TERRIBLE experience
The #1 main reason why I booked this hotel was because of the positive reviews that can be found on multiple sites. Let me start off by saying that upon arrival, our initial room had not been booked. Another room was given instead (thank goodness they hadn't been booked solid, because otherwise we would've been homeless)... the new room had a non working lock. We complained on day one and told us "don't worry! There is a police station across the street, nothing ever happens here!"... after THREE days of complaining and receiving the same frustrating response, the manager shows up ready to finally fix the lock. Too late; we'd already made arrangements with another hotel closer to downtown Fort Lauderdale. They were none too pleased with our decision to leave and even accused us of being the cause of the downfall of small businesses in America -- no joke. Our intention was to pay them for the nights already spent, but THEY insisted we should be grateful for them refunding our money... umm... we actually didn't ask for one thank you very much. They also threatened to call the Better Business Bureau on us.... um, I kinda wish they had because I think our case would've totally held up. They have a plaque on the back of the door that clearly states that hotels are obliged to provide adequate locking mechanisms, among other things. I don't care what hotel you're staying at, if you are unhappy with your stay for whatever reason, you have EVERY RIGHT to change locations without harassment from the proprietors.
Bottom line, the hotel is in the middle of nowhere (~$50 cab ride from FLL airport); prostitutes across the street at night -- yes, there were; located in a shady neighborhood; the taxi driver had no idea where this place was; shady guests staying there (as a female, I did not feel safe in the hotel or the neighborhood to be walking around alone); they didn't seem to have an elevator, so I don't know how disabled patrons would be accommodated and no one offered to help me carry my suitcase up to my room; the hotel itself is straight out of the 1950s and could definitely use a massive renovation. The internet hardly worked inside the rooms and we were warned by the staff that we might have to sit outside on the balcony to get a clear signal, and one of the ladies (and I use that term very loosely) accidentally let it slip that they rent out their rooms for people to live in long-term... like, to LIVE out of on a monthly basis.... so I can only imagine that all of these positive reviews could have possibly been written by these particular tenants...
We ended up moving to the Holiday Inn and for $5 - $10 more, we got a bright, clean room, free shuttle to the airport, free breakfast, FRIENDLY and HELPFUL staff, and within walking distance of a lot more stores and restaurants causing cab rides to be MUCH less expensive. We explained to this new staff what had happened to us and they were just appalled.
I am a super-low maintenance person who does not require grandiose surroundings.... I grew up partly in rural Mexico for a portion of my life so I know how to go without certain luxuries, but this was just NOT a pleasant place to stay.... a more helpful staff would've made the experience a lot better for us, but they totally made it worse. Never trust a business that has a "NO REFUNDS" sign hanging up in its office.... that means they've had enough people demand refunds for them to put that sign up. You've gotta question why.
