So many choices. Not sure which is best pre-cruise (from Port Everglades). Date we need is April 9, 2005 (day before our HAL cruise).

Any suggestions for a really nice place we can enjoy the day before (we arrive late morning). Figured we could relax and enjoy ourselves before leaving for the cruise on Sunday.

I'm hoping to pay around $200/night (we have AAA and government ID) -- can you give me any suggestions. We'd like something to do during the day (beach/pool?) and maybe some nice shops/restaurants to visit at night.

We're not familiar with the area. I don't want to use Priceline as some suggest -- I like to know what hotel I have, but want a reasonable rate.

Thanks for the help. Lois

My absolutely favorite hotel in Ft. Lauderdale - after staying in the area several times - is Marriott's Harbor Beach. It's right on a gorgeous section of beach, has a lovel pool area, and is less than two miles from the port.

We stayed in Ft. Lauderdale (pre-cruise)in June at the Marriott Marina Hotel. We loved it. Although it does not have a beach, it was perfect for our needs. The hotel itself was very nice. Clean, comfortable and the staff couldn't have been nicer (especially in the dining room). The water taxi stops at the hotel ($5.00 to ride it all day) and will take you to Las Olas Blvd. Lots of trendy shops and great restaurants. If you go to Marriott's website, you can see the various room rates. We chose the pre-cruise pkg. which includes a water view room, 2 drinks,2 breakfasts and shuttle to the ship the next day. The breakfast buffet was great. Lots of nice choices and eggs/omeletts cooked to order. I just checked the website for your arrival dates, and they have a boat & breakfast pkg. for $259 (Buffet breakfast by itself runs $12 p/p). Click on specials & pkgs and enter the city and arrival dates. Hope you have a great cruise, we sure did.

If you haven't already booked, check out Lago Mar Resort---truly a "resort" with it's own private beach (large and beautiful), sparkling pools (just up from the beach), beautiful tropical grounds, luxerious accomodations, and great service. No, I don't work there--we just happened upon it this June. I got an amazing deal on their website (of course, it was the off-season), but even the "basic" rooms are nice.

Marriott Marina Hotel

Got this on priceline for $75 in January prior to leaving for a cruise. Found it to be a good deal. I have never had any luck with priceline before. This was a pleasant surprise, as rates start at $239

I just got Marriott Marina for 69/night for our pre-cruise in Sept. through Priceline.

If you are bidding 3-star in the downtown Fort Lauderdale zone, you seem to get either the Marriott Marina or the Embassy Suites. My parents go the Embassy through Priceline back in 2002 and loved the hotel - a great way to start their vacation! It sounds like you can't go wrong doing Priceline at 3-star in that zone, as long as you do your research and don't bid too high!