Finding the perfect pre-cruise hotel can be tricky, but Fort Lauderdale’s new Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport is a strong contender for the best place to stay before a cruise from Port Everglades.
Prior to my recent Allure of the Seas cruise, I spent the night at the Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport hotel. When staying at a hotel before the cruise, I look for the following conditions before booking:
- Close to the airport and port, but within walking distance of nearby hotels, shops, and attractions
- New or updated equipment
- Prices between $200 and $300 per night for a standard room
The Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport hotel had all of these requirements and more. Because the hotel opened in the fall of 2021, it was almost new and at first glance it seems like a great choice to grab a cruise from Fort Lauderdale.
This review covers our hotel stay, including our room, our meals, and our thoughts on Marriott’s amenities and services at their Fort Lauderdale airport location.
*Disclaimer: The Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel invited the Royal Caribbean Blog to stay overnight and write a review of our experience.
First impressions
I was impressed with the cleanliness and brightness of the lobby, and there were plenty of comfortable seating areas. The lobby had a hip vibe, with the bar and restaurant in the middle of the area. It was definitely not a throwaway type hotel lobby.
I was in a standard room, which had a king size bed, desk, TV, large wardrobe, comfortable seating. The room didn’t have a balcony, but floor-to-ceiling windows brought more than enough light into the room.
The room had high ceilings, which made it feel big, and there was no shortage of places to plug in your devices.
The Standard 1 King Bed room costs around $200 on weekdays and $250 on weekends.
Proximity to airport and cruise port
I flew into Fort Lauderdale International Airport and caught a Lyft to the hotel, which was about $10 and took 10 minutes. The hotel also offers free airport shuttles.
There is no self-parking at the hotel. Instead, valet parking is available for $25.
Traveling from the hotel to Port Everglades is also a breeze and the journey only takes about 10 minutes. The carpool service to the port will cost around $13-15.
The hotel also provides a shuttle to the cruise port. The shuttle service is available three times a day (9:55 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.). Shuttles cost $15 per person.
The Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel is a 5-minute walk from Dania Pointe, an outdoor shopping and dining area in Dania Beach.
Being so close to Dania Pointe is convenient, especially for those flying into Fort Lauderdale who want to explore without having to order an Uber.
I enjoyed walking around Dania Pointe and was even able to pick up last minute items I needed for the cruise at TJ Maxx. For those looking to dine outside the hotel, there were plenty of restaurants to choose from, including a Brazilian steakhouse, a ramen shop, and a wine bar.
To eat
The Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport has an on-site restaurant, Radiant 166, located in the hotel lobby.
The menu was extensive with a balance of standard American dishes and international cuisine, from Egyptian street food to Italian flatbreads and pastas. I enjoyed the wide range of cuisines available as it wasn’t just a ‘choose a burger or sandwich’ type of restaurant.
We started the meal with a plate of hummus and avocado toast, both excellent and made from completely fresh ingredients.
For my main course, I chose the Chicken Alfredo (although I substituted the salmon). Others at the table enjoyed a pepperoni flatbread and a Mediterranean pita dish.
For dessert we opted for the strawberry crepe and Nutella. Served with whipped cream and ice cream, it was certainly delicious.
I was impressed with the restaurant overall, and like any hotel restaurant, it’s extremely convenient to dine directly at the hotel. For those who are tired after a long day of travel and don’t want to venture outside the hotel for dinner, this is a solid option.
Breakfast is served every morning at an additional cost. Snacks and drinks are also available for purchase.
Other amenities
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members have access to the hotel’s M Club lounge.
The lounge offers a complimentary breakfast buffet, light snacks throughout the day, and hors d’oeuvres in the evening. A coffee machine is also available for specialty drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.
The Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport has an outdoor swimming pool. The pool was quite large with plenty of sunbeds and comfortable daybeds to enjoy. The pool temperature was quite chilly, although I found it to be pleasant in the Florida humidity!
If you arrive at the hotel early the day before your cruise, this area is the best place to start your relaxing vacation as early as possible.
A gym was also available with cardio and weight machines.
Final Thoughts
I’ve stayed at three hotels near the Fort Lauderdale airport, and this one has been my favorite so far for the following reasons:
- It’s essentially a brand new hotel so you get the benefits of a sparkling clean hotel with new amenities
- Convenient location right next to Dania Pointe Mall
- Close to airport and cruise terminal
If I had to mention a downside, it would be that the hotel does not have suites. They offer rooms with two queen beds, but those hoping for separate bedrooms or living areas will have to look elsewhere.
The price for a standard room at the Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport was comparable to other hotels I had stayed at in the same area, but it offered more upgraded amenities and rooms.
I thought this was the perfect place to spend my cruise vacation the day before I embarked on Allure of the Seas, and would definitely book this hotel again on a future cruise from Fort Lauderdale.
Bonus: day pass at the hotel
After my Allure of the Seas cruise, my flight from Fort Lauderdale International Airport did not depart until 3:30 p.m. Instead of spending 6-7 hours waiting at the airport, I purchased a $25 day pass for the Marriott Fort Lauderdale hotel.
The day pass gave me access to the pool and fitness facilities, and it was a much nicer experience than sitting in an airport terminal.
If you’ve booked a late flight after your cruise, a hotel day pass may be something to consider.
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