South Florida-based mom and cruise expert's 5 favorite hotels to stay at before sailing from Miami or Fort Lauderdale

Any cruise that requires you to fly (or even drive several hours) to your home port warrants an overnight stay. Trust me on this: Flight delays and other unexpected hiccups, especially when traveling with kids, happen no matter what type of planner you are. Besides, when you’re taking a cruise from Florida, do you really need an excuse to extend your stay in the sun?

Port Miami and Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) are two of the largest cruise ports in the world and they are neighbors. The cities are connected by a high-speed rail system known as Brightline, which also connects other South Florida hot spots: Aventura, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. The ease of traveling to and from each city means more options for your family, when it comes to planning the perfect pre-cruise stay.

As a mother who has lived in every county of South Florida and sailed countless times from the region’s two major ports, I am confident that these five Brightline network hotels will kick off your cruise vacation with peace of mind. mind and entertainment easily accessible.

(Note: I intentionally didn’t mention the Port of Palm Beach because it only offers one cruise from Florida and it’s not the most family-friendly option.)

SMARTER CRUISING: A cruise with children in the Caribbean? Don’t feel bad for skipping these 6 ports

1.Miami

Hotel: Gale Miami Hotel and Residences

Top-floor swimming pool of the hotel overlooking the water and Miami skyline and surrounded by palm trees and shaded lounge chairs — The pool at the Gale Miami Hotel and Residences (Photo: Gale Miami Hotel and Residences, courtesy of Levy Public Relations)

A breathtaking view from your cruise ship docked in Miami’s Biscayne Bay? Vacation mode: unlocked. Instagram value aside, what I love most about this new hotel is how easy it is to sample family-friendly activities in Miami. In addition to being next to the cruise port, the Gale Miami Hotel and Residences is just a 15-minute walk from the Phillip Patricia Frost Museum of Science, downtown Miami and the Brightline Station.

Spacious accommodations, some with more than one bedroom and comfortable amenities like a kitchen and laundry room, ensure comfort for families of all sizes. Other notable features include on-site restaurants brimming with culture, a resort-style pool (perched on the ninth floor to ensure you never miss a view), and a children’s playroom. Keep an eye out for pre-cruise specials to save money.

2. Adventure

Hotel: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa

Empty tubes floating on an artificial river surrounded by trees and deck chairs — The lazy river winds through lush tropical foliage (Photo: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort and Spa)

Lather on your sunscreen before heading to the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, because you’ll want to spend all day at Tidal Cove. The hotel’s water park is packed with fun features and attractions, including a dreamy lazy river, multiple pools, water slides, a surf simulator, and a dedicated baby and toddler pool and play area. toddlers. In my experience, it’s worth opting for a cabin. Service is quick and efficient—an invaluable convenience when you have hungry kids—and inclusions such as a stocked mini-fridge, safe, and flat-screen TV are also helpful if you plan to spend a whole day.

With such an elaborate outdoor attraction, you can only imagine how family and friendly the hotel is. Spacious one- and two-bedroom accommodations, a youth club, and several restaurants, including one with a “kids eat free” menu for ages 3 and under, round out the highlights.

Stretch your wallet: 8 cruise lines that will allow children to sail for free in 2024

3. Fort Lauderdale

Hotel: Hotel by the river

Historic hotel on tree-lined main street with flags of different countries hanging from balcony — The Riverside Hotel nestled along Las Olas Boulevard (Photo: Riverside Hotel)

For those seeking Old Florida charm, the Riverside Hotel offers the perfect family retreat in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s vibrant Las Olas Boulevard neighborhood. The property dating from circa 1936 has a long history of treating guests like family. In addition to intimate service, families can enjoy spacious rooms and several restaurants, all at an affordable price compared to other hotels in the area.

One of the biggest selling points is the location of the Riverside Hotel. Not only is it within walking distance of all the restaurants, shopping, and entertainment on Las Olas Boulevard, but it is also just a mile from the Museum of Discovery and Science, one of the most popular family activities Fort Lauderdale, as well as Brightline. station. Port Everglades is a short drive away.

Psst: The Riverside Hotel is in the middle of a massive renovation that will revitalize its interiors (think new flooring, furniture, etc.) while preserving the property’s past. It is expected to be completed in winter 2024.

4. Boca Raton

Hotel: The Boca Raton

Palace-style building with large arched windows located behind the swimming pool and flanked by two palm trees — The palace-style architecture of Boca Raton (Photo: Garrett Richardson via The Boca Raton, courtesy of The Palm Beaches)

One night is not enough to enjoy all the family fun Boca Raton has to offer. This splurge-worthy, palace-like property ensures that children feel as pampered as their parents or guardians. An interactive play zone, whimsical cabanas for kids, separate youth and teen clubs, a 450-foot lazy river, surf simulator and private beach only scratch the surface of what awaits you .

Need to unwind after a long day of travel? Don’t feel guilty about using the hotel’s babysitting services and enjoy the award-winning Spa Palmera, inspired by the Alhambra palace in Spain. The robust dining and lodging offerings are the icing on the cake. I wouldn’t recommend walking from the Boca Raton Brightline station to the hotel – it’s a bit too far, especially with kids – but rest assured, it’s less than a 10-minute drive.

TOES IN THE SAND: 14 Best Florida Beaches for Families

5. West Palm Beach

Hotel: Hilton West Palm Beach

Aerial view of the swimming pool and terrace dotted with palm trees and parasols adjacent to an area of green lawn — Outdoor pool and terrace area (Photo: Hilton West Palm Beach)

I rarely encounter a major brand hotel with as much personality as the Hilton West Palm Beach. The outdoor pool can make you feel like you’re at a lavish resort, in one of its private cabanas, or at a backyard party, with a dedicated green space for family games on the lawn. Standard rooms have a maximum capacity of five people, but some connect if more space is needed.

Directly outside the hotel, families can enjoy all the restaurants, entertainment and children’s activities. Kid-friendly downtown hotspots like CityPlace and Clematis Street are both within walking distance of the Hilton West Palm Beach. Other area highlights include the Palm Beach Zoo, Cox Science Center and Aquarium, and Palm Beach Island. The Brightline station is also within walking distance of the Hilton West Palm Beach.

Having taken the Brightline train from West Palm Beach to Miami on a past cruise, I can assure you that it’s a smooth and quick ride, getting you there in just over an hour. Still, it’s the northernmost stop in South Florida, so I’d reserve this option for those who have “been there, done that” in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, or just want to escape the hassle. hustle and bustle of big cities.

More from FamilyVacationist:

Traveling

South Florida-based mom and cruise expert’s 5 favorite hotels to stay at before sailing from Miami or Fort Lauderdale