Fort Lauderdale - hotel - port....Help please

[cruise2live]

Shew!!! there is a lot of information in these pages. I have a question about Hotwire. The only 4 star option that comes up is the Las Olas/Downtown/ Port Everglades. Is this the Renaissance? It is $114 for the night that I need it. I am tempted to book this, but want to make sure it is close to something to eat and not going to break the bank to get to the port. Does anyone know if this (assuming it is the Renaissance) has airport transfers or port transfers? Thanks

[lakesider]

I gleamed so much info from this thread before I left that I felt compelled to give a review on our return,

 

Stayed at the Hyatt Pier 66 one night pre-cruise (Sat Feb 24). Fantastic! Had an early flight into FLL and arrived at the hotel at ~12:30. Cab fare was $25 from airport but we hit terrible traffic AND the bridge was up. Room wasn't ready yet but they held our luggage and gave us a key to use the amenities. The desk clerk was from a town very close to ours and we were the first he ran into since he started the job - he was so excited he gave us a card for two free drinks!! Changed into our suits in the Spa locker room and hit the pool. Within 30 minutes our room was ready - a spacious Lanai room with plasma TV over looking the beautiful pool. Heaven! Missed the view of the port but enjoyed the space.

Had lunch at the pool bar - expensive but hey we had 2 free drinks!

The Sun Trolley was very convienient (but a little slow depending on the driver) and took it over to the big wine warehouse in the Publix shopping mall (thanks bequia for that info). What a store! Picked up wine and Kaliks for the cruise. Since we were short on time we ate at a new place RT Gators (or something like that) in the shopping mall. Not too bad and drinks were 2 for 1.

Easy cab over to the port the next day. The entire stay was terrific and I'd stay there again in a heart beat.

 

After the cruise we stayed 3 nights at the Bahia Mar. Picked it up on hotwire for $122/ night. We were booked at the Yankee Clipper for $250/night but cancelled and decided to take a chance on the Bahia Mar. As has been said on these boards it's a little "tired" but the staff was very friendly and our room was clean. Despite booking on hotwire they honored my request for a non-smoking, ocean view tower room on upper (15th) floor. Great view with a small balcony. We love the beach service at the Sheraton Yankee Clipper so walked over the hotel bridge and down there every day and rented 2 chairs, towels and umbrella for $30/day. Got to use their beachside pool, bathrooms and beachside bar for lunch and happyhour (with live music). At night took cabs to Las Olas for dinner and night life (try Mangos and the Europa Cafe). It was $10 each way including tip. Great fun. I feel it was a great value for what we were looking for. The only drawback was one of the elevators was out for one day leading to some extended waits.

 

Thanks to all who supplied info - and hope you find this helpful

[wbmom401]

Sorry to be a pain, but I was trying to find out more info on the Holiday Inn Express on 17th? We may change our reservations from the Sleep Inn in Dania, to here, it is a bit more money but we are due for bad weather here in the NE and we are trying to get out on a earlier flight tomorrow. Long story short, if we have to make trips back and forth to the airport becasue of our luggage, HI Express has 24hr shuttle service, Sleep Inn does not.

 

Guess I just want to know if the HI Express is in a decent part and there are some good eating places close by someone might suggest?

 

thanks!

[Bequia]

Guess I just want to know if the HI Express is in a decent part and there are some good eating places close by someone might suggest?

 

thanks!

 

The HIX on SE 17th Street is in a decent part of town.

SE 17th Street area 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/

[WeRockChalkKU]

I figure poor ole Bequia will probably have to field this question. But if anyone else has answers or thoughts, I'd love to hear them.

 

We are taking a cab from the FLL airport to the ship. I've already been told that it isn't far and that's it's reasonably priced. Now, I want to know if there's some place on the way to make a quick pop, beer , or wine stop. Would the cab driver be willing to do this and just keep the meter running? Or what? Any info anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks

[Bequia]

I figure poor ole Bequia will probably have to field this question. But if anyone else has answers or thoughts, I'd love to hear them.

 

We are taking a cab from the FLL airport to the ship. I've already been told that it isn't far and that's it's reasonably priced. Now, I want to know if there's some place on the way to make a quick pop, beer , or wine stop. Would the cab driver be willing to do this and just keep the meter running? Or what? Any info anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks

 

LOL....Have the cabbie stop at the Harbor Shops behind the Embassy Suites on S.E.17th Street (it's not that far out of the way, in fact most cruisers stay in the hotels on S.E. 17th St.). There's a Publix Supermarket as well as Total Wine & Liquors. From there he will continue 1 block to the north entrance to Port Everglades (Eisenhower Blvd). That entrance is least utilized and the fastest entry point into the port as all the main traffic comes in from the western entrances. The cabbie should have no problem doing this, ask before getting in the cab to be sure. ;)

[lakesider]

Bequia must be so tired of telling everyone. THE best place is Total Wine and Liquors. Just follow the thread. It is such a great place. Just go there! I took his advice and was blown away. Really, take the Trolley and just do it!!!

Thank you bequia!

Colleen (and Tom)

[laginog]

cruise2live-

That sounds like the Renaisance to me. We got it for $113. You can check betterbidding dot com for confirmation.

 

I don't think they have transfers at all...but I could be wrong. We're renting a minivan from Thrifty at the airport and returning it to the port.

[jak378]

Just a short review. We stayed at the Embassy Suites on SE 17th, for one night, Feb. 24th, pre-cruise. We drove down, and were able to park in the Embassy Suite lot for 60 dollars for the week, and their shuttle took us to the pier for 6 dollars. We ate at Chuck's across the street, as we have done in the past, and it is still decent and reasonable. We bought our liquor and champagne across the street at the liquor store in the strip mall, Crown Liquors, I believe. There are plenty of restaurants in the area, including an Italian restaurant in the hotel that did not look too bad. We extended the cruise for another week, and a call to Embassy arranged for them to keep the car for another week. We took a cab back to the hotel upon return, for about 10 dollars plus a tip. Embassy was a good hotel, the manager's reception in the evening is several hours of free cocktails, and the breakfast is cooked to order and is very good. We would stay there again.

 

Interesting footnote. I initially booked this hotel about 2 weeks prior to the stay at about 359 for the night. By checking on the internet regularly the price was down to 269 the week before the stay. This is the height of their season, and apparently they adjust the rates based on the projected occupancy. Since their computers were down when we checked in, and everyone checking in was forced to wait a long time, the clerk gave me transportation on the shuttle to the port for free.

[signman]

I'd like to hear about the deal that enticed you to stay on for an additional week.

[gonzo2]

In response to all the great info here and especially to Bequia, we just returned from our Celebrity cruise which sailed from FLL. We booked this hotel online from their web site about a month before sailing. Since we were driving to the port, we were looking for complimentary parking. About two weeks before our sailing I called the hotel direct and rebooked for about $50 less than the previous rate. Very happy with hotel--clean, quiet, friendly staff. We had dinner at the nearby mall area--there were many franchise restuarants but TGIF looked like the shortest wait. We missed the free breakfast the next morning but they do offer shuttle service at 11 am and 12 noon. Left our car parked in their lot. This property is a little further from the port and they do not provide a return shuttle so the cab fare was $25 back to the hotel upon our return. We felt that the parking lot was reasonably secure and had no problems whatsoever.

[mdwstcruiser]

I have seen the Sleep Inn and Suites in Dania mentioned quite a bit on this thread so wanted to give you our opinions from our precruise stay there on 3/9/07.

Our flight arrived at about 10:15 in the morning. There is a phone in the baggage area where you can call the hotel. The gentlemen who answered the phone was very nice and told us they would be there to pick us up but since it was early they were shuttling the cruise ship passengers over and it would be about a half hour or so before they got there and asked us to please be patient. That was fine with us since it was so early and we knew our room wouldn't be ready yet. They arrived about 45 minutes later and we met up with the other two couples who we were cruising with but arrived at a different terminal. Something you should know - if you want to check in early there is a $10 a room charge. (They did say if we didn't want to check in they would store our luggage in the locked business center until we were ready but if anyone wanted to use the computers they would have to unlock the door and let them in.) We just checked into one room and put all our luggage in there and went across the street to have lunch until the other rooms were ready. This was the very convenient part - A very good Italian restaurant and a Mexican restaurant -we ate at both. There is also a Chinese restaurant I believe plus a dollar store and a large Publix grocery store. There is also a Walgreen's attached to the property. The rooms were small but clean and all had king beds, microwave and refrig. Pool small but just fine for one night stay. We signed up for the 10 shuttle to port when we checked in and they were there promptly. All in all it is a nice property in a nice area with quite a few things you can walk to and buy some last minute essentials. Love the free shuttles and would stay there again.

[Sea Fan]

So our trip is coming up in 5 weeks, has any body stayed there recently?

Any problems?

 

Just being curious, I am so ready to go.

 

Dianne

[oceanlvr1016]

I'm right behind you in 7 weeks! Also interested in any recent information.

[Ct Cruise Guy]

Booked the Extended Stay on 17th for 114.99 :) Thanks All!

[Kethry88]

We'll be staying there April 27. I'll post about it after we get back from our cruise (May 6):)

[dblane]

How easy is it to get to the intercoastal waterway to take the water taxi's from the Sleep Inn?

[Bequia]

How easy is it to get to the intercoastal waterway to take the water taxi's from the Sleep Inn?

 

It's just a cab ride away. ;)

[maofthree]

WE ARE STAYING THERE ALSO GOIN ON THE LIBERTY ON APRIL 28TH . WHAT TIME ARE YOU PLANNING ON TAKIN THE SHUTTLE TO THE PORT?:eek:

[Sea Fan]

Maofthree, It's going to be one busy hotel, we are also staying there on the 27th. I was told to sign up for the shuttle soon as you get there. I'm hoping to catch one about 11:00 AM. It's not far from the port so we are also considering a taxi. I do not know what time they start taking you over.

 

Dianne

[Kethry88]

WE ARE STAYING THERE ALSO GOIN ON THE LIBERTY ON APRIL 28TH . WHAT TIME ARE YOU PLANNING ON TAKIN THE SHUTTLE TO THE PORT?:eek:

 

We'll probably try to get a time between 10:30 and 11:30. Our flight from O'Hare doesn't get in until about 5:00PM, so the best times might be taken by the time we get our luggage and go to the hotel. The shuttles to Port Everglades run between 7:00AM and 3:00AM. (I think that might be a typo. Maybe it's supposed to be 3:00PM)

[maofthree]

WE GET IN AT 4:00, my same thoughts about the time... i;m sure they wont leave without us.... last year we had trouble with the rental car and got there about 1;30 , actually it was perfect timing no line in 15 min , on ship... but that was princess. they say there is a nice mexican and italian restraunt across the street and also publix for anything else you need. so now its less than a month... have you cruised before?:p :D :eek:

[Kethry88]

If worse comes to worse, we can get a cab. We (my mother and I) have been on three cruises before. We've always gotten air through the cruiseline before, and never arrived at the ship before 2 PM. By then, the lines have cleared and it only took a few minutes to check in. This time, we purchased our own air, and it will be nice not to RUSH RUSH RUSH on the day of the cruise.

For the hotel, I think there's also a Hunan Wok in the shopping center and a dollar store. Not sure which chain, something like Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Doller, etc. We're planning on buying our toiletries there so we don't have to bother with them at the airport.

[airlink diva]

After reading about the stores,resturants and Hollywood beach are so close to the hotel, I'm thinking about canceling my car rental and just catch the shuttle bus to the hotel.

Did anyone just stay at the hotel without a rental car and still have plenty to do?

[wcal]

Has anyone stayed at the Exteded Stay America in Fort Lauderdale on 17th Street. It is a great location near cruise port and airport and reasonable prices. Pros and cons on this hotel would be appreciated. We are booked there for a pre cruise next February.