Stay in FL or Miami?

[emen822]

Hi. We are planning to fly into Fort Lauderdale the day before our cruise leaves (from Miami). We would like to find a hotel that would have a nice pool, restaurants nearby so that we wouldn't have to rent a car (or would it be worth it?), and possibly have a shuttle from the airport or to the pier the day of the cruise. Am I asking too much? ;)

 

Should we stay in FL and make our way down to Miami the morning of the cruise? Or stay overnight in Miami.

 

Thanks in advance. :)

[lmondrop]

I suggest staying over night in Miami......How much are you willing to spend on the hotel...you can either stay downtown, just minuted away from the port or stay on the Beach in a nice hotel.

[emen822]

As far as how much I would spend, I would think somewhere around $200 or so. I'm going during spring break so I know the prices will be higher. We originally were going to fly in the late the night before the cruise but now since we will have a full day, I would like to be in a nice place that is near the pier.

[lmondrop]

Your best bet is the Intercontinental if you want a nice hotel. I suggest going to priceline and bidding for this hotel. I keep hearing time and time again that people will place bids for $80/night and bid on a 4star hotel and get the Intercontinental. Bayside Marketplace is close by with restaurants like: Los Ranchos, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Hooters, etc...you can check out the website at:

 

www.baysidemarketplace.com

 

There is also Bongo's Cuban Cafe next to Bayside as well as the Brickell area which has a nice selection of resturants such as The Capital Grille, Novecento's, Archie's Pizza, Gordon Biersh, Blue @ The Mandarin.

 

BTW - Brickell is known as the Financial District and its about 5 minutes away...most people don't even realize how close this area is to the port and miss out on some good places to eat or get a drink. I live in Brickell and absolutely love it. Pretty soon the Mary Brickell Village will be open with TONS more restaurant, shops and even a gourmet Publix (Grocery store) Wine bars, Jazz bars, etc...

 

I sound like I'm some kind of Brickell promotor :D I can't help it...I live here and I love it!

[logbook]

What hotels are in the Brickell area?

[lmondrop]

The Four Seasons, The Mandarin Oriental, JW MArriot, The Fortune House (more of a condo rental type of thing) and the Conrad Hotel.