Am being sent on a seminar cruise in February and was booked into the FLL Airport Hilton at $250 a night, for 2 of us. That hotel seems to be landlocked, far from Las Olas Blvd. and beaches. We'd like local restaurants, too - the 0asis Cafe recommendations sound good. But should we try to get a different hotel, or live with it and take a cab elsewhere? Guidebooks don't help much with good mom-and-pop places.

I'm not too familiar with that area, personally I am not that fond of Ft. Lauderdale, but there are a few good places to eat along Los Olas, but I'm too out of date to recommed any. I suppose you are taking the cruise out of the port or Ft Lauderdale which is why you want to stay close.

Seems a lot of money for a airport hotel, so you might want to change to something near the east side of Los Olas. THere are plenty of hotels on or across from the water, and getting to the port in the morning is not a big deal.

Let's top this and see if anyone can help out.

If you are on a cruise, it leaves from the water...not the airport...see where the departure is and then check local beach area hotels... cant really recommend a property unless you know where the boat leaves from... but I would get away from the airport for that price... good luck

Fort Lauderdale is a fabulous town!

The Riverside Hotel on Las Olas is your closest to great dining and shopping.

My favorite on Las Olas is Big City Tavern. I also like Samba Room, Mancinis, and Mark's is probably the best but pricey.

Not on Las Olas but fabulous is Cafe Martorano.

For non Las Olas waterfront dining and drinks, Bahia Cabana, Charley's Crab, 15th Street Fisheries, or Shooters.

As far as hotels, most are located close to the airport and pier because they are almost right next to each other.

Fab hotels:

St.Regis
Pillars On New River Sound
The Atlantic
The Pelican
Hilton Fort Lauderdale
Lago Mar

Less expensive:

Courtyard By Marriott Ft.Lauderdale Beach
The Grande
Hyatt Pier 66
Renaissance
Embassy Suites
Hyatt Place
Doubletree Galleria

This is a great message board but you might want to post this under the cruise section on this board or www.cruisecritic.com board to get a better feel of where to stay.

Also, lots of questions are repeated search for previous questions and answers you will get some good tips.

Just remembered, the Sun Trolley and the Water Taxi both provide excellent public transportation to and from Las Olas.

Thank you all for your suggestions. Great tips. Availability is a problem with some of these places - I hadn't realized how much the hotels depend on tourist cruise traffic and how heavy it is during the winter. I'll keep the restaurant list for another visit, too, for the places we can't make this time!