Fort Lauderdale - Embassy Suites

[sail7seas]

Please don't send me to the FLL port of call forum..... I've been there. :)

 

For those who have stayed often at Embassy Suites, an information only request for help, if you please.

 

Are all the accomodations there roughly the same? A bedroom and living room area - two rooms? Two tv's? One or two baths?

 

How about views of Port Everglades? Is there a special way to request a room to get a view of the ships coming and going? Are there any rooms nicer than others? How high a floor do you need to get a decent view?

 

Is it noisy there what with the big shopping mall next door and fronting right on the busy street?

 

Do the curtains darken the room? Need clips to keep them closed so the room stays dark?

How about air conditioning?

Yes, I know about Travel Advisor etc but I don't know the people there. I know (as well as one can know a fellow internet participant) the posters here and have a certain gauge to know if we're usually in agreement etc

 

Thanks anyone who can/will help. :)

 

 

:o No.... we are NOT moving over from Hyatt Pier 66 but I do have interest in this information.

__________________

 

 

In error, I wrote this thread and referenced San Juan in another posting. I have asked it be removed as it was my careless mistake.

[Copper10-8]

Please don't send me to the FLL port of call forum..... I've been there. :)- OK

 

For those who have stayed often at Embassy Suites, an information only request for help, if you please.

 

Our #1 choice for staying in FLL

 

Are all the accomodations there roughly the same? A bedroom and living room area - two rooms? Two tv's? One or two baths? - the ones we stayed in have been one bedroom + one living room each with one TV, one bathroom, combo shower/bath tub

 

How about views of Port Everglades? Is there a special way to request a room to get a view of the ships coming and going? Are there any rooms nicer than others? How high a floor do you need to get a decent view? You would have to request a room up high on the east side; even then you will have somewhat of an obstructed view

 

Is it noisy there what with the big shopping mall next door and fronting right on the busy street? Rooms facing 19th Street can be somewhat noisy

 

Do the curtains darken the room? Need clips to keep them closed so the room stays dark? Yes

How about air conditioning? Yes; working;)

Yes, I know about Travel Advisor etc but I don't know the people there. I know (as well as one can know a fellow internet participant) the posters here and have a certain gauge to know if we're usually in agreement etc

 

Thanks anyone who can/will help. :)

 

 

:o No.... we are NOT moving over from Hyatt Pier 66 but I do have interest in this information.

__________________

 

 

In error, I wrote this thread and referenced San Juan in another posting. I have asked it be removed as it was my careless mistake.

 

See above S7S

[sail7seas]

Thanks so much, John.

Just what I wanted to know.

Appreciate it. :)

[kakalina]

Sails, just to add, the room we stayed in had two TV's one in the "living room" and one in the bedroom.

We had no noise. There's a great little cafe in the shopping center. I can't think of the name of it but I do have the card somewhere. A 50's decor diner style. Good food.

[Copper10-8]

Sails, just to add, the room we stayed in had two TV's one in the "living room" and one in the bedroom.

We had no noise. There's a great little cafe in the shopping center. I can't think of the name of it but I do have the card somewhere. A 50's decor diner style. Good food.

 

 

Plus Outback is next door to put a shrimp on the barbie;)

[sail7seas]

It's close enough to walk to Bravo and other restaurants in the area. There are a handful that are at least 'decent'. Grateful Palette and Bistro Mezzaluna (the new address) aren't that far.

 

How about Bimini Boatyard? Are they still open? Any good? Been years since we went there for a drink but don't think we ate. Officers with a few hours off sometimes used to go there years ago.

 

I know this isn't strictly about HAL/cruises/ships but it certainly could be of interest to many HAL cruisers who will soon be in FLL. Hope it isn't too off topic.

 

[Linda&Vern]

Thanks so much, John.

Just what I wanted to know. Appreciate it. :)

I agree with John. For our next cruise DH said that's where he wanted to stay (and he is usually a "whatever you want dear" type of person.) Our Nov 2010 trip I booked something called "tower room" or "water view" or some "special view" room. We seem to remember a Juliet balcony. We did see the ships come in on cruise morning and were able to spot the Z.

[maxout]

Posted this in your other thread as well:

 

Try this link...

 

http://embassysuites3.hilton.com/en/...OES/index.html

[sail7seas]

I agree with John. For our next cruise DH said that's where he wanted to stay (and he is usually a "whatever you want dear" type of person.) Our Nov 2010 trip I booked something called "tower room" or "water view" or some "special view" room. We seem to remember a Juliet balcony. We did see the ships come in on cruise morning and were able to spot the Z.

 

 

Ahhh, thanks for mentioning that. Another question I forgot to ask.

 

How about balconies? Do all the rooms have one or do you have to specifically ask for one. I'd be unhappy without a balcony.

 

[kazu]

I agree with John. For our next cruise DH said that's where he wanted to stay (and he is usually a "whatever you want dear" type of person.) Our Nov 2010 trip I booked something called "tower room" or "water view" or some "special view" room. We seem to remember a Juliet balcony. We did see the ships come in on cruise morning and were able to spot the Z.

 

We had a little Juliet or 'French' balcony in our room - it was really nice as (a) I like fresh air and (b) there was the Maasdam in full view waiting for us. Even DH went to take a look:D

 

I didn't book any special type of room that I was aware of - all the rooms seemed to be the same price and still are as we have booked for our next cruise - we just requested a room high up for a view of the ships and we happened to luck out:)

[sapper1]

It's close enough to walk to Bravo and other restaurants in the area. There are a handful that are at least 'decent'. Grateful Palette and Bistro Mezzaluna (the new address) aren't that far.

 

How about Bimini Boatyard? Are they still open? Any good? Been years since we went there for a drink but don't think we ate. Officers with a few hours off sometimes used to go there years ago.

 

I know this isn't strictly about HAL/cruises/ships but it certainly could be of interest to many HAL cruisers who will soon be in FLL. Hope it isn't too off topic.

 

 

We ate on the terrace at Bimini last April and enjoyed it, as always.

 

We also stayed at the Embassy Suites then and liked it well enough to book there for November and next May. The only drawback was a lack of room safes but they have a very obliging safe deposit service at the front desk. I was also told that room safes are in future plans.

 

The hotel is a little dated but more than makes up for it with high standards of cleanliness and a very friendly staff.

 

Our room was high up at the back and I was able to watch our ship come in. I used the Port Everglades website to tell which was which in the dark. Our balcony was a Romeo and Juliet type.

[Sage]

Sail we have stayed there a few times and were very happy with the accomodations. They also had a free shuttle to and from the airport. Our room had a view of the port, and we watched our ship come in.

[DFWGUYZ]

The doors you see to the right are emergency exits. To the far bottom right of photo is the small balcony on each room. Some have larger balconies.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

As you know Sail, we have stayed at the Embassy Suites many times both pre and post cruise for years and years.

We have never had problems getting a room on the east side facing the cruise ships -- total ocean view.

We have never heard any noise from the Harbor Shops. There are several restaurants in the Harbor Shops (where Total Wine is located) as well as shops.

We always get one of our 2 favorite rooms on either the 11th or 12th floor.

East rooms on floors 10, 11 and 12 have a clear view of the ships.

A few years ago all the furnishings were changed from light furniture to dark furniture. The hotel is to soon undergo another change -- back to the light furniture. It will take a while to get everything all done.

Years ago we got to meet the doctor and his wife who lived there for quite a few years. Fall of 2011 he retired and they moved into their home in Jacksonville, Florida. They stayed 5 days a week in Ft Lauderdale many weeks and flew up to Jacksonville whenever they felt like it. They loved the Embassy so much that they were only back at their home barely a month and they flew back just to stay in "their" room. When they left -- the entire staff rolled a red carpet for them -- and they had a limo drive them home.

I could tell you so many stories as we have gotten to know so many people there.

[shrimpboat123]

Pool area at Embassy Suites.

 

[sail7seas]

We ate on the terrace at Bimini last April and enjoyed it, as always.

 

We also stayed at the Embassy Suites then and liked it well enough to book there for November and next May. The only drawback was a lack of room safes but they have a very obliging safe deposit service at the front desk. I was also told that room safes are in future plans.

 

The hotel is a little dated but more than makes up for it with high standards of cleanliness and a very friendly staff.

 

Our room was high up at the back and I was able to watch our ship come in. I used the Port Everglades website to tell which was which in the dark. Our balcony was a Romeo and Juliet type.

 

 

I'm so glad I started this thread. Great contributions that are very appreciated. No safe in the room is just about a deal breaker for me. I'll tell the people for whom I am asking these questions as that will be important info for them. Thank you SO MUCH for mentioning that. No safe; no stay.

 

I don't trust lock boxes at front desks. Unless you inventory contents in front of them what you are putting in there, how would you prove what is missing? IF you inventory it, who needs for someone to KNOW what you have placed in there.

 

I'm very surprised they are so behind in this regard.

 

Thanks for sharing about Bimini. Good to know. :)

 

 

Sail we have stayed there a few times and were very happy with the accomodations. They also had a free shuttle to and from the airport. Our room had a view of the port, and we watched our ship come in.

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Sage.

We don't do the shuttles. Just not something we enjoy. We like our own transportation and to leave when we want not on someone else's schedule. JMO...... I'll also share this info with those for whom I am making these inquiries.

I would hope a taxi is easy to get at the front door and the fare would be very low to the airport..... it's a short ride. We always take taxi from Hyatt Pier 66 and the fare is under $15.

 

[Ka Honu]

About 3 blocks away on Cordova, try the Southport Raw Bar. Fun "joint" for beer and seafood.

[sail7seas]

Thanks, Ka Honu........

 

DH would like the 'raw and beer'. :o Not so much me. I don't eat oysters or sushi etc and never had a taste for beer. On a hot day, DH enjoys an icy beer.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Embassy Suites in Ft Lauderdale have not had free shuttles to and from the airport or to and from the pier since about 2008.

We just get a taxi. If one isn't sitting there -- we just have them call one for us -- and they are there in a couple of minutes.

[sail7seas]

Taxi shouldn't be an issue in most hotels. Doorman can call one if none are waiting on property.

 

No safe in guest rooms is a big deal for me and for those on behalf of whom I am making this inquiry.

Actually, it rather shocks me in this day and age.

 

[shrimpboat123]

A couple of more pictures of the pool and the fish as you cross a bridge heading to the pool.

 

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

Some pictures I took:

 

 

[kazu]

Taxi shouldn't be an issue in most hotels. Doorman can call one if none are waiting on property.

 

No safe in guest rooms is a big deal for me and for those on behalf of whom I am making this inquiry.

Actually, it rather shocks me in this day and age.

 

 

Judy - I was a bit taken aback too - but the safes at the front desk are very secure. They are actually installing safes this year in the rooms. Along with some other updates. The safe was HUGE with plenty of room. My first concern is the hotel/b & b/ or whatever you choose to call it. I have stayed at several European hotels where we had to use the front office safe and it has never been a concern. You only need it on day one and last day - so as much as it is a bit of an incovenience it was no biggie when I looked at the experience in the rest of the establishment. My absolute favourite hotel in Venice has no in room safe. My favourite in Rome didn't but they were installed by the time we arrived - but I wasn't expecting it. While I like a safe in my room, there are a lot more considerations in a hotel for us than just that. But each to their own - thanks shrimpboat123 for posting some pics - I tried and failed.

[Krazy Kruizers]

[Krazy Kruizers]

Judy - I was a bit taken aback too - but the safes at the front desk are very secure. They are actually installing safes this year. Along with some other updates. The safe was HUGE with plenty of room.

 

Thank you kazu for this update!!

I thought we had been told that safes were being added -- but we haven't been back there since February.

We were always escorted into the back office to put items into the safety deposit boxes -- very secure.