We arrived the day before our cruise was to depart and met another couple that was going to sail with us. We were allowed to check in early. The other couple had already checked in so when we arrived we asked the front desk if they could move them to adjoining rooms with us, which they did. Shopping across the street at Bayside was a good experience, lots to see, large variety at the food court other restaurants (Hard Rock. Chili’s ect.) with in walking distance. Checked out at 11:00 was effortless and Taxis were plentiful. We boarded the ship after we checked out. We plan on staying there again next year when we go on next years cruise.

We just stayed here Jan. 13, 2005 and the 17th, for pre and post cruise nights. The hotel itself was fine, typical Holiday Inn with a restaurant, a small pool and the rooms were clean. The best part of it was the location to the cruise port and mainly the Bayside Marketplace across the street. Lots of great shops and booths set up, good restaurants (Chili's and Hard Rock- and Hooters if you're into that). It's about a $25 taxi ride to the airport, and about $10 to the port. We hopped on a bus that took us to South Beach which is where the nice beaches to swim and lay out are. There's no water access from this hotel, since it's more of a marina/port type waterfront area. I'd probably stay there again, just for price and convenience, even though South Beach looks like a better place to stay for beaches and amenities (it's just a lot farther from airport and cruise port, which means more taxi $ and higher priced hotels).

We arrived early and had to wait 2 hours before getting into our room, the bellman stored our luggage and we took off to the Bayside Marketplace directly across the street with plenty of shops and places to eat. Our room was wonderful with the refridgerator, microwave, sofabed and, chairs overlooking the marketplace. We were very thankful for the self service laundry. Staff was courteous and I don't know what the bellman makes but he deserves a raise!

We stayed here January 2004 before leaving on a cruise. We arrived early and did have to wait two hours before we could check in, however we were able to leave out luggage with a bellhop and walked across the street to Bayside Shopping and entertainment center. It was lovely. We had left Minnesota with below zero temperatures so sitting on the deck at HardRock Cafe and having a drink while watching the boats come and go from the harbor was just divine. We ate some lunch, listened to some salsa bands that were playing and then headed back to the hotel. It did take some time to actually get into our room as the line was VERY long at the check-in desk and service was slow, but we weren't going anywhere and we were on vacation...That evening we walked back over to Bayside and ate at Bubba Gumps. Very nice experience. It was a nice evening before our cruise. The next morning we did have quite a wait at breakfast and there were several families waiting to go to the port to board their ships, but it all happened in due time and I would stay here again. There was a Walgreen's within walking distance and we found we needed a few things for our cruise that we had forgotten to pack. It was convenient and non'threatening to walk the three blocks. We liked this pre-cruise stay.