Need help on Ft. Lauderdale hotel
 

I am checking other travel resources, but thought I might get a quick suggestion here.

Two years ago we planned a large event for about 100 people at a Ft. Lauderdale hotel.We have just been informed of a major problem and will have to find an alternative. The hotel suggested we relocate to the Pompano Beach Marriott. Although it looks quite nice we would like to consider other options.

Our specs
on the beach or very close
on site banquet facilities
easy access to the water taxi or within walking distance of shops and restaurants
nice quality hotel upper mid range

Can you recommend an option for me? Thank you.

Pompano Beach Marriott -
That is not on or very close to beach. I don't think that is a very good location nears shops /restaurants.

They self describe as oceanfront and the photos show the beach. Thank you for sharing that, Deb.

The Google map I looked at sure didn't look like it.I was in that area recently. Maybe google map isn't right??

OK, the map is wrong. They showed it west of Turnpike on Sample Road.

Nevermind.....

:)

You are not going to have any water taxi access staying in Pompano Beach. And Pompano is not Fort Lauderdale as I am sure you know.

You do not give any sort of price range.

There are several hotels that are right on Fort Lauderdale Beach and have you looked at ANY of those? And, if so, which ones? Some are a lot cheaper than others. Access to shops and restaurants...depends on which hotel you choose as some of the ones on Fort Lauderdale Beach are a LOT closer to those shopping/eating venues than others.

More info needed.

Thank you for your response, Dukey. We have negotiated a rate of about $160 to $220 per night at the hotel we originally booked ( tax and service fees inclusive). Because we are going in October and we are a large group, we can often times get rates which are better than the rack rates. I didn't want to eliminate a potential option so I used the general description of " upper mid range".

When I first set out to book this event I found several properties which generally met our needs. The Sheraton , the Westin, B Ocean and the Doubletree Galleria are all possibles. The hotel which has cancelled our booking wants to move us to the Marriott Pompano Beach. It looks very isolated from shops and restaurants. I talked to the concierge and asked if there was a coffee shop nearby. The response was " you can probably buy a cup of coffee at one of the beach concessionaires" . Since the hotel offers a $20 per person breakfast buffet, I wanted some nearby alternatives. The area doesn't look promising.

I am just looking for some options to explore and don't want to overlook a good possibility. I welcome suggestions.

Ok, this fills 3 out of 4 of your criteria so here goes my 2 cents. Lago Mar Resort. The only caveat is that it is not within walking distance to shops or the water taxi but it's a very short taxi cab ride to both of these. Not sure but perhaps they even offer some sort of shuttle. The water taxi can't be more then a 5 minute drive and the stores maybe 10? But this same isolation is what makes it so special. They are on their own private beach. No need to cross busy A1A. They have a nice little spa. Great poolside cafe. Nice family friendly resort. Check it out. Good luck.

Thank you so much.