 | | Fort Lauderdale Hotels – From Luxury to Simplicity on the Beach | | | The northern end of Fort Lauderdale Beach is home to The Atlantic, 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, a Starwood Luxury Hotel property. Its beachfront location, combined with the five star restaurant, spacious rooms with their high tech gadgets and gorgeous views make this a fantasy, splurge vacation choice. A 6,000 square foot full service spa and fifth floor oceanfront pool just add to the adventure and the luxurious experience.
Also wanting to put you in the lap of luxury is the St. Regis, 1 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. It was the first five star hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach and in all of Florida. As the name implies, its goal is to treat you like a king, or queen. Featuring 183 hotel rooms including private residences and hotel style condominiums this is another of those splurge vacation options. All rooms have a water view, either of the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway, some with floor to ceiling windows. Choose from getting your sun surfside or around the oceanfront pool, sand free, it’s your choice. A European style spa is also on site.
Marriot’s Harbor Beach, 3030 Holiday Drive, has been around a bit longer but it does offer a quieter setting on the south end of Fort Lauderdale’s strip. The oversized guest rooms and suites feature marble bathrooms and private balconies overlooking the Atlantic or the Intracoastal Waterway. The pool at 8,000 square feet, and the European style spa at 24,000 square feet continue the larger than large theme. Popular with convention groups and families, this is one of Fort Lauderdale’s mainstays and still in the splurge category.
The Riverside Hotel, 620 East Las Olas Blvd has been welcoming guests since 1936. It is set on the scenic New River that winds its way through the city and has a decidedly New Orleans air about it. Tiled bathrooms and wicker furnishings add to the southern charm. This is a small property, only six stories, and reminiscent of a Fort Lauderdale before the mega-resorts came to town. It is only a short walk or bike ride to the beach and a bit more moderately priced.
Another hotel that is a reminder of early Fort Lauderdale is the Pillars Hotel, 111North Birch Road on the Intracoastal Waterway. It is a two story British Colonial structure decorated in a laid back Caribbean style that is the exact opposite of all that neon on the Fort Lauderdale strip. There are just 22 rooms, a freeform pool, lush tropical landscaping a book and video library and a private chef. While not as pricey as some of the beachfront resorts, it is still on the high side of the moderate scale. The water taxi stops just a few steps away.
A more moderate option, but still on the beach is the Courtyard Villas, 4312 El Mar Drive. It is almost hidden between the row of larger hotels but once found it offers oceanfront rooms with kitchenettes, larger suites and two bedroom apartments. Popular with long term visitors, you have the choice of relaxing on the second floor sun deck complete with spa pool or swimming out to a hidden reef just 50 feet offshore. SCUBA instruction is available for those who do want to find that reef. Some rooms have private balconies that overlook the ocean.
Another property that is easy on the pocket book is A Little Inn by the Sea at 4546 El Mar Drive. Though the rooms are just average hotel fare, most have private balconies that overlook the ocean and the 300 feet of private palm lined beach. A heated freshwater pool, rooftop terrace and complimentary breakfast buffet are added perks.
It is possible to stay in Fort Lauderdale on a budget. The Fort Lauderdale Hostel, 2115 North Ocean Blvd brags about being only 654 feet from the ocean. It offers dorm style and private rooms, free parking, complimentary breakfast buffet and self-cook food items and even use of surfboards and inline skates. This hostel is very popular with backpackers and younger travelers who just want a clean, convenient place to stay. | | | |  | | |
