bc

After a week in the Keys in February, we will be flying out of Ft Lauderdale. Our plan is to find a hotel with airport shuttle service and turn in the rental car. I am not able to determine whether any of the airport hotels are within walking distance of restaurants or shops. I do not wish to spend the afternoon/evening stuck in a hotel. Are the hotel airports (anyone have a recommendation?) located in areas that would be safe to wander around? Would it be more advisable to find a hotel in another area and turn in the rental car right before our flight? We have not purchased airfare yet, so we could take an afternoon flight. Thanks for any suggestions.

rncheryl

The Riverside Hotel is nice and is located on a great shopping/dining/drinking area called Las Olas. Not sure, but think you would need a car or be OK with cabbing it to and from the port

mybennett

I live in the Ft. Lauderdale area...Las Olas is a street with lots of upscale shops and restaurants and fine for walking around. You would need a cab to/from the airport. I don't recommend it for children, though - geared for the adult crowd. Any of the hotels on the 17th Street Causeway are fine for wandering around - restaurants, spas and the Funderdome if you have children ages 8 and under. Public transportation available - city buses, trolleys and taxis. Galleria close by to either area mentioned above - still need transport of some sort but it's an upscale mall if that interests you. Same goes for the beach. If you're comfortable driving in a new area and don't want to deal with public transportation, hang on to your car. Parking isn't too much of a problem down here and the beach, mall, etc. is pretty much a straight shot from either area I mentioned. Staying on the beach is another option - the ocean, lots of restaurants and Beach Place (3 story open air mall on the beach with shops and restaurants). All is close to the airport - it's a small city. Hope this helps.

bc

Thanks for the great info on very interesting areas. I guess what I am still trying to determine is whether any of the hotels close to the airport are actually located in an area that would be safe to walk around in and have good choices of restaurants, shops, etc. I have looked at a Sheraton and a Hilton on Griffin Ave. and a Holiday Inn Express on West State Route 84. There are several others (Marriott, Candlewood) that also offer airport shuttles. But I do not want to spend the evening stuck in the hotel if these hotels are not in areas where we could actually get out and walk around. The areas you mention sound great (no children with us). But are any of these neighborhoods walkable from the hotels I mentioned? Thanks.

mybennett

Holiday Inn Express on West State Route 84 - you'll be stuck in your room - nowhere to walk around there. The ones on Griffin...stuff nearby but not for walking. Your best bet for walkability would be the Riverside on Las Olas or one of the beach hotels. Again, small city so nothing is far from the airport. I don't know about hotel shuttles just because I've never needed one (clearly, LOL).

bc

Thanks mybennett. That is exactly what I was concerned about. I think we will keep the car and find somewhere on the beach....we will be heading back to Ohio, so one more evening looking at the ocean will be very nice.

mybennett

I'm glad I could help. I think the beach is a great choice. Enjoy!!

bc

Plan to!