If you were to tell your friend or co-worker you’re taking a trip to Dania Beach their response would probably something like “Where the Hell is that?” Yet this little city on the coast between Miami and Fort Lauderdale hosts a lot of visitors annually, and has plenty to offer them when they arrive.
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Tonight I’m at the Holiday Inn Express Dania Beach taking full advantage of several current IHG promotions. I was able to reserve this room a couple weeks ahead of time for $123.18 per night including taxes. That’s pretty consistent with what non-beachfront hotels go for around here.
You can check the current rates in Dania right here on Expedia. This hotel is officiallly known as the Holiday Inn Express Fort Lauderdale Airport South.
Holiday Inn Express Dania Beach Location
Like its neighbors, this hotel is very popular with people seeking easy access to Fort Lauderdale airport and the Port Everglades cruise terminal. This is about as close as you can be to the airport. You can see planes taxiing from the windows in the rooms here, and see cruise ships as well. However, It hasn’t got the feel of being one of many airport hotels in a sea of sprawl like you find in so many cities.
The cruise ports are just about a 10 minute drive away on the other side of the airport. Beach goers can enjoy the less-crowded beach right here in Dania or the more popular beaches at Fort Lauderdale. Hollywood beach is easy to reach too and is a nice option with its own boardwalk. You can reach Miami Beach from here but it’s not nearly as easy to get to.
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Broward county transit is actually quite convenient in this location. The #1 bus stops outside the Holiday Inn Express Dania Beach and runs up and down Route 1 from the central station in Fort Lauderdale to Aventura Mall. Aventura Mall is on the edge of the city of Miami. Riders can transfer there to Miami transit. The Brightline train station is next door to the central bus depot and there’s also a stop near the mall. You can take the bus right to the airport terminal or to the beach to avoid parking fees.
Holiday Inn Express Dania Beach Property
The hotel has six floors and feels like a fairly new building. It’s honestly a little ugly from the outside without even a sign facing Route 1. They keep the doors locked on the Route 1 side of the lobby so you have to enter from the parking garage, which is annoying.
Key features include a pool, fitness center, coin laundry, free breakfast and an airport shuttle that’s shared with at least one other IHG property nearby. There’s also DirectTV in the rooms.
Having free garage parking integrated into the building is a definite plus. Access is though your room key so it’s more secure than a lot. It also protects your car from the Florida sun and keeps it cooler throughout the day. The garage was nearly empty during my stay and an elevator up to the guest rooms is very convenient.
Guest Rooms
Rooms are large, clean and modern in keeping with the rest of the property. No real wear and tear to speak of. Very large and comfortable beds of the same type found throughout the brand’s locations.
Engineered faux-wood floor tiles are not my favorite but they are easy for the staff to clean thoroughly in a beach destination where sand can be present. Bathroom is good with a tight-closing shower. Large fridge and a microwave are convenient to have. The chaise lounge is a lot more comfortable than it looks with the addition of a bed pillow.
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Rooms here do feel a bit sterile, especially compared to the Hotel Dello down the street. But that’s just the price you pay for consistency on a national scale. Holiday Inn Express is the most consistent chain operating in the US.
About Dania Beach
I’ve been familiar with Dania Beach for several years because it’s home to the AMO Union headquarters and the STAR Center. The city’s position along with neighboring Hollywood in the South Florida conurbation is very convenient. You can reach anywhere from Pompano to Coral Gables easily by car. It’s also a bit overlooked, being overshadowed by the three largest cities of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches.
Dania is very much old-school Florida. There’s a casino with a jai-alai fronton and an OTB. There’s a Publix and another Publix. A beach and fishing pier and a smattering of old school motels you won’t find in online searches. Once you get away from either the beach or Route 1 it’s pure suburbia, with chains and shopping centers and a million houses that look like the one from the Golden Girls.
I like it here so much that it’s become my base of operations. My storage space is here, along with my car storage, mailbox and package delivery, pharmacy, etc. Having three airports nearby and scores of hotels that cater to cruise passengers makes this area extremely convenient as a base for a nomadic lifestyle.
Bottom Line
This isn’t my favorite hotel in Dania Beach but it’s certainly a worthy option. If you’re an IHG loyalist or looking to redeem points it’s a great choice. I haven’t got a bad word to say about it and will definitely stay again.
Check the current prices for Holiday Inn Express Dania Beach on Expedia and book with confidence.
