Ft. Lauderdale Hotel?

[POA1]

We were planning to stay at your casa prior to our Nov. 23, 2016, Koningsdam cruise.

 

(I kid!)

It's fine. You'll beat the Thanksgiving rush.

[cruz chic]

We have a reservation for the Hyatt Pier 66 but thinking of changing. It is VERY pricey, we are paying $319 + taxes for a Tower High King room. This is the cruise & snooze rate that includes breakfast and transport to the ship.

 

We have never paid this much for a hotel before. We have stayed at Embassy Suites for around $100 and it was nice although nothing spectacular about it.

 

I guess you pay a lot to be on the waterway and have the great view of the ships.

 

Would appreciate any comments from those who have stayed there - is it worth the $$$.

 

Prices do tend to fluctuate at this hotel. I have a booking for this hotel for November 1st for $110. I'm paying $150 for the embassy suites is october. I know I've paid a lot more for those same hotels.

[sail7seas]

If you want to be close to the water taxi you should consider the Hilton Marina. There is a taxi stop right there. We have stayed there a couple of times and found everything to be just fine. But we do prefer the Embassy Suites for its proximity to stores and restaurants.:)

 

Just FYI.......

 

Hyatt Pier 66 also has a water taxi stop right at their Marina. Hilton is just across the bridge from Hyatt. :)

 

[sppunk]

It's fine. You'll beat the Thanksgiving rush.

 

Just make sure to have a pecan pie ready ....

 

(in truth we'd love to meet you for dinner that night before, we'll see!)

[POA1]

Just FYI.......

 

Hyatt Pier 66 also has a water taxi stop right at their Marina. Hilton is just across the bridge from Hyatt. :)

 

Double check that. There used to be a water taxi stop next to the Pelican Landing Bar and Grill, but it was not there in late April. They may have closed it during the renovation of the docks last fall.

[sail7seas]

I thought they reopened it? I'd be sorry if they didn't.

How does the new Pelican look? Much change?

Edited July 5, 2015 by sail7seas

[POA1]

I thought they reopened it? I'd be sorry if they didn't.

How does the new Pelican look? Much change?

New chairs and tables, and a general sprucing up. Still very good.

 

They dropped the water taxi stop during the dock renovation because you couldn't get there while the docks were torn up. We've had lunch at the Pelican Landing several times since it reopened, and there's no longer any signage to indicate a water taxi stop. In addition, the railing is now solid - where the stop was, down on the lower level, opposite the side of the building where the deck is.

 

The last time we were there, we walked around to see if we could figure out if the taxi stop had been relocated, but we didn’t see anything. That's why I said to double check. It might be that we missed it. The WaterTaxi.com site isn't a lot of help. As I mentioned in my earlier post, there are quite a few whistle stops that aren't listed on the site. (The Hyatt Pier 66 stop used to be a scheduled stop and we could walk there.)

 

Updated: It's still listed as Stop 6 on the website, but it says temporarily closed.

Edited July 5, 2015 by POA1

[solocanadian]

There is a gazillion hotel recommendations on the Florida Departures Board.

 

We prefer the Embassy Suites.

 

I stayed there 3 nights this past April. Stay out of their hot tub. It is loaded with Chlorine that stung your skin while you sat there. The water was very, very hot. I ended up with a extremely itchy, oozing rash from the damn thing.:( Spoiled my cruise and I ran up a Medical Bill on the ship over $400.00 going to see the doctor and getting meds. This is July and exactly 3 months later and I'm still having skin problems. STAY OUT of their hot tub.:eek:

[guinnesshalfpint]

Thank you POA for the local lowdown!

 

I prefer the Hilton Marina. There is no beach but several mega yachts to lust after tied up right outside, plus the water taxi (nothing to look at mind you but an interesting ride) If you are a Hilton Honors member you generally get (or can request) the club floor in the tower with rooms facing the port. I love to sit on the balcony watching the ships leave the night before and then to wake up early and see mine come in. Pier 66 is my next choice for the same reasons though usually pricier.

 

Book early and check back later for better prices. That's a tactical error I made recently. Who new all the hotels would be sold out November 5th? It's the International "Boat" Show with three billliiiion dollars of beauty on parade.

 

So it shall be the Embassy Suites for the first time (for an overpriced $286). Looking forward to checking out Total Wine!

Edited July 5, 2015 by guinnesshalfpint
Side note - Hilton Marina also has the best Rum Runner I have ever had!

[Waverolling]

I am interested in comments regarding Comfort Suites Airport & Cruise Port located on S. Federal Hwy. I have booked this for a 2 night stay, post cruise in Nov. price wise I thought it was pretty good.

 

Would this location be within walking distance to a water taxi stop? We have never been to Fort Lauderdale and I have read info on the water taxis thought it would be a great way to explore some of the area.

 

Any comments would be appreciated. :rolleyes:

[POA1]

Who new all the hotels would be sold out November 5th? It's the International "Boat" Show with three billliiiion dollars of beauty on parade.

 

Allow yourself extra time to get around during the week of the boat show. If you want to dine somewhere and they take reservations, I'd recommend that you make them ahead of time. Most places down here are in OpenTable, which makes the reservation process a little easier.

 

Enjoy Total Wine. It's like a candy store for big kids.

[EbayCruiser]

Prices do tend to fluctuate at this hotel. I have a booking for this hotel for November 1st for $110. I'm paying $150 for the embassy suites is october. I know I've paid a lot more for those same hotels.

 

I guess I will keep my reservation. It is for Jan. 1, 2016 and I checked other hotels and they are in the high $200 range. I'd like to stay right on the intercoastal and am paying extra for a high tower room on the marina front to see the ships go out and come in.

[guinnesshalfpint]

Allow yourself extra time to get around during the week of the boat show. If you want to dine somewhere and they take reservations, I'd recommend that you make them ahead of time. Most places down here are in OpenTable, which makes the reservation process a little easier.

 

Enjoy Total Wine. It's like a candy store for big kids.

 

 

I appreciate the suggestion. For everyone else, the Open Table App has been a lifesaver many a time, especially in those cases where indecision may or may not have been my problem. It shows you the realm of possibilities, not just availability at a specific restaurant.

 

As for candy, I see Total Wine has a large variety of sparkling wines, so I will be buying at least two cavas or proseccos or the like to carry on board. Cheers!

 

Oh and I can't answer the question about the water taxi stop, but In my experience the route times aren't very accurate. I enjoy the 'tour' but to make a round trip to and from your hotel even to a even a few stops can take a long time. Regardless it's well worth the time and money to cruise by the yachts and homes. stunning.

Edited July 5, 2015 by guinnesshalfpint

[iancal]

We always do Priceline bids or Hotwire.

 

Over the past few years we have had Embassy Suites, Hyatt Pier 66, Hyatt Place (off 17th), Westin FLL Beach, Westin FLL, Mariott Courtyard FLL Beach, Renaissance (17th), and Hilton Marina. They have all been good places to stay. Also had Renaissance Plantation which was also very nice but we had a car.

[wntgoislnds]

Check out the Crowne Plaza at Hollywood Beach. great pool, great beach and water taxi close by

[shipshapegirl]

My husband and I have stayed at the Comfort Inn for three different cruises. It was very clean and everything seemed very updated. Continental breakfast was good. The only suggestion I would make is to request a room facing the ocean and not on Federal Highway. There is a lot of traffic on the road regardless of what time of night it is. We called a couple of weeks before we got there the last time and spoke to Greg. He took care of us and we had a great stay. They also have a sign up sheet for transportation to the cruise port. The cost is $6.00 per person and the shuttle starts at 10:30 am.

[Jinty684]

Has anyone stayed here before? The location looks OK and the reviews seem OK....we're flying in the night before our cruise and I can use points at Best Western so thought that this looked like a good choice....

 

How close would it be to the famous wine store I'm always reading about? Coming in the night before will now allow us to bring some wine....some water...whatever! These are things I haven't been able to do before as I've coming in the day of the cruise up until now.

[POA1]

Has anyone stayed here before? The location looks OK and the reviews seem OK....we're flying in the night before our cruise and I can use points at Best Western so thought that this looked like a good choice....

 

How close would it be to the famous wine store I'm always reading about? Coming in the night before will now allow us to bring some wine....some water...whatever! These are things I haven't been able to do before as I've coming in the day of the cruise up until now.

What's the hotel and address?

[Roz]

The title says Best Western Plus Oceanside Inn, but doesn't give an address.

 

Roz

[Jinty684]

The title says Best Western Plus Oceanside Inn, but doesn't give an address.

 

Roz

 

1180 Seabreeze Boulevard

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33316-2426, US

 

According to the map, it's on the water....

[mhb1757]

We are looking for a decent place to stay on 2/20 for just 1 night before the cruise. Would need an airport shuttle and would like a shuttle to the port also if possible. For reasons I cannot explain prices are sky high for that night. Nothing really decent under $250, most more. Embassy Suites was over $300...ouch. I made a reservation (no penalty to cancel) at the Holiday Inn Express in Dania. The hotel had decent reviews on trip advisor. Main negatives were long wait for shuttle at airport and iffy neighborhood. Do I want to keep looking for something better? Wait and hope rates come down? Bite the bullet and pay $$$ for Embassy Suites?

Has anyone stayed at this property and has an opinion?

[momatibm]

We are looking for a decent place to stay on 2/20 for just 1 night before the cruise. Would need an airport shuttle and would like a shuttle to the port also if possible. For reasons I cannot explain prices are sky high for that night. Nothing really decent under $250, most more. Embassy Suites was over $300...ouch. I made a reservation (no penalty to cancel) at the Holiday Inn Express in Dania. The hotel had decent reviews on trip advisor. Main negatives were long wait for shuttle at airport and iffy neighborhood. Do I want to keep looking for something better? Wait and hope rates come down? Bite the bullet and pay $$$ for Embassy Suites?

Has anyone stayed at this property and has an opinion?

 

There is the 40th Annual Ruggerfest that weekend in FT. Lauderdale. 40+ teams and entourages are expected to participate -- that might explain the prices.

[Ricktan]

Allow yourself extra time to get around during the week of the boat show. If you want to dine somewhere and they take reservations, I'd recommend that you make them ahead of time. Most places down here are in OpenTable, which makes the reservation process a little easier.

 

Enjoy Total Wine. It's like a candy store for big kids.

 

Hey POA1...since we consider you the go to for all things food and wine:)...we will be in FL for ONE night only, Dec 12 before boarding NA. I originally wanted to stay at The Pillars but they want a 2-night minimum. So, we are staying at Pier Sixty Six. Only having one night, where would you suggest we eat??? (Love the charms,by the way!!)

[Typhoon1]

It's really a matter of how much you want to spend.

 

If your looking for the best of best, The Pillars can't be beat. If your looking for an average chain hotel, Embassy Suites on 17th is always a winner.

[HoneyGV]

Being from the north, when cruising I like to fly to Ft Lauderdale a day or two before sailing. When you fly in early, what hotel does everyone stay and why?

 

We usually stay at the Hollywood Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Stirling Rd.

 

Gets us into the sailing mood.