Introduction:
Planning a cruise from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale? Look no further! We've compared two popular hotels in the area, Marriott Harbor Beach and B Ocean, to help you decide where to stay before and after your cruise. We stayed at the Marriott prior and B Ocean after our most recent cruise with our family of 5. Read on to find out which one suits your needs and preferences.
1. Location:
Marriott Harbor Beach: Situated directly on the beach, Marriott Harbor Beach offers stunning ocean views and easy access to the sand and surf. It's also conveniently located just a short drive away from Port Everglades, making it ideal for pre and post-cruise stays. We enjoyed watching ships sail away from Port Everglades from our comfy (and included) beach chairs with umbrellas. My daughter and I even strolled down to the end of the channel to watch cruisers heading into the sunset. Despite having ample beach activities, this beach was peaceful and relatively quiet.
B Ocean: Nestled on Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, B Ocean offers a prime location with direct beach access and is in walking distance from bars and restaurants. While it's not as close to Port Everglades as Marriott Harbor Beach, it's still within a reasonable distance (less than 15 minute drive) and offers a vibrant beachfront atmosphere. Beach chairs are included here as well. There was a festival setting up in the public beach park adjacent to our hotel up prior to our departure from B Ocean--it seemed to us that this would be pretty noisy.
Winner: Marriott Harbor by a hair. Both hotels boast fantastic beachfront locations, providing an opportunity to soak up the sun and enjoy the coastal vibes but Harbor Beach's location was more ideal for our family.
2. Accommodations:
Marriott Harbor Beach: Known for its luxurious and spacious rooms, Marriott Harbor Beach offers a range of accommodation options, including suites and oceanfront views. The rooms are tastefully decorated with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay. Of note, while our family of 5 was permitted to book a standard room with 2 queen beds, the resort would not provide a rollaway bed due to fire codes. This was a bit of an issue with our 3 teenagers.
B Ocean: With a trendy and contemporary design, B Ocean presents stylishly furnished rooms that exude a chic beach vibe. While the rooms may be slightly smaller compared to Marriott Harbor Beach, they still offer comfortable amenities and a cozy atmosphere. B Ocean is an older resort and it's bones reflect the resort style of the past. While our room was great, the resort did show wear and tear in some public areas.
Winner: Marriott Harbor Beach takes the lead in terms of accommodation options and size, but we enjoyed the floor to ceiling windows in our room at B Ocean.
3. Dining Options:
Marriott Harbor Beach: The hotel boasts a variety of dining options, ranging from casual beachfront cafes to fine dining restaurants. Guests can indulge in fresh seafood, international cuisine, and delicious cocktails, all within the premises.
B Ocean: B Ocean offers a couple of dining options, including a signature seafood restaurant and a lively bar. While the choices may be more limited compared to Marriott Harbor Beach, the quality of food and service is still commendable. Both resorts offer poolside service for casual bites by the pool.
Winner: Marriott Harbor Beach offers a wider range of dining options, giving guests more culinary variety during their stay.
4. Amenities:
Marriott Harbor Beach: This resort-style hotel is packed with amenities, including a spa, fitness center, multiple swimming pools (including a huge lagoon style pool surrounded by palms), hot tubs, fire pits and beach cabanas. Guests can also enjoy activities like snorkeling, jet-skiing, and paddle boarding, ensuring a fun-filled stay.
B Ocean: While B Ocean may not have as extensive amenities as Marriott Harbor Beach, it still offers a variety of perks such as swimming pools, a fitness center, and beachfront access. In addition to the main oceanfront pool, there is a cool retro pool located in a courtyard above the lobby bar that serves as a performance venue for the nighttime mermaid show. You can catch a glimpse of this show in the classic film Analyze This.
Winner: Marriott Harbor Beach wins this round with its extensive list of amenities and recreational activities.
Conclusion:
Both Marriott Harbor Beach and B Ocean offer fantastic options for pre and post-cruise stays in Fort Lauderdale. If you're looking for a luxurious resort experience with a wide range of amenities, Marriott Harbor Beach is the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a less expensive hotel with direct beach access, B Ocean is a great option. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and priorities. Happy cruising!