Sharing is caring!

---

On my recent Fort Lauderdale trip sailing on both Disney Dream and Disney Destiny, I decided to do something a little different.

Instead of just picking one pre-cruise hotel, I stayed at three different properties near Port Everglades so I could properly compare them and help you decide which one is right for your cruise.

The three hotels were:

• AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach
• Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
• Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa

Each one offers something very different.
Some prioritize convenience.
Some lean into full resort mode.
And one quietly became my personal favorite.

One quick reminder: always arrive the day before your cruise. Port Everglades handled over 4.8 million passengers last year. It’s busy. Flights get delayed. Things happen. Don’t risk it.

Now — here’s how the hotels compare.

---

If You Want The Closest Hotel to the Port: Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina

If proximity is your absolute top priority, the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina wins.

You can see my full Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina review here.

It’s:

• Directly across from the port entrance
• About 5 minutes to the cruise terminals
• Roughly 1–2 miles depending on your ship

You can literally see cruise ships from some balconies — we could see the funnels of Disney Dream from ours.

Pros

• Ultra short ride to Port Everglades
• Large resort-style pool
• Marina views and easy access to the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi
• Disney Cruise shuttle option (Boarding Group 3 perk if that matters to you)

Cons

• Not on the beach
• Busy cruise morning lobby
• Rooms felt slightly dated compared to AC Hotel
• Surge pricing on Ubers can be ridiculous (we paid over $20 for a 5-minute ride)

This hotel is about location and convenience, not luxury.

If your goal is:

• Minimal stress
• Fast port access
• Nice pool
• Good sized updated rooms

It absolutely delivers.

CHECK CURRENT PRICING

---

If You Want a Full Resort Experience: Marriott Harbor Beach

The Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa is a completely different experience.

It is also usually the highest price of these picks. We paid over $500 for our stay and often rooms are priced much higher than that.

This is not a “quick overnight before your cruise” hotel.

This is:

• 16 acres of private beachfront
• Large resort-style pool
• Multiple dining options
• Spa, gym, beach service

If you want your pre-cruise night to feel like a mini vacation, this is the one.

Pros

• Best beach access of the three (true private beach)
• Best pool area by far
• Feels like a destination resort
• Only about 10 minutes to Port Everglades

Cons

• Expensive nightly rate
• $59 resort fee
• $54+ parking
• Not the closest to port
• My room view wasn’t great (large rooftop below)
• Bathroom still had a shower curtain

It’s a beautiful property — but you absolutely pay for it.

If you’re:

• Flying in early
• Turning this into part of your vacation
• Traveling with kids who want pool time

You’ll probably love it.

If you’re arriving late and just want convenience? It may feel like overkill.

CHECK CURRENT PRICING

---

My Personal Favorite: AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach

Now for the one I would book again. For me, it had the right combination of location, room, facilities and price.

AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Even though it’s about 3 miles from Port Everglades (so not the closest), this one struck the perfect balance for me.

Here’s why I preferred it:

• Modern, clean, minimalist rooms
• Hard flooring (no carpet — I always prefer this)
• Spacious 333 sq ft room
• Balcony with partial ocean view
• Fantastic bathroom with large walk?in shower
• Private beach loungers included
• Steps from restaurants and shops
• Right across from the beach

It felt calm. Relaxed. Easy.

Yes, the pool is small and there’s no hot tub — so if a resort?style pool matters to you, this isn’t your hotel.

But the location was the winner for me.

Being able to:

• Walk to dinner
• Walk to the beach
• Use complimentary loungers
• Enjoy ocean views from the balcony

Made it feel like I’d already started my vacation.

And honestly?

The Uber to the port was quick and easy — and I didn’t need the Disney shuttle.

For me, the slight extra distance from the port was absolutely worth it for the beach setting and the nicer room.

CHECK CURRENT PRICING

---

Disney Shuttle vs Uber

Both the Hilton and Marriott offer Disney Cruise Line shuttles (around $29 per person).

The benefits:

• Luggage handled for you
• Boarding Group 3

But Port Everglades is extremely efficient.
Porters are everywhere and helpful.
Uber is usually cheaper (unless surge pricing hits at the wrong moment).

Personally?
I didn’t feel the shuttle was necessary.

Related: Complete Guide to Fort Lauderdale Port Everglades

---

So Which Hotel Is Best For You?

Here’s the quick breakdown:

Choose Hilton Marina if:

• You want the absolute shortest ride to the port
• You don’t care about beach access
• You’re staying one night and keeping it simple

Choose Marriott Harbor Beach if:

• You want a true resort experience
• Private beach access is important
• You’re arriving early and want pool time
• Budget isn’t the main concern

Choose AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach if:

• You want beach access without full resort pricing
• You prefer modern rooms and balconies
• Walkable restaurants matter to you
• You want vacation vibes + cruise convenience

---

My Final Verdict

For me?

AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach wins.

I preferred:

• The room
• The balcony
• The modern design
• The location
• The private beach loungers

It felt like the perfect balance between convenience and experience.

But the “best” hotel truly depends on what matters most to you.

Are you prioritizing:

• Distance to the ship?
• Resort pool time?
• Budget?
• Beach access?
• Room style?

Once you know that, the decision becomes much easier.