FLLconcierge

The hotel is fine...good location, near shops and plenty bof restaurant choices. They just did a remodel....enjoy!

Well since you will be coming from Canada and with two kids, I really think you need to get out and explore the Everglades. Your kids are the perfect age for an airboat ride. march is wonderful in the Everglades with an abundance of wildlife from gators to birds......there are a few companies that will pick you up and return you to the hotel. The Everglades is a UNESCO World Heritage site! Something everyone needs to see (before it is gone).

Have you considered an Everglades tour? I noticed there are some nice options on Viatour/Trip Advisor and Expedia...those are affordable. Most have private options but if you book a small group tour you would be saving money and getting a more personalized experience.  Use "small group tour" as a search term.  Book now if possible because the holidays are crazy down here!

I would never risk that! Too many things can go wrong...why stress yourself?

It depends on what you want to do...beach? no beach? Party scene or quiet? Budget?

I personally LOVE  Uber and Lyft.....it is a fun experience but I will let you all know that again this morning a guest told us they ordered an Uber that was turned away from getting into the port. The ended up with a taxi. This is about the 4th time I have heard this lately. Not sure what is going on? Seems like the port needs to establish a clear and uniform policy.  We have our Gold Coast concierge meeting coming up this week and I will try to find out what is going on.

Why not consider a tour to the Everglades? You will have the perfect time for a day trip out there and include a nice airboat ride. There are a few companies that will store your luggage or actually allow you to bring it along with you. It's an amazing place that everyone needs to see at least once. The airboat is a "bucket-list" check off. 

Wynwood is also a fun neighborhood to explore and kill some time but not sure what you would do with your bags.

You might want to check out Delray Beach...such a charming little seaside town with great shopes and restaurants...definitely the best town in SE Florida...go to Atlantic Ave

Yes please do tip! The cost of living down here is outrageous and it would be much appreciated!

BTW, they are having a sale...not sure if the dates work for you, join their loyalty program and you will get 30% off selected hotels (MIami was one of them) for travel until end of February.....PM if you want me to send the link (I am in their loyalty program)

My vote is for the Epic!!! We had an event there and it was FAB!

No, you should not have an issue...the lines for security check in might be a bit longer and in this case, I think a taxi would be better. There have been a few issues with Uber lately. I have heard stories of people being turned away because the security check-in people have been requesting driver has a "hack-license" this has happened more than a few times. It normally can be worked out by asking for supervisor but on a busy time like this, it might really jam things up...

I love the TRAIN....been operating since the 1950s. Kinda neat to think of the fact my grandparents rode it way back then...quite historic!

Try The Morrison in Dania Beach....https://www.choicehotels.com/florida/dania-beach/ascend-hotels/fld07?source=gyxt

Great, clean hotel...new and in a good location

The Kimpton has one of the best Japanese restaurants in Miami...Zuma...it's amazing!!! Worth every penny for a special pre-cruise treat! YOLO!!!

@killarneylady The National Hotel is lovely! It's in a really perfect location for SOBE. Very close to Lincoln Road. You don't need a car at all. You can explore all up and down Ocean Drive and SOBE by walking or taking the free trolley, which runs all the way up to North Miami Beach if you want to venture up there for a particular restaurant or something. That price is high but the only other hotel I would have recommended (for your 14 year old) would have the The Edition (it has an ice-skating rink and a bowling alley for free in the hotel! ) but when I looked at rates they were double what you are paying. I think you have made a great choice!

I am very new to this forum but I have already seen this question (times vary a bit) asked so many times. Here is my thought....

WHY stress your self out? Life is way too short! You are still on vacation that day, in other words you can still make the most of it!

There is plenty to do in FLL until you would need to check in at the airport.

I went to an event last night at this hotel : http://www.thehotelofsouthbeach.com

Lovely boutique hotel right on Collins, right behind the famous News Cafe.

Great location and VALUE. Price very reasonable. NO RESORT FEES......so many hotels charge resort fee and you don't realize this until it's too late.

Pool was a bit small but NICE...on rooftop. Loved the vibe of the place!

The Hampton Inn provides a nice free breakfast. I believe the Courtyard charges for this.

BNBR...you are 100% correct the full day trips are too long if one is trying to catch a flight. But, there half-day trips don't do that.

Transportation options by "third parties" defeats the purpose...isn't that what Uber or Lyft does?

BTW,

Sawgrass Recreation is in the same category as Coopertow, Gator Park and Safari Park (all provide 30 minute rides) they do not pick up or provide any transportation. They all have animals in pens on exhibit, some let you hold a baby gator and all engage in the wrestling.

If someone drives themselves out to an airboat ride the BEST experience is Buffalo Tigers or Osceola. Their rides are 1 hour and are the real deal. They don't have animals in pens. I always refer my guests with transportation to Buffalo Tigers and remind them to stop into the Indian Village which is just down the road a few miles. They seem happy with this. But, it's a long drive on your own.

Kind of funny you would have Holiday Park and not include Sawgrass Recreation.

 

Also, if they are doing the 10,000 islands... isn't that one heck of a bus ride?

I didn't include Sawgrass Recreation because they don't include transportation. Between Holiday Park and Sawgrass I definitely enjoy Sawgrass more. The ride out to 10,000 Islands went by like a flash on the 3 tours I did which included a trip to Chokoloskee Island and Eveglades City. There was so much to see. The narration was really informative (even though I did this 3 time I really learned a great deal from all of the guides). Also, there were plenty of stops we did along the way to break up the journey. We really were not sitting for more than 20 minutes between the stops.

Watch the Anthony Bourdain segment on Miami and then for sure go to Yardbird! Iconic!

Which Everglades tour are your doing? The good half-day ones will keep you out until about 1:30 and drop you to where ever you wish to go. I would be sure to pay a bit more for a decent Everglades excursion rather than one of the tacky touristy ones. Seek out a company where you will be on an airboat for about an hour. The ones with 30 minute rides are pointless and not worth the effort to get there. Actually, I did a comparison of all Everglades excursions for one of my classes, I will try to find this and post later to the board. I was lucky enough to take every tour out there (for free too!!!) for my class project and have a break down of pros and cons for all of them because certain things will appeal to certain people. Thanks for reminding me!

Well I have to emphatically disagree with Ericosmith...I love Alligator Alley. If you drive a reasonable speed you will see tons and tons of wildlife. Amazing birds and gators everywhere. But, I love the Everglades and do spend a lot of my free time there so I suppose it is about perspective. Given all of that, I think JohninDC is correct...one little bump could change everything. Why stress your self out? You could take same flight next day and really enjoy the drive across, stop at some great places for a short hike and extend your vacation one more day!