Port Canaveral is among the busiest cruise departure ports on the planet. Each year, literally millions of passengers start their trips here, across any cruise line you can imagine.
However, if you’re just coming to town to get on the ship and leave, then we think you’re making a mistake.
For one, Port Canaveral is a decent distance (about 45-60 minutes) from Orlando. That location means people flying or driving in have a bit of travel ahead of them before they reach the port. Arriving the day before gives you plenty of time should there be any delays and can reduce the stress of making the ship.
But more importantly, the area has a lot to offer anyone taking a cruise. We think it’s smart to treat it as an additional port of call on your vacation.
Port Canaveral sits next to Cocoa Beach, a classic beach town with long stretches of gorgeous sand, with beautiful water. There’s also all the restaurants and attractions that you’d expect at the beach, from seafood eats to putt-putt to the Wizard of Oz museum. Of course, Kennedy Space Center — and the regular launches that occur — are also a big draw for many visitors.
All that said, it’s clear there is plenty of reason to visit the port and stay the night. To help you out, we’ve rounded up the top Port Canaveral hotels that are perfect for a passenger before (or after) their cruise.
These hotels are all rated highly and close to the port, making them a nice and easy stay for your cruise.
Note: This article contains affiliate links to Kayak. We earn a commission for clicks made on their website, at no charge to you. Review ratings come from Google and are rounded to the nearest half point.
Need more hotel ideas? Here are Port Canaveral hotels with cruise parking and hotels with shuttles to the port.
Top-Ranked Port Canaveral Hotels Near the Cruise Port
The Inn at Cocoa Beach
The highest ranked hotel in Cocoa Beach we could find, this spot puts you right on the beach and just about four miles from the cruise ships. It’s a relatively small hotel with only 50 rooms, which most facing out toward the water. One thing to note is that the hotel is adults-only, so families traveling will need to find other accommodations. That leads to a quieter atmosphere as it’s definitely more “quiet beach hideaway” than party place. Also, don’t forget to see the two parrots that live at the hotel.
- Distance to port: 4 miles
- Rating: 4.7 out of 5
- Phone: 321-799-3460
The Resort on Cocoa Beach
A large hotel sitting up against Cocoa Beach, The Resort on Cocoa Beach is actually a condominium building that offers rentals (note that at least in our search, they required a 2-night minimum stay). It’s not just a great location on the beach that earns the hotel strong reviews, there’s a massive pool, game room, basketball court, movie theater, pickleball, tennis courts, and more. In short, if you’re staying here a couple of nights, there’s no chance of going board before your cruise.
- Distance to port: 5 miles
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Phone: 321-783-4000
Homewood Suites Cape Canaveral
As the crow flies, you are just two-thirds of a mile from the Royal Caribbean terminal when you stay at this highly rated hotel. It’s also close to restaurants at the port, offers free breakfast, wi-fi, pool, and fitness center. If driving in, you can park your car here for $10 per night, which is a significant discount over parking at the port. Meanwhile, this spot is ideal for families traveling together because the rooms include more space including seating areas and kitchenettes, allowing you to save on food.
- Distance to port: 0.6 miles
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Phone: 321-868-1841
Discovery Beach Resort
Similar to The Resort on Cocoa Beach mentioned above, this spot is a condominium with rentals available. The reviews are outstanding, and it’s easy to see why. First, you are beachfront, meaning it’s only a short walk over the dunes to the water. But then there is the pool area, basketball and tennis courts, game room, and arcade. It’s also ideal for groups as there are one, two, and three bedroom rentals available to rent. Just note that there is a two-night minimum.
- Distance to port: 3 miles
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Phone: 321-868-7777
Hampton Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral Cruise Port
One of the newest hotels in the area is also one of the closest to the port. This hotel is next to the Homewood Suites mentioned above, putting it well less than a mile to the cruise ships. While it does lack easy beach access, it sits off the main road, making it a quieter stay and ideal when you just want somewhere close to the ship the night before your cruise. Hampton Inn is well known for being a solid place to stay and with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, this location fits that bill.
- Distance to port: 0.6 miles
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Phone: 321-784-0021
Home2 Suites Cape Canaveral Cruise Port
Ok, this is a bit of a gimme in that this hotel is actually a shared building with the Hampton Inn. It’s essentially two brands occupying the same building. So you get the perks of the location near the port, the pool (including the poolside tiki bar), and a new building. The extra benefit is this portion of the hotel offers suites, giving families and groups more space if they need it. Not surprisingly, this location gets the same great ratings as its shared property above.
- Distance to port: 0.6 miles
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Phone: 321-784-0025
SpringHill Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach
Bright, fresh and clean, SpringHill Suites gets high marks in no small part because it’s a relatively new hotel. It’s just about a mile to the cruise ships, sitting in a group of hotels all catering to cruise passengers. Driving to the port? They offer parking at a rate that’s considerably cheaper than the cruise port and also have a shuttle over to the cruise port for about $11 per person.
- Distance to port: 1 mile
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Phone: 321-878-3200
TownePlace Suites Cape Canaveral
Next door to SpringHill is another newly built — and highly rated hotel. TownePlace offers suite lodging, making it ideal if traveling with a family. From here you’re just a mile to the ships, and the hotel’s cruise port shuttle can take you there for a fee. There are all the amenities you’d expect from a modern hotel (pool, free breakfast, wi-fi) and you’re just on the edge of Cocoa Beach where you can go play and eat before your cruise.
- Distance to port: 1 mile
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Phone: 321-335-6800
Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach
Above, we featured a Hampton Inn that’s located right near the port. However, there’s another version just a few miles south in Cocoa Beach. If you’re wanting to have a little beach vacation before your cruise (instead of just staying right at the ship), this is the better option of the two. It’s not beachfront, but just one building back from the ocean and has beach access. Of course, you get all the items included that you would expect like wi-fi and breakfast. You’re also within walking distance of a number of things to do and restaurants (though a car is preferred!).
- Distance to port: 4 miles
- Rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Phone: 321-799-4099
Holiday Inn Express Cape Canaveral
Want the absolutely closest hotel to the ships? As in if you are sailing from Terminal 3 (where Carnival’s Mardi Gras docks), you are only 500 feet from the front door? That’s exactly what you get with this brand-new Holiday Inn Express. It sits across the street from the terminal and also right next to Jetty Park, where you can go watch ships sail in and out or play at the beach. The lodging is what you’d expect from a mid-tier hotel, but when you just need a night or two before you sail, that’s perfect. Perhaps that’s why the reviews are so solid.
- Distance to port: 0.1 miles
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Phone: 321-844-5010
Bonus:
Courtyard Cocoa Beach
The final hotel on our list sits next to the Hampton Inn mentioned above. The Courtyard Cocoa Beach is in the heart of the beach town, making it ideal if you want to start your vacation early with a day at the water. Meanwhile, you’re just a few miles from the ships and still close to outside attractions like the Kennedy Space Center.
- Distance to port: 4 miles
- Rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Phone: 321-784-4800
