Hotel / Motel recommendation near Port Everglades/Ft Lauderdale

Can someone suggest a decently priced motel that has food and some form of entertainment activity options close by? We are sailing on the Oasis in February and will arrive a day before the ship leaves as a backup plan in case if inclement weather in our departure area. We are traveling with small children and if I remember correctly, there is not really too much in the way of restaurants or activity spots near the port. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. A clean place to stay with at least a pool for the kids and a decent restaurant close by would do. Transportation to the ship offered by the lodging would be an added plus. THANKS

Also try the Florida Departures forum:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

Many cruisers use the Embassy Suites on 17th Street. All rooms are 2-room suites so a lot more room if traveling with kids. Full breakfast and open bar cocktail hour at night. Numerous shops and places to eat within walking distance.

They do not have airport shuttle. They do offer shuttle to port for around $8 per person but it is cheaper to take a cab. Airport/17th Street/port are all close together.

stayed at the lago mar resort and really liked it there. great pool area and its on the beach. cab ride there was cheap and they transferred to port.

http://www.lagomar.com/

Many cruisers use the Embassy Suites on 17th Street. All rooms are 2-room suites so a lot more room if traveling with kids. Full breakfast and open bar cocktail hour at night. Numerous shops and places to eat within walking distance.

 

They do not have airport shuttle. They do offer shuttle to port for around $8 per person but it is cheaper to take a cab. Airport/17th Street/port are all close together.

The cocktail hour is usually 5:30 to 7:30 and our experience is that each person gets a voucher for 1 drink during this time.

Not at the port but not to far away...

Good points...

All rooms have a small kitchenette

1 block from large upscale mall

walking distance to IHop, 7/11, CVS,Wells Fargo,Publix supermarket,many small restaurants.

6 block walk to the beach

Always let us check in early with no extra charge after our red eye flight.

and of course, my husbands favorite....the hot chocolate cookie when you checkin !

bad points...

none that I know of !

Many cruisers use the Embassy Suites on 17th Street. All rooms are 2-room suites so a lot more room if traveling with kids. Full breakfast and open bar cocktail hour at night. Numerous shops and places to eat within walking distance.

 

They do not have airport shuttle. They do offer shuttle to port for around $8 per person but it is cheaper to take a cab. Airport/17th Street/port are all close together.

Totally agree, we always stay here, also couple of blocks from total wine to pick up your 2 bottles to take on board, also agree on taxi

Wondering if anyone has used PriceLine for a better price for the Embassy Suites on 17th? If so what star level do you request to make sure you get the Embassy? Thank you for any feed back.

Wondering if anyone has used PriceLine for a better price for the Embassy Suites on 17th? If so what star level do you request to make sure you get the Embassy? Thank you for any feed back.

In addition to the sticky at the top of this board with recent winning bid info, I would do lots of homework on better bidding dot com -- lots of info on hotel identification, start ratings, area maps, bidding strategies, etc.

The cocktail hour is usually 5:30 to 7:30 and our experience is that each person gets a voucher for 1 drink during this time.

Have stayed there several times; most recently less than a month ago. Open bar was until 8:00. No vouchers or tickets. You could get as many drinks as you wished and also chips/dip/veggies and other snacks. Has always been like that when I have stayed there.

Thank you Johnindc.