Recommendation car / hotel combo FLL/MIA

[nicoleinwi]

Landing in FLL at noon Thursday (February). Cruising Carnival out of Port of Miami Saturday. 
Friday we want to go to Everglades National Park. Thursday we want dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (Bayside Market).
 

Option 1: Get car at FLL and staying near Bayside (so we could just walk over). Hotel parking is around $40/night. We’d like to return the car Friday night to save another day of parking and not having to mess with it Saturday. However most rental car agencies by Bayside close around 5pm and we don’t want to be rushed at Everglades to get back. So drop car at MIA Friday night and Uber to hotel, then Uber to port Saturday. 

 

Option 2: Get car at FLL. Stay at hotel near MIA. Drive to Bayside and pay the parking fee there Thursday evening. Drop car at MIA Friday night and take a free shuttle to hotel, then Uber to port Sat. Parking at hotel is about $20/night. 
 

Any recommendation on which option seems like less hassle? Or another recommendation? Costwise I think about $100 cheaper total to stay at MIA, but looking for convenience. 

[JohninDC]

Stay near MIA.  Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon is often suggested on these boards.