Hilton HHonors - Anyone Been to the Fort Lauderdale DT Ocean Front?

I'm going to stay here during Easter and am wondering what kind of treatment I would get as HH gold.

During my stay at the DoubleTree @ Waikiki I only got a $10 cert for one night stay for 2 people!!!! Wasn't even enough for 2 breakfast at the restaurant!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FFSaver:
I'm going to stay here during Easter and am wondering what kind of treatment I would get as HH gold.

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The property is located so conveniently located, that I would and did not care. But the times I have been there, All I remember is having an oceanfront room.

If you like German food and German beer, Stop by the Bier Brunnen. Right next door.

Bitte ein Bit!


[This message has been edited by eDiveBuddy (edited 04-14-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by eDiveBuddy:
The property is located so conveniently located, that I would and did not care.</font>

I cared. Not only did I not get anything for being a gold, but the room was dark and dank (probably had something to do with the stream of air conditioner water flowing down the side of the building onto each unit's sliding door). I will never stay at this property again, despite the location.

"Dark and dank"!!!!

This is not very good news http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif Are there any other suggestions then in either FLL or MIA or palm beach that's affordable and beside the beach?

Also, do the DT have a exe lounge?

I've given up on this hotel after staying there several times a year for the past few years, because of groups staying there or nearby.

The location is great, but don't expect upgrades, breakfast, or too much cleanliness. The restaurunt routinely opens 45 minutes late or doesn't get ready to serve until that long after they let you in the door. The best parts are outside the room with Pusser's and the Bierbrunen nearby and the beach across the street.

The Sheraton a few blocks south is on the beach and close enought to Pusser's and the nightlife just north of the Doubletree. That's my next stay in FLL.

FFsaver:

See your second question now: No, there's is no lounge at the Doubletree FLL. In summer the patio bar is open in the evenings, seems like just later in the week or on weekends.

Hate to rag on his place so much ... there is just so much potential they're missing with at that incredible location.

I stayed there Labor Day weekend. Had to ask for the second set of breakfast vouchers for the stay.. of course, I had to interrupt the front desk clerk's phone call to get them.

Liked the room I got. Was absolutely huge on an end where I could basically see three sides. Bathroom was tiny. The hotel was about what I expected for one across from the beach (tile in a lot of places).

One word of warning.. don't sit on the lounge chairs on the beach in front of the hotel if you're not planning on paying for them. Some guy owns them and charges you for them. I made the mistake of thinking they were the hotel's when I saw one of the maids collecting the free towels they give out.

OK, I stayed there for 2 nights during this past Easter. Here is my input.

Fort Lauderdale Doubletree – Oceanfront:
Positive points
· We booked a room with a request for early check-in. Got there and the room was ready.
· As gold Hhonoros, we got the breakfast coupons without asking. American breakfast.
· Got a Jacuzzi in the bathroom (but never used it as we were on the beach most of the time).
· The location is pretty convenient. A lot of stores around and a 7/11 across the street.
· The valet parking guys were very helpful and nice.
· 2 bottles of water were provided in the room.
· We could use the hotel towels for the beach.

Negative points:
· Hotel and room looked tied and old. The carpet seemed old and humid (maybe from the weather there).
· The room was small with a double bed and a pull-out sofa.
· The A/C was loud (but help block out the noise from route A1A where you have these bikers driving 24 hours a day!!!
· Noisy neighborhood unless you like to party (spring-break party year-long).
· Breakfast was small and had ants crawling on the buffet table. Go early in order to avoid the ants as they tend to show up after the food has been placed on the table for awhile.
· Only valet parking, which could add-up.
· Beach is a bit dirty. The sand has a lot of garbage (i.e. cigarette) and the water was filled with sea-wheat
· Beach is sometimes crowded near the hotel because there is a public parking lot besides the hotel for locals (I guess).
· Long line-up at the front-desk. Usually only one rep is working there.

As for the chairs on the beach. Yes, we did get caught using them and the guy came up and ask us to pay: $5 for chairs and $10 for beach-umbrellas, paid the 1st day, but didn't use them afterwards.

ES in FLL is a short drive to the beach but you need a car. Good hotel. Ofen avail. on Priceline--3.5* downtown.

I'm going Sep 19-22.... what can I expect? I'm a gold. Whats the hotel like?

That is my favorite property in the area. As a matter of fact I'll be there the weekend before you 12-14. The hotel is right on the beach ( just have to cross a street ) As a gold I get upgraded to an ocean room everytime. The breakfast is decent.

Sub par property. beach is convenient but across the street. As a HH diamond, asked for upgrade got a ocean veiw room. Clerk acted put out by the request. No breakfast. Asked about other diamond perks. Was told we get cookies! (so does everyone else) Would not stay there again. Preferred FLL Embassy Suites.

I'd have to agree with it being a sub par property. My partner thought it was okay, but for some reason, it just wasn't all that great in my mind. I got the oceanview room which was pretty large, but it seemed dirty to me. The bathroom was small. Yes, the beach was right across the street but beware the vendor selling beach chairs. Got free breakfast but had to ask for the second coupon. Valet service was slow.

For a Florida beach trip, I enjoyed the HGI St. Augustine a lot.

I really liked the Homewood Suites in Sunny Isles. Not the best area immediately around the property, but it was cheap and they upgraded us (DIA) to the penthouse suite. I felt safe there and they had good fishing right off the back pier.

I enjoyed my stay there. Got upgraded to a corner room with a nice view.

Comically bad service.

Housekeeping sometimes never shows up.

Dirty common areas and rooms.

Vicious car valets and expensive parking.

Unbeatable location.

Greasing palms there works wonders.

Several conflicting viewpoints.

I've stayed there about 7 times the past 2 years. Only once did I not get upgraded to ocean view. I guess I'm just looking for a convenient spot by the beach to relax and it works for me. Never had a dirty room and housekeepign has always shown. I don't remember how much parking is tho.

It will be on pointstretchers as a Category 3 property = 15,000 points/night. I don't recall its prior designation and whether this is a downgrade or not in points cost.

That said, it comes out to 90,000 points for a 6 nighter as opposed to the present 150,000 points.

So, my question is this: Is it worth 15,000 points in your opinions?

Also, for those who will be there in September, I would greatly appreciate your short trip reports!

Thank you!

Depends how you value your points. If at around one cent, then no, as you can probably get it on Expedia for around $129, or Priceline for around $60.

staying at Doubletree Oceanfront Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. any idea how to get breakfast coupons??? Thanks

If you have gold or diamond status they will give them to you at check-in.