Originally built back in 1967 as a Holiday Inn, this dual-level property is now a family-owned Rodeway Inn & Suites. Though there have been renovations, including adding a new building in 2013 and room updates in 2017, this three-pearl spot can't quite help still looking like a mid-century motel at its core. In addition to room upgrades, the owners have spruced up the gardens, adding in green landscaping, tropical Floridian plants, and fun animal sculptures. Additionally, this hotel excels with several basic, bang-for-your-buck features heavily geared toward cruisers, and the majority of guests use this hotel as a bookend stop before or after a cruise. While it may not be the fanciest of digs, it's an affordable, convenient, family-friendly pick with a ton of built-in value. 

Rodeway Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport Port Everglades Cruise Port is located right off I-95 in South Fort Lauderdale. The immediate area is mostly home to other budget hotels, and there's nothing to do or eat within walking distance. However, the hotel's proximity to the airport and cruise port make it convenient for cruisers and those with early-morning or late-night flights. Guests can hop in the hotel's free shuttle and reach the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in around 15 minutes or the Port Everglades cruise port in 20 minutes. Fort Lauderdale Beach is a 25-minute drive north. 

All 158 non-smoking rooms are spacious though basic, with either two queens or a king-sized bed, large flat-screen TVs, AC, and small kitchenettes with microwaves and mini-fridges. The 2017 room updates brought in new flooring, contemporary furniture, and modern touches in the bathrooms, though the neutral-tone result is overall bland and simple. Until all the rooms are updated, getting a good room can be a gamble. However, guests can expect clean rooms with thoughtful details like HD channels, Serta pillowtop mattresses, clean remotes (they come with antibacterial wipes, and in-room coffeemakers. There's also plenty of outlets for charging devices. 

Standard rooms have basic TVs, non-renovated bathrooms, and lack closets. Deluxe King with Whirlpool rooms are some of the older-looking rooms, but are outfitted with air-jetted whirlpools in the bedroom and wet bars. Interior Rooms (except for the Double Queen Interior) also have whirlpools, plus a slightly awkward design with exposed showers. For more of an apartment feel, each King Suite has two separate bedrooms and a living room area. There are also a separate whirlpool tub and kitchen area with a full-sized refrigerator, one-burner glass stovetop, microwave, and sink (pots and pans on request). 

Rodeway Inn & Suites' variety of features and freebies help it to stand out among its nearby competitors and strike a particular bargain for cruisers and families. In 2018, the hotel unveiled a new heated pool with a brick deck sporting basic plastic loungers and a few tables and chairs with umbrellas. Towels are free from the front desk. The Marina 84 Sports Bar & Grill serves up nightly events, American pub grub, and over 50 HDTVs broadcasting mostly news and sports. This space has a hip, vintage vibe and is a popular spot for burgers. For grab-and-go goodies, the on-site convenient store has everything from toiletries to tuna packets to tequila. Liquor is sold in cruise-friendly quantities. 

Day rooms are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are housed in a separate building. They include free transport to the port and airport, but don't include any of the whirlpool or suite category rooms. All guests have access to free parking in the hotel's massive lot, and long-term parking packages are available for a fee. Free airport and cruise port transfers are done in air-conditioned Mercedes Benz vans (additional stops for extra fees), though there have been some reports of poor coordination and confusing shuttle schedules. 

Other on-site features include guest laundry, a small gym with three cardio machines, free luggage carts, tour bookings, and a business center that prints at the front desk. Events take place in the hotel's sparse ballroom. A landscaped garden area is popular for photo shoots thanks to the silly animal sculptures and various photo-ops throughout. This is a pet-friendly hotel with a limit of two pets per room. Guests can expect free Wi-Fi, free pack-n-play sets (on availability), and a free continental breakfast with hot and cold items such as waffles and hard-boiled eggs.