I've got to go down to the Port of Jacksonville for business. Does anyone know which Hilton brand (probably a Hampton Inn) hotels are the closest and easiest to stay at and drive to the port from. I'm also looking for a place that is priced within US Gov't per diem rates. Thanks.

Oh, what is there to do around JAX that is fun but is easy to find and not too traffic ridden?

As I recall there are no Hilton brand properties very close to the port of Jacksonville. But there may be more than one port? Not sure. As for JAX there really is nothing. D'town Jacksonville is farily nice with a Hilton on the riverwalk. I stayed there a few years back when it was an Adams Mark and it was a nice property then so I would assume its in even better shape now.

Well uh....

Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn at the airport are about 20 minutes away on 9A. The Amelia Island hotels should also be about 20 minutes of travel time on A1A.

Personally, I like Sawgrass at PVB which should be 30 minute drive from the port via JTB and 9A. Sawgrass also shows up on P/L.

Jacksonville is pretty much a make your own entertainment kind of town.

The beach has something approaching a night scene on weekends. Bukkets has decent burgers but the clientel is heavily tatood. Tinseltown on Southside, about 15-20 minutes from the port has lots of shopping, restaurants, movies etc. This might be your best bet.

By consensus, the local nespaper is best used for wrapping fish. However, they do have a decent website at Jacksonville.com.

At 165 miles and appx two hours of driving time, Jacksonville is, for me, the nearest sizable city for shopping etc. It's very livable but not tourist oriented. You could do much worse.

Thanks for the input.

While I'm not exactly certain yet, I think my destination is going to be the container terminal on Blount Island.

I do see a Hampton Inn to the South that looks like very easy access to the terminal/island. It does advertise a gov't rate, although slightly more than the per diem rate. If it were a choice between this and a Motel 6, I'd spend the extra $20 out of my own pocket for a comfortable room (and HH points. )

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