Here’s part two of my trip report to South Florida. Part one covered how my family and I traveled from Toronto to Florida and how I almost missed my cruise.
After a quick visit with my sister and niece at the airport, I grabbed our three (3!) bags from baggage claim and called the hotel shuttle. We were only in Florida for 12 hours, and since we arrived so late, I wanted an airport hotel.
I had originally booked the Delta Hotels by Marriott West Palm Beach using one of my free Marriott nights from my Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card and 2,000 Bonvoy points. But my sister mentioned she has some of her artwork in the hotel’s lobby and on the second floor and could get me a better deal. She did! Free. 😉 Can’t pass that up, especially in today’s climate for small publishers.
I called the hotel earlier in the day to reconfirm our reservation and to make sure their late-night shuttle was running. Tip: It’s always best to let your hotel know your arrival time, especially if it’s going to be late.
I put the hotel number on speed dial and the sprinter van arrived within the 5-7 minutes they quoted. We got lucky, though, as another family waiting with three large bags meant the four people at the second stop had to wait for us to be dropped off before they could be picked up because there wasn’t enough room for them or their bags. Tip: Walk to the shuttle’s first stop so you get on first.
Delta Hotels by Marriott West Palm Beach is just 1.2 miles from PBI and conveniently close to Downtown West Palm Beach (3 miles), the Convention Center (2.5 miles) and Worth Avenue (7 miles).
The representative on the graveyard shift was very nice. She gave us our keys and we made our way to the top floor, room 1121.
The room was comfortable and had everything I needed. The bed was cozy, the desk was great for getting some work done and the Wi-Fi was fast, free and reliable.
The bathroom was clean and the water pressure was solid.
Best of all, the toiletries have large enough print for me to read without my glasses!
There was also a mini fridge and plenty of outlets; they probably have the most outlets of any hotel I’ve stayed in.
Rooms have Keurig coffee makers in them.
The hotel has a small but nice pool and a fitness center, though I just checked them quickly for a photo.
They also have self-serve laundry facilities for guests, which can be a lifesaver for those traveling with little kids.
There’s a Delta Pantry for elite guests to grab drinks and snacks 24/7.
The only downside was waking up at 4:21am to the TV randomly going on. I thought I had pressed the on button with my pillow, but the remote was by the TV. Fortunately, the volume was low, so my wife and kids didn’t hear it. I’m guessing a guest in the next room triggered it. Going back to sleep, I also noticed some loud noises from the AC and a train passing by.
The hotel has a solid breakfast buffet, normally $27 per person, but it’s included in some rates. The wait staff were friendly and it wasn’t busy, though it was already 9:45 am.
The lobby has a mini Starbucks.
The lobby also has a grab and go mini mart as well.
My kids loved the hotel too because it was “fun.” They have a billiards table and foosball. My sister and I grew up with a pool table, so we showed my kids how to play. It made me realize we need to get one so they can learn what I consider a life skill. That and ping pong.
Of course, my favorite part of the hotel was my sister Carol’s artwork. She is a Florida-based artist known for her vibrant, expressive paintings that blend abstract forms with natural inspiration. Her work features bold, uplifting colors and dynamic brushwork, often evoking flowers, landscapes and a sense of joyful energy. Calicchio’s pieces are displayed in galleries and throughout South Florida, including several hotels like the Delta in West Palm Beach, bringing color and life to public and private spaces alike.
She has two paintings and a custom surfboard in the lobby and many more canvases on the second floor.
I think it should be the other way around because her artwork is so amazing and more travelers should see it. Here’s her website and Instagram handle.
We checked out at 11:45 am to meet our driver for the ride to Port Everglades for our Sun Princess cruise, leaving at 3:30 pm.
Kiwi Taxi
If you’re traveling with a large family, a group of friends, lots of luggage or just want peace of mind getting to or from the airport, check out KiwiTaxi. My family and I used this service for our ride from the Grand Hyatt Athens to ATH airport this summer. I had never heard of them until their PR team reached out and offered a chance to test them. They invited us again, and I didn’t want to deal with rideshares not showing up, and my sister’s car didn’t have enough room for all of our baggage. Plus she doesn’t like driving long distances on South Florida highways, and I don’t blame her. Drivers are insane down here. KiwiTaxi is a great option and we’ve had a seamless experience both times we’ve used them with large, clean and comfortable vehicles and friendly, professional and on-time drivers.
