Ft. Luauderdale pre-cruise hotel

[mjh8955]

If anyone is familiar with Ft. Lauderdale, can you tell me if the Hilton garden Inn in Dania is in an area that is safe to walk to restaurants? Just me and my daughter staying there the night before a cruise. Thanks!

 

[lauti]

There are probably better hotels for walking around and/or to restaurants - it's technically an airport hotel. There will be a restaurant in the hotel and breakfast is not free. They do have a shuttle to local restaurants.

 

[mjh8955]

Is there one you would recommend?? Trying to stay somewhere near $100, need complementary transportation from airport and to the port and preferably in an area where we could walk to a Walgreens or restaurant. Thanks for your help!

 

[lauti]

I'd check over at Cruise Critic, they would have a lot of recommendations.

We've stayed at the Fairfield Inn that does have transport but not sure about walkability. We've also stayed at the Westin on Hollywood Beach but that might be too $ for you.

 

[muushupork]

I live and work in the area and while its not the most luxurious it is a safe area with a big shopping center and a few different choices for food including all the fast foods Chipotle and an all night diner.

Edit: Just wanted to say i am subscribed and if you do the research I will happily answer any questions I can. I am a native South Floridian and I work on the roads so I can probably help.

 

[parkluvr]

We stayed at this hotel prior to a cruise last July. No problems with hotel, we would stay there again. Right across the street is a large complex with a number of different sit down restaurants, fast food restaurants, a Kmart and a number of other stores. If you specifically want a Walgreens I think that was quite a bit further away. I also believe that there is a Chipotle or something similar right in front/beside the hotel.

 

[beffiegirl]

I have stayed at the Doubletree. There is no free transport but its nice and there is a cvs near.Plus their is a water taxi in the back. I have also stayed at the Bahia Mar, not as nice but cheap and its on the main strip near ocean, no transport. I know that on cruise critic most people use the embassy suites and Hyatt. They are right near the port. taxis are cheap.

 

[Momof4DisneyLuvrs]

What about the Sleep Inn and Suites in Dania? I read they have a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel, free breakfast and free internet. The price seems reasonable and they are part of the Choice hotel chain. We are thinking about them as our pre-cruise hotel.

 

[ekatiel]

We stayed at the Renaissance. There were lots of places within walking distance. We'll be back in Ft. Lauderdale this November-- we'll have a car this time, so now I'm looking for somewhere that offers free cruise parking with a night's stay.

 

[muushupork]

What about the Sleep Inn and Suites in Dania? I read they have a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel, free breakfast and free internet. The price seems reasonable and they are part of the Choice hotel chain. We are thinking about them as our pre-cruise hotel.

FYI The Sleep Inn in Dania is right next to Anne Kolb Nature Center and a 3 minute drive from the beach. Its a nice safe area. Its also across the street from a Publix Shopping center with a dollar store and multiple nice reasonably priced restaurants. Its also right next to a walgreens ( or CVS not sure which one). Cant comment on the hotel itself though.

 

[dpswift]

We have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and the Hyatt Place. Both were good basic hotels. You had to pay for transfers to the Port. We found that it was cheaper and easier to take a taxi.

 

[Straitlover]

I would try booking the Hyatt Place 17th Street on Valuetrips.com (legit site, lots of people on Cruise Critic use it). They have free shuttle from the airport. Then I'd pay for a taxi to the port, which is right down the street basically. From there it's only $10-12 plus tip, I believe. That is a safe area w/ lots of restaurants, Total Wine (in the Harbor Shops) and I think CVS and Walgreens. I got a mani at a place down from the Total Wine while my sis and her BFF got massages at the Massage Envy.

There is also an Extended Stay Deluxe in the same area that gets good reviews.. If you can save enough on the hotel, you could pay for a taxi from the airport, too.

 

[mjh8955]

I found Hampton Inn Ft. Lauderdale Plantation that has free airport shuttle and complementary cruise shuttle too. I think there is shopping and restaurants across the street.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and the Hyatt Place. Both were good basic hotels. You had to pay for transfers to the Port. We found that it was cheaper and easier to take a taxi.

We stayed here once too and it was fine for a 1 nt stay. OP, I feel your pain with FLL hotels; they make Orlando look cheap.
My parents sail out of Ft. Lauderdale 1-2x every year and for the past few times they have gotten hotels from Hotwire.com. They stick with 4* or better in the port area and have never gotten a bad place. In fact, they are staying in one tonight and sailing tomorrow.

 

[mickey2000]

Staying at the Hampton Inn with free transportation ,,,,