Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood Beach hotels-Past Cruisers and Locals Please Help!

[chellekell]

I am cruising with a small group out of Ft. Lauderdale. We are planning an overnight stay the night before the cruise. After some research, we decided on Hollywood Beach area over Dania Beach area (good idea??). We've never cruised out of Ft. Lauderdale and are not familiar with the area and hotel locations. We are getting very little help or info from the hotels we've called. A clean, reasonably priced hotel (5 star not necessary) within walking distance of the boardwalk and beach is on our wish list . We realize that the cost of anything on the beach is out of our budget just for an overnight stay. We'll be traveling with teenagers who wouldn't mind walking to the boardwalk. We know it's asking for a lot, but free shuttle service is needed from airport and to the cruise port. ANY info and opinions you could offer would be greatly appreciated :)

[CruiserBruce]

If you go over to the Florida Departures board, here:

 

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

 

you will find a ton of info for your questions.

[hannibal54]

When ever we go to Fl. for a cruise, we always stay at the Riptide Hotel in Hollywood.

http://www.riptidehotel.com/liveCam.htm

It is right on the boardwalk and depending on the time of the year, the price varies. They have a Tiki bar, free bicycles to ride, beach towels, toys, mini kitchens, gas grills to use and live music every day. You walk off of the property onto the boardwalk, then the sand and the ocean.

[silentbob007]

I tend to use Priceline bidding. You give up some control, but can get some good deals if you are flexible (which you might or might not be with a group). I have the Westin Beach Resort in FLL booked in May for a $90 bid.

[Hlitner]

If you look at the ports boards there is a board from East Coast Departures with lots on the subject. As to Ft Lauderdale (we used to live nearby in Plantation) we generally think there are two good options depending on one's budget. If flying-in the day before and trying to keep costs low we like going to the Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port South which is on Sterling Road. This motel can be very cheap (we have gotten rooms there for about $50) and has free transfers from the airport and to the cruise port. Its not a particularly nice motel, but it is clean. If we want something a bit more upscale and in a better location the hotels on 17th Street (such as the Embassy Suites) are perfect and some have free transfers. We generally avoid the hotels near the beach areas since most do not have transfers. Keep in mind that both the 17th Street hotels and the Comfort Inn are close to some shopping for folks that want to buy last minute things for their cruise (such as wine) or soda.

 

Hank

[firefly333]

My cruising mate found a Super 8 in Hollywood that has shuttle to and from the airport, plus a free shuttle to the port.