Hotels near the port...

[Sunmi Lee]

We'd like to drive over to the port or Cocoa Beach the night before our 1/7/06 cruise and stay in a hotel. What are some nice hotels and why? Also, did they have shuttle service to the port?

Thanks for your help...

 

[skibum]

We stayed at the Radisson. Free shuttle to the boat with free parking, and a nice pool and hot tub.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

check out dcltribute.com. There is a pretty good summary of the lodging choices with descriptions.

We also stay at the Radisson. However people have enjoyed Ron Jon's resort also. The Radisson is a little aged...pool is nice...but rooms are worn. For one night...totally acceptable, close to the port and free shuttle. BUT because so many people who cruise also stay at the Radisson, it does get crowded. Ron Jon's is more condo type...big lazy river and pool, but no shuttle that I know of.

 

[musicgirl]

We've stayed at the Marriott and at the Hampton. Both were about 100 yards from the beach, so they are basically beachfront. The current rates are around $150.

The Marriott has a shuttle included if you can get a cruise package deal. This hotel was nice, had a pool but were a bit on the disorganized side. Everytime I called to confirm info and even when I checked in, they never had the info correct. But eventually, they did correct it.

The Hampton does not include a shuttle, but you can arrange for it to pick you up. They have a nice cont. bk included.

Personally, we take a taxi to the port. Here's why:
-Art's is the main shuttle in the area and they will not pick you up until 12. Now maybe this has changed, but I don't think so. The terminal opens around 10:30 and last time we boarded around 11:30. Art's told me they don't allow anyone in until 12. Ummmmmmm?????
-We also had to vie for a space on the shuttle. As part of my cruise package at the Marriott, I asked to be picked up around 10:30 or so. Hotel confirmed they would, well only to find out later this wasn't true. Because I was upset they were able to arrange it, however another group showed up to ride the shuttle that was suppose to be arranged for our group of 7!!!
-You still end up tipping them.
-If you arrange for a shuttle not included in your rate, it is $3 person per way.

We will take a taxi from now on. They will pick up when I want, it was basically $15 plus the tip this was for 3 people and I know that the only group going will be mine!!!

Next year, we are going to Comfort Inn which is right near both of these hotels and is $99.

If you want really cheap, Motel 6 is in the same area for around $70. There have been some really good comments about this hotel just recently. I was going to stay there, but it was booked over a year out.

 

[ljql_5969]

I'll echo the last poster about Motel 6. We are getting in very late the evening before our cruise next year so we weren't looking for much more than a place to lay our heads. So, this also meant that we didn't want to spend over $100 to stay there for a couple of hours. We booked Motel 6 a week ago for our July trip because I noticed they booked up fast. Got the click6 internet rate from their website for $68.39/night. I went to dcltribute, clicked on the Motel 6 link and then went to reservations. Really easy.

We are renting a car the night before so that is how we are getting to the port. I wonder if my DH and brother (our drivers) will ask for a tip?

 

[Landy]

Musicgirl, I see you stayed at the Hampton. We're staying there the night before our cruise. Is there a bar inside the hotel?

 

[musicgirl]

Landy-

According to their website, there is a lounge. I'm trying to recall it, but I can only picture the lobby with the breakfast bar.
So, I'm sure there is one though.

Right next door, and I mean right next door, the Marriott definitely has one. We ended up here to have a few drinks and dinner. DO NOT EAT HERE!!!!! Now that was 2 years ago, so may be the food has improved.


ljql_5969-

Do you have any pictures of the room at Motel 6? The web site only has a picture of the pool. After booking at Comfort Suite and a number of conversations with Motel 6, suddenly there are rooms available at Motel 6. I have toyed with the idea of switching. We are staying 2 nights and since I am a penny pincher with everything , the $30 difference could sway me!!!

And you just never know when that hand will pop out even if you have it in with the driver!!!!

 

[Henlady]

We have ressies at the Comfort Inn in Cocoa Beach. The website looks OK. We'll only be there one night. We have a AAA rate of $89.10 plus 10% Tax = $98.01. I'll let you all know how it is when we get back after the Oct trip.


Kris

98 days till we leave for our 30th Anniversary 4-day Wonder cruise and a few days at PO-R

 

[musicgirl]

Thanks Henlady!!! I'd appreciate it. There are not many pictures available here either!!

One thing to keep in mind when checking out the hotels at Dave's site, the rates listed are not necessarily up to date. When I called quite a few of the hotels a few weeks ago, the rates were either at the high end range listed or above the range listed.

The rates at Cocoa Beach have gone up quite a bit. For example, we stayed at the Hampton 6-04 for $99. I was quoted around $150 for next June. So in 2 years the rate jumped around $50.

This may be due to hurricane damage or just that Cocoa Beach is becoming very popular. I had e-mailed Shirley inquiring about Motel 6 and she also mentioned the rate hikes.

 

[Keggy]

We stayed at the Radisson and I really enjoyed it. We had a whirlpool tub in the room to relax in the night before the cruise. We were not able to utlize the pool, so I can comment on that, but I have read great things about it. Also, we ate breakfast there the morning of and they had a great buffet. There is gated parking with shuttles to the port - so we felt safe leaving our car parked there for the week.

We only live about and hour and a half from the port and arethinking of staying at the Radisson again to utlize the parking!

Kelly

 

[salbythec]

We have stayed at the Hampton Inn , this time we are staying at the Inn at cocoa Beach. This cruise we are going without the DD, so this looks like the perfect spot to begin and end our vacation!
The price is 145 and includes wine and cheese in the evening and breakfast in am, and shuttle to the port and free parking.

 

[Jsme]

We'd like to drive over to the port or Cocoa Beach the night before our 1/7/06 cruise and stay in a hotel. What are some nice hotels and why? Also, did they have shuttle service to the port?

Thanks for your help...

I just sent you a PM.

 

[Sunmi Lee]

Thank you all so much for the great info. Keep them coming!!

 

[MandyMommytoReaghan]

Hi- we are staying the Double Tree oceanfront for our upcoming cruise. I had originally booked the Radisson, but decided I wanted to stay right there on the beach ( I have never been to FLA ). I paid $194.00 for a 1 bedrrom suite. There will be 5 of us in the room. Their web site certainly made it look nice.....but you never know. Especially with the hurricane damage. Fingers crossed it will be nice. It was between Double Tree, Holiday Inn oceanfront resort and Ron Jon's if we wanted "oceanfront". There was availablilty for all of them, Ron Jon's was the most expensive. It was like $254.00 + tax for a 1 bedrrom I believe. I called around so much the numbers are running together..lol As far as shuttle service, we rented a car from Budget and will drop it off the morning of our cruise and use their free shuttle service to the port. I should know in a couple of weeks if it is as easy as I making it out to be........ Hopefully it will. I will take pics of the Double Tree and post them as soon as I get back. One more thing, I have read that many use Priceline to get cheaper rates.

 

[skibum]

I called Ron Jon's today about a room on the Friday night before our spring break cruise. One bedroom was $325 without tax!!!
Looks like we will be at the Radisson for sure.

 

[Sunmi Lee]

I wonder, has anyone tried to bid on rooms in cocoa beach? How much and at which hotels? The problem we're having is that we have 3 families totaling 10 people (6Adults and 4Children). It would be wonderful if we could all stay in one lodging like a 2 bedroom suite at Ron Jon's, but that only accomodates 8. They have ones that accomodate 10 but they are all booked. And if we got 3 separate rooms, it can get pretty costly just for one night. I guess we can't get everything we want...

 

[pewing]

I called Ron Jon's today about a room on the Friday night before our spring break cruise. One bedroom was $325 without tax!!!
Looks like we will be at the Radisson for sure.

Yeah...they quoted us $320 That's too rich for my blood

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I reserved a double at the Motel 6 at cocoa beach with micro/fridge for 65 plus tax. I got the recommendation from www.dcltribute.com. It is supposed to be 100 yards from the beach and 4.6 miles from the port. A taxi to the port is 20 with the tip.

 

[pewing]

I wonder, has anyone tried to bid on rooms in cocoa beach? How much and at which hotels? The problem we're having is that we have 3 families totaling 10 people (6Adults and 4Children). It would be wonderful if we could all stay in one lodging like a 2 bedroom suite at Ron Jon's, but that only accomodates 8. They have ones that accomodate 10 but they are all booked. And if we got 3 separate rooms, it can get pretty costly just for one night. I guess we can't get everything we want...

We bid $99 on a 3star. Got Holiday Inn Oceanfront. Maybe I should have bid less I was happy with $99. Looks like a nice place. Anyone stayed there?

 

[tinkryansmom]

I also reviewed info at biddingfortravel.com and finally booked a room through Priceline. We are cruising 10/29 and are flying in from CA the night before - Radisson gets a lot of great reviews but since I am not going to be able to take advantage of the great pool, I thought why pay the price? The best rate I found was $150.

I found out there are only 2 or 3 three star hotels on priceline for cocoa beach - the Radisson at the port and Holiday Inn Oceanfront are two of them. I thought either would be great. We got Holiday Inn for $55. Yes, I get to pay either a shuttle or a taxi to the port, but the price difference was worth it to me! I saved enough to hire a limo from the airport!!

I understand the HI Oceanfront rebuilt after the last series of hurricanes - so I am hoping it will be nice.