Quality Inn Airport & Cruiseport North

[bbappel]

We booked this hotel for post-cruise, and arrived admittedly early since we came after leaving the ship. We were appalled at the wide open ground floor rooms with mattress stacked etc since construction was going on. It is across from a Salvation Army so I wasn't happy about all those open doorways. I'm not a NIMBY-type but this is just an open invitation to mayhem. So we wanted to cancel, no dice since they have a 24 hour cancellation policy and Choice Hotels was not able to override it. So we tried to check in. No early check in. We figured we would at least be able to drop our bags before going to the Hard Rock Casino. I wasn't thrilled about leaving a car full of cruise luggage parked at the Casino where I had been warned against sitting in my car pre-cruise when I ran out of gambling funds (I went through my $20 too quickly) and was sitting in the car reading. No, we won't store your bags, and go away and don't bother us. Now that meant the rooms were being cleaned, right? When we returned at check-in time, we saw that wasn't exactly why we couldn't check in. Our room was a renovated room (and a nice room at that), but the tub was never cleaned before or after renovation and was the original tub. A can of cleanser would have done wonders. I was wishing I had packed one.

One elevator worked well, the other - not so much - and we were told to take the working elevator, though it wasn't on the same side as our room. This may be a nice place when the construction is finished IF and ONLY IF they hire a serious cleaning staff to go in and clean every bathroom. It doesn't help to have pretty granite on the walls if the tub itself is grey-black. There was new tile on the floors, but the workers hadn't cleaned up the grout and had left an ugly mess.

I usually post praise for places, rather than criticism, but I feel you need to be forewarned. The owners are obviously pinching every penny they can; possibly aren't paying staff well, since the front desk people seemed pretty disgruntled leading to their unfriendly treatment of guests. We won't choose this place again, and unless it is your only choice, I wouldn't recommend it. I did let Choice Hotels know, since it was below their standards (which may not even be very high).

Oddly enough, we chose this over the Rodeway since I wasn't all that happy with the Rodeway - but I would have preferred it. The Rodeway faults were nothing compared to this place.

Some of my dissatisfaction was simply the filth, and some was the fear for security. If they clean up the dirt and make it secure, it could be a nice enough place. I won't be finding out, though.

[BlueHerons]

Can you please edit and cut that up into paragraphs? It was difficult for me to read.

 

Some of the problems you experienced are what we try and warn travelers about; in South Florida, you get what you pay for. If every other moderate hotel room is going for $200 per night, there is a reason the Ramada Inn is only $125.

 

Sorry for your troubles, next time you'll get a better hotel.

[wieslaw]

I read it and can not find where - what city is the hotel located in ?

[CruiserBruce]

 

Some of the problems you experienced are what we try and warn travelers about; in South Florida, you get what you pay for. If every other moderate hotel room is going for $200 per night, there is a reason the Ramada Inn is only $125.

.

 

This! If price is the top five things of importance to you....

[Marie51]

What city are you talking about?

[wieslaw]

What city are you talking about?

 

Hi,

I posted the same question above . I am planning on booking Quality Inn close to the airport in Tampa so I read the OP's post with some interest.

 

I did some checking here on this board and it seems that OP went on Eclipse on a 14 night southern - so that would be Port Everglades and probably hotel is in Fort Laudedale.

[fishywood]

Agree 100% that the first rule of South Florida hotels is "you get what you pay for"--and this thread is a hall-of-fame example of that tired subject. The poster had been burned in the past by a no-tell motel in an industrial neighborhood billing itself as "airport-cruiseport" (Rodeway Inn). So still focused solely on price this time they end up booking a room even further off the tourist path!

 

So based on the OP's experience: if you plan on stopping at the Hard Rock before and after cruising--even if only to play $20 worth--treat yourself (yes, a big treat) to a night there. Or at least find room in your budget for a Hollywood or Dania Beach area hotel; your safety and peace of mind is worth more that the savings of an off-neighborhood motel--where most of that savings will be lost in the extra time and gas spent to get where you really want to go.

[bbappel]

Sorry folks, it was Fort Lauderdale.

 

Blue Heron, I'm sorry. Usually I do try to preview, but I guess I was just in a hurry to get this posted as a cautionary tale.

 

Agree 100% that the first rule of South Florida hotels is "you get what you pay for"--and this thread is a hall-of-fame example of that tired subject. The poster had been burned in the past by a no-tell motel in an industrial neighborhood billing itself as "airport-cruiseport" (Rodeway Inn). So still focused solely on price this time they end up booking a room even further off the tourist path!

 

Thanks for all the false assumptions - we weren't "burned" by the Rodeway. I didn't like it, but we got what we paid for and that was sufficient.

 

This year we booked the Sleep Inn in Dania Beach for precruise. Yes, we stay in hotels that many consider "cheap" but here's the thing. We were away from home for a month, so we stay in hotels that fit in our budget. I'd rather travel than stay home.

 

So based on the OP's experience: if you plan on stopping at the Hard Rock before and after cruising--even if only to play $20 worth--treat yourself (yes, a big treat) to a night there. Or at least find room in your budget for a Hollywood or Dania Beach area hotel; your safety and peace of mind is worth more that the savings of an off-neighborhood motel--where most of that savings will be lost in the extra time and gas spent to get where you really want to go.

 

The Hard Rock was just something to do, not a destination. We understand the economics of Ft. Lauderdale, and all of that, but this was a Choice Hotel and they have standards. If this had met Rodeway standards, I wouldn't have commented. This place is below those standards, but it will improve because Choice now knows about the issues and is taking action.

 

We will now take a 24 hour cancellation policy seriously and do our best not to book a first-time hotel with such a policy. That was the biggest problem. If we could have cancelled, we would have moved on down the road. I just wanted other people to know that this place is below normal "cheap hotel" standards. Some of us on Cruise Critic like to cruise, but choose to limit our budgets, and can't fit the expense of the better places and the cruise too into that budget. Some choose to stay in inside cabins just to be able to enjoy a cruise. We don't but I get it and wouldn't criticize their choices. This was addressed to people who must choose a cheaper hotel, not to those of you who have less limited budgets.

 

That said, one of the people on our cruise stayed at one of the more expensive hotels and still had water bugs and mildew and problems.

 

Sorry if I'm being sensitive but I feel very much attacked for trying to save someone whose budget is similar to ours from having the same difficulty. Is it any wonder some people criticize our boards.

[royalcruz]

I've never seen a hotel cancellation policy that says if you show up and don't like it you can get your money back. It's best to book a hotel that allows some cancellations and if the reviews on tripadvisor get bad, then cancel and change hotels.

[bbappel]

To the contrary, the vast majority of the places we stayed had a 4:00 pm day of arrival cancellation policy. On the trip down that was essential since weather could have affected our plans.

Beth

[BlueHerons]

 

 

The Hard Rock was just something to do, not a destination. We understand the economics of Ft. Lauderdale, and all of that, but this was a Choice Hotel and they have standards. If this had met Rodeway standards, I wouldn't have commented. This place is below those standards, but it will improve because Choice now knows about the issues and is taking action.

 

 

.

 

Hotels are owned independently and decide which hotel 'flag' they want to fly meaning that building is owned by Mr. Smith and he has decided to change it from a Ramada to a Quality Inn. He pays Quality Inn a fee for all of their marketing and reservations centers. He only has to have the amenities Quality Inn demands. It is nothing to do with the actual shape the property is in.

 

So while you called corporate, they will not do anything.

 

South Florida crappy hotels are the WORST. Please, next time pay more for your hotel and skip a few cruise drinks.

[wieslaw]

........

South Florida crappy hotels are the WORST. Please, next time pay more for your hotel and skip a few cruise drinks.

 

Hi,

I will need a hotel / motel for one precruise night in Tampa for our dec 6, cruise.

Someone wrote a nice report about Quality Inn close to the airport So I am considering that.

 

I do not know if it is crappy or not. I do not need much from a hotel. I will arrive late and leave early...... so I do not care if it got swimming pool, or gym, or even tv , phone, internet, big lobby, conference room or bunch of other things that I will not use.

 

I just want a hotel that is safe, in a save area, got a clean room, comfortable clean bed free of any bugs and a clean bathroom with some good towels.

 

Do you think the Quality Inn Midtown Tampa

1020 South Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL 33629 US

will meet my needs or should I look for something better ?

Thank you

Edited February 8, 2014 by wieslaw

[royalcruz]

To the contrary, the vast majority of the places we stayed had a 4:00 pm day of arrival cancellation policy. On the trip down that was essential since weather could have affected our plans.

Beth

 

That's a great policy! :)

 

The best cancellation policy I've ever had was 24 hr advance cancellation, but most are 3 days or more (I stay in resorts, B&Bs, and 3-4 star hotels,.) In the FL Keys, some places have 7 to 14 day cancellation policies!

[Sandy_Seashell]

We booked this hotel for post-cruise, and arrived admittedly early since we came after leaving the ship. We were appalled at the wide open ground floor rooms with mattress stacked etc since construction was going on. It is across from a Salvation Army so I wasn't happy about all those open doorways. I'm not a NIMBY-type but this is just an open invitation to mayhem. So we wanted to cancel, no dice since they have a 24 hour cancellation policy and Choice Hotels was not able to override it. So we tried to check in. No early check in. We figured we would at least be able to drop our bags before going to the Hard Rock Casino. I wasn't thrilled about leaving a car full of cruise luggage parked at the Casino where I had been warned against sitting in my car pre-cruise when I ran out of gambling funds (I went through my $20 too quickly) and was sitting in the car reading. No, we won't store your bags, and go away and don't bother us. Now that meant the rooms were being cleaned, right? When we returned at check-in time, we saw that wasn't exactly why we couldn't check in. Our room was a renovated room (and a nice room at that), but the tub was never cleaned before or after renovation and was the original tub. A can of cleanser would have done wonders. I was wishing I had packed one.

One elevator worked well, the other - not so much - and we were told to take the working elevator, though it wasn't on the same side as our room. This may be a nice place when the construction is finished IF and ONLY IF they hire a serious cleaning staff to go in and clean every bathroom. It doesn't help to have pretty granite on the walls if the tub itself is grey-black. There was new tile on the floors, but the workers hadn't cleaned up the grout and had left an ugly mess.

I usually post praise for places, rather than criticism, but I feel you need to be forewarned. The owners are obviously pinching every penny they can; possibly aren't paying staff well, since the front desk people seemed pretty disgruntled leading to their unfriendly treatment of guests. We won't choose this place again, and unless it is your only choice, I wouldn't recommend it. I did let Choice Hotels know, since it was below their standards (which may not even be very high).

Oddly enough, we chose this over the Rodeway since I wasn't all that happy with the Rodeway - but I would have preferred it. The Rodeway faults were nothing compared to this place.

Some of my dissatisfaction was simply the filth, and some was the fear for security. If they clean up the dirt and make it secure, it could be a nice enough place. I won't be finding out, though.

Thank you for the review. This is the hotel our travel agent has booked for us. I have read many other poor reviews. My husband says not to worry it is just one night. I am hoping it is a better experience for us. Fingers crossed, this is our first cruise and I am worried we will be starting off with a bad experience. Oh well...if it is bad I can always tell him I told you so! :)

Edited March 20, 2014 by Sandy_Seashell
Added a sentence

[royalcruz]

Thank you for the review. This is the hotel our travel agent has booked for us. I have read many other poor reviews. My husband says not to worry it is just one night. I am hoping it is a better experience for us. Fingers crossed, this is our first cruise and I am worried we will be starting off with a bad experience. Oh well...if it is bad I can always tell him I told you so! :)

 

Get a new travel agent! It's appalling that they would book you into this motel!:mad: Meanwhile, ask them to cancel and book you elsewhere. Seriously.

Edited March 20, 2014 by royalcruz

[eandj]

Yep..my question would be why the agent chose this hotel when there are lots of better moderate cost places in the area.:confused: Why would you want to "roll over" and just accept it?

Edited March 20, 2014 by eandj

[Sandy_Seashell]

Get a new travel agent! It's appalling that they would book you into this motel!:mad: Meanwhile, ask them to cancel and book you elsewhere. Seriously.

 

Could anyone recommend a nice clean hotel? We are arriving at Fort Lauderdale airport on March 29 and will be sailing on the Allure of the Seas on March 30.

[royalcruz]

Sleep Inn Dania and La Quinta Hollywood are budget hotels that are much better than Quality Inn on Broward. Even the Rodeway Inn which has great prices but very mixed reviews (it's an old motel) would be a MUCH better choice.

[eandj]

Because it is peak weekend, figure you will need to probably pay more than you thought. But if you go to lastminutetravel.com and see if there is an offer to join the LMTClub for free, do that. Then go to that site and you will see hotels at probably less than you can find on other sites.

That's if you want to do more reseearch. Cheaper hotels will be closer to the airport. But as you found, there are a couple stinkers to run from. La Quintas usually are a good choice for budget minded guests.

Edited March 20, 2014 by eandj

[Marie51]

Could anyone recommend a nice clean hotel? We are arriving at Fort Lauderdale airport on March 29 and will be sailing on the Allure of the Seas on March 30.

 

You didn't say what your price range is or how much you are paying for the room you have booked.

Go to http://www.lastminutetravel.com and put in your dates. The first hotel on the list is 3.5* for $162 and that is the Doubletree Gallery One which is very nice.

 

Or you can join the LMT club on their website and see what is offered for the date you will be there.

 

Maybe your travel agent didn't know better.

[sammiedawg]

I'm shocked a travel agent booked a client here. With embarrassment I can share our experience there in early December. We were taking a rare seven day Caribbean cruise as a wind down to a very hectic year. I'm usually a meticulous planner but a prenight hotel reservation got back burnered behind a big business transaction and a death in the family. I wasn't too worried, after all there seem to be scores of overnight airport, cruiseport hotels. Two weeks prior to sailing I learned area hotels were sold out, available lodging was 12 to 15 miles away. We saw this hotel on several search engines. I read a few recent reviews which indicated the hotel was under renovation but supposedly on the upswing. We were arriving late on Friday night and had concerns about a long cab ride to unfamiliar areas. We booked this hotel. No problems with the airport shuttle, free. Check in office was in a separate building and the lobby area was blocked off by construction tape.

Our hotel faced the noisiest street imaginable with traffic and noise all night. Exterior wall and window were paper thin.

We saw new counters, sinks and tile. Bedding was clean, beyond that the hotel room was old and shabby.

In the morning we saw the seedy location, street people hanging around the property and we wanted out ASAP.

We had the info regarding free breakfast, we were not interested, we just wanted out of there first thing in the morning. We tried to get a cab but were told it would be a forty minute wait, translation cabs do not work this area.

Our shuttle to the port was scheduled for 11:30, they assign by cruise ship, first shuttle was 9:30.

The shuttle driver was early and we negotiated with him for a pronto trip to the port for a fee.

The cruise port was eight minutes away. We were happy to stand and wait outside the terminal Away from this hotel.

Do not book this hotel, if you have it pay the cancellation fee and go elsewhere.

[Sandy_Seashell]

You didn't say what your price range is or how much you are paying for the room you have booked.

Go to http://www.lastminutetravel.com and put in your dates. The first hotel on the list is 3.5* for $162 and that is the Doubletree Gallery One which is very nice.

 

Or you can join the LMT club on their website and see what is offered for the date you will be there.

 

Maybe your travel agent didn't know better.

Thank you. We paid almost 200 for the room. I did try to book a few others recommended but they were booked. We are going to stick with what we have and hope for the best. This is our first cruise and I did not think to check out the hotel reviews as I was so excited about he cruise and was so busy getting ready and researching allure of the seas. Thank you for your help and if we enjoy cruising we will certainly use this information for next time..

Edited March 24, 2014 by Sandy_Seashell
Spelling

[kdawg954]

Unless you have a specific budget to stick to with the "fine print" being "we don't care, as long as we keep it under ______" this is just not a hotel that should be booked, Choice hotel or not. And you drove? The only thing this hotel serves a purpose for is the ultimate budget cruiser who is flying in rather late pre cruise and needs a bed for the night, needs a free shuttle from the airport and free shuttle to cruise port, free breakfast, free internet, etc.

 

It definitely works for that type of cruiser, but if you are driving, you are so much more flexible with a car there are plenty of value options within 20 miles of the port that you can lay your head at and feel comfortable. There is an Embassy Suites in Boca Raton right on Yamato and I-95 that leaves you 30 minutes from the port and rates can be had for under $100 a night and include the Happy Hour, free parking and cooked to order breakfast. Thats an ideal pre night spot for anybody driving from the north.

[kdawg954]

Thank you. We paid almost 200 for the room. I did try to book a few others recommended but they were booked. We are going to stick with what we have and hope for the best. This is our first cruise and I did not think to check out the hotel reviews as I was so excited about he cruise and was so busy getting ready and researching allure of the seas. Thank you for your help and if we enjoy cruising we will certainly use this information for next time..

 

You seem content so I won't pressure you to stay elsewhere. But if interested, you can snag a Priceline Express deal for what looks to be the Days Inn Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood airport for $150 (after promo code/taxes). Overall a better hotel in a better area . . . close to shopping, eating, movies, etc. Still free breakfast and free airport shuttle, but they do charge a nominal fee to shuttle to Port Everglades (cab ride will probably be $25 w/ tip . . . shuttle anywhere from $5 to $10 pp). If you paid close to $200 for the hotel in this thread, there is an option to get out of it.

[SnowshoeCat]

Unless you have a specific budget to stick to with the "fine print" being "we don't care, as long as we keep it under ______" this is just not a hotel that should be booked, Choice hotel or not. And you drove? The only thing this hotel serves a purpose for is the ultimate budget cruiser who is flying in rather late pre cruise and needs a bed for the night, needs a free shuttle from the airport and free shuttle to cruise port, free breakfast, free internet, etc.

 

 

This was my situation. My flight was scheduled to arrive at 9:30 pm (we got in later) and all I needed was a shuttle, bed and breakfast. That's just what I got. There were about 6 ships leaving the next morning, so hotels were pricey. Since this was the least expensive one (and not that cheap), I didn't expect much. I had a room around back, away from the road, so no noise problems. Yes, there was construction in the lobby. Everybody likes things "updated" - maybe that's what they were doing. It served my purpose, and the breakfast was actually very good.

 

I was hoping to get to the ship before noon, but they said the shuttle didn't leave until 12:30. So I left my luggage in the luggage room with all the other luggage and spent some time along the Riverwalk. With so many guests going to the port for different cruises, it took some effort to get the shuttles organized, but it all worked out.