Hi - I live in the area. Unless you are on a very tight timetable - you don't want to stay up near the port. It's basically an industrial area. Or the airport either. Nothing much there except the zoo (it's a nice zoo - but it's a zoo). There are quite a few Hilton Garden Inns - Hampton Inns - etc. in the metro area. Don't know about the per diem rates.

When will you be coming - how long will be you be here - and what do you like to do? This isn't a major tourist destination - but we aren't totally hopeless. You can play golf or tennis - go to the beach - visit historic districts - including St. Augustine - and museums - attend concerts or sports events (from minor league baseball to Jaguars games). Whatever. Point me in the right direction and I'll try to come up with some suggestions. Robyn