Fort Lauderdale worth it?

Arriving FLL 9:30 am Sunday. Norwegian Sky (Cuba!) out POM the next day. We've been to Miami several times so wanted to try something new. Thinking about the staying in Ft Lauderdale. We live at the beach so that is not a deal breaker for us. Really wanted to relax then take one of the water taxi loops to have cocktails and see how the other half lives lol. Finding mixed reviews and pricey hotels. Call me crazy - I thought Miami would be more expensive.

Is the water taxi idea a bust? Does it really go to Hollywood? Any hotel or itinerary suggestions? Thanks in advance for any replies.

When is your trip and how much is your budget? If you don't need to be right on the beach, consider the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Blvd. It's a great downtown location with lots of restaurants, shops, galleries, and museums nearby (http://www.lasolasboulevard.com), on the sun trolley (http://www.suntrolley.com) route to the beach if you want to check it out, and has nearby water taxi (http://www.watertaxi.com) and the free Riverwalk water trolley (http://www.suntrolley.com/routes-schedules-fares/riverwalk-water-trolley/) stops. For lots more information on Fort Lauderdale, see http://www.sunny.org.

I see so so reviews of this place. Always take reviews with a "grain of salt" but that said - I'm particular about clean rooms, any experience here? I'm willing to pay for quality but its only 1 night so not going Bahia Mar range lol. PS thanks for the reply!

I see so so reviews of this place. Always take reviews with a "grain of salt" but that said - I'm particular about clean rooms' date=' any experience here? I'm willing to pay for quality but its only 1 night so not going Bahia Mar range lol. PS thanks for the reply![/quote']

 

I'm a local and haven't stayed there but my son did consider it as a location for his wedding so we got a nice tour 2 years ago (they chose a beach hotel in Miami Beach because they liked that location better). You might start another thread entitled 'How is the Riverside Hotel?" to get current opinions.

I see so so reviews of this place. Always take reviews with a "grain of salt" but that said - I'm particular about clean rooms' date=' any experience here? I'm willing to pay for quality but its only 1 night so not going Bahia Mar range lol. PS thanks for the reply![/quote']

 

The Riverside is clean. There are two kinds of accommodations so you might read reviews that vary depending on type of room. The classic rooms which are cheaper tend to be somewhat dated in my opinion. The more expensive "Executive" rooms in the Tower are more up to date. I always book the Executive rooms and have been pleased with those. I have the Riverside booked in January again in an Executive room because of the location.

I’ve stayed at the Riverside as well and loved the hotel. We had an executive room with balcony and it was lovely. We were there in Jan of this year. It’s the best location as everything is right there.

Good to hear as we are booked at Riverside Executive tower for the first time in February. Looking forward to it as we have stayed at the GalleryOne a couple times and wanted a change.

If you don't stay on the beach the hotel prices are reasonable. Take a look at TripAdvisor or get a AAA book. I happen to like Ft. Lauderdale however it is not like it used to be back in spring break days.