JDiver
Jan 17, 07, 8:30 pm
Hilton Garden Inn Ft. Lauderdale SW / Miramar
14501 SW 29th Street, Miramar, Florida, United States 32023
Tel: +1-954-438-7700 Fax: +1-954-392-8606
AAA Rating: <><><>............... HHonors Category 3 (25,000 points / night)
Stays: Friday January 5 and Saturday January 6, 2007
http://www.hiltongardeninn.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=FLLSWGI
First of all, do not try to get here using Hertz NeverLost or Magellan RoadMate – you will be directed south from the I-75, then west and north to what was an empty lot being prepared for construction by the side of the freeway – the wrong side at that! The hotel is actually difficult to see from the correct road, SW 148th Street – if you see the Walgreen’s Drugstore look past it to the Courtyard by Marriott; the hotel is behind that, and you should be in the left line preparing to make a left turn. This is a new business area with a few chain restaurants and a large GM worldwide office collection at 149th St., and fairly remote from much unless you are visiting Humana or Memorial Hospital - and without an automobile you won't get there anyway, as there is no public transport.
The hotel is your typical and predictable Hilton Garden Inn, and with the exception of the ebullient and enthusiastic Jackie at the front desk, personnel are lackadaisical at best in reception duties. The two staffing the desk at our arrival seemed to purposefully be involved in other tasks, and the one who finally realized she would be stuck with actual work asked me “Are you standing there to check in sir?” (Not at all, I love visiting hotels and standing near the front desk – wonderful entertainment, you know! :rolleyes:) Soon, she was working – and dynamic Jackie came out from the back room where she had been involved in some work, beamed a huge smile and welcomed us to the hotel, taking over the check-in. ^
We were given room # 535 (AAA rate $143.10 per night, a bargain in this area at this time of year,) and asked if we wished to have our two bottles of water to take with us. We used the single typically slower elevator and proceeded to our upper-floor end-of-the-hall room, a typical HGI room with the classic HGI bed and furnishings. We noted no problems and enjoy the reassuring standardization that GHI provides, with free HSIA. (The view out of the hall provided a look at a lot awaiting development well stocked with bovines, common in Florida due to a strange adaptation of the tax laws making it beneficial to own at least a steer or two.)
The restaurant, unlike most HGIs, is open breakfast, lunch and dinner. We took for the full breakfast option, and there was plenty lf variety, including a waffle station (but no signage to warn that you must use a spray on the iron’s grids, or burn the waffle and fuse it to the iron, causing lots of work for the staff.) Local specialties included grits, and passable biscuits and gravy. The somewhat surly short order cook can be persuaded to make eggs to order, but it is no mean feat – even with an empty restaurant, he tries to make himself appear busy and avoid unnecessary eye contact or acknowledgement you are there for a special order, unlike the two helpful women who work the tables.
All in all, this is a good Hilton Garden Inn with low rates, remote but not really far from Fort Lauderdale, Davie and even the Seminole Reservation, should you crave an airboat ride or a look at a gator or a hundred (but not close to FLL airport or the cruise terminal.) Expect the unfortunately stereotypical southern Florida version of service, and enjoy it when you are served by friendly personnel in the restaurant or by Jackie at the front desk - or soon, running the place!
14501 SW 29th Street, Miramar, Florida, United States 32023
Tel: +1-954-438-7700 Fax: +1-954-392-8606
AAA Rating: <><><>............... HHonors Category 3 (25,000 points / night)
Stays: Friday January 5 and Saturday January 6, 2007
http://www.hiltongardeninn.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=FLLSWGI
First of all, do not try to get here using Hertz NeverLost or Magellan RoadMate – you will be directed south from the I-75, then west and north to what was an empty lot being prepared for construction by the side of the freeway – the wrong side at that! The hotel is actually difficult to see from the correct road, SW 148th Street – if you see the Walgreen’s Drugstore look past it to the Courtyard by Marriott; the hotel is behind that, and you should be in the left line preparing to make a left turn. This is a new business area with a few chain restaurants and a large GM worldwide office collection at 149th St., and fairly remote from much unless you are visiting Humana or Memorial Hospital - and without an automobile you won't get there anyway, as there is no public transport.
The hotel is your typical and predictable Hilton Garden Inn, and with the exception of the ebullient and enthusiastic Jackie at the front desk, personnel are lackadaisical at best in reception duties. The two staffing the desk at our arrival seemed to purposefully be involved in other tasks, and the one who finally realized she would be stuck with actual work asked me “Are you standing there to check in sir?” (Not at all, I love visiting hotels and standing near the front desk – wonderful entertainment, you know! :rolleyes:) Soon, she was working – and dynamic Jackie came out from the back room where she had been involved in some work, beamed a huge smile and welcomed us to the hotel, taking over the check-in. ^
We were given room # 535 (AAA rate $143.10 per night, a bargain in this area at this time of year,) and asked if we wished to have our two bottles of water to take with us. We used the single typically slower elevator and proceeded to our upper-floor end-of-the-hall room, a typical HGI room with the classic HGI bed and furnishings. We noted no problems and enjoy the reassuring standardization that GHI provides, with free HSIA. (The view out of the hall provided a look at a lot awaiting development well stocked with bovines, common in Florida due to a strange adaptation of the tax laws making it beneficial to own at least a steer or two.)
The restaurant, unlike most HGIs, is open breakfast, lunch and dinner. We took for the full breakfast option, and there was plenty lf variety, including a waffle station (but no signage to warn that you must use a spray on the iron’s grids, or burn the waffle and fuse it to the iron, causing lots of work for the staff.) Local specialties included grits, and passable biscuits and gravy. The somewhat surly short order cook can be persuaded to make eggs to order, but it is no mean feat – even with an empty restaurant, he tries to make himself appear busy and avoid unnecessary eye contact or acknowledgement you are there for a special order, unlike the two helpful women who work the tables.
All in all, this is a good Hilton Garden Inn with low rates, remote but not really far from Fort Lauderdale, Davie and even the Seminole Reservation, should you crave an airboat ride or a look at a gator or a hundred (but not close to FLL airport or the cruise terminal.) Expect the unfortunately stereotypical southern Florida version of service, and enjoy it when you are served by friendly personnel in the restaurant or by Jackie at the front desk - or soon, running the place!