Ft lauderdale/ Everglades/Keys Recs. wanted

[palpluto]

We will be spending a few days in southern FL. Could anyone give rec for a condo or hotel with atleast 2 bedrooms that is decent and cheap. We plan to maybe do something in the everglades, go down to the Keys for a beach day, any recommendations on activities down there would be great as well. 3 kids ages 12, 14, and 15 will be going.
Thanks so much!

 

[palpluto]

Anyone been to southern FL?

 

[tgropp]

We will be spending a few days in southern FL. Could anyone give rec for a condo or hotel with atleast 2 bedrooms that is decent and cheap. We plan to maybe do something in the everglades, go down to the Keys for a beach day, any recommendations on activities down there would be great as well. 3 kids ages 12, 14, and 15 will be going.
Thanks so much!

What time of the year are you going? It gets pretty pricey from Jan - May. In Fort Lauderdale there is the "Superior Small Lodgings" small inns etc that may suit your needs at an affordable price. My choice is the Marriott Beachplace Towers. There are better deals for this hotel by booking it throughh hotel only brouchers as opposed to booking it online with Marriott. You do know that it is a long drive to get to the beach in the Keys. The beach at Fort Lauderdale is absolutely georgeous. Walking the promenade from one end to the other is enjoyment in itself. You may also look into taking the Carrie B boat tour of all the mansions along the miles of waterways. Some boats will also cruise to Miami for a days worth of activities. The Fort Lauderdale Flea Market is also good for a mornings worth of shopping. Enjoy

 

[dandelion]

Palpluto, when are you going? We are flying into FLL on Apr. 12, staying there until Apr. 15 and then driving over to Naples area, then flying home on Apr. 19.

We booked a hotel in Lauderdale by the Sea, I liked the sound of it's more relaxed atmostphere.

My kids are a little younger, 11 and almost 9. If you go to FL before us give me some ideas for activities and I will do the same if our trip is first.

 

[palpluto]

We are going 4/4- 4/8. We have a regular hotel rm reserved right now(2 rms) but am looking to find a 2-3 br condo instead and all stay together.
Dandelion- Is your hotel a suite?

 

[dandelion]

palpluto, we have a regular hotel room in Lauderdale by the Sea. Only two double beds ... I'm not thrilled about sharing with the kids but for a few nights and at $79/nite we'll get through it. Again, my kids are only 9 and 11, when they get into their teen years we'll definitely need the suite rooms and more beds.

If you're interested we're staying at The Shore Haven and I believe they do have some larger rooms. http://www.shorehaven.com/index.html

There are more of these small-scale operations in Lauderdale by the Sea, I used the tripadvisor.com site. Maybe you'll also find something that would work out. Good luck!

 

[lbdpw1285]

if you are going to everglades & keys, check out holiday inn express in homestead/florida city at end of turnpike.
we stayed in january, clean & reasonable if u need 2 rooms.
good spot to jump off to everglades and key largo

 

[4Seasons]

There aren't a whole lot of condo-type options in Fort Lauderdale.
You have Wyndam Palm Aire in Pompano Beach that has 2 bedroom units, and the Vacation Village properties out in Weston that have 2 bedroom units, Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Beach resort, and maybe some smaller private type places.
You are still in the peak spring-break timeframe, so you are probably looking at $250/night and up for these type of units.
Mizner Place out in Weston is VERY nice and upscale, I had a client spend a month there in a 2 bedroom unit while he was waiting for his new house to be finished being built. He loved it, it is laid out similar to the Vacation Village at Parkway, with the 2 sides that lockoff and the central foyer.
Those 4 nights came up at just over $1000 total. This is about 20-30 min. west of FLL.
Ft. Lauderdale beaches are beautiful, there is 23 miles of "blue wave" beaches, which is an environmental designation given to the cleanest, safest and most user friendly beaches in the country.

 

[riu girl]

Do you know anyone who is an RCI timeshare member? If so check with them regarding getting you an extra vacation week. They will not have to exchange the week they own to get access to these extra inventory weeks. RCI also offer the RCI extra vacation weeks for just a few nights at a time. They are not bookable on-line and your RCI contact would have to call an RCI guide to get a few night vacation. The prices are MUCH less through RCI extra vacation then the usual booking engines.

Over Christmas we spent one week at Wyndham Palm Aire and a second week at Vacation Village at Weston. Both are very nice properties. Wyndham Palm Aire is approx. 5 miles to the beach but if you stay here you have complete access to another Wyndham property which is beautful. Both Palm Aire and VV at Weston are RCI timeshare resorts.

 

[palpluto]

I don't know anyone who is a RCI timeshare member. Thanks for the info.
Has anyone done the homeaway rentals or anything like that where you contact the owners directly? Good experience?
I'm trying to stay under $200/ night