Resorts in/near Ft. Lauderdale

[kjsgrammy]

We are meeting up with family in Nov. 2012 in Ft. Lauderdale. Can someone please suggest/comment on RCI resorts in that area? I would be looking for a 3 bedroom unit, on the beach preferably, that I could exchange into via RCI. I will be researching TUG reviews, but always appreciate comments from TUG members.

We will have our 2 grandkids with us, ages 11 & 13.

I am not familiar with the Ft. Lauderdale area at all, so comments regarding restaurants, things to do, would also be appreciated. THANKS!

 

[theo]

A few thoughts...

We are meeting up with family in Nov. 2012 in Ft. Lauderdale. Can someone please suggest/comment on RCI resorts in that area? I would be looking for a 3 bedroom unit, on the beach preferably, that I could exchange into via RCI. I will be researching TUG reviews, but always appreciate comments from TUG members.

We will have our 2 grandkids with us, ages 11 & 13.

I am not familiar with the Ft. Lauderdale area at all, so comments regarding restaurants, things to do, would also be appreciated. THANKS!

1. Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is a decent place and well managed by VRI (when last I knew, anyhow). Whether or not there are any 3BR units there or if so, whether you're likely to be able to exchange into one, I do not claim to know.

2. Don't let RCI (...or anyone else) try to tell you that nearby Pompano Beach is "basically the same place" as Fort Lauderdale. That just ain't so. Personally, I dislike the (old, well-worn and quite dumpy) city of Pompano Beach, so feel obliged to point out that the two cities are definitely not "basically the same place", regardless of the fact that they abut one another.

3. Enjoy the "water taxi" in Fort Lauderdale. Good means by which to see some of the area with little effort --- and you can get on and off at will (i.e., they stop, you don't actually have to jump overboard ).

 

[vacationhopeful]

There are NO 3bdr at the Ft Lauderdale Beach Resort. The unit makeup is studios (smaller lockoff side of the 2 bdr), 3 versions of a 1 bdr, and the 2 bdr lockoff. The 2 bdr lockoff has the larger Dining Room and Living Room combination - great for the family buffet. The kitchen is closed off. The 1bdr solo units have an open to the DR table, but is crammed from front to back layout of (KIT, DR, LR) verses the 2 bdr L/O layout of DR/LR with the kitchen off to the side.

This is resort has a great location and trades thru both RCI (both Weeks and Points) & II along with the internal VRI. Lots of owners also rent their ownerships. The management also tries to fullfil requests for multiple family units to be "on the same floor" - better than all first visit persons demand of "can I have a oceanview". Both views are very nice - and the owners know that.

My sister with the 3 boys (9, 14, and 16) was impressed that the boys kept occupied all week and the beer was cold while she watched them in the (small) pool. The older 2 had been there before with me on solo trips - this was a jump for joy on their part as to going back. As experience TS travellers, this is their 1st choice want-to-go-to resort - still. The younger boy just set a 3+ month attendance record (missed 1 out of every 6 days in 5th grade - not ill) for first 4 months of 6th grade (2 days out of 4 months) as my bribe to him wanting to go back to the FLBR for his solo trip with me.

Theo is correct - Pompano and Weston IS NOT Ft Lauderdale. The action and dining spots are in Ft Lauderdale; the old (50s & 60s buildings) suburbs is Pompano (where YOU must drive to everything). FLBR is walk to the Water Taxi, the lifeguarded beach, a dozen plus restrauants of all price ranges, short drives to fishing boats, resort pickup of tours, next door to the Bonnet House, walk to the Galleria Mall, several "pubs" like sports bar (the Parrot), Irish (McSorley's), Mexican (La Cantina) (about a 8-9 of them)... Plus the homemade ice cream store (yummm..).

Subway should NOW be opened --- it is on the beach between St Bart's coffee and McSorley's ....

 

[ran-ran]

FLBR as an alternative

I have to say that if it is the two of you and your two grandchildren staying in your party. I think a 2 bedroom lockout at the FLBR (2121) would be perfect.

One option:
You and your other half could have the master bedroom in the main unit, the 11 year old could have the sleep sofa or murphy bed and the 13 year old could have the studio. This gives everyone their own room at night to sleep in with two full baths.

Second option and the one I prefer is:
You and your spouse could take the studio for sleeping and let the kids have the 1 bedroom unit. They would share the master bath and you would have your own unit and own bathroom all to yourselves.

 

[kjsgrammy]

Thanks for the responses! Can anyone tell me what the bed arrangements are in the 2 bedroom units? Does the second bedroom have twin beds by any chance? If not, then could a twin blow up mattress be squeezed in? Katy is the 13 year old and I prefer she have her own bed, not have to share with her brother. I am usually up quite early and sit and enjoy my coffee, check emails, etc., so prefer not having one of them on a fold out couch. Though if we (hubby and I) were to take the studio side, and they have the main unit, then the fold out couch would work.

Again, THANKS!!

 

[BM243923]

Both bedrooms have king beds. The living room has a queen sofa bed and a queen murphy be.

 

[vacationhopeful]

The larger second bedroom has a kitchenette in it with an entrance door to the hall. There is a table for 2 in front of the large window. My sister and I had coffee there every AM while the boys slept in the LR - one on the Murphy bed, one on the sofabed and one on a rollaway bed. Sis and I each had our own KING size bed and bedroom.

 

[kjsgrammy]

Ok, if I were to get an exchange into the resort thru RCI, is there a way to tell on the confirmation what type of 2 bedroom I would be getting (lockout vs. standard 2 bedroom, or are all 2 bedroom units lockouts?) and would the confirmation identify the unit #?

Forgot to mention in my previous posts that we are in the weeks side of RCI, not points.

Thanks again for the responses!

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

You can also look into RCI Wyndham resorts in Pompano Beach:
- Wyndham Ocean Palms (RCI #5992)
- Wyndham Palm Aire (RCI #3875)
- Wyndham Royal Vista (RCI #C359)
- Wyndham Santa Barbara (RCI #3871)

TS

 

[vacationhopeful]

Ok, if I were to get an exchange into the resort thru RCI, is there a way to tell on the confirmation what type of 2 bedroom I would be getting (lockout vs. standard 2 bedroom, or are all 2 bedroom units lockouts?) and would the confirmation identify the unit #?

Forgot to mention in my previous posts that we are in the weeks side of RCI, not points.

Thanks again for the responses!

all 2/2 are l/o.