Pre-cruise hotel in Fort Lauderdale

We need two nights pre-cruise in Ft Lauderdale. Tripadvisor hasn't been a great deal of help as most hotels gets mixed reviews. We won't have a car so don't want to be too far out. Any suggestions?

We stayed at Hilton's Beach hotel last year.. Great location and service. Our suite was really great and had THE best breakfast ever!

I stay there when sailing from Ft Lauderdale.

Also: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1727250&highlight=ft+lauderdale

There is a wide range of hotels.

If you don't want the beach and want something that is near shops and restaurants then the Embassy Suites is a nice option.

If you want something on the beach I like the Lago Mar Resort. It is a little more isolated so you would take taxis. They have a nice on site restaurant.

Certainly there are a lot of other options. If you want something very nice look at the Ritz Carlton.

If you provide more specifics we can provide more options.

Keith

We have stayed several times at the Riverside on Las Olas Blvd. There are plenty of places to eat and shop right on the doorstep. Last time we were there we thought we would have a change and stayed at the Pillars which is a small boutique hotel right on the intercostal, not such a great location if you don't have a car, but the water taxi stops right outside to take you to the Galleria Mall or other places. We enjoy both, but will probably stay at the Riverside if we do another crossing simply for the convenience of the location.

I would avoid the Ritz Carlton. "iffy" service at top dollar.

Check to see how many ships will be in port that day. I would recommend staying away from the closer hotels as they will be crowded with other cruisers - unless you are ok with that.

Agree about the Ritz Carlton. Overpriced and over-rated. We stayed there pre-cruise in March. Quite liked the position of the Renaissance.

Lago Mar or Il Lugano

We also use the Riverside which is very conveniently situated and has the benefit of being right in town and with a water taxi stop on-site.

We usually choose Hyatt Pier 66. It is on the Intracoastal Waterway adjacent to the port and has a water taxi stop. Be sure to check your room first as some are not so fresh. The Tower Suites are usually a good bet and if it faces the port, you can watch your ship arrive.:D A big plus is Grille 66, a very good restaurant at the marina. Ask for one of Jethro's tables. You will love it. Also can ogle some beautiful MegaYachts at the Pier 66 Marina.:D As was said earlier, lots of choices in Ft. Lauderdale.

I guess I must have lucked out at the Ritz Carlton. Always had good service.

Henry, me too. I have been pleased with all of the Ritz Carlton properties we have stayed at including Fort Lauderdale.

Keith

Henry, me too. I have been pleased with all of the Ritz Carlton properties we have stayed at including Fort Lauderdale.

 

Keith

Me three!!!:eek:

We stayed at the Ritz Carlton a year and a half ago so perhaps it's improved since then but we were underwhelmed with everything, from the state of cleanliness of the room to the horrible swimming pool area.

We found it to be very unlike the majority of RC's that we've stayed in.

It's convenient for the beach of course, but I would say the surrounding area isn't the nicest part of Fort Lauderdale either.

I checked the Port Everglades website and it seems there will be quite a number of cruise ships departing on the same day as us. We've booked the Riverside. Thank you all for your input.

We love the Riverside and being on Las Olas Blvd. Great hotel, wonderful restaurants in and nearby within walking distance on Las Olas, good shopping and window gazing, nice cafes to people-watch. And on a water taxi stop to go elsewhere or take a tour of the waterfront and homes. Much more to do than just being on 17th Street.

We love the Riverside and being on Las Olas Blvd. Great hotel, wonderful restaurants in and nearby within walking distance on Las Olas, good shopping and window gazing, nice cafes to people-watch. And on a water taxi stop to go elsewhere or take a tour of the waterfront and homes. Much more to do than just being on 17th Street.

Yes ... we also stayed there and liked it.

Hyatt Pier 66 has the best pool in town.

Mar Lago is also very nice.

We know the Ritz when it was a St. Regis. The pool deck just has so many drawbacks.

If you've never been, and are not sure when you'll be returning, try to stay near Las Olas Blvd and have dinner there, but may need to made advance reservations.

We usually choose Hyatt Pier 66. It is on the Intracoastal Waterway adjacent to the port and has a water taxi stop. Be sure to check your room first as some are not so fresh. The Tower Suites are usually a good bet and if it faces the port, you can watch your ship arrive.:D A big plus is Grille 66, a very good restaurant at the marina. Ask for one of Jethro's tables. You will love it. Also can ogle some beautiful MegaYachts at the Pier 66 Marina.:D As was said earlier, lots of choices in Ft. Lauderdale.

I second this. Right by the bridge over the causeway. You can walk over the causeway and have a meal at Bimini Boatyard. I've also had good luck at Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Beach.

This is a very old thread, but the subject is the same. We'll be overnighting in Fort Lauderdale in January. There were lots of votes for the Ritz Carlton, where we stayed last time and several for The Riverside. What I didn't see mentioned was the hotel Seabourn is using, The Diplomat in Hollywood, FL - any comments on this hotel?

We arrive in the evening and will struggle to keep our eyes open through dinner. We will probably be wide awake a 3:00 AM and take a stroll in the surrounding area at sunrise trying to hunt down some decent coffee. So our priorities are the location of the hotel. Any thoughts???? We are considering the 3 above mentioned establishments.

Stayed at Diplomat once a few years ago while it had a Westin Flag. Two bedroom ocean front suite with one of the best club lounges on same floor. To me, it is a destination hotel in a congested area of high rises. A thirty minute drive to port. For your purposes, it might work if you are flying into MIA.

Things have changed since becoming a Hilton. Resort fee, 18% gratuity added to food/service items. The lounge has disappeared. Nothing could tempt me to stay here.

oregeon50 has it right. I would not stay at the Diplomat and it is not what it used to be.

Keith

is on the waterway close to the port. Rates are not bad and food is quite good. You will probably be able to share a van to the ship with other cruisers staying there (just check the luggage tags in the lobby).