Hotwire Hotel: 2.5* Fort Lauderdale (Hollywood International Airport FLL) Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port South

[fishbudgreg]

All I can say is Wow! There is a lot of information on this website and getting distratced and off topic is quite easy. I did not see another post similar to my situation but I can only assume it is quite common. We are flying in to Fort Lauderdale airport late the night before our cruise. Relatives have already booked Hampton Inn Ft. Lauderdale/Plantation for $96 on 5/31/2013. So my first question, is that a good rate? Can I do better with the name your own price option? Which one? Since we will not be getting in to the airport until 10:30 pm on the 31st I think it is best to get a hotel near the airport and cruise port. Suggestions? Can I rely on free shuttle service from the hotels (those that offer it) or is it best to just grab a taxi? We will return from the cruise on 6/9/2013 and need a hotel for that night, flying out the next morning at 8:30 am. We were thinking since we'll be there most of the day on the 9th it would be nice to get a hotel near the beach. Our biggest concern is getting back to the airport on time the next morning for a 8:30 am flight back home. Next question, a hotel on the beach would be nice but would it be smarter to get one near the airport since we're leaving early the next day? Once again can we rely on hotel free airport shuttle service? Or just get a taxi? One last wrinkle. We will be traveling with our adult (22) daughter on this trip so the hotel room must have 2 beds. What is the best way to "guarantee" two beds? Our adult son and his wife may want to join us for the night of the 9th before they fly out the next day on a very early flight (be at airport 5:30am). Can we fit (even if the hotel will let us) 5 adults in one hotel room? I have done this before (with all men and friends) and although not ideal, it did save quite a bit of money. Thoughts? Suggestions? Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

--Greg

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding! (and thanks for the compliments on the site)

For starters, we also run a sister site Pre Cruise Hotels which you may be interested in... it will show you all the hotels near the cruise port and you can get an overview just how far things are from the port, airport, etc... as well the info bubble for each hotel (when you click a marker) has a link to WalkScore for the hotel's location so you can see what restaurants, bars, stores, etc. are nearby and/or walkable from the hotel. As well, the interface is really good (imo, but i'm biased) as you can easily see how much more it would cost to go up/down in star rating or further/closer from your ideal location.

OK, back to PRICELINE and HOTWIRE....

We will use this thread for your 5/31 stay, please start a NEW TOPIC for your June 9th stay.

For the 5/31 leg of your stay a few topics to cover...

PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy and after that it's at the discretion of the hotel and you could receive a room with only one bed and the hotel could charge an additional fee to upgrade to a room with two beds (if one is available and they are willing to do so... each hotel has their own policy in this regard). If you need to guarantee accommodations for three people then HOTWIRE would be a better option as they allow you to search for up to triple occupancy and ensure accommodations for everyone you include in your search. HOWEVER, the second 'bed' could be a pullout sofabed, rollaway brought into the room, etc... would this be acceptable?

The hotel you're relatives are staying at is west of the airport (by 10+ miles as per Google maps) so is in the opposite direction of the cruise port. Are they arriving by plane as well? If so, how will they get to/from the airport and cruise pier?

In terms of 'better'.. does that only mean a lower price? For example, if the Hampton Inn is 2.5*/3* and is $100, but you could get a 4* hotel for $120/nite, would this be 'better' or is price the primary objective?

Let's start with the above and we'll take it from there.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. (or our Hilton link in the Support Page if you decide to book the Hampton Inn direct)

[fishbudgreg]

PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy and after that it's at the discretion of the hotel and you could receive a room with only one bed and the hotel could charge an additional fee to upgrade to a room with two beds (if one is available and they are willing to do so... each hotel has their own policy in this regard). If you need to guarantee accommodations for three people then HOTWIRE would be a better option as they allow you to search for up to triple occupancy and ensure accommodations for everyone you include in your search. HOWEVER, the second 'bed' could be a pullout sofabed, rollaway brought into the room, etc... would this be acceptable?

Yes that would be acceptable. Nice to know. As you can tell I'm a newbie at this.

The hotel you're relatives are staying at is west of the airport (by 10+ miles as per Google maps) so is in the opposite direction of the cruise port. Are they arriving by plane as well? If so, how will they get to/from the airport and cruise pier?

I did not know that, thanks for checking. There is supposed to be a free shuttle service from the airport, however, I'm not sure if that shuttle includes transportation to the cruise port the next morning. As a matter of fact, from all the searching I have done to date I do not see a single hotel that lists free shuttle service to the cruise port, only the airport. I also do not think it is safe to assume if they offer free shuttle service to the airport they must to the cruise port (since it seems to be just across the street). Or is it safe to assume? I do not see cruise port shuttle as one of the amenities on priceline or hotwire. So...I believe that if I have to pay for transportation then that amount should be added to the price of any hotel where I have to pay for this service compared to one that offers it for free. This post is quite useful Helpful Hints for Cruise Ship Passengers Miami Pier and Ft. Lauderdale Port

In terms of 'better'.. does that only mean a lower price? For example, if the Hampton Inn is 2.5*/3* and is $100, but you could get a 4* hotel for $120/nite, would this be 'better' or is price the primary objective?

Good question. The primary objective is lower price but probably at 3* or better hotel.

[thereuare]

The Hampton Inn's website indicated that the airport shuttle runs until 11pm, which if your flight arrives at 10:30pm, would be cutting it very close. I doubt that the hotel offers a shuttle to the pier but you could potentially take the hotel shuttle back to the airport and then take a taxi from the airport to the pier... not the most convenient loading/unloading bags but that' the trade-off of trying to save a few dollars.

In terms of a 3* or better at a better price (or at least a better / more convenient hotel at a similar price):

SSheraton Airport and Cruise Port for $90/nite

Hilton Airport for $89/nite

Although less than 3 stars, what i'm guessing is the 2.5* Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port South is offered on HOTWIRE for $62/nite and if correct offers breakfast, free shuttle to both the airport and the pier... reviews are mixed but for the savings and included amenities it might be worth the downgrade in star rating if you'll just be sleeping there and leaving in the morning (after breakfast of course ;) )

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

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

[fishbudgreg]

Thanks thereuare. The "2.5* Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port South is offered on HOTWIRE for $62/nite" sounds good to me, however, we would like to know if there is any way we can tell if this is in a "safe" neighborhood/area? We have been told (by relatives) that there are some unsafe areas in Fort Lauderdale and we do not want to sacrifice safety for a cheaper hotel. Is there any way to find out?

Also, you said "and if correct offers breakfast, free shuttle to both the airport and the pier" and that sounds perfect. Is it alright to call the hotel before beginning the process of bidding and find out?

Thanks for all your help we certainly appreciate it.

--Greg

[yellowdog]

fishbudgreg

however, we would like to know if there is any way we can tell if this is in a "safe" neighborhood/area? We have been told (by relatives) that there are some unsafe areas in Fort Lauderdale and we do not want to sacrifice safety for a cheaper hotel. Is there any way to find out?

I know this are very well and I would consider it safe for a restaurant/bar visit at night.

Also, you said "and if correct offers breakfast, free shuttle to both the airport and the pier" and that sounds perfect. Is it alright to call the hotel before beginning the process of bidding and find out?

Sure, you can call the hotel and talk with them. But I wouldn't mention booking the hotel via HOTWIRE

Let us know how we can help you further.

Yellowdog.

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

[fishbudgreg]

Thanks yellowdog! That will make my wife happy. So...since I new at this I assume I now (1) call the hotel to verify the free shuttle serivce (and hours of operation) then (2) use the HOTWIRE link on this website to bid $62 for the Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port South? Or do I start with a lower bid? If so how much? Thereuare, where did you get the $62 price? Again, thanks so much for all your help.

--Greg

[yellowdog]

Yes, call the hotel to verify the information you need.

HOTWIRE is no bidding, all hotels are with fixed prices. So you buy the hotel to the price you see listed on HOTWIRE

Also make sure that no amenities has changed before you book the hotel. When you're ready to book so just post and we'll doublecheck it for you.

If you need any further explanation how HOTWIRE works so just post your questions.

Thanx for using boards HOTWIRE link :)

Yellowdog.

[thereuare]

...use the HOTWIRE link on this website to bid $62 for the Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port South? Or do I start with a lower bid? If so how much?...

There is no bidding on ho.twire, but if you search HOTWIRE for the nite of 5/31 and for 3adults there is a 2.5* hotel in the airport zone offered at $62/nite (your price may differ by a couple of dollars either way) with the following amenities (to see this complete list you'll need to click the red SHOW ME button next to the offer, then on the ensuing page click the 'See all' link under the amenities:

Free Parking

Complimentary Breakfast

Free Internet

Pet Friendly

Pool

Business

Laundry

Hi-Speed Internet

Room Accessible

Bathroom Accessible

Handicapped Parking

... my best guess for this property is the Comfort Suites.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[fishbudgreg]

Sorry to say I don't see that thereuare. When I click on the HOTWIRE link which takes me to Hotwire and use check-in date of 5/31/2013 and check out of 6/1/2013 for 3 adults in the "Fort Lauderdale International Airport" area I see a 2.5 star hotel for $71 which has the following amenities:

2.5-star Hotel in Fort Lauderdale Intl Airport

This Hotel features the following amenities:

Free Parking

Free Breakfast

Free Internet

Pet friendly

Pool(s)

Business Center

Laundry Facilities (self-service)

High-Speed Internet Access

In-room accessibility

Accessible bathroom

Handicapped parking

Note I don't see anything about a free shuttle. So I'm wondering what I did wrong. Sorry for the trouble.

UPDATE: I tried this in Firefox and now I see a 2.5* hotel for $63. I assume by using IE multiple times it is getting info from my history and changing the price is that a safe/correct assumption? BTW we did call the Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port South and they run a shuttle until 12:30 pm, have several shuttles to the cruise port the next morning and have free breakfast to boot!!!

[thereuare]

As per the amenities i listed above this property doesn't show a Shuttle amenity, although if my guess as to the property is correct, this property does indeed offer shuttle service.

If there is too much unknown for you then you can book a room with two double beds HERE for $89/nite (technically the room is booked for double occupancy but it has two beds so i think you should be 'ok')

You can call the Comfort Inn (2520 Stirling Road, Hollywood, FL) to confirm the shuttle service(s) they provide.

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

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or how we can be of further help.

[fishbudgreg]

Thanks thereuare! We did call the Comfort Inn and they do indeed have complimentary shuttle service from the airport and to the cruise port so I used the link at the top of the page to book it and sure enough it is:

Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port South

2520 Stirling Rd.

Hollywood, FL, 33020

Which we got for:

$63.00 1 Night Hotwire hot Rate Room@ $63.00/Night

+ $14.84 Tax recovery charges & fees

========

$77.84 Total

So would you like me to create a new topic to report this following the format of the other posts in the Florida forum?

Now on to the night when we return from the cruise.

Thanks again!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see this worked out well for you and the hotel has all the amenities you need to make this a very good value!

No need to start a new topic we will edit the topic title accordingly to reflect your win (in the future you can use the EDIT TO REPORT WIN button on the lower right corner of the page, but it is gone now since it can only be used once and we have just used it to edit the title... but for reference you'll be able to see it on the new topic you just started for your post-cruise stay)

Thank you for sharing using the HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchase and sharing your win, helping us add this property to the Hotwire Hotel List.

Enjoy your stay.