We are looking at cruising in January and are looking for a hotel to stay at after the cruise for a few days. We would like to stay on the ocean or close to the water taxi stop. Anyone have any ideas and what we would be paying. Also any precruise hotle ideas would be helpful.

Thanks, Rainbird

We have stayed at the Renaissance which is close to the Intracoastal and a water taxi stop, I believe it was $189/night. The Hyatt Pier 66 is also on the Intracoastal with a water taxi stop, comparable price. The Sheraton Yankee Clipper has a portion of the hotel on the beach, I believe it's around $250/night. January is high season for south Florida, so room rates will be higher than during the summer. ChucksOK likes the Embassy Suites on 17th Street Causeway, it's in walking distance to the intracoastal where the water taxi stops. Any hotel on A1A will be near the ocean, any hotel on 17th Street Causeway will be near the port. Hope this helps.

The Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel (formerly the Marina Marriott) is on the water and right at a water taxi spot. It was being renovated/reconstructed the last two years I was there. You may want to check and see if they're finished yet. It's across the street from the Convention Center, and I stay there every year for meetings.

Sandy

That's a good suggestion Sandy. They may even offer discounted rooms because the last time we were there (January 11th of this year) they were still working on it.

Penny, I'll be back there again for a meeting early next month. I was hoping they'd be finished by now. They've been working on the hotel for at least a couple of years now.

Sandy

I have gone on the cheap, Choice Inn, and splurged on the Hyatt 66, just love their pool, it looks like a movie set. We just stayed at the Sheraton Yankee Trader, which we won ona bid for Priceline for $85/night. My advice would be to book a hotel within your price range, and bid for a 4 star at the same price nearer to your departure date. I know some folks don't like the "NOT KNOWING" of a priceline bid, but I have stayed at some VERY nice hotels. You will know the area and clas of your hotel and Fort Lauderale Beach 4 stars is always good. When I stayed at the Hyatt, it was for less than $140 a night, what a treat.