Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Ft Lauderdale (North) Westin

[Traveladdict]

Got the N. Ft. Lauderdale, FL Westin 3.5 Star for 8 nights 7/27 - 8/4/10 for $50. Was hoping to get the Marriott N. Ft. Lauderdale; but this is ok. Expedia shows it as 4 Star. Not too happy with the $10 per night parking charge (who goes to Florida without a car?) or the in-room WiFi charge ($9.95/night); but still a good deal.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

While perhaps not your favorite hotel in the zone, glad to see you're happy with the results and, for the price, can make this work well for your plans. Looks like a nice deal for a week long stay.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Have a great trip.

[McMick]

Hi Traveladdict--We've stayed at this property AND the nearby Marriott (that's around the corner)--both via previous PRICELINE bids. At $50, the Westin is a fine value, but I agree with you that the parking fee is annoying. Especially since none of the other area hotels charge for parking--not the nearby Marriott, not the more modest properties across the street, etc. I guess they charge for parking since there is an office complex immediately adjacent to the Westin and they don't want the office workers parking in the hotel lot.

Usually there is a parking fee because of urban density; this property is in more of a suburban setting so charging for parking is particularly irksome.

A rating of 3.5 stars is appropriate for this property. It's not as nice as some other Westin's that we've visited. It appeared that it was refurbished with a very contemporary decor a few years ago. But it didn't have the attention to details and "fit and finish" of a 4 star property. And the surrounding neighborhood isn't very interesting--and all spread out--with a lot of ordinary and average restaurants, stores, etc.

That's why we now stay in Coral Gables...you'll see our post in the priceline forum listed a few days after yours. For the same money, we stay in a better hotel set in the middle of a vibrant, sophisticated neighborhood with dozens of excellent restaurants and shops--all within easy walking distance from the hotel. Yes, there is a parking fee--around $12-13 per day--but given the urban density it is expected and appropriate.

[Traveladdict]

Thanks McMick for the info about the hotel and the area. I understand that there are some good local restaurants over by the Marriott and I will try those.