (sea turtle nesting area) -- just south of Daytona -- 20 minutes from Daytona airport -- 50 minutes --- more with traffic from the outskirts of Orlando.

I took my kids there and they loved it -- the beach was long, clean and the waves were perfect for swimming. Not a good place during the Daytona 500 or bike week though:(.

suzanne

[katman]

After reading this, I called the Holiday Inn that I got through priceline and the recording said they were closed due to hurricane damage and gave no indication as to when they might reopen. So, I called priceline and their "Travel Services" department is looking into it. Bottom line, though, I think I may need to book something else and not agonize about whether I get my $35 + fee back from priceline. Here's where I need help - how bad is the damage in general? Anyone know of any hotels that came through unscathed that I wouldn't have to worry about?

[suzsummit]

Which area do you need checked? Towns?

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites
NEW SMYRNA BEACH (DAYTONA BCH)
1401 SOUTH ATLANTIC AVENUE
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL 32169
Tel: 1-386-426-0020

Just called my parents in the area they are open and have limited rooms at this time. They are cleaning up and getting new rugs, furniture for the lower floors.

Call them directly for more info.

[katman]

It's for the night before our Magic cruise - we get into Orlando at around 7 pm and my husband will want to be one of the first in the buffet lines so we won't linger too long the next morning! Anything close to Port Canaveral ...

[suzsummit]

Will check....

[katman]

Thanks! Wonder of wonders - priceline customer service just called - they checked with the Holiday Inn and it is anticipated to be closed until January. So, they refunded all of my $ including the fees - I'm still in shock! And they were so nice about it!!! So I get to 'start over' and am looking for recommendations near the Port that haven't been impacted by the hurricane.

[cruislovin]

Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach called me yesterday ot cancel my November reservation. They are reopening on January 1st. We stayed there prior to our August 2004 cruise. It is an average Florida Holiday Inn, even a bit better than the one we stayed at in Miami Beach. The Entertainment rates were very good. I am glad I had a reservation at another property too.

Holiday Inn Express in Cocoa Beach is still open, however.

I would recommend getting a reservation SOON if your cruise is in the next month or 2. With the various properties closed in the Cocoa Beach area, I have been told hotel space is extremely tight and the prices are going up. Let us know what you find.

[disneyboatdriver]

Hi,

The Holiday inn really wasn't that bad. I stayed there several times (through priceline) before I moved here(cape canaveral). I had one room that I wasn't satisfied with, so they moved me with no problem.

I believe the days inn in cocoa beach is up and running, the radisson at the port didn't have any damage that I could see. The radisson is very close to the port. They have their own shuttle to the ships, avis runs their shuttle there if you rent a car. We did a one-way rental from avis for our last cruise, took the avis shuttle to the port, they picked us up after the cruise, and did another one-way back.
Since you are getting in at 7pm, you might just want to get an airport hotel through priceline. The mariott cost me $30 and its only a 5 min. drive. One cruise I'm glad we did that. The airline lost my luggage and I was at the airport until 2am.:mad: It is only a 50 min drive to avis in cocoa beach, or budget in cape canaveral--both are right on a1a less than 10 min from the ship. You'll be able to get a decent nights' sleep, get to the port in the daylight, drop your luggage at the ship, take your rental car back, and shuttle to the port.

Don't forget to wave at everybody at Grills seafood deck on the right side of the ship as you are leaving port:D

Bill