What area of Ft lauderdale is good and what is not??

[retiredawacs]

Can anyone tell me about the Westin Resort in Hollywood? Is there any places to eat close? There are 12 of us staying there for one night, post cruise in March. Fantastic rate through priceline.

 

Thanks

Eric

[ROCsabresfan]

Yay I finaly get to post something that I am an expert on!

 

First off, there really isn't a bad area of Fort Lauderdale where there would be any hotels... stay away from Sistrunk Blvd. and MLK (31st) and your great ( but like I said there aren't any hotels there and its not easy to find that area anyways so no worries.)

 

If your flying into FLL and you have to get to POM I would not advise Davie, Plantation, just because you would be heading west and north of Miami and its the subburbs nothing very exciting with the exception of The Olive Garden and TGI Fridays. Not to say it isn't safe its extremely safe but very boring!! lol.

 

So here are some of my favorite hotels for someone on vacation I mean if you are going to visit my beautiful town you might as well see what there is to see.

 

1. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL The pool is out of this world, there is a huge state of the art casino with blackjack, poker and slots, and an outside mall attached to the hotel and enclosed named "Paradise" with shops dinning restaurants, nightclubs, pubs, bars, a comedy club, and a live concert venue, and tons of live music entertainment an adult playground of sorts but also VERY family friendly. Wow wow wow! Not to mention the rooms and the hotel itself are beautiful.

 

2. Las Olas/ 17th Street area

The River House is right on Las Olas which is one of our more famous streets which boasts elegant and casual cafe/sidewalk dinning and designer clothing boutiques. And then you have Embassy Suites and Pier 66 by Hyatt a 5 minute drive away on 17th street also the Renaissance Hotel by Marriot also on 17th street. You will LOVE any of these I promise!

 

3. The Beach!

I think our beaches are nicer then Miami's but I am biased.

There are sooo many hotels up and down A1A but a couple of my favorites are The Marriot Harborbeach Hotel and Spa. (When I'm lucky enough to find my Mr. Right we will be married here!) This hotel is right on the beach It has a amazing pool, elegant yet welcoming loby a great restaurant and even has waiters to come down on the sand and bring you your drinks.

Like the previous poster had mentioned The Sheraton Yankee Clipper and The Yankee Trader are both beautiful hotels although a bit older.

 

Okay so if these are all a tad bit out of budget I would suggest Courtyard by Marriot there is one in Fort Lauderdale Beach by the Swimming Hall of Fame and there is another one just by the airport in Dania Beach on 400 Gulf Stream Way. The one in Dania is right next door to the Fort Lauderdale Fishing Hall of Fame and outdoor world which boasts a lovely restaurant called Islamorada Fish Company. (But take a cab to Rustic Inn 2 minutes across the street for dinner best Maryland Blue Claws ever!)

 

Okay well I hope this could be of some help. I love playing tour guide and if you have any questions whatsoever about any hotel or area you are looking to book at if none of my recomendations worked (and I promise not to be offended ;)) please let me know. I am at your service! I just want everyone who comes here to love it here just as much as I do! I have lived here in Fort Lauderdale for 21 years and wouldn't have it any other way. (Well okay I really want to move to Denver but thats just cause they have snow and mountains...)

 

 

Venusleo1, geat info. Thanks for your insight. We are staying at the Embassy Suites onFri and Sat pre cruise. We are thinking of taking water taxi on Sat. WIll that go near the Hard Rock? Where exactly does it go?

[Bequia]

Can anyone tell me about the Westin Resort in Hollywood? Is there any places to eat close? There are 12 of us staying there for one night, post cruise in March. Fantastic rate through priceline.

 

Your question was asked recently and over 30 responses are included in this thread:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=910576&highlight=westin

 

Try the boards 'search' feature if you need additional information. ;)

......

[ooulio]

We are staying in Plantation. Hopefully, that is a good area. I think it is a Marriott by Residence Inn or vice versa. I have a hard time finding places to eat becuase I am a celiac and need gluten free. Leaving this friday.

[Bequia]

We are staying in Plantation. Hopefully, that is a good area.

 

It's a wonderful, safe, non-tourist area.

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[getaway2]

Good Morning -

 

Looking at hotels for 3/28-3/29 b-4 cruise.

Sheridan Yankee has been guessed to be one of the Hotwire selections - did you like the hotel - looking for clean, close to as possible store for last minute items that we don;t want to pack for flight/weight - is it possible to get to the water taxi easily from the hotel? Thank you in advance for your help.

[jeffbrig]

We are staying in Plantation. Hopefully, that is a good area.

 

It better be...I've lived here a number of years now. :D

 

No worries, Plantation is one of the nicer communities in the area.

[getaway2]

WOW - a local - it's my lucky day.

 

Is it possible to get to water taxi easily - have an older Mom traveling w/us - walking OK but not great distance.

 

Are you allowed under posting rules to make suggestions as to hotels?

 

Thanks again for the help.

[SherriZ366]

We are staying in Plantation. Hopefully, that is a good area. I think it is a Marriott by Residence Inn or vice versa. I have a hard time finding places to eat becuase I am a celiac and need gluten free. Leaving this friday.

We've stayed at Renaissance in Plantation twice. Nice, safe area -- shopping centers and restaurants nearby. They also have a good restaurant in the hotel. The hotel is right off I-595, a road that deadends at Port Everglades.

[jeffbrig]

The irony is, even as a local, I usually can't answer many specific questions. I'm awed by how well some of the other locals (and even non-locals) on here know the area. I'm more familiar with the western non-touristy areas - Plantation, Sunrise, Davie, etc., rather than the downtown/beach area.

 

I like to peek in periodically for discussions of local restaurants, etc. I'm probably the last one you want to ask for hotel recommendations, I think I've been in 2 local hotels in the past 10 years. The Westin Diplomat in Hollywood is very nice, but get ready to open up your pocketbook. :)

 

In my mind, the yankee clipper is somewhat of an older hotel, but many people on here have stayed there and seemed pleased with it. Again, no firsthand experience here, other than seeing it while driving on A1A.

[Bequia]

WOW - a local - it's my lucky day.

Is it possible to get to water taxi easily - Thanks again for the help.

 

The water taxi isn't near Plantation. A favorite hotel among the many posters on these boards is the Hampton Inn & Suites in Plantation. You can't go wrong with it.

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[jeffbrig]

Bequia, is that the one between Broward Mall and the Fountains?

[Bequia]

That's the one, not a single negative feedback on these boards from cruisers who have stayed there.

[imae39]

I just booked room at Sunrise Inn. I read on CC boards about it but can not find back what I read. Is this an OK place to stay one night precruise in March? Are there restaurants close by? Booked with a Maria and she sounded like a dear.