Element Fort Lauderdale Downtown — Hotel in Fort Lauderdale

Our first time to this Element location.. Love the concept and the staff are friendly and accommodating. HOWEVER... on this stay we were denied a restful evening.

The attached hotel, The Dalmar, hosted an evening pool party(on the 6th floor) with a local radio station. My family had traveled all day, up at 2am, fly down to Ft Lauderdale, so when we arrived, after two connecting flights, we were pooped. We did leave the hotel, walked to Empire Pizza Cafe (great food) and returned to our room to sleep for the evening.

The party was in full swing and VERY LOUD. I'm sure the party guests had a great time, but the hotel guests were treated to the muffled music and tremendous bass. We were two floors up (8th) and on the opposite side from the pool party, but might as well have gone to the party. The bass was amplified when laying your head on the pillow, objects in our closet, glasses on the kitchenette shelf and something in the wall all vibrated to the bass... until 2am.

A complaint call to the front desk yielded a promise to have security ask them to turn the bass down. I'm sure that was just to get us off the phone. We were not able to fall asleep, so we watched tv and fumed until 2am. The gal at the front desk offered to change our room (at 1am) but said there was not much else she could do since our booking was through Princess Cruises. She informed us that the Manager would be in at 10am. This morning we were informed that the Manager wouldn't be there until 12pm, but by then several other guests were complaining as well. We are checking out at 11am and were just informed that the Manager would now be in at that time. We'll see what happens....

Our costs for transportation from airport to hotel, overnight stay, and then transportation to the ship were $417, extremely high cost considering the troubles.

We are not sure what we expect as compensation, and it seems the party was mostly the attached hotel's idea, but still. Unfortunately, the 3 of us are cranky due to lack of sleep.

If not for the party, all would have been GREAT. We have also been to The Element in Moline, IL. which is very nice as well. Alas, we will board the cruise ship and forget all about it. Just be sure you ask about late night bashes planned during your stay.

FOLLOW UP: The Element's Director of Guest Services spoke with us and apologized all over but there is nothing he can do since we booked this stay through the Princess Cruise Lines. We, and several other families will speak to the cruise line.

AGAIN, I'd like to mention that this hotel is great, it's just unfortunate that the party was loud. We'll stay at The Element hotel's other locations as well in the future. Lol, after all this ranting online, it seems like I've over reacted, but...

Our issues started well before our stay. We were trying to call to get connecting rooms for our stay so we didnt have to keep jumping back and forth between rooms. We called multiple times with no answer at the front desk EVER. So the day comes and of course, they do not have connecting rooms available.....whatever at least we are staying across the hall, no big deal. We try to order room service, towels, waters etc. and again.....no answers on the phone. So we walk down stairs and talk to the VALET guys because they seem to be the only ones doing their jobs, and he brings me a manager. I tell the manager what we need and we get it all delivered to our room. Great, finally a glimmer of service. So, the next morning we all wake up hungover and hungry and we try again to order room service....no answer. At this point I'm wonder why there is even a phone and start dialing all of the numbers to see of anyone will answer from any of their preloaded services: front desk, room service, housekeeping etc....no answer from anyone. We decide to just walk downstairs and find a coffee and some food. We noticed the little coffee bar at the front and ordered there. After paying $25 for a bagel and coffee, we went back to our rooms to get ready for the day. Later that evening again, we get hungry as humans do and I wanted to show my friends who came by how bad the service was, so i tried to call room service again to no avail. We went to the lobby bar and decided to grab some food and a drink. I personally spent about $75 for a burger and a single Hennessy cocktail. Apparently we were in Miami because thats the only place in Ft. Lauderdale I've seen prices like that. Anyways, we go out, have a great night and come back. The next morning we checked out. My friend was charged hundreds of dollars in "authorization charges" on her card to "protect the hotel", as the hotel manager Ryan stated. Supposedly the money is to be returned in 7 days. Not only that, but there was an extra car charged to the room. We called to dispute some of the charges, but Ryan explained us the charges and we were able figure out whos car it was so I guess at least the money will be returned soon...but for the amount we are paying we should be able to have someone answer the phone or simply take our food orders. GET...

Our issues started well before our stay. We were trying to call to get connecting rooms for our stay so we didnt have to keep jumping back and forth between rooms. We called multiple times with no answer at the front desk EVER. So the day comes and of course, they do not have connecting rooms available.....whatever at least we are staying across the hall, no big deal. We try to order room service, towels, waters etc. and again.....no answers on the phone. So we walk down stairs and talk to the VALET guys because they seem to be the only ones doing their jobs, and he brings me a manager. I tell the manager what we need and we get it all delivered to our room. Great, finally a glimmer of service. So, the next morning we all wake up hungover and hungry and we try again to order room service....no answer. At this point I'm wonder why there is even a phone and start dialing all of the numbers to see of anyone will answer from any of their preloaded services: front desk, room service, housekeeping etc....no answer from anyone. We decide to just walk downstairs and find a coffee and some food. We noticed the little coffee bar at the front and ordered there. After paying $25 for a bagel and coffee, we went back to our rooms to get ready for the day. Later that evening again, we get hungry as humans do and I wanted to show my friends who came by how bad the service was, so i tried to call room service again to no avail. We went to the lobby bar and decided to grab some food and a drink. I personally spent about $75 for a burger and a single Hennessy cocktail. Apparently we were in Miami because thats the only place in Ft. Lauderdale I've seen prices like that. Anyways, we go out, have a great night and come back. The next morning we checked out. My friend was charged hundreds of dollars in "authorization charges" on her card to "protect the hotel", as the hotel manager Ryan stated. Supposedly the money is to be returned in 7 days. Not only that, but there was an extra car charged to the room. We were able to find out who's car it was, but the fact that we can't have friends meet us at the hotel without putting their cars on a room is ridiculous. ANSWER THE PHONES AND GET IT TOGETHER GUYS! We pay too much there to not have anyone to...