Can't address the Aloft Situation but I can address the high rate at the Four Points and most other hotel's that weekend. Teacher's convention in New Jersey and other states in the Northeast. No, those conventions are not held in Fort Lauderdale but the the point to be made is every Tom, Dick and Harry with children on vacation for those four days (Thursday-Sunday) travels to Florida for a quick vacation before the holidays and peak season rates set in. Combined with Friday night being the most expensive night of the week 52 weeks a year because of heavy cruise ship passenger overnights (most of the ships are back by early November) and you have the perfect formula for a very high rate. Try and see if you can make it a little lower byh booking a AAA rate. Be grateful it is not the weekend before when things would be higher due to the annual FLL boat show.