Some knowledable assistance requested please!

[Costafox]

I could do with a little help please.

 

We are arriving in Fort Lauderdale on board Allure of the Seas on 6th November following her Transatlantic crossing and I hear that there is a huge boat show there at this time so accommodation seems to be at a premium.

 

We really wanted to stay at The Pillars, but they are fully booked and we particularly wanted to stay on the Intracostal. Our choices look like being the Hilton Marina or Galleryone, which are both pushing the budget for us. Another option is the Intracostal Yacht Club.

 

Has anyone got any other suggestions or comments on our above options. We would like somewhere that is fairly central, the Hilton and Galleryone are very expensive for parking but the Yacht Club has free parking. We are staying for 5 nights and want to go tothe Everglades and Sawgrass Mills but won´t necessarily need a car for all of our stay. We fly out from Miami on 11th and I´m not sure if we should keep the car to drive there or get a transfer and not have the worry of the car.

 

This will be our first visit to Fort Lauderdale and I am going in circles, so I could use some knowledgeable assistance please

 

Kind Regards

 

Gill

[Pia1913]

I'm a "local", but not familiar with hotels. Someone else will jump in eventually.

 

As for auto rental, a 5 day rental is a weekly rate, whereas less than that is a daily rate. You might be better off keeping the car for all five days because of price. There is no extra drop off charge for renting in FLL and returning to MIA.

[capriccio]

I like the location of Gallery One much better than the Hilton Marina for an extended stay (close to the beach, in addition to restaurants, shopping and also on the sun trolley and water taxi routes) and if you don't need a car for the entire visit I would rent by the day (assuming you have checked to see which is cheaper - 5 days plus parking or daily plus parking). Whatever you do, make a decision soon - hotels all sell out for the Boat Show and the prices go up the closer you get to the date.

Edited June 2, 2015 by capriccio

[capriccio]

I hadn't heard of the Intracoastal Yacht Club so I just googled it. Are you aware that it is not in Fort Lauderdale but in Sunny Isles Beach (north Miami)? That's about 16 miles (and 40 minutes by car according to google maps) south of Fort Lauderdale and 11 miles (and 36 minutes) north of Miami Beach. You would definitely need a car but you would spend a large part of your time commuting. I know I wouldn't want to face that on my vacation plus I wasn't reassured by the reviews.

Edited June 2, 2015 by capriccio

[SMSACE6]

If you can manage it budget wise, I would go with Gallery one. It is in a very good area, for the reasons that capriccio above has said. Hilton Marina is ok too, just not as good a location as Gallery one.

 

Are you able to book a rate that is cancellable or fully refundable? Then, if you find something else at a better rate and good location, you can change later.

 

A lot of hotels in popular areas do charge for parking. I find the transportation in Fort Lauderdale to be very good. Would it be possible for your to get by without a rental car? There is a Sun Trolley and water taxi that goes to a lot of places. Even if you took a cab a few times, it would most likely cost less than the car rental/gas, and parking fees. Just an idea.

Edited June 2, 2015 by SMSACE6

[Costafox]

I hadn't heard of the Intracoastal Yacht Club so I just googled it. Are you aware that it is not in Fort Lauderdale but in Sunny Isles Beach (north Miami)? That's about 16 miles (and 40 minutes by car according to google maps) south of Fort Lauderdale and 11 miles (and 36 minutes) north of Miami Beach. You would definitely need a car but you would spend a large part of your time commuting. I know I wouldn't want to face that on my vacation plus I wasn't reassured by the reviews.

 

No I wasn´t aware of that - so that knocks that one off the list!

 

Many thanks for your help - the reviews I saw were very hit and miss but I was really wanting a second opinion.

 

Gill

[Costafox]

If you can manage it budget wise, I would go with Gallery one. It is in a very good area, for the reasons that capriccio above has said. Hilton Marina is ok too, just not as good a location as Gallery one.

 

Are you able to book a rate that is cancellable or fully refundable? Then, if you find something else at a better rate and good location, you can change later.

 

A lot of hotels in popular areas do charge for parking. I find the transportation in Fort Lauderdale to be very good. Would it be possible for your to get by without a rental car? There is a Sun Trolley and water taxi that goes to a lot of places. Even if you took a cab a few times, it would most likely cost less than the car rental/gas, and parking fees. Just an idea.

 

I think that is a good idea, I think I can get a deal that is cancellable and as you say I can still keep looking around for a better deal.

 

With regards to the car, we thought we would need it to visit Everglades and Sawgrass Mills and possibly for our transfer to Miami to catch our flight home.

 

Will give this some thought though

 

Many thanks

 

Gill

[brunello22]

I think that is a good idea, I think I can get a deal that is cancellable and as you say I can still keep looking around for a better deal.

 

With regards to the car, we thought we would need it to visit Everglades and Sawgrass Mills and possibly for our transfer to Miami to catch our flight home.

 

Will give this some thought though

 

Many thanks

 

Gill

 

Have you considered looking at accommodations in Lauderdale by the Sea? It is about 10-15 minutes north of Fort Lauderdale Beach. There are number of independently owned hotels there (Beachside Village Resort, Tides Inn, Sea Spray Inn, Sea Lord, Blue Seas Courtyard ... these are some of the nicest).

 

Lauderdale by the Sea is a great area because it is surrounded by many restaurants, bars, shopping, nightlife, and the beach is great. A car is not necessary to get around, and if you do need a rental car for a short period of time, there is a rental car agency in the town center.

 

You may also consider a vacation home rental in the Fort Lauderdale area as well as Lauderdale by the Sea. Most rent for a minimum of 7 nights, but some do have just 3-night minimums. You can find them listed on sites such as VRBO or HomeAway.

Edited June 2, 2015 by brunello22

[Costafox]

Thanks for the comments, I have more or less crossed the Hilton Marina off the list due to location, so now it it between Galleryone and I want to throw the Residence Inn by Marriott into the mix. I understand it is a work in progress and was formerly known as Il Lugano.

As our stay is not until November I am hoping that work will be completed but I will need to speak to them to find out.

 

Which would you choose?

 

Gill

[PORT ROYAL]

I could do with a little help please.

 

We are arriving in Fort Lauderdale on board Allure of the Seas on 6th November following her Transatlantic crossing and I hear that there is a huge boat show there at this time so accommodation seems to be at a premium.

 

We really wanted to stay at The Pillars, but they are fully booked and we particularly wanted to stay on the Intracostal. Our choices look like being the Hilton Marina or Galleryone, which are both pushing the budget for us. Another option is the Intracostal Yacht Club.

 

Has anyone got any other suggestions or comments on our above options. We would like somewhere that is fairly central, the Hilton and Galleryone are very expensive for parking but the Yacht Club has free parking. We are staying for 5 nights and want to go tothe Everglades and Sawgrass Mills but won´t necessarily need a car for all of our stay. We fly out from Miami on 11th and I´m not sure if we should keep the car to drive there or get a transfer and not have the worry of the car.

 

This will be our first visit to Fort Lauderdale and I am going in circles, so I could use some knowledgeable assistance please

 

Kind Regards

 

Gill

 

As a fan of Pillars, our second choice would be Hilton Diplomat in Holywood, (Used to be Westin Diplomat), and although not on the Intercoastal it has direct beach access. Also a great Hotel. Worth considering? ;)

[BlueHerons]

I second the recommendation of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.

 

I really like the Gallery One Doubletree. Great location, great hotel.

[capriccio]

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is quaint with good restaurants and a nice beach but if you are planning to drive into Fort Lauderdale anytime during the Boat Show (November 5 - 9) parking will most likely be very difficult. If this is your only trip to For Lauderdale I would stay in town because it is so much easier to get around (especially if you don't rent a car every day). Either way, make sure you go to the Boat Show. It's incredible!

[Costafox]

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is quaint with good restaurants and a nice beach but if you are planning to drive into Fort Lauderdale anytime during the Boat Show (November 5 - 9) parking will most likely be very difficult. If this is your only trip to For Lauderdale I would stay in town because it is so much easier to get around (especially if you don't rent a car every day). Either way, make sure you go to the Boat Show. It's incredible!

 

Thanks for this info, as inviting as Lauderdale-by-the-sea sounds, we would sooner stay in town.

We are not really beachgoers and as we are lucky enough to live on the coast, the beach is not such a novelty to us as it might be to people who live inland.

 

We will certainly take your advice and visit the Boat Show so thanks for that

 

Many Thanks

 

Gill

[royalcruz]

I think that Gallery One and Residence Inn Il Lugano are great choices. Both are near lots of restaurants and on the intracoastal. I would steer clear of any hotels near the boat show, as traffic in that area will be awful. That includes Hilton Marina and The Pillars. If you want to be on the intracoastal because you like to see boats go by, there tend to be more boats near Gallery One.

[Costafox]

Thank you Sharon, that is exactly the kind of feedback that I was looking for. Sorry that I didn´t reply sooner but I am trying to sort myself out for my cruise on Anthem of the Seas, leaving in 4 days!

[royalcruz]

Thank you Sharon, that is exactly the kind of feedback that I was looking for. Sorry that I didn´t reply sooner but I am trying to sort myself out for my cruise on Anthem of the Seas, leaving in 4 days!

 

Book ASAP, before you leave if you can. Have a great cruise on Anthem. :)

[Costafox]

Book ASAP, before you leave if you can. Have a great cruise on Anthem. :)

 

Have taken your advice and booked Residence Inn this afternoon. Just got my returning flight to sort out now.

Many thanks once again Sharon

[royalcruz]

Great. Here are 2 of my favorite dining spots in that area:

Bokampers

Greek Islands Taverna

 

There are 3 good Italian restaurants too:

La Dolce Vita

Lucca

Martaranno's

 

Blue Jean Blues has great entertainment

[Costafox]

Great. Here are 2 of my favorite dining spots in that area:

Bokampers

Greek Islands Taverna

 

There are 3 good Italian restaurants too:

La Dolce Vita

Lucca

Martaranno's

 

Blue Jean Blues has great entertainment

 

Thank you for this Sharon, I am now back from my cruise on the Anthem, which was fabulous and can now concentrate on my plans for this trip

 

Thanks again

 

Gill