hotels for precruise ft. lauderdale

[TrentS]

We are a family of 7 arriving in FLL late the night before our cruise from Miami. Did we make a bad choice flying into FLL, it was significantly cheaper? Also, what is the best hotel to accomodate us for the night, with a shuttle from the airport and perhaps to the Miami pier? If there is no hotel that will transport us to the Miami pier, what is the best way for all 7 of us to get to the pier?

 

Thanks

None of the Fort Lauderdale hotels have shuttles to the Port of MIAMI, and very few have shuttles at all. Many are now charging for, or eliminating them.

 

If you're cruising from Miami you may as well just take a limo or van service down there and stay downtown, which is a short, cheap cab ride to the port.

 

We use the following to get from FLL to Miami, both are reliable, reputable local companies...

 

Tri-County/Airport Express (shared van service as well as car service)... http://www.floridalimo.com/

 

Larry's Limo... http://larryslimo.com/

 

Downtown Miami hotels, closest to the Port of Miami and Bayside Marketplace... http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/

 

JW Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miajw

 

Hyatt Regency... http://miamiregency.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

 

Intercontinental... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/miaha?irs=null

 

Marriott Courtyard... http://www.miamicourtyard.com/

 

Biscayne Bay Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miabb

 

Conrad International... http://conradhotels.hilton.com/en/ch/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MIACICI

 

Four Seasons... http://www.fourseasons.com/miami/index.html

 

Mandarin Oriental... http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/526000001.asp

 

Holiday Inn Bayside/Port of Miami (for the budget minded)... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/miabb

[TrentS]

We have used priceline three times for a precruise stay in FLL. Each time I have entered 3 stars in the airport area and everytime I got the Sheraton for $50. It's a very nice hotel and their shuttle will run you over to the port.

FLL Airport Sheraton is a nice hotel, but for those playing along at home, do keep in mind that there's absolutely nothing within walking distance. If you want to go shopping, eat outside of the hotel, or go to a grocery, liquor or drug store you'll have to get a taxi and that may end up costing more than you would have saved by not staying on SE 17th Street where all of that and the Water Taxi is within safe, easy walking distance.

[weary traveler]

We're (5 couples) are staying post cruise at the Holiday Inn the other end of Ft Lauderdale Blvd. across the street from the bridge? any info on that price lined 70 bucks a night last year stayed the other end at the Sheration Yankee Clipper and loved it.. just didnt luck out down that end this year. also is it worth the trip to the Hard Rock Casino down in Hollywood and how far might it be from the hotel? thanks for anything..

 

Weary Traveler

[mmsalmon1987]

Hi, anyone familiar with the Wyndham at the airport? Thanks for any reviews.

[estj]

I agree on the Mariott...we have stayed there and the restaurants are very good and rooms were very nice...our last cruise left on a Sunday...so went over to the Hyatt on Saturday at 4:00 and watched all the Saturday cruise departures from the lounge (it rotates 360)...a GREAT way to begin the cruise excitement! (or...if you're staying over Saturday night after the cruise...a great way to end a cruise!).

[TerriDHair]

Thanks Trent. After flying all day (we have to leave very early a.m. since we're losing time flying east) there is just something about taking that first cocktail to the balcony on the day before the cruise, breathing a sigh of relief, and realizing vacation has begun. :D

 

 

These SE17th Street hotels have balconies...

 

Embassy Suites... http://www.embassysuites.com/en/es/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=FLLSOES

 

Marina Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/FLLFL

[TerriDHair]

In checking reviews and descriptions of the Embassy Suites, I found one report noted that the rooms have "step-out" balconies. Trent, do you know if they are large enough that they'd have chairs and table?

[TrentS]

In checking reviews and descriptions of the Embassy Suites, I found one report noted that the rooms have "step-out" balconies. Trent, do you know if they are large enough that they'd have chairs and table?

No, Embassy Suites balconies are kind of small. You may be better off going with Marina Marriott if that's the type you want. If you get a high floor south side tower room at Marina Marriott you'll have a great view of the port and can watch your ship come in in the morning.

 

The tower at Hyatt Pier 66 has great large balconies, and also a spectacular view of the port from the south side tower rooms, but just be aware that it's currently undergoing a major renovation... http://pier66.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

[TrentS]

I agree on the Mariott...we have stayed there and the restaurants are very good and rooms were very nice...our last cruise left on a Sunday...so went over to the Hyatt on Saturday at 4:00 and watched all the Saturday cruise departures from the lounge (it rotates 360)...a GREAT way to begin the cruise excitement! (or...if you're staying over Saturday night after the cruise...a great way to end a cruise!).

Unfortunately that great room is no longer open to the public. The Hyatt Pier 66 is currently undergoing a $14 million renovation, and they're turning the Pier Top Lounge into a banquet room! :(

[TrentS]

Hi, anyone familiar with the Wyndham at the airport? Thanks for any reviews.

It's review are not good. The Sheraton across the street is a better airport hotel, but keep in mind there's absolutely nothing to walk to from either of those. If you don't have a car you would be better off staying along SE 17th Street as those hotels are about the same distance to the terminals, just outside the entrance to Port Everglades, and have everything you could want within walking distance.

[TrentS]

We're (5 couples) are staying post cruise at the Holiday Inn the other end of Ft Lauderdale Blvd. across the street from the bridge? any info on that price lined 70 bucks a night last year stayed the other end at the Sheration Yankee Clipper and loved it.. just didnt luck out down that end this year. also is it worth the trip to the Hard Rock Casino down in Hollywood and how far might it be from the hotel? thanks for anything..

 

Weary Traveler

I assume you mean the Holiday Inn at A1A & Sunrise Blvd. (999 Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.)???

 

But it's not "across the street from" ANY bridge... It's across the street from the BEACH if that's what you meant. :confused:

 

It's an older hotel, nothing fancy, but fine for a night as long as you don't expect a 4 or 5-star experience.

 

Seminole Hard Rock Casino is about 40-45 minutes or so from there. It's a spectacular place, with much more than just a Casino, but keep in mind if that's why you're going it's only slots/machines, and poker, no table games.

[weary traveler]

Yes thats the one.. and yes i meant beach..(too many hours on this computer lol) thks.. and thanks for the info on the Hard Rock.. (my sis is a blackjack player and i can hear her screams now that there isnt any lol).. is the area of the hotel near any restaurants? We did Schula's last year.. from what i read this hotel is in a desolate area? safe? thks for all your info..

 

Weary Traveler

[DJ1VIKES]

Has anyone stayed at the amerisuites lately? I stayed there around 4 years ago. I was wondering if it is still a nice place to stay at? Thank you in advance.

[TrentS]

Yes thats the one.. and yes i meant beach..(too many hours on this computer lol) thks.. and thanks for the info on the Hard Rock.. (my sis is a blackjack player and i can hear her screams now that there isnt any lol).. is the area of the hotel near any restaurants? We did Schula's last year.. from what i read this hotel is in a desolate area? safe? thks for all your info..

 

Weary Traveler

It's a very safe area. There are some small restaurants and bars around it, but if you go 3 blocks west and across the bridge to the DoubleTree Guest Suites you can catch the Water Taxi and go farther down the beach or to Las Olas Blvd. where there are many nice restaurants... http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/

 

Water Taxi info... http://www.watertaxi.com/FortLauderdale/FLLHome.Asp

[TrentS]

Has anyone stayed at the amerisuites lately? I stayed there around 4 years ago. I was wondering if it is still a nice place to stay at? Thank you in advance.

I was in it last spring. They were replacing carpeting at that time. It was a bit worn around the edges but they seemed to be working on that. It's perfectly fine for a pre-cruise hotel. I wouldn't book it directly, but if you can get a deal through Priceline or Valuetrips it's a great budget hotel as it's usually the cheapest on SE 17th Street through those sites, and the location can't be beat!