Fort Lauderdale - Embassy Suites

[Krazy Kruizers]

A couple of more pictures of the pool and the fish as you cross a bridge heading to the pool.

 

 

 

We love watching the Koi fish -- at one time there used to be 2 black swans in the main area.

And inside the hotel there were 4 ducks -- 2 were killed when the glass was shattered in the ceiling during the hurricane a few years ago. The other 2 were removed.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Taxi shouldn't be an issue in most hotels. Doorman can call one if none are waiting on property.

 

No safe in guest rooms is a big deal for me and for those on behalf of whom I am making this inquiry.

Actually, it rather shocks me in this day and age.

 

 

We have stayed inn many Hilton and Marriott hotels and there weren't any safes in the rooms -- and some were very recent.

[kazu]

Thank you kazu for this update!!

 

I thought we had been told that safes were being added -- but we haven't been back there since February.

 

We were always escorted into the back office to put items into the safety deposit boxes -- very secure.

 

I'm not sure when they are doing it Yonnie - but it is definitely scheduled for this year from what I was told.

 

Ours went into the back office too - very impressed with all the locks. I wasn't worried:D

[sail7seas]

The photos are wonderful, Shrimpboat and KK.

Thanks so much for posting them.

The property looks lovely and very comfortable for relaxing.

The grounds are actually must prettier than I imagined and I LOVE the fish. :)

 

I still maintain my surprise and displeasure about the safes. Whether we can name other hotels that don't have them doesn't influence my reaction about this hotel not having guest safes. It is important to us but I can understand if it doesn't matter to someone else. Another person may care about something that doesn't bother us.

 

No safe = no stay, for us. We'd find a different place to stay that has the most of the things that we want. I'll pay attention this year to Embassy Suite comments that the safes have been installed in guest rooms. Hopefully someone will post when they find one in their room and can verify Embassy Suites in FLL has upgraded the property to include them.

I'm a very cautious traveler and trust no strangers..... my bad. :o

 

Just a personal prefence of mine........ no one need agree. :)

 

[sapper1]

I'm so glad I started this thread. Great contributions that are very appreciated. No safe in the room is just about a deal breaker for me. I'll tell the people for whom I am asking these questions as that will be important info for them. Thank you SO MUCH for mentioning that. No safe; no stay.

 

I don't trust lock boxes at front desks. Unless you inventory contents in front of them what you are putting in there, how would you prove what is missing? IF you inventory it, who needs for someone to KNOW what you have placed in there.

 

I'm very surprised they are so behind in this regard.

 

Thanks for sharing about Bimini. Good to know. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Sage.

We don't do the shuttles. Just not something we enjoy. We like our own transportation and to leave when we want not on someone else's schedule. JMO...... I'll also share this info with those for whom I am making these inquiries.

I would hope a taxi is easy to get at the front door and the fare would be very low to the airport..... it's a short ride. We always take taxi from Hyatt Pier 66 and the fare is under $15.

 

My safe information is five months old and the lady who assisted me did say room safes were in the cards. It might bear checking with the hotel or maybe someone with a more current stay will post on the subject.

 

They used a two key system like the banks use and you go into a private locked room to access the bank of boxes. The attendant also discretely leaves the room while you load up your box. You also have to sign in and out each time. It is the best organised front desk system I have encountered, but I agree, not ideal.

 

I will post an update when we return from our Nov cruise.

 

There are always waiting taxis at the front door as it is a large hotel.

[sail7seas]

Thanks, Sapper. :)

 

I was typing when you were posting and didn't read your post until I had finished mine.

[Linda&Vern]

I just spoke with the front desk at the Embassy Suites. They have NOT installed the in-room safes yet ... and probably won't until they do the room renovations - which has not started yet. The person I spoke with thought the front desk controlling the safes via 2-key system was safer than having a personal safe in the guest room. That was just his comment - not sure I agree.

 

To Shrimpboat123 and to KK: Thanks so much for posting the pics. I had forgotten how nice the pool area was.

 

After seeing the East side photo DH and I are sure we had the Juliet balcony. We remember standing out there - but do not remember sitting on lounge chairs or anything.

 

There is a hotel shuttle to the port @ approx $7pp. We did not intend to take it as we just don't do that (we are not the let's sit and wait type of personalities). However, as we were asking the staff to order our taxi the bellmen with our luggage came up to us and said let's just put you on the shuttle now - they are pulling out any second. So he loaded our luggage and we jumped in with 2-3 other couples and pulled away immediately. We were dropped first at the Z - so the experience went well.

[MortgageChick]

So they still have complimentary breakfast, complimentary cocktail hour and complementary Port shuttle? We have not stayed there since 2003 ,but at that time all of the above were available

[Copper10-8]

So they still have complimentary breakfast, complimentary cocktail hour and complementary Port shuttle? We have not stayed there since 2003 ,but at that time all of the above were available

 

Yes, yes and No! Their shuttle van is outtahere!

[sapper1]

I just spoke with the front desk at the Embassy Suites. They have NOT installed the in-room safes yet ... and probably won't until they do the room renovations - which has not started yet. The person I spoke with thought the front desk controlling the safes via 2-key system was safer than having a personal safe in the guest room. That was just his comment - not sure I agree.

 

To Shrimpboat123 and to KK: Thanks so much for posting the pics. I had forgotten how nice the pool area was.

 

After seeing the East side photo DH and I are sure we had the Juliet balcony. We remember standing out there - but do not remember sitting on lounge chairs or anything.

 

There is a hotel shuttle to the port @ approx $7pp. We did not intend to take it as we just don't do that (we are not the let's sit and wait type of personalities). However, as we were asking the staff to order our taxi the bellmen with our luggage came up to us and said let's just put you on the shuttle now - they are pulling out any second. So he loaded our luggage and we jumped in with 2-3 other couples and pulled away immediately. We were dropped first at the Z - so the experience went well.

 

Thank you for posting re the current room safe situation.

[kazu]

My safe information is five months old and the lady who assisted me did say room safes were in the cards. It might bear checking with the hotel or maybe someone with a more current stay will post on the subject.

 

They used a two key system like the banks use and you go into a private locked room to access the bank of boxes. The attendant also discretely leaves the room while you load up your box. You also have to sign in and out each time. It is the best organised front desk system I have encountered, but I agree, not ideal.

 

I will post an update when we return from our Nov cruise.

 

There are always waiting taxis at the front door as it is a large hotel.

 

Great description of the safety deposit box system sapper1. It is exactly the same system as our Canadian banks use (retired banker speaking). This system is very safe and I had no worries with my valuables and passport there. There was no charge for the service.

 

Not as handy as in your room of course, but we only needed it when we arrived and before we left. for us, it wouldn't be a deal breaker as there were so many other things we liked about the hotel:D

[Cayoooga]

I have enjoyed all the pics and information. We have booked into ES for the first time in FLL for our next upcoming cruises. With all the restaurants and Total Wine close by, it looks like a good choice. Thanks for sharing;)

[Krazy Kruizers]

So they still have complimentary breakfast, complimentary cocktail hour and complementary Port shuttle? We have not stayed there since 2003 ,but at that time all of the above were available

 

As I mentioned in an earlier post the Embassy Suites in Ft Lauderdale no longer has free shuttles to and from the airport and to and from the pier. This was stopped about in 2008.

To get to and from the pier -- you can arrange through the Concierge for shuttle service. Depending on how many people are scheduled, depends on if you will share a shuttle with another hotel. The last I heard it was $8 per person each way for the pier.

There is still the full complimentary breakast.

There is still the Manager's Cocktails from 5:30 - 7:30 each evening. The last couple of years we have been there it has been held in the E-Spot Restaurant instead of in the lobby.

E-Spot is the new restaurant that replaced Salute.

[sail7seas]

As I mentioned in an earlier post the Embassy Suites in Ft Lauderdale no longer has free shuttles to and from the airport and to and from the pier. This was stopped about in 2008.

 

To get to and from the pier -- you can arrange through the Concierge for shuttle service. Depending on how many people are scheduled, depends on if you will share a shuttle with another hotel. The last I heard it was $8 per person each way for the pier.

 

 

 

<snip>

 

 

I just want to verify......

 

Is there some particular reason to not count on easily getting a taxi at the front door when one is ready to go to port or airport?

 

Do they have taxi's waiting on property like so many hotels do? If none are present, are they relucatant to call for one?

 

What about in the evening when people wish to go to dinner? Will they promptly and 'pleasantly' get taxis, if requested?

 

 

 

[Sage]

We love the Atlantic Resort and Spa in Ft. Lauderdale. They are a beautiful property that is across the street from the beach, and in a lovely area full of shops and restaurants. The rooms are gorgeous, and they do have in room safes. The restaurant on the property serves delicious food, and the staff make you feel very welcome. We usually stay at the hotel before a cruise, but I would love to come and spend a week or two at the hotel.

[flamingogal]

I just want to verify......

 

Is there some particular reason to not count on easily getting a taxi at the front door when one is ready to go to port or airport?

 

Do they have taxi's waiting on property like so many hotels do? If none are present, are they relucatant to call for one?

 

What about in the evening when people wish to go to dinner? Will they promptly and 'pleasantly' get taxis, if requested?

 

 

 

 

Sail, The staff will happily call a taxi for you. Especially on cruise days, there are always cabs out front. Quick and Easy. Put your mind at ease.

 

Jeanne

[Linda&Vern]

I just want to verify......

 

Is there some particular reason to not count on easily getting a taxi at the front door when one is ready to go to port or airport?

 

Do they have taxi's waiting on property like so many hotels do? If none are present, are they relucatant to call for one?

 

What about in the evening when people wish to go to dinner? Will they promptly and 'pleasantly' get taxis, if requested?

 

In Nov 2010 there was no trouble getting a taxi from the hotel. On cruise day morning we only took the shuttle (and it was an Embassy Suites van) because it was sitting at the door waiting to depart and the bellman talked us into it. We jumped in and it took off. There were many taxi's at the front door during our two stays. After our cruise we stayed there again and there was no trouble getting a taxi to the airport.

 

One thing to mention about this hotel ... and I realize it may be the same at others in FLL ... IMO a lot of the guests are there because they are cruising or have just returned from cruising. One day there was a lobby "welcome table" from one cruise line. I felt there was "excitment in the air" while staying there ... kind of like what you experience when eating in the Lido on embarkation day.:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

I just want to verify......

 

Is there some particular reason to not count on easily getting a taxi at the front door when one is ready to go to port or airport?

 

Do they have taxi's waiting on property like so many hotels do? If none are present, are they relucatant to call for one?

 

What about in the evening when people wish to go to dinner? Will they promptly and 'pleasantly' get taxis, if requested?

 

 

 

 

 

We have never had a problem asking for them to call us a taxi if there isn't one sitting around no what time of the day it is.

[Typhoon1]

Rooms are essentially the same at all Embassy Suites nationwide.

[pinksand]

Or, you can call your own taxi. Yellow Cab 777-7777 :D

[sail7seas]

Sail, The staff will happily call a taxi for you. Especially on cruise days, there are always cabs out front. Quick and Easy. Put your mind at ease.

 

Jeanne

 

We have never had a problem asking for them to call us a taxi if there isn't one sitting around no what time of the day it is.

 

 

Thanks. I hoped that was the case.

[sail7seas]

Or, you can call your own taxi. Yellow Cab 777-7777 :D

 

 

And take away the Doorman's job? :D :eek:

 

I'd let him call......... :)

 

[sail7seas]

Rooms are essentially the same at all Embassy Suites nationwide.

 

 

I thought so, Typhoon, but we have not stayed in enough of them for me to have contradicted.

 

Thanks for clarifying.

 

Maybe there are a few unusual exceptions? :shrug:

 

[sapper1]

I just want to verify......

 

Is there some particular reason to not count on easily getting a taxi at the front door when one is ready to go to port or airport?

 

Do they have taxi's waiting on property like so many hotels do? If none are present, are they relucatant to call for one?

 

What about in the evening when people wish to go to dinner? Will they promptly and 'pleasantly' get taxis, if requested?

 

 

 

 

There always seemed to be a couple of taxis waiting at the end of the circular drive.

 

The bellman seemed anxious to put us in the shuttle to go to the port but when we insisted on a taxi he just beckoned for one to drive up.

[Maryandi]

The most different and beautiful Embassy Suites is on the ocean in Deerfield Beach, FL.

Modern and bright, with windows that face the ocean and a different floor plan from the 17th St,with dark and small rooms.

Even has 2 bathrooms in each suite !!

Check it out.

MaryAnn