Hi everyone,

For Spring Break 2006, my family (2 adults, 2 kids - ages 14, 11) will be flying into Ft. Lauderdale 2 days prior to a cruise.

We'd like to get a hotel that (a) is on the beach, and (b) has a great pool. Are there any hotels in the area that have a pool with waterpark, slides, waterfalls?

We will have a car, so if the best hotel is slightly outside of Ft. Lauderdale, that will be OK too.

Thanks!

Marriott Harbor Beach Resort

Thanks jfaul4820.

Yikes! I just called and, with my husband's Platinum Marriott membership status (I believe he gets some % off), the cheapest room w/ NO view is $499 per night.

Is there anything else that is cheaper, but still nice?

What about outside the Ft. Lauderdale area (but w/in reasonable driving distance)?

Many hotels in Florida with "great pools" are the highest end accomodations. Often pool is secondary to beach location, and if you get beach and great pool expect to pay great bucks.

Thanks Gail. We live in So. CA by the beach, so the beach isn't that important... just thought it would be nice.

I'm now thinking of a different approach...

Is it feasible to fly into Miami instead (we wouldn't get in until mid to late afternoon), drive to the Middle Keys, stay there and dive / snorkel the following day (DH and DD are scuba certified, DS and myself like to snorkel), stay a 2nd night, then make our way up to Fort Lauderdale for the cruise the following day? We would need to get to the port around 2 or 3 p.m.

Even places like Hawk's Cay seem to be much less than the Marriott Harbor Beach. Just looking for a place with lots for the kids to do, in addition to the beach.

The first cruise port is Key West, so we'll get to see that area of the Keys as well.

Does that sound like too much / too rushed?

Thanks again!

There is an Embassy Suites in Deerfield Beach. It was obviously NOT an Embassy Suites originally. We had a suite there with 2 bathrooms (2 original rooms put together) good pool, not great, right on the beach. Not tons to do, but relaxing. Many restaurants in Boca

cawhite, our beaches on the east coast and in particular South Florida are like night and day to So California beaches.

I highly suggest you look at Hollywood Beach and in particular the Greenbriar Beach Club (www.greenbriarbc.com). While the pool is only so-so, Hollywood has the prettiest beach in South Florida. It is also conveniently located right between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. Mom and Pop motel that has recently been refurbished and all accommodations come with kitchen. Right by the Hollywood Broadwalk (not boardwalk)/

Another great area is Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. It is another gorgeous beach with many low rise accomodations. The accommodations across the street from the beach are all very nice and inexpensive.

I love the Captain's Quarters but BuffaloGirl had a bit of an episode there last year.

At any rate, go to Sunny.org for links and information to Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale, LBTS, and other beach areas in Broward County.

The high rise Ft. Lauderdale hotels and resorts in the area will be very expensive during Spring Break (I'm guessing you are speaking of Easter Week) as it is one of the busiest weeks of the year for South Florida.

As far as driving to Islamorada, I can suggest the Palms and Pines as a middle of the road very lovely resort that has all cottage accommodations. Great oceanfront pool, man made beach, outdoor kitchen at the pool, two 100 foot piers as well as boat dockage.

While Hawks Cay is a nice place, I think it is a little far from things for my taste.

Thank you Liz and GoTravel.

The Greenbriar Beach Club sounds good with the kitchen. The Palms and Pines is actually on my list as well, but don't know if we'll be too rushed trying to get down to Islamorada?

Do you think it is too much if we get into FL late afternoonish on a Saturday, go to Islamorada, spend Sat. eve. though Mon a.m. in the area, then go back up to Ft. Lauderdale by mid-afternoon (2-3 p.m.) for our cruise?

Will we feel rushed? If so, I'd go back to the original plan of staying in the Ft. Lauderdale / Hollywood Beach area.

Also, since we're already stopping in Key West for the cruise, is that enough for the Keys... then we can just concentrate on the Ft. Lauderdale / Hollywood Beach area prior to the cruise?

I haven't been to Florida in years... can't wait!

If you are looking for something a little different to do in FLL/West Palm Beach area the Morikami (Japanese) Gardens and Museum in Delray Beach is incredible. I went last April with my brother and 14 year old daughter. Not your usual walk-and-stare-at-the-plants experience. Since you will likely get plenty of beach, sun, water while on cruise, it might be worth a half day of your 2 days.

When exploring flights, we have sometimes found less expensive flights into West Palm Beach than FLL - and it is less than an hour between the 2.

I don't think the drive from FLL to Islamorada would be too bad on a Saturday afternoon but I'd want to stick a little closer.

Meant to add earlier that the ocean water in Hollywood Beach is like a giant pool. I have a photo of Mr. GoTravel standing in the water in Hollywood and you'd swear he was in the shallow end of a massive pool.

Thanks again gail and GoTravel.

I just called the Greenbriar Beach. They said I have to call in September for April rates / reservations. I was hoping to get a jump start since it will be the week before Easter, but looks like I'll have to wait until then.

The cruise we're on is already sold out in a couple of cabin categories... that's why I was thinking I better not wait too long on the hotel reservation either!

Carole

Carole, ask for Isabelle at The Greenbriar and ask her if she will not guarentee you 2006 rates because you are willing to book in 2005.

I would say the best pool in FLL is at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel. It has waterfalls, slides, swim up bar, ect., but is not on the beach. It is not far from the airport.

The Best Western Pelican Beach Resort is on the ocean, and has a nice freeform pool, although it is small. It also has a lazy river that is fun.

Thanks jd. Yes, the Pelican Beach was one of the first hotels I looked at because of the lazy river... am still considering it.

I will definitely look into the Hard Rock hotel... sounds like something I originally wanted... I heard the pool there closes early however? Also, not interested in the casino... but maybe it would be transparant to us since we wouldn't be using it?

OK... I looked at the Hardrock. The pool appears to stay open until 8 p.m.... so that's better.

Tripadvisor.com gives it reviews all over the map. Some very good, some very poor. Seems those that have kids or don't like excessive cigarette smoke don't like it (and this fits our situation).

Still, I'd like to give it a chance, so will do more research.

Meanwhile, the Pelican Beach Resort is the #1 rated FLL hotel on tripadvisor. Seems to get good reviews.

Still considering Greenbriar Beach too.

Any other inputs?

Thanks.

The rooms at the Hard Rock are really nice, and the pool rivals some of those in the Caribbean. There is no need to even go in the casino if you don't want, so don't let the smoke there deter you. My older kids loved it there, although we do prefer to be on the beach. If a great pool is more important, this is it. Kids also like to eat in the Hard Rock Cafe. outside shops are now open too.

Well, I guess I'll have to leave it up to the kids... beach or pool. I think they'll vote POOL and drive to the beach!!