What FLL hotels allow you to leave car for crusie?

[hugger]

Wondering which hotels are now allowing you to leave your car for the week of your cruise?

We prefer not to park at the cruise terminal. Any other suggestions?

THANKS

[TrentS]

Can't imagine WHY you wouldn't want to park in the covered parking garages where your car is SAFE. The hotel's lots are NOT safe and secure, they're open lots that anyone can walk into. I would much prefer knowing my car will be there when I return!

 

If you don't want to pay the $12 per day at the port, then Park 'n Fly is a safe, secure, but uncovered alternative... http://www.pnf.com/ftlauderdale/default.htm

 

However, AmeriSuites will allow you to leave your car... http://amerisuites.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=3929

AmeriSuites is cheaper on Valuetrips... http://www.valuetrips.com/AMS/FL/F17.htm

 

As will Holiday Inn Hollywood... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/fllas

[hugger]

you are always right on the spot with a wealth of information.

 

WE took your advise last year and stayed at the Holiday Inn Hollywood - it worked out great to leave our car there for a week. Unfortunately, they are booked up for any decent rates the night that we need this time.

 

I take it that you feel that the AmeriSuites downtown just isn't a safe bet to leave a car anymore huh? Are you at all familiar with what their rooms are like?

Last time in Lauderdale we went to Carlos and Peppe's for dinner it was GREAT. Had thought we'd all go there again this trip. However, as there are going to be 6-8 of us this time it may be more cost advantageous to stay elsewhere/further out from downtown IF it's not safe to leave our car there for the week.

I'm Shocked at how much higher the hotel rates are now.

THANKS for all of your input we value your opinion.

[hugger]

Do you think that the Plantation location may be safer to leave a car? Are the rooms nicer? I just read that they also offer transfer airport and cruiseport.

THANKS AGAIN

 

I thought we were set at the Riverside Hotel - I was all excited as I'd read that TrentS really liked it then I noticed it's a non smoking hotel the other 2 couples we're traveling with all smoke :(

the rate was only 140.00 high season with http://www.entertainment.com/hotels

[Bequia]

The Amerisuites in Plantation is in a great area, they cater primarily to the business traveler. I would not hesitate to leave my car in Plantation. ;)

[hugger]

I have requested the Renaissance Plantation as they will give us transfers as well as let us park our car there if we drive down. Thinking that if we can work it out we'll take the Love Boat Express/Cruise Connection from Clearwater to Ft Lauderdale. Plus, the rate was a little less on this hotel than the Amerisuites.

I hope it's still a good location - it appeared to be in the same area as the Amerisuites.

THANK YOU both for all of your help

[TrentS]

Okay, you're confusing me... Renaissance Plantation or AmeriSuites Plantation??? I don't think Renaissance Plantation will let you leave a car in their lot, and if you're taking the bus over and won't have a car with you, then there's nothing to walk to from Renaissance Plantation. If you won't have a car you'd be best off staying along SE 17th Street.

 

The location of either is fine IMO, IF you have a car, but not necessarily if you're on foot. AmeriSuites Plantation is a couple of blocks from a mall and some restaurants, but there's nothing to walk to from Renaissance Plantation - It's in an office park alongside I-595.

 

I would still prefer to leave my car in a secure garage than an open unsecure parking lot regardless of the cost, but to each his own.

[hugger]

I are leaning towards taking the motorcoach Love Boat Express in from Clearwater the day of the cruise.

Our friends from MI are still trying to decide if they are going to do the Extended Suites and transfer's on their own or go with Princess package at 138.00 including all transfer's.

I've given them the input that you've so kindly sent. We'll see what they decide to do.

It just got to be to much for us trying to get everything that all 3 couples needed as well as not wanting to spend 200-300 just to come in a few hour's earlier for us.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP

[TrentS]

Do confirm that the $138 price isn't PER PERSON as someone on another thread stated. If that's the case it would be FAR cheaper for them to stay at Extended Stay America or Holiday Inn Express on SE 17th Street and use taxis. Those are both less than 10 minutes from FLL and a block from the entrance to the port, plus they have dozens of restaurants and everything else they would want within safe, easy walking distance.

[hugger]

the Extended Stay Suites DT for 119.00 for all of us.

We will park at the pier - would still have preferred not to have that congestion to deal with on our own. But I'm sure it'll work out.

Have you heard anything about the port not letting people in until 1 or after if you're arriving on your own? My SIL/BIL were turned back in Oct. They had to argue a bit with them to let them in as they DID have a driver they'd hired who was just dropping them off.

I will try to get the Renaissane DT later through Priceline if I can get a bid somwhere around the same rate I'll grab that up.

Can you give me any idea's on how much transfer's will cost.

We'll have 4 people coming from the airport to the hotel and back.

And, 6 of us going from the hotel to the pier - well maybe only 4 now that I think about it as we'll have to drive our car over. To bad it's not big enough for all of us.

THANKS in advance for your help with this.

[TrentS]

You can get into Port Everglades at any time that morning, never heard of anyone not being allowed in before 1pm. I always get there around 11am myself.

[Bequia]

Have you heard anything about the port not letting people in until 1 or after if you're arriving on your own? My SIL/BIL were turned back in Oct. They had to argue a bit with them to let them in as they DID have a driver they'd hired who was just dropping them off.

 

Speaking with pals that work the port security detail, they've never heard such a thing. There is a contingency plan for complete port shut down in the event of a security breach. They've practiced it but have never activated it.

[hugger]

for doing such a super job of keeping the rest of us informed.

I myself have learned so much from the two of you.

Sure Appreciate all your time and effort on this board.

 

 

Can you give me input on how best to do the airport transfer's for 4 people to downtown.

And, for 4 to the port from the hotel - any idea's of cost?

I take it that IF we do happen to luck out and get the Renaissance via Priceline that it is still within walking distane of downtown and Publix.

We want to go to Carlo's and Peppe's for dinner - loved it on our cruise in October. Or do you recommend somewhere else in the area?

THANKS as always . . .

[TrentS]

Well first of all I assume you mean the SE 17th Street area by "downtown", that's not the REAL "DOWNTOWN" Fort Lauderdale though, that's just what Priceline calls the hotels in that area.

 

This info will apply whether you keep the Extended Stay America reservation, or get the Renaissance as Renaissance is across the street and a block east of Extended Stay. The cab fares have recently gone up in South Florida, but it should cost you somewhere between $10-15 from FLL to either hotel, and $10 at the most to Port Everglades depending on where your ship is docked. Port Everglades is a very large facility!

 

Carlos & Pepe's is good, but if you want to consider some other places in the area here's a list I've posted to the restaurant question a few times before...

 

SE 17th Street Restaurants...

 

Tara Steak & Lobster is right next door to Extended Stay America... http://www.tarasteakandlobsterhouse.com/

 

Carlos and Pepe's (Mexican) & Durty Harry's (bar with food) are in the same shopping center as Tara. There's also a small diner in that strip mall that I've been told has an excellent breakfast.

 

Einstein Bros. Bagels is across the street from Holiday Inn Express/Extended Stay America... http://www.einsteinbros.com/

 

Bimini Boatyard and Bravo (great Italian restaurant) are both across the street from Holiday Inn Express/Extended Stay America, and about a block east, opposite the Renaissance Hotel... http://www.bravoitaliano.com/

 

Jack Jackson's new restaurant FISH is across the street from the Renaissance hotel, attached to the Convention Center complex at the entrance to Port Everglades... http://www.fish-fl.com/

 

Chuck's Steakhouse... http://www.chucksflorida.com/

 

And Waxy O'Connors are both across the street from Embassy Suites, a long block west of Holiday Inn Express/Extended Stay America... http://www.waxys.com/

 

Outback Steakhouse and Del Rio Tex Mex are just west of Embassy Suites, and Quarterdeck is across the street and a block north of Embassy Suites on Cordova Road, just beyond Winn-Dixie... http://www.quarterdeckrestaurant.com/

 

Kelly's Landing is a great New England style seafood place in a strip mall on Cordova Road, across the street from Winn-Dixie.

 

If you want some excellent ice cream, Aspen Ice Cream is next door to Office Depot, in the large yellow strip mall across the street from Tara and Carlos and Pepe's... http://www.aspenicecream.com/

 

There are 3 large strip malls around Holiday Inn Express/Extended Stay America - More or less across the street, next door, and behind, as well as several smaller ones. There are at least a dozen other small restaurants scattered throughout those strip malls, plus a number of fast food and carry-out places in the area as well... You'll never go hungry along that section of SE 17th Street, there's something for every taste and budget.

 

Publix grocery store is in the large strip mall a block south on Cordova Road, behind Embassy Suites. Publix sell beer & wine as well as being very large, very nice grocery stores.

 

Barnie's Coffee & Tea is in the same strip mall as Publix, a few stores to the west, next to Carvel Ice Cream... http://www.barniescoffee.com/

 

Crown Wine and Spirits is across the street from Embassy Suites, behind the Chevron station, and 67 Wine & Spirits is across the street from Crown.

 

Winn-Dixie grocery store is next door to Crown, and there's a CVS drug store in the same strip mall as 67 Wine & Spirits.

 

Walgreens drug store is a block east of Holiday Inn Express/Extended Stay America, across the street from the Renaissance hotel.

 

The restaurants above are just those that you can easily walk to. If you take the Water Taxi you can easily get to dozens more. The nearest Water Taxi stop is 2 long blocks east, under the SE 17th Street Bridge, in front of the Marina Marriott hotel... http://www.watertaxi.com/FortLauderdale/FLLHome.Asp

 

Some popular places easily accessible by Water Taxi are...

 

15th Street Fisheries... http://www.15streetfisheries.com/

 

Jackson's Steakhouse... http://www.jacksonssteakhouse.com/

 

Shirttail Charlie's... http://www.shirttailcharlies.com/

 

Fort Lauderdale Riverhouse... http://www.ftlauderdaleriverhouse.com/

 

Downtowner Saloon... http://www.downtownersaloon.com/

 

Shooter's Waterfront Cafe, and at the same stop Taverna Opa... http://tavernaoparestaurant.com/

 

Charlie's Crab... http://www.muer.com/locations/chcrab...ab-ftlaud.html

 

The many many restaurants and shops along beautiful Las Olas Blvd... http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/

 

And Las Olas Riverfront... http://www.riverfrontfl.com/

[hugger]

TrentS

WOW - we now know where it's all at - THANK YOU - THANK YOU

Have printed out your post and sent it on to our traveling companions.

We're set to go now.

[Rabbit]

Trent S.

 

We and our traveling companions have left our car at Amerisuites 2 years in a row including recently during Thanksgiving week. We didn't have any problems at all? Do we know that there have been auto thefts from the hotel?

 

Thanks for all your info

[NoNoNanette]

If I were to stay at the AMERISUITES, could you recommend a place within walking distance for our wedding anniversary? Thanks, honey. You've been a wealth of knowledge! :)

[TrentS]

Nanette, Tara Steak & Lobster would be a great choice of those that are close, it's a couple of blocks east of AmeriSuites on SE 17th Street... http://www.tarasteakandlobsterhouse.com/

[NoNoNanette]

Many thanks, honey!:)

[TrentS]

No problem Nanette... Have a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! :)

[hugger]

for 58.00 1 night 3 rooms on April 1st.

I'm so happy . . .

And, THANKFUL for eveyone on this site - you guys are GREAT!

Any hints on this hotel???

[TrentS]

Renaissance on SE 17th Street is an EXCELLENT hotel, the best on SE 17th Street, and that's a GREAT price! All of the above restaurant info still applies, it's in a great location, easy walking distance to everything.

[palmtre2]

The La Quinta Airport hotel on 26th St allows you to park and leave your car for the cruise. The have a shuttle to the port you have to find your own way back to the hotel.

[Linda&Mike]

We're staying at the La Qunita on April 14th and we're leaving our car there for the week while we cruise. They told us their paring is through a Park N Fly lot. So what I would like to know is this a safe parking area? Also is there a lot of stores & restaurants around this hotel? Thanks

 

Linda

[palmtre2]

We too will be at the LQ on 4/13 & 4/14. I've heard there is a shopping center within walking distance and some very good restuarants - Dave & Busters, the Hollywood Ale House and I think an Outback. Guess we'll see you on the shuttle to the piers!!!!! Trent hasn't been on the boards for a little while now we're all hoping he's on a cruise!!!!