MIA/Port Everglades recommendations sought

[Ka Honu]

We're arriving at MIA the afternoon before cruising out of Port Everglades and returning to Port Everglades the morning before flying home from MIA.

 

I'm looking for some recommendations on the best hotel & transportation combinations that would work at either or both ends of the trip. Ideally there's a decent hotel that shuttles both to/from MIA and to/from the port.

 

Thanks in advance for your ideas & suggestions.

[TrentS]

MIA to Port Everglades is a 45-60 minute drive, longer during "rush hour". There are NO hotels that shuttle between anything in Miami and Ft Lauderdale, the distance is too great.

 

If you're cruising out of Ft Lauderdale then I would stay in Ft Lauderdale, either along SE17th Street or the beach. No clue what "best" means to you, but if you want the "best" hotel in Ft Lauderdale that would be the Ritz-Carlton if you're prepared to pay for it.

 

From MIA easiest shuttle to grab is SuperShuttle. You can also hire a car service/limo, but you do not want to take a taxi that far.

[Ka Honu]

Thanks for the suggestions. I did a bit more research and am thinking that renting a car from Budget (about $50/day) may be the best bet - pick up at MIA and drop at their site near the port (They apparently have a shuttle there).

 

If that works out, we'd probably be better off staying somewhere near MIA since we get in late in the afternoon (and then have the whole next day to get to the port) and on our return we have all day free and and an early-morning departure from MIA the next day. Now all I have to do is find a decent place at a reasonable rate with free parking sort of near MIA.

[TrentS]

The rental car is usually your best bet and gives you a lot more freedom... You can return the car to the Car Rental Center at FLL and they will shuttle you to Port Everglades. The airport and port are adjacent. Do the reverse to pick a car up after your cruise.

 

For the night before your cruise I'd stay someplace like Aventura, midway between Miami and Ft Lauderdale. That's a very nice area with a huge mall, and lots of restaurants of every kind... http://www.aventuramall.com/

 

These are nice, less expensive hotels in that area...

 

Residence Inn... http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/miara-residence-inn-miami-aventura-mall/

 

Marriott Courtyard... http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/miaav-courtyard-miami-aventura-mall/

 

Hampton Inn... http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=FLLHDHX

 

If you want to stay near MIA for your early flight out, the "Blue Lagoon" hotels are in the safer area, and are not real expensive...

 

Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon... http://www.hamptoninnmiamiairport.com/

 

Homewood Suites... http://www.homewoodsuitesmiami.com/

 

Summerfield Suites... http://miamiairport.summerfieldsuites.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/summerfield/index.jsp

 

Those airport hotels are about 20-30 minutes from South Beach. If you've never been there before I highly recommend spending the afternoon/evening over there.

[royalcruz]

Thanks for the suggestions. I did a bit more research and am thinking that renting a car from Budget (about $50/day) may be the best bet - pick up at MIA and drop at their site near the port (They apparently have a shuttle there).

 

If that works out, we'd probably be better off staying somewhere near MIA since we get in late in the afternoon (and then have the whole next day to get to the port) and on our return we have all day free and and an early-morning departure from MIA the next day. Now all I have to do is find a decent place at a reasonable rate with free parking sort of near MIA.

 

The hotels near MIA are really expensive, and there is nothing there. There is no point. Just get the car and come to Fort Lauderdale.