Holiday Inn Express Ft. Lauderdale Cruise-Airport by IHG

Walgreens is close enough to walk to, and the location works well for cruises. Tim, the courtesy shuttle driver, knew the area really well. The pickup was the problem: after we called, we waited almost an hour. I don’t know how traffic was, but the ride back to the hotel took about 20 minutes. The room also badly needs an update. Its ceiling looked like serious water damage had simply been painted over. Nothing else about the place felt special.

Our room faced a concrete wall less than 10 feet away, so there was absolutely no view. At more than $350 a night, that was my main complaint. We chose the motel before our Ft. Lauderdale cruise because we’d had good experiences with Holiday Inn Express before. This room was basic but clean, and the bathroom looked recently updated. Breakfast was good, and shops and restaurants were an easy walk away.

Crystal at the front desk made my visit a great one. She welcomed me warmly, handled my check-in smoothly, and was professional and helpful throughout. I felt valued, and her positive attitude and eye for detail really stood out. It’s clear she takes pride in looking after guests. Thanks for your kindness and excellent service, Crystal.

Breakfast options and the location were the only saving graces. Nearby properties are much nicer for the same price, and as a travel agent I won’t recommend this hotel to my clients. We booked four rooms before a cruise, and they were awful: dirty and musty, with an air conditioner hanging off the wall and a bathroom handle coming loose. Our room door was also hard to open. The front desk attendant showed us the trick: the handle had been installed upside down, so you had to pull up instead of pushing down.