Best Area to stay in Ft. Lauderdale without a car

[PSU_Redhead]

Hi All! :)

 

We are staying in Fort Lauderdale one day post-cruise (on October 14). We are planning on taking an Uber or shuttle from POM to our hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. We don't want to rent a car. Knowing that, what's the best place to stay where we will have easy walking access (or short Uber/cab trips) to the beach, restaurants, etc.?

 

Ideally we'd like to compare direct prices to those on Hotwire - so if you're familiar with their zones, I'd appreciate a recommendation on which zones to look at, as well!

 

Thanks a ton, everyone! :)

[CruiserBruce]

The very commonly discussed "best" place to stay is the 17th St area. A good selection of hotels, restaurants, stores. Close to port (and airport, but that doesn't apply to you). Not terribly close to beach, though. Close to beach drives up price, and can limit access to the other locations.

[capriccio]

There are 3 hotel areas (don't know how they appear on bidding sites) in Fort Lauderdale:

 

 

• 17th Street - closest to the port; basically a mile long 6 - 8 lane street with hotels interspersed among the strip malls. Shopping, restaurants, transportation (Sun Trolley and Water Taxi) available.
  
• The Beach - which is absolutely beautiful. This is where the 5 star hotels are located but there are also more 'reasonable' choices. Lots of restaurants and bars, transportation (Sun Trolley and Water Taxi), some shopping available.
  
• Downtown Fort Lauderdale - only one hotel actually located downtown (the highly praised Riverside). Lots of restaurants, shops, galleries, museums, transportation (Sun Trolley, Water Trolley and Water Taxi). Great people watching.
  

For more detailed information, start with http://www.sunny.org, the Fort Lauderdale tourism website. You can also check out http://www.watertaxi.com, http://www.suntrolley.com, and http://www.lasolasboulevard.com.

 

 

Since you have a full day to be a tourist in Fort Lauderdale, 17th Street is the last place I would stay. If you are a beach person, stay on the beach. If you like the appeal of all the attractions downtown, stay there. Wherever you stay, the 3 areas are really close to each other and with Uber/taxi, the sun trolley or the water taxi you can visit all 3 in a day.

[royalcruz]

SE 17th St is a really short Uber, taxi, or Suntrolley ride to the beach and a walk to restaurants. Look on ValueTrips to see if Hyatt Place is available.

[cbreit]

We always stay at the Embassy Suites on 17th Street. The trolley runs about every 1/2 hour from behind the hotel in the grocery store parking lot straight to the beach for $1. Can't beat it.. Plenty of restaurants and shopping right there too.. Free breakfast every day and 2 hours free cocktails every evening..awesome!

[brunello22]

A bit further north of Fort Lauderdale Beach is Lauderdale by the Sea. There are dozens of bars, restaurants, shops, and the beach! Everything is within walking distance. Hotels/Motels are mom and pop, so you may not find them listed on Hotwire.

 

Here's a link to some of the hotels and info on the town itself:

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g34381-Lauderdale_by_the_Sea_Broward_County_Florida-Hotels.html

 

http://www.lbts.com/

 

The new Sun Trolley link (Galt Link) is accessible to Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas, etc.

 

http://www.suntrolley.com/galt-link/

 

If you're flying out of FLL after your stay, the airport is approximately 11 miles (20 minutes).

Edited August 12, 2016 by brunello22

[BlueHerons]

I absolutely love Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. It's a really wonderful area and fully walkable.

 

The only downside is that many of the accommodations only allow weekly rentals.

 

It is such a charming beach town.

[SMSACE6]

I absolutely love Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. It's a really wonderful area and fully walkable.

 

The only downside is that many of the accommodations only allow weekly rentals.

 

It is such a charming beach town.

 

I agree, I spent a glorious vacation here some years back, and have never forgotten it. I did have a rental car though, and was not going on a cruise that time, just spend a wonderful time there.

[SMSACE6]

Sorry, forgot to add for OP,

 

I have stayed in the 17th st area of Fort Lauderdale a few times without a car. I have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express 17th st, the Extended Stay, 17th st and at Hyatt Place 17th st (actually just off 17th st), and have visited with friends who were at the Embassy suites 17th st, and would stay there happily any time. All were fine, with my favorite being Hyatt, and my least favorite Holiday Inn Express (for issues that were specific to my visit) but many do like this Hol Inn Express. All of these are close to many restaurants, a Publix, Walgreens and more.

 

My second choice would be to stay downtown, near or on Las Olas. Lots of shops and restaurants and nice walking there. actually would be my first choice here:D, but prices are usually out of my league for me.

Edited August 13, 2016 by SMSACE6