My husband and I are going to Fort Lauderdale in Feb 2005. I am looking for suggestions for a hotel or inn directly on the Intercoastal. Something nice with great views of boats cruising up and down past the hotel... any suggestions? Are there many options or just a few? Will appreciate all recommendations. Thanks!

There are very few places in Ft. Lauderdale that don't have views of boats.

The Hyatt Pier 66 is the first that comes to mind. I think the Embassy and Marriott are also on the ICW.

Another vote for the Hyatt Pier 66.

Hello,

My husband and I just booked the Pillar Hotel in Ft Lauderdale for next Feb./March for 1 wk, it is on the intercoastal. It is a beautiful small hotel/inn. We have done lots of research on it. It is recommended by Fodors. http://www.pillarshotel.com/home2.htm

I'm going to the Renaissance on the Intercoastal next Feb. They have water taxi/ stops exactly there. Seems from the maps that there are numerous hotels right on the waterway.

One of my kids just honeymooned in July in Fl. and spent 2 days waiting for a cruise at the Hyatt. They loved it and say the Renaissance and several others were all quite nice.

Sorry to tell you, but the Renaissance on S.E. 17th Street is about 1-2 blocks away from the Water Taxi & Intracoastal, but within walking distance.

Embassy Suites is down the street, but not as close as the Renaissance to the Intracoastal Waterway.

Hyatt Pier 66 and Marina Marriott are across the Intracoastal from each other. As for a north view on a higher floor and you'll fall in love with the view of the boats going up and down the waterway.

The Pillars is supposed to be a very, very nice B&B style inn. It has a beautiful view on the Intracoastal, but is only 2 floors high, so you don't get the magnificent view of the city and boats.

If you are going in February, make sure you get your reservations early. These hotels book up fast that time of year. Also, don't even bother getting a rental car, because A1A turns into a parking lot along the "strip". The Water Taxi ($5/day and cheaper for multi-day pass) will take you to the best areas of the city.

I have some pictures I took at Marina Marriott, I'll send them to you if you email me at: [email protected]

You can bid for the Hyatt Pier 66 on Priceline. It seems to be the only Ft. Lauderdale Beach 4* hotel that comes up on the bids. Last year this category was winning bids for around $80-$85/night.

OOPS...

Meant to say "ASK for a north view..."

Also, the Pier 66 and Marina Marriott are directly on the Water Taxi Route.

Thank you so much...all advice is so helpful. I also just heard of Radisson Bahia Mar Beach Resort. We were told this is "home" to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show? How does this stack up against the Marroitt or Hyatt? Also a question about using Priceline.com. If you bid on a room or package, can you still request a room with a North view? Thanks.

During the boat show, I imagine all the hotels have that claim to fame.

FLL Boat Show, from the end of Oct through the begining of November is one of the largest in the world.

There is no way on earth you could put that boat show at one hotel. Thousands of boats.

In my opinion the Radisson Bahia Mar is preferable to the Marriott Marina and the Hyatt as it is on the intercoastal (water taxi route), and it is across the street from the ocean.

Bahia Mar is very nice, but if there is a balcony, it is very small (about 2' deep -- one person at a time, please!)

I've stayed there and was happy. They have a walk-over to get from the hotel to the beach without having to walk in traffic, which is handy. They also have a nice pool area with adjacent work out room.

I suppose the Boat Show has to have a home base and since it's adjacent to the host marina, it makes sense they would be the host hotel. The area is PACKED during the Boat Show (usually the last week of October.)

Also, Bahia Mar is next door to the home base for the Water Taxi, so it's a very convenient location. I would put it in the same class as Hyatt Pier 66 and Marina Marriott.

As far as requesting a better room, your chances of getting a better one depends on when you will be checking in. For example, if you are checking in Mon-Thurs, they would probably have more rooms available. If they do, ask how much the upgrade would be. I'm sure it would be a reasonable amount (say $10-$20/night extra, which would be a reasonable amount to pay for an upgrade.) I've never had to pay for upgrades when I was checking in during the week.

If you bid on Priceline, I'd recommend bidding on the Beach 4* category and you'll get the Hyatt for a very good price.

Have you considered the Doubletree on Seabreeze? It isnt maybe as swanky as the others suggested here, but I stayed recently after a hurricane for power and a shower and the views of the ocean were wonderful. You can see the intracoastal from the west side along with the Bahia Mar Marina.