Ft. Lauderdale hotel

[Itchy&Scratchy]

Stayed at the Crowne Plaza two weeks ago. Will not stay again...

 

The hotel itself was good, the room clean and spacious, and it actually had a pod coffee maker (we didn't use). But they greatly soured our experience with a 1.5 hour wait for a free shuttle (after a long day) and by hanging up on us 4 out of 6 times when we called to ask if it was still coming. Eventually we took a taxi for $25...

When we complained at the front desk at check-in about the unreasonably long wait (the hotel is like 3 blocks away) and the hang ups, we were told to basically get over it, because a free shuttle is not a guaranteed amenity. They said they were super busy at the hotel. We were the only people there!

 

If they told us they were busy and the shuttle would take over 1-1.5 hours, we would have taken a taxi and saved all the aggravation. We were super tired and it was 10 pm when we finally got there. We landed at 7:30!

 

The lady checking us out in the morning was a lot more apologetic and understanding.

 

We took an uber in the morning - took 3 minutes to arrive and about 5 minute drive to the port.

[KeepCalmBearOn]

3 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

But they greatly soured our experience with a 1.5 hour wait for a free shuttle (after a long day)

 

If you waited 90 minutes, it wasn't a "free shuttle", there was a definite cost to it.

 

I would have waited 15 minutes then taken a cab.

[ericosmith]

9 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

Stayed at the Crowne Plaza two weeks ago. Will not stay again...

 

The hotel itself was good, the room clean and spacious, and it actually had a pod coffee maker (we didn't use). But they greatly soured our experience with a 1.5 hour wait for a free shuttle (after a long day) and by hanging up on us 4 out of 6 times when we called to ask if it was still coming. Eventually we took a taxi for $25...

When we complained at the front desk at check-in about the unreasonably long wait (the hotel is like 3 blocks away) and the hang ups, we were told to basically get over it, because a free shuttle is not a guaranteed amenity. They said they were super busy at the hotel. We were the only people there!

 

If they told us they were busy and the shuttle would take over 1-1.5 hours, we would have taken a taxi and saved all the aggravation. We were super tired and it was 10 pm when we finally got there. We landed at 7:30!

 

The lady checking us out in the morning was a lot more apologetic and understanding.

 

We took an uber in the morning - took 3 minutes to arrive and about 5 minute drive to the port.

The perils of a tourist hotel near the cruise port.  Had this happen in another location and was told to take a taxi or Uber at their expense.  Front desk handed over cash upon arrival, no questions asked.  

[DavidsNana]

On 12/2/2022 at 11:11 AM, Itchy&Scratchy said:

Stayed at the Crowne Plaza two weeks ago. Will not stay again...

 

The hotel itself was good, the room clean and spacious, and it actually had a pod coffee maker (we didn't use). But they greatly soured our experience with a 1.5 hour wait for a free shuttle (after a long day) and by hanging up on us 4 out of 6 times when we called to ask if it was still coming. Eventually we took a taxi for $25...

When we complained at the front desk at check-in about the unreasonably long wait (the hotel is like 3 blocks away) and the hang ups, we were told to basically get over it, because a free shuttle is not a guaranteed amenity. They said they were super busy at the hotel. We were the only people there!

 

If they told us they were busy and the shuttle would take over 1-1.5 hours, we would have taken a taxi and saved all the aggravation. We were super tired and it was 10 pm when we finally got there. We landed at 7:30!

 

The lady checking us out in the morning was a lot more apologetic and understanding.

 

We took an uber in the morning - took 3 minutes to arrive and about 5 minute drive to the port.

Looking for a hotel for night before cruise 24 Feb.  Other than the shuttle problem, how was the hotel?  Was it clean and were beds comfortable?  Thank you.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

44 minutes ago, DavidsNana said:

Looking for a hotel for night before cruise 24 Feb.  Other than the shuttle problem, how was the hotel?  Was it clean and were beds comfortable?  Thank you.

yes, the hotel room was clean, and the beds were comfortable. The bedding was nice and white. We checked for bed bugs under the sheets and mattresses, because one of the hotel reviews mentioned bed bugs. I am still freaking out over that, even though we didn't see any.

 

The window AC was a bit loud, but I sleep with the ear plugs, so it didn't affect me.

 

The shower was very nice and spacious, but the bathroom itself (outside a shower) was very small. The door didn't open all the way to prevent it from hitting the glass shower door. Kind of cramped if you have three people trying to use it. 🙂

 

Floor 6 hallway smelled very strongly of fried fish, but the room itself was odor free (thank goodness).

 

They provided a menu for the restaurant, but the prices were sky high.

 

The location is kind of industrial. There is a gas station on the corner, if you need anything. Soda machines are in the hallway - $3 per bottle.

 

So, all in all, if it weren't for the shuttle fiasco, our stay would have been very pleasant. But it definitely had a rather negative effect, I am afraid. We were very tired after traveling (worked and went to school as well), and it was late, and had we known it was going to take this long, we would have ubered or taxied over there and been asleep by 10 pm.

[DavidsNana]

@Itchy&ScratchyThanks so much for the detailed information on the Crowne Plaza.  Very much appreciated.  I also read the review of the bed bug and was pretty freaked out too!  I have IHG points so am considering this hotel.  Thanks again.  Glad that the rest of your stay was fine after the shuttle fiasco.