Hotel on water taxi route Ft. Lauderdale?

[chm1219]

We will be staying pre-cruise in Ft. Lauderdale in October and have heard about a water taxi route---does anyone know of decent affordable hotels that have the water taxi stops in front of them? shuttle? breakfast?

thanks!!! We think we made a bad choice with Best Western Marina and are going to change to somewhere better.

[doone]

I have stayed at the Marriott Hotel and Marina, compliments of priceline. The water taxi picks you up at the hotel; does not have a shuttle from the airport to the hotel, but shouldn't run you more than $12; does have a shuttle from the hotel to the pier the next day; does not have a free breakfast, but does have a kiosk where they sell Starbucks Coffee and pastries, or does have a restaurant, which we found a little expensive.

 

I have also stayed at the Radisson, which is on the beach, a little walk to the water taxi, no shuttles at all, no free breakfast, but has a very nice restaurant with a great breakfast buffet for I believe it was $12 per person.

 

Try priceline, I received these hotels for $75 for the Marriott and $100 for the Radisson this past March. If you are leary about trying priceline, read these two web sites before trying it: http://www.biddingfortravel.com and http://www.biddingforfun.com wealth of information.

 

I like to bid 3* downtown to get the Marriott, but to get the Radisson, you would need to bid 3* beach zone. But be aware, you are not guaranteed of these hotels by bidding this way, hotels can be added or taken away at anytime, but that's the best way to bid to try to get those two hotels.

 

Hope this has helped, good luck.

[TrentS]

The following hotels are directly on the Water Taxi route with stops at their door... http://www.watertaxi.com/FortLauderdale/FLLHome.Asp

 

The "Radisson" doone speaks of is no longer a Radisson. It's now independant, called Bahia Mar Resort... http://www.bahiamarhotel.com/

 

Marina Marriott (SE 17th Street at Port Everglades)... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/FLLFL

 

Doubletree Galleria (on Sunrise Blvd.)... http://www.doubletreegalleria.com/

 

Riverside Hotel (downtown on spectacular Las Olas Blvd.)... http://www.riversidehotel.com/

 

Hyatt Pier 66... http://pier66.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

 

Yes, Best Western Marina is not a very nice place. There have been many many reviews on here and elsewhere, virtually all bad!

 

I would not worry about shuttles as most of those are very close to the airport and Port Everglades, and taxis are plentiful and cheap in Fort Lauderdale.

[signman]

Since October is not high season in Florida, I would think you would be successful with Priceline. For best shot at Marriott bid in the Downtown zone for 3 stars. http://www.biddingfortravel.com offers the best information, IMHO.

[where next?]

Is it risky doing Priceline for a room for four? I've never used Priceline or any other bidding service for hotels.

 

We have two families of four going to Ft. Lauderdale precruise late April 2006. Should I just book rooms for us or is Priceline an option? I'd sure like to save some money if I can! (And Priceline sounds like fun...as much fun as ebay!)

 

Bobbie

[doone]

I think you would be safe in Ft. Lauderdale putting 4 people in a room using priceline. From what I understand, Ft. Lauderdale hotels are very family friendly. Just as a note, I have stayed in the Radisson and Marriott Hotel and Marina, one person twice and 3 people in the room another time and always gotten 2 beds in my rooms.

 

I would suggest you bid 3* downtown and you probably, not guaranteed, will get the Marriott. The Marriott has a great pool area, located in a great spot. I would bid just one room per family, then call the hotel once your bid is accepted and ask them if you can request a room with 2 beds. They will probably tell you because you booked through priceline they are unable to take your request, that's what I get when I call to make requests. But to be honest with you, I don't think you will have a problem in Ft. Lauderdale with getting a room with 2 beds.

 

I have the same problem for next Feb., need a room with 3 rooms with 2 beds for a family cruise, I am going to use priceline.

 

Read these two web sites, its a wealth of information on priceline and will help you greatly understanding how it works: http://www.biddingfortravel.com and http://www.biddingforfun.com great sites.

 

Any other questions, just ask. Good luck.

[TheWog]

We got the Hyatt Pier 66 (on the water taxi route) for $95.00/night pre-cruise. It was great and we had 4 adults in it. Two double beds.

[where next?]

Thank you for the info fellow New Englanders! I'd like to escape all this rain NOW!!!

[TheWog]

You're welcome. Tell me about it. Will it end???

[signman]

Just be aware that Priceline only guarantees a room for 2 adults, which can mean only one bed. It seems that requests for 2 beds are accommodated most of the time, but there is not a guarantee of this. As they say, you have to read the fine print. You can save lots using PL, but there are some risks.

 

I swear by PL, but I travel solo, so the bed issue would never inconvenience me. Just know the risks.

[where next?]

Thank you for the heads up signman!

[doone]

If you receive a room with only one bed and there seems to be no way to get a room with 2 beds, ask for 2 cots, it should only cost around $10 or so per cot.

 

I am bidding on priceline for rooms in Feb. and need 4 rooms that can accomodate 3 and/or 4 people and am not worried about using priceline.

[joeyanddavid]

We stayed at the Best Western Marina. it too is located on the water taxis route, They do offer shuttle service from the airport to the hotel and then over to the pier on cruise day, and a continental breakfast at no charge.

room rates around 100 per nite directly from corp web site..http://www.bestwestern.com

 

always

[doone]

When was the last time you stayed at the Best Western? Reason I ask, I have read many bad reviews lately on this hotel.

[MJEasley]

I stayed at the Best Western Marina Dec 26 04 and its old and rusty but the room was clean. We had dinner and breakfast in the dining room too. The food was excellent. There is a beautiful little park right out back that you can go sit in and wait for the shuttle to the pier but the greatest was to see your ship sitting right across the waterway from you was so cool. We had two double beds though the room isn't that big. I wouldn't stay there for a full vacation but for 1 night it was fine.

[miss hlywd]

If you receive a room with only one bed and there seems to be no way to get a room with 2 beds, ask for 2 cots, it should only cost around $10 or so per cot.

 

I am bidding on priceline for rooms in Feb. and need 4 rooms that can accomodate 3 and/or 4 people and am not worried about using priceline.

 

I've worked in many hotels and few would put two cots in a room. Depending on room size, may be a fire hazard. And you should perhaps a separate thread on how often priceline users have not been able to get a room that accomodates 4.

[doone]

Miss hlyd, I am only stating what others have said has happened to them in these hotels. Mind you, they never went over 4 people in a room, just had 1 bed and requested 2 cots.

 

I have been reading these boards here for a couple of years on hotels, from what I have read, the only places you should be concerned about only getting 1 bed in a room are boutique hotels.