Disclaimer: I have stayed at some wonderful Howard Johnson - this is NOT one of them. I also want to acknowledge that this particular Howard Johnson may not be under the same ownership/management as it was when we stayed there in November of 2000.

We were a part of a group of 12 that took a cruise in the fall of 2000. This particular HJ was chosen because of it’s close proximity (Airport/Convention Center) to Port Everglades in Florida . One of the things that we needed was a place to leave our luggage because there was a difference of several hours between the time we were required to check out of the hotel and the time we would be allowed to start the embarkation process. We were reassured by the hotel management that we could leave our luggage and they would see to it that it was transported to the port in a timely manner.

Everything seemed to be going okay when the 12 of us arrived at the hotel. The check in process went relatively smooth in spite of the fact that the manager was working his first solo shift and barely spoke a word of English. Soon a dozen very tired bodies were making their way to their respective rooms. An uneasy feeling started to set in as soon as we started down the shabby hallway leading to our rooms. The outward appearance of the hotel and front lobby looked fine, but the inside proved to be a whole other story.

We all had three things on our mind after traveling all day: showering, eating and sleeping. A quick glance of the room didn't raise any red flags, but when I pulled back the curtain in the bathroom to take a shower I was shocked. It was full of water that had been sitting for an undetermined amount of time, complete with soap scum and hair (we later found out another couple in our group also had water and other undesirable items in their bathtub). It was all I could do to reach in and pull the plug and when I reached for a tissue from one of those wall dispensers the whole thing fell off in my hand. About that time, one of our traveling companions called. Seems they couldn't turn the light on in their bathroom. They had to call maintenance to have them bring a pair of pliers to turn the little silver thing sticking out of the wall because the dimmer knob was missing.

We had all agreed to meet at the Denny's next door for dinner, so we quickly washed up as best we could and headed out to eat. When the 12 of us got together it didn’t take long to figure out that we all were experiencing filth, broken equipment and/or missing supplies, etc. It was late and we were exhausted. We just decided to buck up, shake out the sheets before sleeping in them and not let it ruin our evening.

But the evening was about to get even worse when I tried to call my children from our room, as was another couple traveling with us, and found out that the phone system was "down". This was an important call as we were heading out to sea the next morning and wouldn't be able to talk to our children again for 7 days. There was no way I was going to sea without talking to my kids, so at 11 p.m. I am standing at a pay phone calling home.

The last straw came the next morning while we were checking out. We reminded the manager about the arrangement for our luggage. He suddenly had a memory lapse and denied agreeing to allow us to leave our luggage. My friend said "what do you suggest we do with our luggage?" We were told to "carry it on your heads" and the man was serious! I'm not sure why he went back on his word. All I know is he became very defensive and rude. Again, not wanting to let a bad situation cast a shadow on our trip. We very quickly checked out, took our luggage and promptly left. We then spent the next I can't remember how many hours standing outside Port Everglades until they opened the doors and allowed folks to start the embarkation process. It was a very long day and we we're all totally exhausted.

In our rooms at the HJ were brochures that allow a guest to rate their hotel experience. While waiting to board the ship I filled it out, fully intending to mail it. However, there was no address on the brochure. It was meant to be left in our rooms or dropped off at the front desk. I didn't see what good it would do. When we returned home from our cruise the first thing I did was try to find a corporate headquarters address, but to no avail. I guess these hotels are individually owned and operated. I then forgot about it until I ran across the brochure a few days ago.

So if you find yourself traveling to Florida for a cruise or any other reason and want to find accommodations near Port Everglades, please think twice before booking at this hotel. It could be a hair raising experience.


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