Expert: Linda Date: 6/6/2008 Subject: Good hotel in Fort lauderdal
Question My cruise departs on 10/25/08. I will be arriving on 10/24/08 into Fort Lauderdale Airport. Can you advise me on a good clean hotel, nothing fancy. Just to sleep for the night. There is just my husband and self. Also will need a ride from the airport to the hotel and then the hotel to the ship next day and then from the ship when we get back to the airport for our return flight home on 10/30/08.
Answer Ft Laud has lots of great hotels, so I'll give you some ideas. Most of the hotels on 17th Street Causeway will pick you up from the airport to the hotel, but NOT from the hotel to the port (not a biggie here cause it's only about 6 min away, you can get a cab or the hotel can call a shuttle, it's done all the time) For the return from the ship to the airport, just get the travel voucher from the cruise line, it's only $10 I think, just bring your bags out to the bus after debarkation and the bus driver will put on bus and drop you off in front of your airline at the airport.
Now, for hotels and what you'll pay. If you are SURE and POSITIVE about your arrangements, you can't beat using PRICELINE.COM. You put in Fort Lauderdale, click on what star you want (start with a 4 *) the price you want to pay, enter your credit card info. If they accept your price, the room is yours, BUT there is no changing, cancelling your room. We've used this probably 50 times and never are disappointed. If you have some trepidation about this, then you can go to hotels.com or another internet site.
17th street Causeway is the most popular. You can stay at any of the hotels there and walk to dinner, Publix, shops etc. If you book those, ask for a room on a higher floor, most you can see Port Everglades. Of course Ft Laud Beach is only an additional 10 min away and offers views of the ocean, lots of restaurants etc. Do remember when you are looking at hotels to ask if they pick you up at the airport and figure that amount in with what they offer for what they're charging. If you book say the Embassey Suites, remember there is are free drinks from 5-7 and a free full breakfast in the morning. If you are not risk-adverse, I really suggest Priceline.com. spend some time looking at the site, also might suggest you go to cruisecritic.com, join (free), then go to the message boards for whatever cruise line you're taking, then pose your question there. You will get MANY answers from those that have "been there, done that". Their suggestions may help you as well.
