FLL hotel

[PandF]

Yes, that BW is a long way from Port Everglades, it's not in a very good neighborhood (I don't think you're going to want to be walking around there, particularly at night!), and if you don't have a car you're going to spend more on cabs than if you'd just stay along SE 17th Street.

 

I assume you meant THIS BW?... http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=10297

 

Quite frankly the reviews on that one are pretty bad... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34547-d80409-Reviews-Best_Western_Hallandale-Pembroke_Park_Florida.html

 

Well it's a done deal and the booking cannot be reversed as it was a Hotwire booking. How far is a "long way" to Port Everglades.......

[TrentS]

Well it's a done deal and the booking cannot be reversed as it was a Hotwire booking. How far is a "long way" to Port Everglades.......

20-30 minutes in "normal" traffic, longer during "rush hour" (which lasts most of the day) or if there's an accident.

 

Personally I'd talk to someone at Hotwire and have them look at those Trip Advisor ratings, some people HAVE gotten out of their bookings by doing that. Otherwise I'd just eat it, but I'm picky about where I sleep.

[cruise fairy]

We will be flying into FLL around 12 noon the day before cruise departure. My mother will have a car - she has a vacation home in FL. So I guess my next question is how many of the hotels have a cruise and park package?

Does Holiday Inn express have such a package? We only want to spend around $125 if possible.

[chrysalis]

No the Holiday Inn Express does not allow you to leave your car....as I have said before, the Amerisuites does, and you will get a room, with breakfast for less than the $125 max you want to pay.

[cruise fairy]

No the Holiday Inn Express does not allow you to leave your car....as I have said before, the Amerisuites does, and you will get a room, with breakfast for less than the $125 max you want to pay.

 

Amerisuites is booked according to on-line source, but I will check with TA to see if she can get us a room. :)

[IKE]

Thank You so much again for all the info you have given me. I will look into purchasing the tickets for the "King Tut" Exhibit. I will also check out the 2 hotels you gave us. We contacted the AmeriSuites recommended by Chrysalis and they are completely full from Feb.10 thru 20th. We need the 8,9,10 of Feb. So far, We have a reservation at the LaQuinta in Deerfield Beach. Ike

[PandF]

20-30 minutes in "normal" traffic, longer during "rush hour" (which lasts most of the day) or if there's an accident.

 

Personally I'd talk to someone at Hotwire and have them look at those Trip Advisor ratings, some people HAVE gotten out of their bookings by doing that. Otherwise I'd just eat it, but I'm picky about where I sleep.

 

Trents...any info on the Extended Stay located on N.Andrews ?

[TrentS]

We will be flying into FLL around 12 noon the day before cruise departure. My mother will have a car - she has a vacation home in FL. So I guess my next question is how many of the hotels have a cruise and park package?

Does Holiday Inn express have such a package? We only want to spend around $125 if possible.

AmeriSuites and Holiday Inn Hollywood at I-95 & Stirling Road will allow you to leave your car... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/1/en/hd/fllas

 

HOWEVER, those hotel lots are wide open and UNsecure!

 

The SAFEST place for your car is in the secure covered parking garages at the port for $12 per day, or a less expensive secure, but uncovered option is Park 'n Fly at the I-595 entrance to Port Everglades... http://www.pnf.com/ftlauderdale/porteverglades.htm

[chrysalis]

Trent, is parking security an issue?

[TrentS]

Trents...any info on the Extended Stay located on N.Andrews ?

I haven't been in that one but it's a nicer area than the BW in Hallandale. Extended Stay Americas are very nice budget hotels. The problem with the one on N. Andrews is that it's just as far north and the BW was south. If you don't have a car, the cab fare will kill you. There's also nothing to walk to from it. It's fine if you have a car, but if you're on foot the best area by far is SE 17th Street.

 

I have been in THIS Extended Stay on SE 17th Street... http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/fort-lauderdale-convention-center-marina.html

 

It's a very nice, clean, newer hotel that's less than 10 minutes from FLL and a block from Port Everglades with dozens of restaurants, shops, grocery, drug & liquor stores as well as the very popular Water Taxi all within safe, easy walking distance.

[TrentS]

Trent, is parking security an issue?

It is in any large city... I would much prefer parking my car in a secure lot. Sometimes when we try to do things on the cheap they end up costing up far more in the end... I'd rather park my car where I KNOW it will be safe.

[TrentS]

Thank You so much again for all the info you have given me. I will look into purchasing the tickets for the "King Tut" Exhibit. I will also check out the 2 hotels you gave us. We contacted the AmeriSuites recommended by Chrysalis and they are completely full from Feb.10 thru 20th. We need the 8,9,10 of Feb. So far, We have a reservation at the LaQuinta in Deerfield Beach. Ike

I'm not familiar with the La Quinta in Deerfield Beach at all, but the Holiday Inn Express and Extended Stay America next door to each other on SE 17th Street are both nicer "budget" hotels than AmeriSuites. ESA being the nicest one IMO.

 

Extended Stay America... http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/fort-lauderdale-convention-center-marina.html

 

Holiday Inn Express "Convention Center"... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/fllcc

[chrysalis]

Trent, Thanks for your advice on parking security.....we have a reservation at Amerisuites and I will just have to decide on parking there or at the terminal. We have parked at the terminal before for 10 day cruise. This time we are 14 days and I just have to weigh 14X12 vs free....but as you say, being cheap is sometimes asking for trouble.

 

Thanks again,

[PandF]

I haven't been in that one but it's a nicer area than the BW in Hallandale. Extended Stay Americas are very nice budget hotels. The problem with the one on N. Andrews is that it's just as far north and the BW was south. If you don't have a car, the cab fare will kill you. There's also nothing to walk to from it. It's fine if you have a car, but if you're on foot the best area by far is SE 17th Street.

 

I have been in THIS Extended Stay on SE 17th Street... http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/fort-lauderdale-convention-center-marina.html

 

It's a very nice, clean, newer hotel that's less than 10 minutes from FLL and a block from Port Everglades with dozens of restaurants, shops, grocery, drug & liquor stores as well as the very popular Water Taxi all within safe, easy walking distance.

 

Understood about the location you are referring to....the unfortunate part is all the facilities you suggest are booked for the time period we are looking for.....appreciate your comments/advice none the less....

[TrentS]

Understood about the location you are referring to....the unfortunate part is all the facilities you suggest are booked for the time period we are looking for.....appreciate your comments/advice none the less....

Ah ok... Well you might want to look into renting a small car then, as they're quite inexpensive and will be cheaper and far more convenient than taking taxis.

[pattict1]

TrentS

 

I am almost a little afraid to ask...but what do you know about the Ramada Beach Resort on Galt Rd.? My husband booked this on Hotwire or Priceline. I wish he had let me take care of the hotel. How far is it to the pier? What would be the best way to get from the airport to the hotel and then from the hotel to the pier?

 

Thanks in advance.

[TrentS]

TrentS

 

I am almost a little afraid to ask...but what do you know about the Ramada Beach Resort on Galt Rd.? My husband booked this on Hotwire or Priceline. I wish he had let me take care of the hotel. How far is it to the pier? What would be the best way to get from the airport to the hotel and then from the hotel to the pier?

 

Thanks in advance.

Well that wouldn't have been my choice. It's a typical South Florida Ramada - Old, tired, and run down. This one is in an area surrounded by residential condos quite far from the airport and port. It's another one of those where a rental car will cost you less than cabs. There are a few restaurants and a Winn-Dixie a few blocks south of it. Here are some Trip Advisor reviews if you haven't found them already... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34227-d84407-Reviews-Ramada_Plaza_Beach_Resort-Fort_Lauderdale_Florida.html

 

It's about 20 minutes from the port, 25-30 minutes from the airport. From FLL you can go one of 3 ways. North on Federal Hwy. (US 1) to either SE 17th Street east and on up A1A along the beach... OR up Federal Hwy. to either Sunrise Blvd. or Oakland Park Blvd. east to A1A and up the beach. It's on A1A midway between Oakland Park Blvd. and Commercial Blvd. From the hotel to Port Everglades just go south on A1A across the SE 17th Street bridge and turn left at the first street across the bridge (Eisenhower Blvd.) into the port.

[pattict1]

Thanks TrentS. I have already checked the reviews on traveladvisor and they were mixed. I appreciate the information on the directions. I was thinking about renting a car (actually a minivan because we are a family of 4 each with a suitcase and then our carry ons) but then thought it might be less of a hassle just to catch an airporter express type of transportation.

 

Do you happen to know which transport service would be best?

 

Patti

[TrentS]

Thanks TrentS. I have already checked the reviews on traveladvisor and they were mixed. I appreciate the information on the directions. I was thinking about renting a car (actually a minivan because we are a family of 4 each with a suitcase and then our carry ons) but then thought it might be less of a hassle just to catch an airporter express type of transportation.

 

Do you happen to know which transport service would be best?

 

Patti

Rental cars are usually pretty inexpensive, and a LOT more convenient, but if you wanted to use a shuttle Tri-County/Airport Express is the one that operates out of FLL... http://www.floridalimo.com/

 

We also use Larry's Limo... http://www.larryslimo.com/

 

Both are reliable, reputable local companies.

[pattict1]

If we use a rental car, I assume we need to return it to the airport? I did see that there was a drop off other than the airport with Enterprise? And they can tranport to the pier?

[TrentS]

If we use a rental car, I assume we need to return it to the airport? I did see that there was a drop off other than the airport with Enterprise? And they can tranport to the pier?

FLL and Port Everglades are adjacent. Yes, Enterprise has an off airport site and I believe they will transport you to the port, and I'm not sure what day you're sailing, but I also believe that office is closed on Sundays. Do check with them to confirm all that.

 

Thrifty has an off airport location at the midport entrance, and Budget has the closest one to the Princess terminal in the Quay Shopping Center, opposite the Renaissance Hotel on SE 17th Street. All other rental car companies are in the "Car Rental Center", which is a large parking garage in the middle of the airport terminals - 5-10 minutes from Port Everglades.

[P.A.]

For those of you considering the Amerisuites for your pre/post cruise, you might check out this thread first. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=280761

 

Like I've said in some previous post, the Sleep Inn in Daniea, FL worked well for us. It was cheap, clean and close with free shuttle to/from airport and port. For more info on that, see my post on this thread.

 

Good luck!

[TrentS]

And as I've said in previous posts... Sleep Inn is fine if you're getting in late and just want a bed... But if you want to be within close walking distance to a LOT of restaurants, grocery, drug & liquor stores, etc., as well as being closer to the airport and only a block from the port and Water Taxi then SE 17th Street is your best bet.

 

These SE 17th Street hotels are FAR better "budget" hotels than AmeriSuites...

 

Extended Stay America... http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/fort-lauderdale-convention-center-marina.html

 

Holiday Inn Express "Convention Center"... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/fllcc

[sunnyv]

And as I've said in previous posts... Sleep Inn is fine if you're getting in late and just want a bed... But if you want to be within close walking distance to a LOT of restaurants, grocery, drug & liquor stores, etc., as well as being closer to the airport and only a block from the port and Water Taxi then SE 17th Street is your best bet.

 

These SE 17th Street hotels are FAR better "budget" hotels than AmeriSuites...

 

Extended Stay America... http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/fort-lauderdale-convention-center-marina.html

 

Holiday Inn Express "Convention Center"... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/fllcc

 

We have reservations at the AmeriSuites for the last weekend in October 2006................yes the dreaded International Boat Show weekend. It is for a Saturday night precruise stay. There just isn't anything available anywhere else close by. Both the Extended Stay America and Holiday Inn Express had no availability, so at the time I booked (October 30th, 2005) I was just glad to have gotten the AmeriSuites. Now I'm not so sure how glad I should be, but I don't know that we have any other choice.

 

My question, is there anything I can do ahead of our stay to help ensure a smooth check-in or to avoid any other problems listed here that could be bypassed?

[TrentS]

I don't know what to tell you about AmeriSuites... It's one of those hotels that many on here love and some hate with a passion... There seems to be very little in between... It's a BUDGET hotel, and sometimes you need a lot of patience with those, particularly this one, as it's full every night and usually flips the entire hotel every day.