As of June 2011

We chose this hotel as home base for our excursions in the Ft. Lauderdale area and we did well with this decision. Hampton Inn & Suites Ft. Lauderdale West-Sawgrass / Tamarac is part of the Hilton Hotels Corporation. Although this hotel is a bit far out of the city center of Ft. Lauderdale and you will need a car to get around it is very easy to either use Commercial Boulevard to head East, the Turnpike to go North or South or the Sawgrass Expressway to reach Miami or the Keys. So far connecting with the main Highways or Interstates is very convenient. Walmart, Publix and some restaurants are in the vicinity.

Sufficient parking is available right at the hotel and free of charge.

When we checked in later in the afternoon we were greeted very politely and friendly, everything went efficiently and easy. The lobby was nicely lit and we could get a little glimps of the breakfast area next to the lobby, which look pretty with its high ceiling and modern style decoration. A small but well-stocked shop was located next to the front desk, where you can purchase all those little dailies like magazines, books, sweets, soft drinks etc.

Our home for the next few nights: Room 422 – on the fourth floor. The room was quite spacious, looked nice and had two double beds, which turned out to be super comfortable. Unfortunately we could not open the windows, which was going to be kind of a problem for us in almost each hotel we would be staying along the road. Everyone told us it had to do with the humidity, mold and such and also that people left the windows open and the A/C on. Well, we would have loved to be able to open the window and get some fresh air, especially during the night. I think hotels should inform on their website if the windows can be opened or not.

Anyway, the room was nice, lighting was sufficient, the work space ok. Free high-speed internet access was available and we really could do well with it. We found a coffee machine, tee, coffee and paper cups, unfortunately no water kettle. In case the USA Today was not delivered to the room, a copy was available at the front desk. A/C was quite efficient, but much too noisy to leave it on during the night. So: either noise or sweat. Unfortunately.

When the A/C broke down on our last evening and it was not possible to repair it we were offered to move to another room while just leaving our luggage in our room. This was a very nice offer.

A refrigerator was not available in the room, neither was a safe. Alternatively we could use the safe at the front desk, which we did, but there was not enough space to either store the laptop or the camera equipment. We were offered to leave laptop and camera with the employees in their office.

Housekeeping did a good job, everything was nice and clean (towels, mats and such).

The room itself – although nice and clean – was not really *sound-proof*. So we could hear our neighbors coming back to their rooms and talk and laugh and party.

But still we felt comfortable and safe in this place.

In the morning we enjoyed our breakfast downstairs. The selection of breakfast items was good: Cereals, different bread, butter, jam, juices, fresh fruits (apples, bananas etc.), fruit salad, yoghurt. Sometimes there were scrambled eggs, hash browns, mash potatoes etc. We could bake our own waffles and also had the choice of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. I was really surprised about this good selection and the friendly service.

Unfortunately sometimes the display was not really clean: water, coffee or remains of spilled juices were not wiped away. The floor right in front of the display was sometimes quite sticky.

But anyway we really enjoyed our breakfast.

Most of the time I wished I could stay a bit longer in this area, but it was too cold. When I asked the employees about this I was informed that this would be the regulation and could not be changed. Talking to the manager one day I mentioned this so I hope further clients will really enjoy sitting there a bit longer.

I checked on the pool and fitness area and found both clean and inviting.

I can highly recommend this place in case you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Miami or Fort Lauderdale. It is a really nice hotel with absolutely friendly staff. I am looking forward to returning to the Hampton Inn & Suites Ft. Lauderdale West-Sawgrass / Tamarac – and not only for the cookies, tea and coffee, which were offered in the evening at the front desk …

Their slogan:”we love having you here” – and this really shows! Thank you very much!