Ft. Lauderdale and Miami [lodging for cruisers?]
Feb 19, 2014, 2:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYZ
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Posts: 942
Ft. Lauderdale and Miami [lodging for cruisers?]
Will be taking a cruise out of FLL in April on RCCL.
Flying into MIA one day before cruise at around 1pm and will have one full day after the cruise and flying out of FLL to LAS.
Can anyone recommend where i should stay. MIA, or FLL or in between. Or both. What is the downtown area for both cities?
Are there any nice restaurants or food special to the area?
Flying into MIA one day before cruise at around 1pm and will have one full day after the cruise and flying out of FLL to LAS.
Can anyone recommend where i should stay. MIA, or FLL or in between. Or both. What is the downtown area for both cities?
Are there any nice restaurants or food special to the area?
Feb 19, 2014, 9:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
In South Florida, hotel rates in March and April can get insane. Run down motels can easily hit $150/night and 4-diamond hotels/resorts on the beach can climb to over $300/night.
If you are looking to stay within a budget, your decision of where to stay might be made for you. Personally, if I were flying into MIA at 1pm and leaving the next day on a cruise, I wouldn't spend tons of money on a hotel that night.
If you are looking to stay within a budget, your decision of where to stay might be made for you. Personally, if I were flying into MIA at 1pm and leaving the next day on a cruise, I wouldn't spend tons of money on a hotel that night.
Feb 22, 2014, 5:55 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Runway 22 @ KROC
Posts: 706
In South Florida, hotel rates in March and April can get insane. Run down motels can easily hit $150/night and 4-diamond hotels/resorts on the beach can climb to over $300/night.
If you are looking to stay within a budget, your decision of where to stay might be made for you. Personally, if I were flying into MIA at 1pm and leaving the next day on a cruise, I wouldn't spend tons of money on a hotel that night.
If you are looking to stay within a budget, your decision of where to stay might be made for you. Personally, if I were flying into MIA at 1pm and leaving the next day on a cruise, I wouldn't spend tons of money on a hotel that night.
Feb 23, 2014, 8:13 am
#4
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Jupiter, FL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Silver
Posts: 29,837
Since you are flying out of FLL and the. Cruise ends there, I would recommend FLL to stay on the day AFTER your cruise. Las Olas BLvd has a nice choice of restaurants.
Imam is Brikell area has good restaurants as well but is farther afield.
There are some cheaper hotels in the FLL area but it is a challenge as others have said.
For the night before the cruise you may find cheaper around MIA.
Imam is Brikell area has good restaurants as well but is farther afield.
There are some cheaper hotels in the FLL area but it is a challenge as others have said.
For the night before the cruise you may find cheaper around MIA.
Feb 24, 2014, 1:45 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Air Miles
Posts: 942
Thanks all for your replies. I decided to use my AMEX points instead and stay one night in Intercontinental Miami. Then after the cruise, I will stay one night in FLL area with more points. Not sure which one yet. Thinking of the Hollywood area like Crowne Plaza Hotel but heard that area is not so safe? Can anyone confirm?
Feb 24, 2014, 6:44 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Naples, Florida
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Posts: 593
I know of the Crowne Plaza, yes there is a 7-11 next to it but to be honest don't believe it to be a bad area. Have often walked by it with my grandchildren when staying at the Westin Diplomat a few blocks north. Saw nothing to make me uncomfortable.
That said, it is an extremely quiet area the Crowne Plaza is in, just for older senior citizen residents. You might be better off in FLL itself.
Worldspan
That said, it is an extremely quiet area the Crowne Plaza is in, just for older senior citizen residents. You might be better off in FLL itself.
Worldspan
Feb 24, 2014, 6:53 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,233
The Hallandale Beach area is safe in my experience.
I have stayed at the CP and it is nice (I would stay again). There is a convenience store next door. Beach is across the street, as is the popular (on FT) Westin Diplomat property. Many tourists/visitors in the area. Close to Aventura mall, Gulfstream Park (racetack/casino/shopping/dining), and 10-20 minutes to FLL/Cruise port.
Your plan sounds good: 1 night MIA area/ cruise / 1 night FLL area....^
I have stayed at the CP and it is nice (I would stay again). There is a convenience store next door. Beach is across the street, as is the popular (on FT) Westin Diplomat property. Many tourists/visitors in the area. Close to Aventura mall, Gulfstream Park (racetack/casino/shopping/dining), and 10-20 minutes to FLL/Cruise port.
Your plan sounds good: 1 night MIA area/ cruise / 1 night FLL area....^