Aloft by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport

Room 1110 had a perfect view, and we’re already planning to return in five months before our next cruise. We’ve stayed at Aloft by Marriott properties before, and this visit to Aloft Fort Lauderdale Airport was excellent. Everyone helped make the stay easy. Maira kindly gave us extra time after checkout to get ready, and Felipe at valet was helpful with directions. Rafael from maintenance patiently showed us how to use the blinds. When we needed more coffee packets, Christian brought them over quickly. The room was beautiful, modern, clean, and comfortable. Patricia and Jeffrey welcomed us warmly when we arrived a day before our cruise and even let us check in early. It made the start of our trip stress-free.

The room was clean, and the beds were comfortable and a good height. The toilet room was tight but manageable. Front desk staff were kind and helpful, and breakfast was good for $15 per person. The restaurant food was just reheated bar food, though. Kiki's Mexican restaurant is next door. We booked a two queen wheelchair accessible room, but the beds were too close together for my wheelchair to fit between them. There was even less space beside the beds, which made getting into bed very difficult since I'm partially paralyzed from the waist down.

The location worked well, but I wouldn't stay here again. I booked a City View room using a Marriott Friends and Family rate code. The reservation showed pictures of a City View room, but after checking in after midnight because of delayed flights, I found my room didn't have the wall of windows shown in the photo. That part didn't bother me, since I know a room may differ from its picture. I was tired and went straight to bed. In the morning, I opened the blinds and saw an exterior walkway, not a City View. It also didn't feel secure for a woman in her 60s traveling alone. I mentioned it at checkout. They said they could have moved me if I'd called the front desk that night, but I hadn't noticed the view before going to sleep. The manager was supposed to get in touch. After almost three weeks of calls and emails, he finally replied that the rate code was “space available.” That wasn't stated on my certificate or on the rate information on their website. When I asked where I'd agreed to that, he said that if I made more “demands,” I might not be able to use the code anymore. It felt like they didn't care about me instead of trying to talk this through. If other rooms were available, why put me in this one? I told them not to bother canceling my benefit because I wouldn't stay at a Marriott property again, and I canceled all my future reservations. They could have handled this better and kept a customer. I'd rather pay a bit more and be treated with respect.

Jeffrey at the front desk made our visit especially enjoyable. He was attentive, professional, and kind, and I hope his service gets recognized. The hotel itself is beautiful, and my room was clean and comfortable. I had a wonderful stay at Aloft by Marriott Fort Lauderdale and would gladly come back.