We stayed in this hotel for three days. Our first time in the area.

Our main issue was what was advertised when we booked the hotel. The description of the hotel said that they provide free shuttle service to and from a three mile radius of the hotel. As we were debating on whether to rent a car or not, we decided not to since the train station (to Miami) and water taxi stop (to Ft. Lauderdale) was within that distance.
However, from the first day, it was clear no one used the shuttle service and so they did not have a driver. Whoever was free would become the driver.

That wouldn't have bothered us if the staff wasn't so awful about it.
- They would have to be called 3-4 times before someone came.
- They wouldn't give us the contact information of the driver (so in one case we sat at opposite entrances to the train station waiting) or give us an ETA.
- It was a minimum of half an hour before someone came (and this was to travel less than a mile).
- They did not know distances near the hotel. One person told us that the train station was outside the 3 mile area (while we were waiting to be picked up). We had to explain to her that we had been dropped there this morning without any hassle.
My advice to them: DO NOT ADVERTISE A SERVICE THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR GUESTS.
It would have made our lives easier.

Another secondary problem we had was the staff's knowledge about the area. I understand that they probably do not get many first time tourists in the area. But as a hotel, you should know transportation and sites to see nearby.
- No one knew the nearest commuter train station. We informed them where it was.
- We were given contradictory information about whether there is a water taxi service to Miami.
- When I gave the name of a hotel near the Ft. Lauderdale water taxi station, the person at the front desk did not know what I was talking about. Only because I didn't refer to the place by its most common name (the name of another hotel near the station).

I expect a little more knowledge about your surroundings, even if you don't work in the hospitality business.

The hotel itself lived up to standards. It was clean, had all the amenities that were necessary for three nights. Although, both my husband and I independently concluded that it wasn't what we thought a Marriott would be. It wasn't lacking in anything, but only had basic amenities.