Another place to condsider staying

[DrCavin]

We just returned from the 5/15 cruise. Anyone looking for a hotel to stay at before your cruise, consider the Holiday Inn Express in Cocoa. It is brand new, has a fabulas pool w/waterfall, hot tub, & free continental breakfast. It is about 15 minutes from the Port. We paid around $50 a night.

We would stay there again considering the mixed reviews of the Raddison. We would have considered Ron Jons if we were going to be staying longer, but just a few hours of pool time did not justify the extra $$ for us.

 

[FLGalInTN]

Hi DrCavin. Thanks for the recommendation. Is there a shuttle to the port?

 

[DrCavin]

No shuttle to the port. We had rented a SUV from budget, so that was not an issue for us.

 

[chucklechops]

Sound's good, we have posted a few threads as we are unsure of a place to stay next year before our cruise.
Like you all we want is somewhere to rest our weary heads and relax before were sailing the 7 seas.
If you have any more info/photo's of the resort would love to hear from you, Thanks Chucklechops

 

[coleland]

Was this the location on Atlantic Avenue or Tucker Lane? Holiday Inn Express shows two locations in Cocoa Beach.

 

[izzinmac]

If I'm not mistaken, I think Dr Calvin is talking about the new Holiday Inn Express located right on I-95 at SR 520 That puts it west of the port and a little south (Two exits from 528 that goes to the port). I live in Melbourne, and we have passed the hotel several times. It looks very nice from the road with a beautiful pool/patio area. If it was $50, looks like a great deal. For someone with their own transport who doesn't have to be on the beach, it would be my choice. Technically, it is in Cocoa, not Cocoa Beach, and really is more an Interstate access hotel than one "in town". You can get more info at:

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hpt/coiaa

 

[DrCavin]

Originally posted by coleland
Was this the location on Atlantic Avenue or Tucker Lane? Holiday Inn Express shows two locations in Cocoa Beach.

Yes it was the one on Tucker Lane. izzinmac has the hotel in the link.

I will try to post some pictures where everyone can see them later today.

Here is a link to some photos of the pool area:

http://community.webshots.com/album/146824669qIVMro

Will be uploading more photos of the cruise as the day goes on...

 

[MamaCrush]

How is the restaurant situation? What's close by?

 

[DrCavin]

There was a McDonalds & Burger King across the street for sure, we ended up eating a late lunch at BK because there are NO fastfood restraunts after you leave the airport area if you take the Bee-Line, unreal!!!

We did a mini-dis meet at Grills on Friday night & that was about 15 minutes away.

 

[FLGalInTN]

The area between MCO and Cocoa along 528 is largely swamp (St. John's river runs through there), hence no development, no exits and no fast food restaurants. Yet. I'm sure some enterprising developer will find a way to fill it all in just like what was done in Merritt Island (which used to be mostly mangrove swamp).

 

[DrCavin]

I figured it had to be some reason why nothing for 30 some miles... We were starving by the time we got to the hotel *hehe

We had planned on eating a good breakfast at the ATL airport, but we were delayed about an hour arriving in ATL (thunderstorms in ATL) , so that went right out the window

 

[chucklechops]

Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou.
Have just visited your community website and seen all your magic in the making.
Loved all your pic's and seeing all your smiley faces.
Thankyou for shareing them with us, If we have half as much fun as you looked like you were having, we will be onto a definate winner.
A couple of questions Did you stay in the walt Suite????
Where did you get your rate for the holiday express at cocoa?
I phoned yesterday and they weren't out for next may yet but the receptionist seemed to think it would be about $109.00+tax.
If i remember you said you payed about $50.00!!

Look forward to hearing from you,
Chucklechops

:thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

 

[moocow35]

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[gamom2three]

If you have your own transportation, there are many good hotel choices just south of the terminal (10-15 mins). When RonJon's "lost" our reservation, we went to Wakulla Suites and got a two bedroom suite for $98 per night. Both bedrooms had 2 double beds and the sofa was a double sleeper. We went to Florida Seafood Grill (excellent) for dinner and stopped at the MacDonalds across the street for breakfast on the way to the port. They had a great Tiki theme and pool but the kids were too tired after checkin/dinner to go for a swim.

You can find lots of hotels on the AAA site or any other hotel booking websites. If you have your own car, you have many more options than the Radisson and RonJons!

 

[DrCavin]

Chucklechops:

No we did not stay in the Roy Suite, but a fellow Diser did who was kind enough to have a cocktail party one afternoon.

I booked the hotel directly at Holiday Inn: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/coiaa

I just did a quick check for June 25 & it showed $109, so when you plan on staying definitly effects the price.

I just checked what I paid & it was $67.99, which included tax.

moocow35:

Those were taken with a Olympus Stylus 300. We love this camera. All the pics were taken at the next-to-highest resolution. Did not use the highest of 3.2 megapixels, because you have to set it to that each time you turn on the camera ( have not tried to figure out how to change the defaults).