Cocoa Beach Hotel...Pick one for me!

[STLDisney_Freak]

Hello,

I am wanting to book our hotel for next years cruise. I am looking for something somewhat near to the port, near the beach, and easy on the cash flow, and isn't a trash hole (if ya know what I mean)...Recommendations?

 

[Curtis McCrea]

When I cruised in March, we stayed at Days Inn Cocoa Beach. It's right off the Pier, and has a great beach/ocean view. Rooms were big and cozy, and theres diners and shops beside the hotel.

It also has a thing called "Park n' Cruise", where you pay some $70-$80 dollars to park your car (if you have one), sleep in the hotel for the night and you get transportation to the Port and from the Port.

I think the hotel can pick you up at the airport and drive you to the hotel.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Hello,

I am wanting to book our hotel for next years cruise. I am looking for something somewhat near to the port, near the beach, and easy on the cash flow, and isn't a trash hole (if ya know what I mean)...Recommendations?

We've always stayed near MCO precruise but next time we'll be flying on a Sat so we'll probably drive to PC right after the flight. Country Inn & Suites in Cape Canaveral gets good reviews and is recommended by many here on the Dis as is Radisson Resort & Residence Inn by Marriott. All are approx 1/2 mi from the port.
Technically, Cocoa Beach is further south than Cape Canaveral.

 

[CaptainJack]

We have stayed at 3 different hotels--the Radisson, the Country Inn and Suites, and the La Quinta Cocoa Beach. The Radisson and the Country Inn and Suites both had free shuttles to the ship. Both were very nice--the Radisson has a better pool, but the Country Inn and Suites has a free breakfast.

This last time we stayed at the La Quinta Cocoa Beach because we could stay for free using points. We had to pay for the shuttle $4 per person each way. The only issue we had with this shuttle was that it took a very long time to pick us up after the cruise. By the time the shuttle finally arrived, passengers for the next cruise were arriving.

Also, you should check out getting the hotel through Priceline. When we stayed at the Country Inn and Suites, the rack rate for the hotel was around $100 a night. I bid through Priceline and got the room for $50. Before you bid, check out www.biddingfortravel.com to see if that helps you on how much to bid on Priceline.

Finally, remember, if you are driving a rental car to the Port, the rental car company has free shuttles to the ship.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We have stayed at 3 different hotels--the Radisson, the Country Inn and Suites, and the La Quinta Cocoa Beach. The Radisson and the Country Inn and Suites both had free shuttles to the ship. Both were very nice--the Radisson has a better pool, but the Country Inn and Suites has a free breakfast.

This last time we stayed at the La Quinta Cocoa Beach because we could stay for free using points. We had to pay for the shuttle $4 per person each way. The only issue we had with this shuttle was that it took a very long time to pick us up after the cruise. By the time the shuttle finally arrived, passengers for the next cruise were arriving.

Also, you should check out getting the hotel through Priceline. When we stayed at the Country Inn and Suites, the rack rate for the hotel was around $100 a night. I bid through Priceline and got the room for $50. Before you bid, check out www.biddingfortravel.com to see if that helps you on how much to bid on Priceline.

Finally, remember, if you are driving a rental car to the Port, the rental car company has free shuttles to the ship.

Only problem with Priceline for families is they don't guarantee bedding for more than 2 guests. You might be able to call the hotel and request it but if they don't have it available, there's nothing you can do about it.
This is why I prefer Hotwire.

 

[myelton01]

When I cruised in March, we stayed at Days Inn Cocoa Beach. It's right off the Pier, and has a great beach/ocean view. Rooms were big and cozy, and theres diners and shops beside the hotel.

It also has a thing called "Park n' Cruise", where you pay some $70-$80 dollars to park your car (if you have one), sleep in the hotel for the night and you get transportation to the Port and from the Port.

I think the hotel can pick you up at the airport and drive you to the hotel.

We also stayed there last year! It was nice to be able to walk to the pier. This year we are trying Courtyard By Marriot because they have a 5 person suite for the right price. If it was just us or us and the kids, we would have stayed at Days Inn Cocoa Beach again.

 

[deide71]

I just want to put a shout out for a place I rarely see talked about here. The Resort at Cocoa Beach. They are a bit further out from port and there is no shuttle, but if you have a rental car it is very easy to return it the next day and take the shuttle from there.

The Resort at Cocoa Beach has 2 bedroom units with a full kitchen and big balcony. They are right on the ocean and my kids really enjoyed playing on the beach the morning before our cruise.

It was really nice for a family of 5 to have room to spread out instead of being cramped in a hotel room. I rented from them directly from their website. Highly recommended.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I definitely need more room as there will be 3 adults and 2 kids. We are driving down with a rental car the night before and taking Disney's transportation back to the airport.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I definitely need more room as there will be 3 adults and 2 kids. We are driving down with a rental car the night before and taking Disney's transportation back to the airport.

I was just asking a few days ago about Country Inn & Suites and got some photos too. They have a kids' suite with a separate room for kids: 2 bunk beds and a twin, then a queen bed in the main area. If one of the adults doesn't mind sleeping in the twin in the bunk bed room, this would be ideal for you.
They include cont. free breakfast too.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2603387

for more photos check them out on Tripadvisor.com.

 

[myelton01]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I definitely need more room as there will be 3 adults and 2 kids. We are driving down with a rental car the night before and taking Disney's transportation back to the airport.

We have that same breakdown when we go in October. We did some searching and found a 2 queen bed suite, plus a pull out sofa sleeper at the Courtyard by Marriott, it's not RIGHT beside the port, but the savings are worth it. We have it for $102/night when you prepay the room. It was the cheapest I've found that will suit us. HTH!

 

[ct7878]

I would second the Resort on Cocoa Beach! Depending on how many in your party, it is a great hotel that is more like a condo with 2 bedrooms and a kitchen. They also have a great pool, a wonderful stretch of beach and many other amenities such as basketball, tennis and even a small movie theater. We live in Orlando and this hotel has become our home away from home since it is only 45 min away. We just got back after a 3 day stay for Thanksgiving and it was great. We often ask the kids if they want to do a 3-4 cruise or spend a week at Resort on Cocoa Beach...it is frequently a tough decision for them since they love both. You will be happy with a stay here and it would be a great way to get into vacation mode!

 

[Sinderelly]

The County Inn and Suites was awesome for our cruise in Sept 2009. We stayed at the La Quinta (N Atlantic Ave not the oceanfront one) in Cocoa Beach because we wanted to try something different. It was different allright. It was run down and the room was dirty. We will go back to the Country Inn and Suites for our cruise next October

 

[hilltopper72]

How far ahead has everyone been booking these hotels. We are a group of 9 that will need 3 rooms, all driving down from NC for a July 10th Dream cruise. I thought booking around February was about right or should we book earlier?
Charlie

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

How far ahead has everyone been booking these hotels. We are a group of 9 that will need 3 rooms, all driving down from NC for a July 10th Dream cruise. I thought booking around February was about right or should we book earlier?
Charlie

Why wait?

We are already booked for November.

 

[TheSixOfUs]

Only problem with Priceline for families is they don't guarantee bedding for more than 2 guests. You might be able to call the hotel and request it but if they don't have it available, there's nothing you can do about it.
This is why I prefer Hotwire.

I agree! Plus Hotwire tells you whether or not the hotel has a pool or free breakfast. Both of these are very important to me and well worth the extra few dollars per night on Hotwire rooms. Here is a good article on a few other times when you should avoid Priceline.