using priceline for hotels in Ft. Lauderdale

[gammaf]

I have been looking at rates for a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale in February of 2005 and because our cruise leaves on a Tuesday, all the rates are very high because of business travelers. Has anyone used Priceline for 4 star hotels and could you give me any tips on how to use it and what hotels are the 4 star? Thanks!

[gliles]

Check out biddingfortravel.com, they have lots of info for using Priceline. We are also looking for one night in FLL pre cruise and have been researching.

[anngie]

I used Priceline for our overnight stay before our Dec 5 Westerdam cruise.
I really was not very happy because we wanted 3 star Embassy Suites and Priceline upgraded us to a 4 star Renaissance Hotel. By then it was too late to back out. I wish that there was some way that you could know what hotel that you are getting when you bid.

[Ellya]

LOL, I think that is called making a reservation. ;-)

[iluvcruzin]

February is generally a very busy time in FLL. Many ships have repositioned during this time frame as well as the many snowbirds down there. Biddingfortravel is a good place to find out what hotels have been won in previous bidding. For downtown 3* it's Mariott Marina or the Embassy, occasionally you get the 4* Renassance. As long as your hotel still has availability there is a chance you could get a room via priceline. In my situation, I am not sure priceline will accept my bid for my February cruise due to lack of availability. Just about everything is booked up due to a convention in town (end of February). I ended up booking the Amerisuites for $89 entertainment rate. This includes free shuttle to and from airport and pier. If I don't have an accepting bid (I keep trying) on priceline, this is my backup.

With Priceline there is an element of risk. Don't bid if you aren't flexible and willing to take a room blind based on a star rating.

[doone]

I got the Marriott Hotel and Marina for March 19th on priceline for $75, very happy with that. Last year I bid for a room in Ft. Lauderdale for a Monday night, got the Marriott for $52, that was even better. But the 19th is a Saturday night and I expected I would pay more, still a bargain.

Before bidding on priceline, go and read these web sites, they are very helpful: www.biddingforfun.com and www.biddingfortravel.com

[anngie]

Iluvcruzin, you are exactly right. If we wanted to pay the high prices for a hotel ($199 plus) we would not be resorting to Hotwire and Priceline. Otherwise we would just call and make a reservation. You have to be flexible and sometimes you might get what you want and sometimes you don't.

[merryecho]

I too received the 'upgrade' to the 4* Renaissance, when I was hoping for the 3* Marriott, as have the rest of our group, bidding at various times for the 1st of NOvember. Should be OK, but if you are really hoping for the 3*, you should be aware you are likely to get the Renaissance. BTW, I like betterbidding.com for priceline/hotwire advice.

[Orcrone]

Since it's four of us, including 15 and 17 year old daughters we obviously need two beds. Would it be risky bidding on Priceline on the chance that the hotel we get can't put us in a room with two beds?

[gammaf]

We have stayed in the Rennassiance Hotel. It is beautiful and our room overlooked the port. We could not have asked for a better hotel. So I don't think that you will be disappointed at all. That is the one I would like to get. Hopefully the Priceline God will shine down on us and give us that hotel. You never know.

[ekerr19]

I too received the 'upgrade' to the 4* Renaissance, when I was hoping for the 3* Marriott, as have the rest of our group, bidding at various times for the 1st of NOvember. Should be OK, but if you are really hoping for the 3*, you should be aware you are likely to get the Renaissance. BTW, I like betterbidding.com for priceline/hotwire advice.

Can someone help me out here? Is there a reason you'd prefer a 3* over a 4*??? The Renaissance consistently gets high ratings on everysite I've checked - the Embassy seems to receive "so-so" ratings... wouldn't you rather have the Renaissance? We've stayed at many of their properties and always found them to be above average.

I'm confused?? We booked the Renaissance directly through their web-site as I like (also need) to know what I am getting.

[merryecho]

I have not been to FLL, but read that the Marriott was very near the cruise port, had a free shuttle, was across the street from the water taxi, and was well liked. Star rating aside, most reviewers seem to prefer it to the Renaissance. As we are there only one night, location is most important to us. Does that answer your question eker?
I am sure it will be a great hotel. Does anyone know about the above features (shuttle etc.) at the Renaissance?

[ekerr19]

merryecho-

Yes, the Renaissance has the shuttle service, as well as complimentary continental breakfast -

I was just curious why several posters mentioned they were "disappointed" in receiving a 4* from Priceline when they requested a 3* - if it were me, I'd be happy! If I could get the Renaissance for $79, I'd book it in a heartbeat!

We stayed once at AmeriSuites, never again...

Thanks for clarifying. :)

[peaches from georgia]

Merryecho- Realizing you said you have not been to FLL, when you do you will see that most of the hotels are all along or close to 17th Street. Most are within a very very short distance to the port and airport and they all share the nearby amenities such as restaurants, water taxi, drug stores, etc.- including the Renaissance. I would take a 4* in FLL over a 3* everyday of the week.

As for what most posters prefer - I wouldn't say they actually prefer a 3* hotel to a 4*; I would say most posters probably just don't want to pay for a 4*. :D

[merryecho]

Thanks peaches- it sounds like we will be very happy with the Renaissance. One other reason we were concerned about the 4* upgrade is that we are a group of 7 couples, all doing their own priceline bidding, and were worried that not all of us would end up at the same hotel. But then, as we will be spending the next 10 days together, that wouldn't really be the end of the world either.

[ekerr19]

Merryecho-

If you look at www.tripadvisor.com, the Embassy Suites is rated #61 - while the Renaissance is rated #11...

That is why I was so curious why there seemed to be a preference for it on this thread... I can't wait to try the Renaissance. It is rated even higher than Hyatt Pier 66, which we really enjoyed last year. We'll see. :)

Peaches - I think you are right on the money. :D

[merryecho]

Ekerr- If you read my post you will see we were trying for the Marina Marriott- which is rated #8 at trip advisor, not the embassy suites, which I did not mention at all. OK?

[ekerr19]

OK - geez, sorry... had you confused with someone else. I meant no harm, just trying to help. :)

[Giorgi-one]

Previous post indicated that all the hotels are along 17th street. Note that this only applies to Downtown area if you are bidding on Priceline.

[anngie]

Well....I do have reasons for being disappointed when I was upgraded to a 4 star Renaissance instead of the 3 star Embassy Suites and it was not really the cost. I paid $79 for Renaissance and it was the same last time I booked Embassy Suites. For one thing, Renaissance only has valet parking at $15 and my husband does not like for anyone else to park our car. Another thing is that Renaissance does not have a complimentary shuttle. They have contracted with another company and it is $4 a person each way.
We like where the Embassy Suites is located and where we could walk next door to the nice Mexican Restaurant. Also we are not sure at this point that we can leave our car at the hotel while we are on the cruise and for what cost. We have to discuss that with the hotel at check-in. Also the Embassy Suites has a full hot breakfast buffet.

[ekerr19]

anngie-

Sounds like you have alot of reasons to book the Embassy to begin with... we like to know what we are getting too - this is why we don't (can't) use Priceline, there is no guarantee. We need to accomodate our kids in the room, and on Priceline, there is only double occupancy guarantee.

[peaches from georgia]

All the help-in-bidding sites clearly state that NEVER bid if you want a particular hotel for sure and certain. There is no guarantee you will get what you want, no matter how many people got it before you, so don't ever bid thinking you will get a certain hotel.

I'd be very happy with the Renaissance for $79 and spend my savings on parking. Embassy also charges for valet parking, I believe, and I know they charged to leave your car there during your cruise. The port's enclosed parking deck is an excellent option for parking and it is what we choose- safer than leaving your car in any hotel parking I think.

[Heaven2]

We have stayed at the Embassy Suites, Marriott and Renaissance, They are all good hotels and we like them for different reasons.

The Marriott has a great view of the Ships, waterway easy access and a lovely interior courtyard pool area. The restaurant is just so-so. The rooms are nice. We prefer a garden room facing the waterway. It is great to sit on the balcony and watch the water traffic. We have been in a tower room and could see the ships come in. Since the restaurant is not that great, we have always ended up walking a few blocks to the restaurants by Renaissance.

The Embassy Suites was nice when we had a third person with us. It gave everyone more privacy. Their breaksfast is good and their pool area is very lovely. It also gives you a small little kitchen to fix a snack.

The Renaissance has the nicest rooms. The pool area is not as secluded but still very nice. As far as Valet parkin is concerned. . You can park in the huge lot across from the hotel and walk the few steps to the hotel door. Be sure to notice the green parrots living in the Palm trees. You can walk to many of the restaurants and a local store for wine or liquor purchases. For a grocery store they stock a good selection. There is also a Crown liquor store a block over. A great French Bakery for breakfast or whatever !
Again it is only a few blocks walk over to the waterway boat landing. We have done it several times.

We have booked the Renaissance before and after our Dec. 5th cruise on the beautiful Holland "O". We got it on Priceline for $75 per night.

I would pick Renaissance as my first choice, followed by Marriott and then Embassy Suites. You really will be happy with any of them. All give good value and service to guests.

[merryecho]

Heaven- you mention a nearby store for wine and liquor, and a nearby crown liquor store. What is the difference? Can you buy good wine in both stores? Or is it like Oregon where you can only buy liquor in state run stores? Thanks for the advice, we plan to bring wine for entertaining on board with us, and would just as soon buy it there if possible.

[anngie]

Heaven2, thank you so much for the information on Renaissance. Did you leave a car there while you were on your cruise? What about the shuttle?
Did you use it? You make me feel much better about staying there and about the area too. This was the first time I had ever used Priceline. I had always used Hotwire.

[gammaf]

Anngie:

We stayed there in May and it was again wonderful. You can park your own car but you will have to pay 12.00 a day for parking. That is not bad at all. We did not mind. Also, I would not want to leave my car there. It is too far from any of the hotels to the HAL terminal at the port. Then you have to wait for a taxi or a shuttle to take you back to the hotel. We parked in the HAL parking garage for 12.00 a day and it was great. Secure and easy to get back to. The Renassaince is a beautiful hotel. I only hope that we are so lucky when I go to bid.

[Heaven2]

I am a night owl and just checked back in.

The grocery store is a Plublix ( not sure of the spelling ) and it has a very good selection of wine and liquor. Now good wine is very subjective. We prefer sweeter wines, icewine and late harvest. Bonney Doone, Ste. Michele, EOS are some of our favorite brands. A good Moscato late harvest. We have been in that store when the different wineries have reps on hand giving advice and samples. I am sure that you would find something you like. They have a selection from many of the countries.The Aussie's are producing some fine wines. You can also purchase a floral arrangement for your cabin if you want to treat yourself!
The Crown Liquor Store is a block over and is very large. We did not go into it in April but will this Dec. Last time we brought our wine on the plane but plan to purchase it down there this time. It is just too much trouble to drag it around. As a rule the ships do not have the type of wine we enjoy. Or if they do it will be marked up quite a bit.

As far as the shuttle is concerned we have always used a taxi. It is not far from either the airport or the port. Under $10 fare. We just like the hassle free ability to go when we want to, instead of waiting on the shuttle. We fly in and therefore do not have a car to leave so I cannot tell you about parking for long term.

As far as restaurants. We always have one meal at Bimini Boatyard. I love their crab cake salad. We have eaten at Bravo's twice. Once it was very good and the next time not so good. In the vicinity is Chucks Steak House, Carlos & Pepes, Outback Steak House, Hops, Tokyo Sushi, Siam House and Bistro Mezzallina. We have not eaten at those restaurants but may branch out this trip. I think there is even a Burger King if you need a fast food fix.

I also believe there is a car rental nearby, in case you want to tool around town for the day. Hope this is the information that you wanted. We cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale so much that I am begining to feel at home down there.

[dogsdogs]

To Merryecho:

There is a shopping center not far from the Renaissance where you can buy wine, beer or liquor at the Publix grocery store as well as the Eckerd's Drug next door. There are also many liquor stores in that area. The wine selection at the Publix is very extensive and the prices are excellent.