Driving to Fort Lauderdale and Hilton Marina

[gatour]

In regards to the "ramp" to the Hilton.  As you are heading east on 17th St.  Just past where you would turn right to go into the port is the entrance to the ramp. You follow it and go under the causeway to get to Hiltion.

 

The Hilton is our normal place to stay pre cruise.

[Oceangoer2]

21 hours ago, villauk said:

 

 

Okay, thanks for the reply. It appears that the port threads never get moved from the general X board like they do from other cruise lines’ boards. Other  CC members have obviously noticed too as they have posted in the various threads  (see Cruisestitch’s post above for example). I suppose one notices it more when you are frequently using other cruise line boards and see the ‘moved’ notification. 

Not a criticism as I do appreciate the work the hosts do. I will act on your suggestion 😉.

 This started as a general help question which turned into a specific one.  No point moving the entire thread...IMO...I for one never look at the ports thread for help...this one is comprehensive.  If one doesn't want to continue reading as it becomes lengthy, then just close the thread and move on.

[Oceangoer2]

1 hour ago, gatour said:

In regards to the "ramp" to the Hilton.  As you are heading east on 17th St.  Just past where you would turn right to go into the port is the entrance to the ramp. You follow it and go under the causeway to get to Hiltion.

 

The Hilton is our normal place to stay pre cruise.

 

Much better explanation than mine...we stay often as well.  I don't do the driving so my recall is sketchy...just tried to help in a vague way...

[Host Jazzbeau]

8 hours ago, oceangoer2 said:

Much better explanation than mine...we stay often as well.  I don't do the driving so my recall is sketchy...just tried to help in a vague way...

 

As I responded when one of my posts caused confusion, "I could be more vague if that would help..."  

[cltnccruisers]

I've been driving for nearly 50 years.   On our trip from Charlotte to Ft L this past October was the first time I have ever been frightened driving.  The last 20 miles or so on 95 were insane.  I was doing near 80 and getting passed like I was standing still.  At one point twin Hondas passed on either side of me.  About 100 yards further on they both decided to get into my lane and, honest to God, bumped - then they just kept going.  Next time we'll overnight in Melbourne and finish the drive around 6:00AM.

[teltrainer]

On 1/5/2019 at 9:36 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

 

Will my GPS know the way?

 We loved the hotel but the directions from SIRI on my iphone were a scream.  Great routing until we got on 17th street.  We knew the hotel was on the left but Siri said keep straight and then in the middle of the 17th street bridge she said "Turn left here". LOL  I don't think so Siri! 

 

We went over the bride and had to make a U-turn and then once across the bridge it was a right turn into a complex and a side road to the hotel destination.

[teltrainer]

On 1/9/2019 at 12:41 PM, oceangoer2 said:

 

the hotel offers a parking/room package called "Java Joe"...seriously.  Not sure of the cost;  we were quoted it was included in our room price and the website quotes $30 per day.

I checked for long term parking in the area and the group that manages the Hilton Marina parking offers $10 a day parking.  You just tell them at check in at the front entrance.  It is billed as part of your Hilton stay.  Valet parking of our vehicle and half the cost of the port parking. 

[Oville]

8 minutes ago, teltrainer said:

I checked for long term parking in the area and the group that manages the Hilton Marina parking offers $10 a day parking.  You just tell them at check in at the front entrance.  It is billed as part of your Hilton stay.  Valet parking of our vehicle and half the cost of the port parking. 

I believe it is $10 a day if you are there only during the day, overnight parking is more.  I’ll be there Saturday and I will post the overnight cost.

Edited January 15, 2019 by Oville

[teltrainer]

3 minutes ago, Oville said:

I believe it is $10 a day if you are there only during the day, overnight parking is more.  I’ll be there Saturday and I will post the overnight cost.

actually it is $30 for just one night only through Hilton or the long term through their parking management group:  https://parking.com/fort-lauderdale/hotels-hilton/hilton-fort-lauderdale-marina?lot_id=20527&showListOnly=1&view=daily&sw=26.101383046681207,-80.12051076528046&ne=26.101676953140753,-80.11998323470935&facility&valet&general=&displayFullCity=0

 

We used it for 12 days overnight parking while on cruise in November and our bill was $120.00 😎

[Oville]

5 minutes ago, teltrainer said:

actually it is $30 for just one night only through Hilton or the long term through their parking management group:  https://parking.com/fort-lauderdale/hotels-hilton/hilton-fort-lauderdale-marina?lot_id=20527&showListOnly=1&view=daily&sw=26.101383046681207,-80.12051076528046&ne=26.101676953140753,-80.11998323470935&facility&valet&general=&displayFullCity=0

 

We used it for 12 days overnight parking while on cruise in November and our bill was $120.00 😎

Thanks, we’ve stayed there numerous times and didn’t know about this.  Port parking is still our choice but this is good info.

[teltrainer]

1 minute ago, Oville said:

Thanks, we’ve stayed there numerous times and didn’t know about this.  Port parking is still our choice but this is good info.

I understand.  Hilton doesn't advertise this and you can't book it in advance.  But there is plenty of valet parking spaces for the $10 a night deal since many people self park. 

[Jim_Iain]

On ‎1‎/‎5‎/‎2019 at 6:36 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

 

Will my GPS know the way?

It will help but once at the hotel will simply say you have arrived -  most GPS will not exactly show the ramp into the hotel.

 

[Oville]

57 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

It will help but once at the hotel will simply say you have arrived -  most GPS will not exactly show the ramp into the hotel.

 

The eastiest way into the hotel is to take a left at Eisenhower Blvd and an immediate right onto Grande.  It takes you to the hotel without having to deal with the ramp.

[Celebrity Liner]

On 1/5/2019 at 2:46 AM, vtcruising said:

We stayed there for four nights a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it there. If you get a Water-View Marina Tower Room with balcony, you can sit out on your balcony and watch the cruise ships come and go (nice view of X ships) and the bridge go up and down to let boats through.

 

We liked the pool bar/restaurant for lunch and the Waterview for breakfast. We ate at the 15th St Fisheries for dinner a couple of times (can get there by water taxi or land taxi - it's very close, but there's a canal in the way). We try to get there early enough to get a table on the water.

 

The people were very nice at the hotel - wish we could go back again in 2 weeks but they were booked.  I'm sure you are a H Honors member, but if not, if you join you can get free Wi-Fi. Enjoy!🙂

 

 

 

hello vtcruising, maybe you can help me too 🙂 I would book a room in this hotel for our next cruise with the edge. We also like to see the ships in the harbor and how they sail out. on the hilton page there are so many categories. which is the right one to see the harbor and the ships. https://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/hilton-fort-lauderdale-marina-FLLGRHH/accommodations/rooms.html Thanks for your help. 🙂 have a nice day

 

[vtcruising]

1 hour ago, Celebrity Liner said:

 

 

 

hello vtcruising, maybe you can help me too 🙂 I would book a room in this hotel for our next cruise with the edge. We also like to see the ships in the harbor and how they sail out. on the hilton page there are so many categories. which is the right one to see the harbor and the ships. https://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/hilton-fort-lauderdale-marina-FLLGRHH/accommodations/rooms.html Thanks for your help. 🙂 have a nice day

 

This is the type of room we had 3 times:  WATER VIEW - MARINA TOWER ROOM- BALCONY-KG BD. If you can find a place to put in comments in the reservation (or call them), you can request a port view room - some of them are not facing the port.  We were there early in the day each time and were able to get port views. You also have a nice view from the balcony of the draw bridge. Great views!

 

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

Follow-up after our stay at the Hilton before our cruise:

•  there are two easy ways to drive to the hotel, either by taking a left at the light at Eisenhower Blvd and jogging onto Grande Blvd or by taking the right exit just after the light and turning left under the bridge – the only no-no is staying on as the road rises onto the bridge

•  if you tell Hilton you have a car, you will pay a high rate – instead tell the valets that you want to park with them and you will get the $10/day (cash only) rate.  We stayed two nights before the cruise, and paid a total of $90 [plus generous tips to ensure they took good care of our baby]

•  the water taxi was a bust for us – we waited about 20 minutes [well past the time that 2 boats should have come] and finally called Uber.  Uber got us to the 15th Street Fisheries faster than the water taxi was supposed to!  From then on, we used Uber for everything and always had great service

[Ray in NH]

On ‎1‎/‎5‎/‎2019 at 5:44 AM, mickey89 said:

A good choice but only if you have a Tower room, the others are a little shabby. Food in the hotel is not great but some good restaurants an easy walk away. Water taxi to Las Olas is a good starting point and use Uber to get to the port, so much cheaper.

 

The Hilton has a shuttle to pier ($6.00 pp).  Difficult to beat.

 

NRayH

[Lastdance]

1 hour ago, Ray in NH said:

 

The Hilton has a shuttle to pier ($6.00 pp).  Difficult to beat.

 

NRayH

 

I agree the price is great, but getting there early to see the new terminal and enjoying some time before getting on the ship might be nice too, but maybe that is because I am in a suite and enjoy being early...the first shuttle, they told me, does not leave until 11:00.  Thank goodness we do not all want to get there at the same time!

[Ray in NH]

32 minutes ago, Lastdance said:

 

I agree the price is great, but getting there early to see the new terminal and enjoying some time before getting on the ship might be nice too, but maybe that is because I am in a suite and enjoy being early...the first shuttle, they told me, does not leave until 11:00.  Thank goodness we do not all want to get there at the same time!

 

We did not inquire about the shuttle timing.  We had seen the sign about the shuttle, but had figured to just have them call a taxi.  Previous shuttle experience has lead us to usually avoid cruise shuttles.  We headed out the main entrance to ask them to call a taxi for us.  It was probably about 10:00.  Right at the door was the shuttle driver saying he was ready to leave.  I asked if he had room -- there were three others on the bus (about 18 pay capacity).  We were at the terminal in about 10-12 minutes.

Porters were waiting for bags to go to the ship.  Since we were also in a suite, they took us directly to the escalator and we were checked in immediately.  Boarding had not yet started so we relaxed in the comfy chairs of the suites boarding area and were quickly greeted by the Suites Concierge, and escorted aboard to Michael's Club, until they were ready for us in Luminae.

The shuttle was much more convenient that what we were looking for.

 

NRayH

[Lastdance]

3 hours ago, Ray in NH said:

 

We did not inquire about the shuttle timing.  We had seen the sign about the shuttle, but had figured to just have them call a taxi.  Previous shuttle experience has lead us to usually avoid cruise shuttles.  We headed out the main entrance to ask them to call a taxi for us.  It was probably about 10:00.  Right at the door was the shuttle driver saying he was ready to leave.  I asked if he had room -- there were three others on the bus (about 18 pay capacity).  We were at the terminal in about 10-12 minutes.

Porters were waiting for bags to go to the ship.  Since we were also in a suite, they took us directly to the escalator and we were checked in immediately.  Boarding had not yet started so we relaxed in the comfy chairs of the suites boarding area and were quickly greeted by the Suites Concierge, and escorted aboard to Michael's Club, until they were ready for us in Luminae.

The shuttle was much more convenient that what we were looking for.

 

NRayH

 

That sounds perfect!  So, you are saying it was just $12 for the two of you, and you did not have to wait until 11:00...I will definitely check on that after we arrive.  Thank you for returning and clarifying that for me, as I had no idea that was a possibility, and of course, no one offered that on either time that I called to inquire.  I very much appreciate the heads-up on this information, and hope that my DH and I can do the same!  Our April TA can not come soon enough...

Edited March 17, 2019 by Lastdance

[perkydebrajean]

We stayed there last summer and enjoyed the view. Had a room on an upper floor facing the port. I'm a Hilton Honors member and was able to go in and choose my room location when I checked in online. We ate at the outside bar and the food was fine for us. I was out on my balcony at 5am watching the cruise ships come into port. 

 

In regards to driving directions, I got on google maps before we ever left our house and researched how to get there and where the turn for the hotel was so that I would have an idea once we got into the area. 

 

Water tax stop is right outside the hotel. Wish we had gotten to the hotel a lot earlier in the day so that we could have taken it down to Margaritaville also, but we did ride it round trip the other direction. The views were great and the guide on the taxi was very informative. 

 

Have a great cruise!

[Celebrity Liner]

13 hours ago, Ray in NH said:

 

The Hilton has a shuttle to pier ($6.00 pp).  Difficult to beat.

 

NRayH

Really they have a shuttle service? 

 

I read somewhere, they don´t have....

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/FAQ_Answers-g34227-d84471-t558096-Is_there_a_free_shuttle_to_the_Hilton_Marina_from.html

 

nice nice

[Ray in NH]

6 hours ago, Celebrity Liner said:

Really they have a shuttle service? 

 

I read somewhere, they don´t have....

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/FAQ_Answers-g34227-d84471-t558096-Is_there_a_free_shuttle_to_the_Hilton_Marina_from.html

 

nice nice

 

I am not sure how connected the shuttle service is to the hotel.  There was a sandwich type sign standing just outside the hotel entrance, and when I asked about getting a taxi (at check-out) form the hotel, they directed me to contact someone outside the hotel?  When we exited the hotel there was the shuttle driver asking if we wanted a ride to the ship.

I asked how much room there was left and he said "plenty of space".  There were a total of three others on the shuttle and about another 12 empty seats.  We could all have stretched out across two seats and still have had plenty of room.

Whether or not, this a usual occurrence, I have no idea, but it sure worked out well for our needs.

Good Luck.

 

NRayH