melmar02 Posted March 9, 2022 Report Share Posted March 9, 2022 Our first cruise was out of Ft. Lauderdale back in 2010, and we have sailed out of Galveston every cruise thereafter. Well today we booked a B2B from Port Everglades, and we'll be able to stay a couple days either before or after. Let the planning begin! Do you have a favorite hotel or rental in FLL? We don't plan on renting a car, so something within walking distance to the beach and restaurants would be perfect. Looking for 2 bedrooms, 1 King and 2 twins/fulls/queens for the kids to sleep on - they're too old to share a bed. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted March 9, 2022 Report Share Posted March 9, 2022 Hollywood Beach Marriott - great amenities, and right on the boardwalk with beach access as well as lots of restaurants and shops. Always our favorite if we have a couple days or so ahead of a cruise, but it is on the more expensive side. melmar02 and Neesa 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby Dick Posted March 9, 2022 Report Share Posted March 9, 2022 Unfortunately, most hotels/motels have experienced far too many rate increases, all over, not just the Ft. Lauderdale area. Even though gas is on the way up, very much on the way up, we have decided to drive to our cruise port locations, except to the Port of Seattle in May. I live in Alabama. So, we drive to the Port of Canaveral, Port Everglades, and/or Port of Miami. Yes, if I lived in or near Dallas, I'd still drive. But then, I'm an old truck driver and long distance driving doesn't bother me too much. Well, old age does effect me a little(70). We just drove from the San Antonio area to central Alabama nonstop. 13 hours not a problem. Port Everglades/Ft. Lauderdale is just another 11 hours away. rjweber3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted March 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2022 @jay1021 if it was just my husband and myself, we could make an adventure out of the drive (we're in Dallas). Our kids have about a 6 hour limit in the car or they run the chance of being left on the side of the road. rjweber3, MicDay, WAAAYTOOO and 2 others 1 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby Dick Posted March 10, 2022 Report Share Posted March 10, 2022 On 3/9/2022 at 8:21 PM, melmar02 said: @jay1021 if it was just my husband and myself, we could make an adventure out of the drive (we're in Dallas). Our kids have about a 6 hour limit in the car or they run the chance of being left on the side of the road. Ahhhhh, I understand. Good luck. I'm from the Ft. Lauderdale area originally, grew up in a little suburb called Dania, right next (south) to the airport. I really like the Harbor Beach Marriott. But, it is very expensive but right on the Ocean and next to the inlet to Port Everglades. melmar02 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted March 10, 2022 Report Share Posted March 10, 2022 We like the Best Western Plus Oceanside Inn. We have stayed there twice now and would do so again. It's within walking distance of everything and it has a very decent breakfast included in the room rate. melmar02 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen Posted March 11, 2022 Report Share Posted March 11, 2022 We stayed at Embassy Suites at 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale. Had no complaints. melmar02 and rjweber3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 12, 2022 Report Share Posted March 12, 2022 Just stayed at the Hyatt House Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port (90 Southwest 18th Avenue, Dania Beach, FL 33004, USA) for the second time in less than six months. Great location (~10 minute drive at the most to the terminal or airport). They provide a free shuttle to/from FLL airport. Rooms are clean, has kitchens, and the suite set up (dining room table and chairs + living room) are a great value. KWong, rjweber3, nformella and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby Dick Posted March 12, 2022 Report Share Posted March 12, 2022 8 hours ago, Matt said: Just stayed at the Hyatt House Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port (90 Southwest 18th Avenue, Dania Beach, FL 33004, USA) for the second time in less than six months. Great location (~10 minute drive at the most to the terminal or airport). They provide a free shuttle to/from FLL airport. Rooms are clean, has kitchens, and the suite set up (dining room table and chairs + living room) are a great value. I grew up in Dania, now Dania Beach (it became "Dania Beach well after I moved from there). If you go to Dania, you have to go to Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor, it's on US 1 just about in the middle of Dania. Also, Grandpa's Bakery which is located next to the strip mall that Jaxson's is in. Matt, you have mentioned Los Olas (pronounced Ohlass) Blvd. a few times, that is also a great place to walk and shop and eat! I love cruising out of Ft. Lauderdale but I really like the new terminal 1 in The Port of Miami but I don't like Miami (beach), so when we cruise out of Port Everglades or Port of Miami, we stay in Ft. Lauderdale/Dania. WAAAYTOOO, rjweber3 and melmar02 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWong Posted April 10, 2022 Report Share Posted April 10, 2022 On 3/12/2022 at 9:47 AM, Matt said: Just stayed at the Hyatt House Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port (90 Southwest 18th Avenue, Dania Beach, FL 33004, USA) for the second time in less than six months. Great location (~10 minute drive at the most to the terminal or airport). They provide a free shuttle to/from FLL airport. Rooms are clean, has kitchens, and the suite set up (dining room table and chairs + living room) are a great value. I actually prefer the location north of the airport. And there are a bunch of other hotels in the area as well - Matt I think you've reviewed at least 1 or 2 of them? I really like the fact that the rooms are BIG. Even if you're only there for a night, it's nice for four people to be able to spread out and not feel like you're walking over each other - plenty of time for that when you're onboard and in the staterooms! Plus the area has a lot of food and amenities in case you've forgotten anything, or need to buy wine. melmar02 and rjweber3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted April 12, 2022 Report Share Posted April 12, 2022 I have been doing a lot of research on this question as well. I have found that quite a few properties offer only a king or double bed option so that is reducing our options. I booked an oceanfront room at Margaritaville in Hollywood, approximately 8 miles from the cruise terminal. The reviews are good and we wanted a beachy type resort for our pre cruise stay. Depending on your price point, they offer 1 and 2 bedroom suites. It looks like a beautiful and fun resort. melmar02 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted April 13, 2022 Report Share Posted April 13, 2022 21 hours ago, Jax said: I have been doing a lot of research on this question as well. I have found that quite a few properties offer only a king or double bed option so that is reducing our options. I booked an oceanfront room at Margaritaville in Hollywood, approximately 8 miles from the cruise terminal. The reviews are good and we wanted a beachy type resort for our pre cruise stay. Depending on your price point, they offer 1 and 2 bedroom suites. It looks like a beautiful and fun resort. I have walked past it a couple of times on previous stays. The location is great. There were lots of people outside the fence watching guests on the flowrider! Jax, rjweber3 and melmar02 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianB Posted May 6, 2022 Report Share Posted May 6, 2022 I’m a bit of an outlier….If I’m going to stay a few days before my cruise from Fort Lauderdale, I like to stay at the Deerfield Beach Wyndham. About thirty minutes away. Beautiful hotel pretty much on the beach, they have three restaurants, an outdoor heated pool with hot tub, patio bar, live performers each night (low key singers…not annoyingly loud…and they end by 10pm). Not a young, party going place. Beautiful neighborhood with many restaurants and bars within a block radius…all easygoing, calm and comfortable places. The hotel rooms are beautiful, standard sized with a mix of kings and two beds, many are connecting so good for a family. Floor to ceiling windows with sliders that open onto a French balcony. The Deerfield Beach fishing pier is right next door. Loungers and clamshells are available to rent on the beach. However, if you’re looking for something close to the airport and the cruise terminal….this is not it. There is no shuttle. Taxis and Ubers are easy to get, but pricey. And the hotel itself is somewhat expensive. I go here when I want to spend a few days vegging out prior to going on a cruise to veg out. Wherever you decide to go, I hope you have a great time! melmar02, WAAAYTOOO, rjweber3 and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerGuy Posted May 18, 2022 Report Share Posted May 18, 2022 All I can say is stay away from the budget motels unless you know you won't spend any time there except to sleep and don't mind a bit of a run down look. Wife and i opted for the cheap cheap and went to red carpet inn, I've also stayed at rodeway next door in the past. If I had the chance to do it again, I'd spend the extra $100 a night to be more comfortable and feel a bit more safe. melmar02 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emtbobcat Posted May 22, 2022 Report Share Posted May 22, 2022 We stayed at an Embassy Suites 3 years ago and had a nice stay, was fairly close to the port (could see the ship from our room), and had a very pleasant breakfast but that was pre-covid days. rjweber3 and melmar02 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted October 30, 2022 Report Share Posted October 30, 2022 On 5/18/2022 at 5:06 PM, GunnerGuy said: All I can say is stay away from the budget motels unless you know you won't spend any time there except to sleep and don't mind a bit of a run down look. Wife and i opted for the cheap cheap and went to red carpet inn, I've also stayed at rodeway next door in the past. If I had the chance to do it again, I'd spend the extra $100 a night to be more comfortable and feel a bit more safe. Yeah, both are horrible places and I agree with you. The good news is they are not long for this world. Fort Lauderdale is changing so rapidly that anything old is being sold off, knocked down and rebuilt. I suspect the Roadway & Red Carpet will be bull dozed in the near future (thankfully because I’m sick of looking at them every single day on my commute). rjweber3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCLblue10 Posted November 26, 2022 Report Share Posted November 26, 2022 looking at a Marriott property for Jan. 20 stay (cruise on Harmony on 1/21) - suggestions? I will be using points. thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted November 26, 2022 Report Share Posted November 26, 2022 3 hours ago, RCLblue10 said: looking at a Marriott property for Jan. 20 stay (cruise on Harmony on 1/21) - suggestions? I will be using points. thank you I looked quite extensively for our upcoming stay in a couple weeks. The Marriott Harbour Beach Resort and Marriott Airport hotel (if you don’t have a preference for beachfront) were on my short list. Both had excellent reviews but as a party of 3 the bed options at Harbour Beach Resort were double beds which was a hard no. The airport hotel has an M Club lounge that may be of interest to you. Ultimately we decided on the Hilton Beachfront Resort in a suite as we wanted more space for our 7 night pre cruise stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCLblue10 Posted November 26, 2022 Report Share Posted November 26, 2022 Jax thank you for your advice I looked quite extensively for our upcoming stay in a couple weeks. The Marriott Harbour Beach Resort and Marriott Airport hotel (if you don’t have a preference for beachfront) were on my short list. Both had excellent reviews but as a party of 3 the bed options at Harbour Beach Resort were double beds which was a hard no. The airport hotel has an M Club lounge that may be of interest to you. Ultimately we decided on the Hilton Beachfront Resort in a suite as we wanted more space for our 7 night pre cruise stay. I will check our your suggestions. Jax 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquared17 Posted December 3, 2022 Report Share Posted December 3, 2022 we love the hilton fort lauderdale beach resort!! it's our favorite! the rooms are open, spacious, have a mini fridge and little kitchenette, and the location is great. the W next block over has a great mexican restaurant with $5 frozen margaritas during happy hour that are DELICIOUS and there is another mexican restaurant called Lona at the westin that has amazing tacos and food as well. we've done full week long vacations there -- but pre cruise, we usually stay at one of the close by holiday inn express locations since we usually just want a comfortable bed and close proximity to the publix to stock up on a few things before we depart. Jax, melmar02, WAAAYTOOO and 2 others 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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