Normally, I'm one to argue that your pre-cruise hotel doesn't matter so long as it is safe and clean. However, a recent stay at an upscale beachfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale might have changed my mind about future vacations.
Not long ago, I stayed at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Hotel before a short four-night cruise out of Port Everglades. My fiancée and I decided to forgo our usual basic airport hotel and opted for something more luxurious and relaxing since we were celebrating my 27th birthday.
Our partial ocean-view junior suite came to $503.69 after taxes. However, we booked the stay using my American Express Platinum credit card, so we took advantage of the card's semiannual hotel credit and only paid $203.69 out-of-pocket.
Other benefits included complimentary breakfast, a $100 hotel credit, and, upon arrival, a complimentary upgrade to a massive two-bedroom suite.
After just one night, I'm convinced this is one of the best hotels near the Fort Lauderdale cruise port — if you're in the mood to splurge.
Although I still think basic airport hotels work fine for most pre-cruise stays, our experience at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale definitely made a strong case for why starting your vacation on a high note before embarkation isn't always a bad thing.
Conrad Hotel Fort Lauderdale Amenities
To start, the property feels more like a resort than your average airport hotel. The lobby is spacious and elegant, while the large pool deck is arguably one of the hotel's best-selling points.
It stretches out toward the ocean with an open layout that features a bar and grill, lawn games, umbrellas, and plenty of plush seating. I got lost in my current read soon after settling in — though the unpredictable Florida weather soon caused us to scramble inside.
Other amenities include:
- Fitness center
- Complimentary two-hour daily bike rental
- Free beach setup (two chairs and one umbrella included)
- Morning yoga on the beach
- Complimentary basic Wi-Fi
- Open-air electric Moke rentals ($)
- Conrad Spa ($)
- Cabana and daybed rentals ($)
- In-room child care ($)
- Valet parking ($60/day)
Dining options
The Conrad Fort Lauderdale has both grab-and-go and full-service dining options available on the property. Whether you want to pick up a quick sandwich to eat by the pool or fuel up with an Italian feast, you are guaranteed to find something that satisfies your cravings.
During our one-night stay, we grabbed a quick bite to eat at the Spinnaker Pool Grill while we waited for housekeeping to finish preparing our suite. It wasn't anything fancy, but our chicken quesadilla and turkey BLT wrap hit the spot after an early travel morning.
We also had dinner at Vitolo, the hotel's Italian restaurant, sharing a standard margherita pizza. The service was prompt, and we thought the pizza was pretty solid.
Finally, we took advantage of the complimentary breakfast and loved the sit-down experience, instead of a crowded buffet with powdered eggs, canned fruit, and nearly stale toast. In fact, we both agreed it was one of the more lavish breakfasts we'd had in a while, complete with a beautiful, chilled fruit platter, crispy potatoes, and a croissant waffle.
Here's a full list of the on-site dining options at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale:
- Vitolo
- Takato
- Spinnaker Pool Grill
- The Beach Hut
- Cornucopia Gourmet Market
- In-room dining
Conrad Hilton Fort Lauderdale Room Overview
Our two-bedroom suite was nothing short of impressive — though we certainly wouldn't have paid for it for a one-night stay. Complete with a fully-stocked kitchen, two and a half bathrooms, two bedrooms, a living room, and a large balcony, it was more space than we needed.
In fact, we ended up turning the second bedroom into our suitcase's designated area. This kept the living room and our bedroom free of clutter.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the Conrad suite was the primary bathroom. It featured a large walk-in shower, a separate soaking tub, robes, a dual-sink vanity with lots of counter space, and premium toiletries.
Once the weather cleared up, I returned to the pool for a little more sunshine, while my fiancée opted to stay behind and nap. By the time 4:00 p.m. rolled around, I was surprised that I hadn't gotten an "I'm awake!" text yet, so I went back to the suite to check in and quickly realized that the blackout curtains did their job a little too well.
Then, we quickly got ready for dinner at the hotel's Italian restaurant before returning to the suite to have a relaxing evening in the living room and watch the soft orange and pink hues in the sky as the sun set.
Regarding the room's cleanliness and upkeep, some of the furniture felt a little dated, but overall, the suite was very well-maintained for a beach hotel that's been open for nearly a decade.
We did not notice any stains on the carpet or lingering signs of heavy wear-and-tear, aside from the outdoor balcony, which had been exposed to the elements and needed a good clean.
Final Thoughts: Is The Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach A Good Pre-Cruise Hotel?
Overall, my stay at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach completely changed how I think about pre-cruise hotels. Although it isn't practical to splurge before every voyage, it was a nice reminder that the actual trip can begin before you set foot on board the ship on embarkation day.
The great resort-style amenities, spacious accommodations, and solid lineup of dining options on-site made it easy to unwind and transition into vacation mode. Whether you want a low-key afternoon by the pool or a relaxing morning on the beach, there are plenty of ways to take advantage of everything the hotel has to offer!
Plus, I loved staying so close to the beach. It made my morning walk so much more enjoyable (before the midday heat set in, of course).
That said, the hotel isn't the best fit for all cruise travelers. The property, for example, is expensive compared to nearby airport hotels, and there is no dedicated shuttle service to the cruise port or airport, so you will have to rely on rideshares or taxis both to the hotel and the cruise port.
Thankfully, both rides are short. Our Uber from the Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) took seventeen minutes, while our ride from the hotel to Port Everglades was just fifteen minutes. They weren't expensive, either, with both totaling $38.87, including tips.
Moving on, the on-site dining options were expensive. For instance, we spent $60 for a chicken quesadilla and a turkey wrap at the pool grill — no drinks included! As such, it would be easy for a larger family to rack up a hefty bill before beginning their cruise.
Still, if you are willing to pay more for comfort, location, and convenience to start your vacation in style, you can't go wrong with a pre-cruise stay at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale.
