Staying at Westin Diplomat--Questions

[tip]

We shall be staying at the Westin Diplomat (Hollywood) for one night on January 28th (post cruise). A few questions...

 

...1) Any idea how much and how long a cab ride takes from the port to the hotel?

...2) Would we be better off to take a cab to FLL airport from the hotel or get a shuttle?

...3) Most reviews say that the hotel restaurants are pricey. Some folks mention the Sports Bar "over the bridge". Can you walk to it?

...4) Has anyone taken the "Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise"? Any advice on getting to and/or from the Jungle Queen? Taxi or other?

...5) any other advice?

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

We shall be staying at the Westin Diplomat (Hollywood) for one night on January 28th (post cruise). A few questions...

 

...1) Any idea how much and how long a cab ride takes from the port to the hotel? About fifteen to twenty minutes. The Westin Diplomat is south of the Port Everglades and the airport. ...2) Would we be better off to take a cab to FLL airport from the hotel or get a shuttle? Not sure if you can get a shuttle.

...3) Most reviews say that the hotel restaurants are pricey. Some folks mention the Sports Bar "over the bridge". Can you walk to it? You can cross the "bridge" in front of the hotel over A1A to the Sports Bar on the Intracoastal. It will take five minutes or less. It is called the Rivals Waterfront Sports Grill.

...4) Has anyone taken the "Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise"? Any advice on getting to and/or from the Jungle Queen? Taxi or other? We really enjoy the Jungle Queen. That is a long taxi ride from the Westin Diplomat. The place you board the Jungle Queen is in Fort Lauderdale. The Westin Diplomat is in Hollywood Beach.

...5) any other advice?

We asked for and got a room high up in the hotel. It had a spectacular view of Hollywood and points west, especially at night. You could even see the track at Gulfstream Race Track and even Dolphins Stadium in the far distance. Or you might prefer a room that looks out at the Atlantic Ocean and the lovely beach.

[Ontario cruise duo]

We took a cab from the hotel to FLL airport on our return. Took about 15 minutes and was about $25.00. Cabs are located right outside the hotel and the bellman will get one for you. We ate at Rivals for a late lunch and paid $3 for a tall glass of beer and about $12 for a sandwich and fries. Not bad prices in our opinion. The beers poolside were a little bit more, but not much and split a plate of loaded Nachos. Again prices comparable to here in Ontario. We did not find out about the trolly bus that runs outside on the street outside the hotel and regret not taking it to downtown Hollywood.

[Diamondring]

Is renting a car a good option? We will need to go to Port Everglades the following day. Would we have to take the car back to the airport and then shuttle to the port? There is 4 of us so not sure a Taxi is a good idea and lots of luggage.

[tompeter]

Renting a car worked well for us when we stayed there. Be aware there is a charge for parking. However by the time you pay taxi fares, etc. you still are better off. Then in morning, drop family and luggage at port to check in and one person can return car and take rental shuttle back to port...

[brunello22]

For more dining options, take a taxi to Hollywood Beach. There are some very good restaurants just north of Hollywood Boulevard or across the street along the broadwalk there are a plethora. Check this out:

 

http://www.visithollywoodfl.org/hollywoodbeachbroadwalk.aspx

[DanJ]

We are staying down the street at Crowne Plaza (Hotwire for $92. Good price but I was really hoping for the Diplomat LOL). We are renting a car as well, since this area is a healthy cab ride from the pier (and mainly because we are flying in to Palm Beach LOL). We have rented before and as mentioned above, usually drop the luggage at the ship before returning the car. Very easy process and it's a lot handier to just have carry-on, plus when you get off the shuttle, you get right in line while the others are handing in their luggage.

 

There is a large shopping area just south of the hotel and across the bridge on Hallandale Beach Blvd as well.

[brunello22]

We are staying down the street at Crowne Plaza (Hotwire for $92. Good price but I was really hoping for the Diplomat LOL). We are renting a car as well, since this area is a healthy cab ride from the pier (and mainly because we are flying in to Palm Beach LOL). We have rented before and as mentioned above, usually drop the luggage at the ship before returning the car. Very easy process and it's a lot handier to just have carry-on, plus when you get off the shuttle, you get right in line while the others are handing in their luggage.

 

There is a large shopping area just south of the hotel and across the bridge on Hallandale Beach Blvd as well.

 

You will really like the Crowne Plaza ... the rooms are very nice as well as poolside on the Intracoastal.