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Ft. Lauderdale Q&A/FAQ


Bequia
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I've read the tripadvisor reviews also, but here's what I can tell you as a local...this place looks like an old motel. It's not near the port or airport, about 7 miles north of that area. It's an ok neighborhood, though, full of shops and restaurants if you can walk a few blocks. Turn left on US1/N. Federal Hwy and walk a few blocks and you'll come to Oakland Park Blvd. You'll pass a few restaurants along the way, including The Mason Jar and Danny's Pizza. Cross Oak Pk Blvd and cross US1 and you'll come to a discount indoor mall. At the north end there is a Publix where you can buy what you need. Behind the mall there is an AMC cinema. Just before Oak Pk Blvd, across the street, are 2 interesting shopping centers that have a few consignment shops. A block past the mall is Kyojin Japanese Buffet. If you turn right from the motel on US 1 and go a few blocks you'll come to Fort Lauderdale Ale House and Original Pancake House.

 

Thanks for the reply! I'm a bit concerned about staying here - the thing is my FIL is in his 70's and can't really walk far for long, we'll be there in July so I'm sure it'll be very hot outside and I'm also traveling with my husband and 2 teen daughter's ages 13 & 16. We don't need fancy or beachfront, but I'd like for us to have conveniences to a store and a couple of restaurants (we don't plan to rent a car) and my FIL feels the shuttle and continental breakfast are a plus. Also, we have to take a red eye and will arrive in FLL at 630a on a Thursday. I know we'll have to wait for our room, but I'm hoping it won't be a till 3p wait. I may be able to convince him to book our 2 night stay elsewhere, but if I give the wrong suggestion, he'll blame me for making/asking for the change - ha! Can you think of a better place that would fit our needs than the BWestern Oakland Park that would be around $80.00 a night that I can convince my FIL to book instead? Thanks for your input!

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Thanks for the reply! I'm a bit concerned about staying here - the thing is my FIL is in his 70's and can't really walk far for long, we'll be there in July so I'm sure it'll be very hot outside and I'm also traveling with my husband and 2 teen daughter's ages 13 & 16. We don't need fancy or beachfront, but I'd like for us to have conveniences to a store and a couple of restaurants (we don't plan to rent a car) and my FIL feels the shuttle and continental breakfast are a plus. Also, we have to take a red eye and will arrive in FLL at 630a on a Thursday. I know we'll have to wait for our room, but I'm hoping it won't be a till 3p wait. I may be able to convince him to book our 2 night stay elsewhere, but if I give the wrong suggestion, he'll blame me for making/asking for the change - ha! Can you think of a better place that would fit our needs than the BWestern Oakland Park that would be around $80.00 a night that I can convince my FIL to book instead? Thanks for your input!

You can stay at Sleep Inn in Dania for about $85/night, with a senior rate of about $76, and maybe a similar AAA rate. They have free shuttles and breakfast too. There is a Publix, Walgreens, and 2 or 3 restaurants next door and it's a mile from the beach. It's MUCH newer than the Best Western. I recommend this place a lot because the reviews are mostly pretty good. You can get Hyatt Place North for $99 on valuetrips. There is tons of stuff around there but you won't get a free shuttle to the port (it costs $10 per taxi from there).

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Thanks for the reply! I'm a bit concerned about staying here - the thing is my FIL is in his 70's and can't really walk far for long, we'll be there in July so I'm sure it'll be very hot outside and I'm also traveling with my husband and 2 teen daughter's ages 13 & 16. We don't need fancy or beachfront, but I'd like for us to have conveniences to a store and a couple of restaurants (we don't plan to rent a car) and my FIL feels the shuttle and continental breakfast are a plus. Also, we have to take a red eye and will arrive in FLL at 630a on a Thursday. I know we'll have to wait for our room, but I'm hoping it won't be a till 3p wait. I may be able to convince him to book our 2 night stay elsewhere, but if I give the wrong suggestion, he'll blame me for making/asking for the change - ha! Can you think of a better place that would fit our needs than the BWestern Oakland Park that would be around $80.00 a night that I can convince my FIL to book instead? Thanks for your input!

 

I drove by BW today and it's REALLY close to the things I mentioned, a block this way, a block or two that way. It's just a block off Oakland Park Blvd and everywhere you go will be air-conditioned. Ale House has pretty good inexpensive food and there is something for everyone.

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I drove by BW today and it's REALLY close to the things I mentioned, a block this way, a block or two that way. It's just a block off Oakland Park Blvd and everywhere you go will be air-conditioned. Ale House has pretty good inexpensive food and there is something for everyone.

 

Royalcruz - thanks for your help, I have more questions if you don't mind... Are you saying you drove past the BWestern Oakland Inn and it looked good? I did a google earth search yesterday and saw that there was a pawn shop on the corner (same side street as BW) and on the other side of the Mexican Rest. was a torn down car wash. Didn't look appealing and I have 2 teen girls so we want to be able to walk around. Now I'm thinking I'd like to stay closer to the Sun Trolley beach route and easy watertaxi access. I'm hoping to convince my FIL to upgrade and look for a hotel on 17th st. or even beachfront; even if we have to pay for transport from airport and then to cruise terminal (we'll need 2 rooms/2 beds) Do you have a preference among the Renaisannce, Marriott Harbor, Sheraton, Courtyard by Marriott? Some comments about Bahia Cabana were not good - dirty rooms/run down exterior - is that right?

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Royalcruz - thanks for your help, I have more questions if you don't mind... Are you saying you drove past the BWestern Oakland Inn and it looked good? I did a google earth search yesterday and saw that there was a pawn shop on the corner (same side street as BW) and on the other side of the Mexican Rest. was a torn down car wash. Didn't look appealing and I have 2 teen girls so we want to be able to walk around. Now I'm thinking I'd like to stay closer to the Sun Trolley beach route and easy watertaxi access. I'm hoping to convince my FIL to upgrade and look for a hotel on 17th st. or even beachfront; even if we have to pay for transport from airport and then to cruise terminal (we'll need 2 rooms/2 beds) Do you have a preference among the Renaisannce, Marriott Harbor, Sheraton, Courtyard by Marriott? Some comments about Bahia Cabana were not good - dirty rooms/run down exterior - is that right?

Yes, I drove by the BW but like I said before it looks like an old motel ("good" is not a word I would use to describe it). The neighborhood isn't bad, in fact the homes east of US1 sell for about $400K to $2.5 million at the market low (the motel is on the west side of US1). The shopping center where the pawn shop is has a beautiful spa and a gourmet Italian deli/bakery/grocery. The Mexican restaurant at the motel has been closed for a while. Cactus Car Wash is not torn down, in fact it's really fancy, with ipads and a coffee bar inside. Next to Ale House is an upscale Harley Davidson store. So the area is fine, although I personally wouldn't walk around too much after dark.

 

Bahia Cabana has a fun restaurant but the motel is gross. From your list, Marriott Harbor Beach is by far the nicest, but isn't it way out of the price you want? The others on the list are fine. In the beach area, also look at Bahia Mar, Best Western Oceanside, and Alhambra for good reviews and good prices. None of the beach hotels have shuttles but these are all really close to the port. BW Oceanside and Alhambra provide breakfast.Alhambra is a half block from the beach but it is in the best location of these for shopping and restaurants. The beach area is an area I feel very comfortable walking around after dark. On 17th St, I think the most reasonable hotels would be Hyatt Place (through Valuetrips) or Holiday Inn Express Convention Center.

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We'll be staying at Cambria Suites, Dania Beach. Is there a nearby option for good seafood? Also, looking for a nearby store to p/up soft drinks or other last minute items. TIA:)

A few blocks east on Stirling Rd. there is a Kmart. There are a few chain restaurants by there. There aren't any good seafood restaurants very closeby. The closest one that visitors usually like is Rustic Inn. It's under 2 miles...maybe the hotel shuttle can provide transportation. Islamorada Fish Co is a little closer but there isn't anything great about it IMO. Billy's Stone Crab in Hollywood isn't too far, about 6 miles away.

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:)Thank you. We'll try Cambria shuttle to Rustic, if not, any idea what a cab fare might be? Also, we'll have some late arrivals on a Friday night, is there a local pizza delivery that might available at that hour? Also, should we anticipate a long wait at Rustic on a Friday night arriving 7-8ish? TIA

Edited by cruisinlawn
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Hello from a wet and windy England, My wife and I fly in to FLL on 4/14/12, we are staying at the Atlantic Hotel and Spa, is there any convenience stores/mini marts in the near area or do we have to go into downtown FLL? No matter how well we prepare, we ALWAYS forget something for our cruise! last year it was sun cream, the year before it was razor blades etc. Also are there different opening hours on Sunday in FLL? here in the UK there are some quite strict rules about opening hours and what can be sold on a Sunday.

 

Thank you for your help

 

Steve:)

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:)Thank you. We'll try Cambria shuttle to Rustic, if not, any idea what a cab fare might be? Also, we'll have some late arrivals on a Friday night, is there a local pizza delivery that might available at that hour? Also, should we anticipate a long wait at Rustic on a Friday night arriving 7-8ish? TIA

I'm not sure, but my guess is that cab fare would be about $5 and there will be a wait at Rustic Inn. They might take reservations. The hotel desk should be able to help with pizza delivery.

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Hello from a wet and windy England, My wife and I fly in to FLL on 4/14/12, we are staying at the Atlantic Hotel and Spa, is there any convenience stores/mini marts in the near area or do we have to go into downtown FLL? No matter how well we prepare, we ALWAYS forget something for our cruise! last year it was sun cream, the year before it was razor blades etc. Also are there different opening hours on Sunday in FLL? here in the UK there are some quite strict rules about opening hours and what can be sold on a Sunday.

 

Thank you for your help

 

Steve:)

There is a 24 hr CVS store in Beach Place. It sells just about everything you might need. It is about a mile south on the beach road (A1A).

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Can you post your thread with all FLL information.

 

2 blocks from the Ren, Harbor Cafe. From the Ren USE THE CROSSWALK to cross 17th St towards Walgreens. Walk westbound appx 2 blocks until you see a restaurant called TAZO next to the sidewalk. Then walk south along the shopping center sidewalk to the end for a great breakfast at Harbor Cafe. New ownership and completely refurbished, good food, service and prices. I eat there twice a week.

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Hello from a wet and windy England, My wife and I fly in to FLL on 4/14/12, we are staying at the Atlantic Hotel and Spa, is there any convenience stores/mini marts in the near area or do we have to go into downtown FLL? No matter how well we prepare, we ALWAYS forget something for our cruise! last year it was sun cream, the year before it was razor blades etc. Also are there different opening hours on Sunday in FLL? here in the UK there are some quite strict rules about opening hours and what can be sold on a Sunday.

 

Thank you for your help

 

Steve:)

I don't know about FLL, but we are on the west coast of Florida and cannot buy any alcoholic beverages on Sunday before 12 noon.

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can you recommned a decent hotel near the FLL airport that provides transfers as well as breakfast? We will be arriving around 9pm on Friday Nov 9th and will only be there one night (approx 13 hours). Would like a place that has a restaurant or one with them nearby to grab a bite to eat after we check in.

 

 

Thanks!

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can you recommned a decent hotel near the FLL airport that provides transfers as well as breakfast? We will be arriving around 9pm on Friday Nov 9th and will only be there one night (approx 13 hours). Would like a place that has a restaurant or one with them nearby to grab a bite to eat after we check in.

 

 

Thanks!

The challenge here is finding a hotel that provides transfers and breakfast (I think you meant complimentary) and also is right by a restaurant that serves food after you arrive. Sleep Inn in Dania provides this and is next to Pancho's Backyard Mexican restaurant. Hyatt Place North is a close walk to Duffy's Sports Bar & Grill; they have free airport transfer and breakfast and you can get to the port for about $10 per taxi from there. Some of these hotels may provide what you want, just do a little search online...they are across the street from Moonlite Diner and about a 10 minute walk from Hollywood Ale House: Hyatt Place South, Hyatt House, Springhill, Summerfield, and Hilton Garden Inn.

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Same in Fort Lauderdale.

 

Hi Royalcruz, thank you for your responses, could I ask for your guidance a little more, is there a good wine shop you can recommend in the Las Olas area? it will be our 30th Wedding anniversary whilst we are on Emerald Princess, I would like to get a really nice bottle of wine to take with us, and the ship choices are limited. We are going to spend the Sunday afternoon in the Las Olas area. Also have you eaten at the Eastendbrasserie in the Atlantic Hotel? we thought about eating there on the Sunday evening.

 

Again thank you for your time in assisting us.

 

Steve:)

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Hi Royalcruz, thank you for your responses, could I ask for your guidance a little more, is there a good wine shop you can recommend in the Las Olas area? it will be our 30th Wedding anniversary whilst we are on Emerald Princess, I would like to get a really nice bottle of wine to take with us, and the ship choices are limited. We are going to spend the Sunday afternoon in the Las Olas area. Also have you eaten at the Eastendbrasserie in the Atlantic Hotel? we thought about eating there on the Sunday evening.

 

Again thank you for your time in assisting us.

 

Steve:)

We had a very nice meal at the East End Brasserie, but a few friends went and described it as horrible, so perhaps it is inconsistant. There aren't any wine specialist shops in the Las Olas downtown area, but there are a few stores that sell wine: Macabe Liquor, Meditteranean Market, and Cheese Culture.

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I'm wondering if there is a liquor store within walking distance of the Hilton Garden Inn in Dania. Thank you in advance

 

The only place that I know of is BJ's Club. You don't need a membership to go to the liquor store, but if you want wine or beer that is sold inside the membership warehouse. Beer and Wine is also sold at Kmart. These stores are in Oakwood Plaza across Stirling Rd from the hotel.

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In fall of 2011 I received your input on alligator shows in or near Fort Lauderdale. At the time you mentioned: "Everglades airboats and there is a native american alligator zoo on state rd 7 in Hollywood. The Jungle Queen used to have an alligator show but I don't know what the current show entails."

 

Do you have any updated info? We are sailing May 20, 2012.

 

Thanks

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In fall of 2011 I received your input on alligator shows in or near Fort Lauderdale. At the time you mentioned: "Everglades airboats and there is a native american alligator zoo on state rd 7 in Hollywood. The Jungle Queen used to have an alligator show but I don't know what the current show entails."

 

Do you have any updated info? We are sailing May 20, 2012.

 

Thanks

No, sorry, I'm not in the business, so I don't get information updates on tourist attractions.

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Another question for Royalcruz....

 

Is there anywhere nearby the Embassy Suites where I can buy a pair of good ladies runners? I see there's a Ross across the highway, would they have them? We won't have a car so I need something within walking distance.

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Another question for Royalcruz....

 

Is there anywhere nearby the Embassy Suites where I can buy a pair of good ladies runners? I see there's a Ross across the highway, would they have them? We won't have a car so I need something within walking distance.

The only places within walking distance are Ross and Payless, or you could take the Suntrolley to Galleria Mall.

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