Fort Lauderdale Hotel Help

[4cruisin]

We are looking for a decent hotel for one night pre-cruise March 2007. We are finding the rates to be crazy but I don't want to stay in a dump either.

Do you have any suggestions for a nice hotel with in walking distance to shops & restaurants in the Ft. Lauderdale area?

 

[DukeStreetKing]

We stayed at the Bahia Mar resort in May and it was very nice. You can take a water taxi to Las Olas Blvd for some overpriced shopping but the restaurants were nice. There was a nice bar/restaurant across the street called the Oasis which served decent food and some good drinks. I forget exactly what I paid per night but it was probably a Florida resident discount or a weekend special, maybe around 89.00 or 99.00/night. Check them on the web and see what you think.

 

[Cantw8]

This is my favorite Right in the middle of all the action. It is right on the beach

http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/Sheraton_Yankee_Trader/SO.htm?IM=PP_LHN_SOP_US_SI_663&

 

[DMickey28]

We stayed in the Comfort Suites on US 1. It wasn't too bad and it was cheap! When we were there they were doing renovations so if can get a room on a higher floor that would probably be good. We currently live in Ft. Lauderdale and I can check it out for you.

Unfortunately there isn't too much RIGHT THERE, but Las Olas is a few miles down US 1. It would probably be a $10-15 taxi to Las Olas and then you could get dinner and walk the shops and if you walk down Las Olas towards the beach about 3/4 to a mile there are the beautiful homes and all the isles.

There is a hotel that is near my apartment downtown, maybe a courtyard or ramada, I'll check on my way home. That would be within walking to Las Olas restaurants and shops but farther from the port.

On Las Olas is the Riverside Hotel, I think they might be a little pricery. Otherwise you might want to look at the beach, but what you *might* save in hotel you will pay in taxi fares.

There is a Embassy Suites, two double/queens and a pull out double bed/couch. How big is your family? Free happy hour drinks between 5-7 pm. Closer to the port but a bit further from Las Olas and the restaurants. Less than a mile from the Beach. We looked to stay at the Embassy Suites before our cruise in October but it was too pricey then.

The comfort suites would probably be your best bet. It wasn't dirty at all when we were there, just run down but this was October 2005 and they were doing renovations on the top floors and working there way down. It's a $13 taxi from the airport and they have a shuttle to/from the airport and the Port. That's probably your best bet.

I have a spare room, you can stay with me!! I can see the cruise ships come in and out from my living room/kitchen windows and my balcony!

Edited to add: Check out that Sheraton. It's right at the beach and it looks really nice. Depends on what time you fly in and if you can utilize the beach and stuff. Double check shuttles to and from the port/airport. That's a major hidden cost sometimes!!

 

[4cruisin]

We stayed in the Comfort Suites on US 1. It wasn't too bad and it was cheap! When we were there they were doing renovations so if can get a room on a higher floor that would probably be good. We currently live in Ft. Lauderdale and I can check it out for you.

Unfortunately there isn't too much RIGHT THERE, but Las Olas is a few miles down US 1. It would probably be a $10-15 taxi to Las Olas and then you could get dinner and walk the shops and if you walk down Las Olas towards the beach about 3/4 to a mile there are the beautiful homes and all the isles.

There is a hotel that is near my apartment downtown, maybe a courtyard or ramada, I'll check on my way home. That would be within walking to Las Olas restaurants and shops but farther from the port.

On Las Olas is the Riverside Hotel, I think they might be a little pricery. Otherwise you might want to look at the beach, but what you *might* save in hotel you will pay in taxi fares.

There is a Embassy Suites, two double/queens and a pull out double bed/couch. How big is your family? Free happy hour drinks between 5-7 pm. Closer to the port but a bit further from Las Olas and the restaurants. Less than a mile from the Beach. We looked to stay at the Embassy Suites before our cruise in October but it was too pricey then.

The comfort suites would probably be your best bet. It wasn't dirty at all when we were there, just run down but this was October 2005 and they were doing renovations on the top floors and working there way down. It's a $13 taxi from the airport and they have a shuttle to/from the airport and the Port. That's probably your best bet.

I have a spare room, you can stay with me!! I can see the cruise ships come in and out from my living room/kitchen windows and my balcony!

Edited to add: Check out that Sheraton. It's right at the beach and it looks really nice. Depends on what time you fly in and if you can utilize the beach and stuff. Double check shuttles to and from the port/airport. That's a major hidden cost sometimes!!

Thanks for the info. We are looking for 3 rooms for 3 couples. I don't mind spending a few bucks for a nice room for one night but the flights from Boston are killing us.

My dsis is researching all the flight and hotels but I thought I would give her some help. I knew my Dis friends would have some good ideas.

She mentioned the Sheraton but wasn't sure if it was a nice place and I know she is looking into the Bahia Mar. I checked the reviews on trip advisor for the Riverside and they were mixed. I guess if you get one of the newer rooms, it is ok. Is the Riverside in a "safe" area? We will probably arrive early afternoon and figured we could have dinner and walk around some shops for last minute supplies for the cruise. I don't want to be in an "iffy" district.

Thanks.
Nancy

 

[DMickey28]

The Riverside is in a very safe area. It's right on Las Olas, some of the rooms are above the Cheesecake Factory. It's about a block from my apartment and I walk to the Cheesecake Factory alone at dusk/or night for desert or something.

I haven't been inside so I can't comment on that but we have had a couple people stay there and it's been fine for them. Didn't really hear anything either way. It certainly is in the middle of everything and about 1.5 miles straight down Las Olas to the beach.

We just moved here a few weeks ago so I don't know too much of the area but I have explored a bit. I love this area around Las Olas and down to the beach. The shops on Las Olas area mix of pricey specialty shops along with some regular stores with moderate prices. The restaurant selection is pretty good. The Cheesecake Factory and other local restaurants. A few are very pricey, but they are mostly on par with Cheesecake Factory prices $10 -$26/adult entree. Big City Tavern is good, as is Tempano's if you are looking for Italian. Tempano's was, what I thought very resonable and VERY GOOD. For three adults with three cocktails each, two apps, entrees and a dessert it was just over $100. Not too bad...

 

[4cruisin]

The Riverside is in a very safe area. It's right on Las Olas, some of the rooms are above the Cheesecake Factory. It's about a block from my apartment and I walk to the Cheesecake Factory alone at dusk/or night for desert or something.

Ok, if they will give me a room with direct access to the Cheesecake Factory, I will pay any amount of money. Gotta love that Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake.

We are also looking at the Best Western Oceanside...any thoughts on that hotel?

 

[DMickey28]

I looked on the map to see where that is. I wasn't sure, but I know the exact spot. I don't know about the hotel itself. I can't picture it in my mind but the area is very nice. I believe it is just past the public parking for the Ft. Lauderdale beach and it's about .5 miles from the hopping beach area, alittle down from the Sheraton I believe. It's a easy drive down to the port from there as well. It's not close enough to Las Olas without a taxi or water taxi, but you can go there eat and walk around. If walking 2.5-3 miles is ok, it would be a beautiful safe walk back to the hotel after dinner at night. The hotel is just on the line between the usual "beachy area" with beach shops, burger places and the beach, and a more residential area.

ETA: I just read some great reviews on the Holiday Inn Express at the Convention Center. Very close to the port and quick bus ride to Las Olas for dinner and shopping.

 

[4cruisin]

Thanks for all the info. I think my sister is leaning towards the Holiday Inn Express. As long a the place is clean and safe, I don't mind where we stay.

Thanks again.

Nancy