Hampton Inn Fort Lauderdale City Center?

[tarheels]

I am bringing a group down in late January and would love some info regarding this hotel. Is it in a good location? Is it close to water taxi or Las Olas Boulevard? Does it have some amentities? Is it clean? Any other info would be great. It is the Hampton Inn on North Andrews Avenue.

Thanks

[TrentS]

It's a little over a year old and is by far the nicest Hampton Inn I've ever been in!... http://www.hamptoninnftlauderdale.com/

 

They have a Continental breakfast, but there's no restaurant. There's a small pool and gym. Yes, it's very clean, it's still quite new.

 

It's on the edge of downtown, the neighborhood is one that's in transition. It may be a bit too long of a walk for some, but you could walk down to Riverwalk (http://www.goriverwalk.com/) and catch the Water Taxi there. At night though I wouldn't recommend walking unless you go as a large group. It would be a considerable walk to this part of Las Olas Blvd... http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/

 

If you're looking for something on the Water Taxi route AND Las Olas Blvd. I would recommend the Riverside Hotel... http://www.riversidehotel.com/

 

Keep in mind that there are 2 very different parts to the Riverside though. There's a new modern tower, and an old historic hotel that's not for everyone. It's considerably more expensive than the Hampton Inn though.

[tarheels]

Thanks for your reply. I alos would love to know what is around this hotel. Is there are grocery/drug store, restaurants, etc. Any other info would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

[TrentS]

No, there are no stores or anything within close walking distance of the Hampton Inn on Andrews Ave... Everything you ask about is within a 5-7 minute cab ride, but it would be a lengthy walk to restaurants, and even a longer walk to a grocery/drug store. The neighborhood it's in is old, but rapidly changing. It's surrounded by older run down housing and small businesses/light industry, but many of those are in the process, or will soon be replaced by many new condos. It's very much a neighborhood in transition.

 

It's a very nice hotel and a great inexpensive place to stay if you have a rental car, but if you're looking for a hotel with everything within easy walking distance then it's probably not for you.

 

Perhaps a better area for you to look at would be something along SE 17th Street. That area is very safe, much closer to the airport and water taxi, just outside the entrance to Port Everglades, and has many many shops, restaurants, grocery, drug & liquor stores within walking distance. Hotels in that area are the following...

 

Renaissance... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/FLLBR

 

Embassy Suites... http://www.embassysuites.com/en/es/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=FLLSOES

 

Marina Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/FLLFL

 

Holiday Inn Express... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/fllcc

 

Extended Stay America... http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/fort-lauderdale-convention-center-marina.html

 

Amerisuites... http://amerisuites.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=3929

[tarheels]

I have been given a rate of $179.00 for either of the Marriott Marina or the Renaissance. Which of these hotels is better and would you pay the extra to stay in them? What is close by with regards to grocery/drug stores as well as other shopping and attractions? ANy other info is very much appreciated.

 

Thanks

[TrentS]

I'd go with the Renaissance if it were me, it's only a few years old and very nice. IMO it's the nicest of the SE 17th Street hotels.

 

The Water Taxi is a block away at the Marina Marriott. There's a Walgreens right across the street, and a CVS in a strip mall a couple of blocks west. There's a beautiful new Publix grocery store in a new strip mall about 3 blocks away behind the Embassy Suites. There are several nice restaurants scattered throughout the area.

 

Everything you could possibly want is right there within a 3 block area and it's all a very safe area to walk around in.