In transforming itself from a spring break party town to chic metropolis, Fort Lauderdale accommodation runs the gamut. With hotel options lining nearly every block, Fort Lauderdale hotels can range from a modest Florida beach hotel to luxury towers. A building boom is in the works, with planned soon-to-open luxury hotels including the terraced St. Regis Resort tower and the $220-million W Fort Lauderdale Hotel & Residences.
If you can’t wait, you might want to check into the Westin Diplomat in nearby Hollywood. These new $600 million 39-story twin towers overlooking the water feature an impressive recreation complex of clay tennis courts, lakes, and a designer golf course, as well as a signature glass-bottom pool with waterfalls. On site venues include Asian-themed Satine and the tropical Nikki Marina bar.
One of Fort Lauderdale’s most historic hotels, the Riverside dates back to 1936. Modern renovations have included tropical wood-and-tile décor, and a 12-story tower addition to the original building. And one of the best reasons to stay here is its heart-of-downtown location.
The secret’s out about the splendid Pillars Hotel, a
charming two-story British Colonial, Caribbean-style
retreat tucked away on the Intracoastal Waterway. With
only 23 rooms, 24-hour concierge, and top-notch staff,
you’ll feel like a royal houseguest, with deluxe touches
like mahogany furnishings, antique etchings, and blackout
drapes to allow you to sleep in. You can take advantage
of such plush room amenities as private-label bath products,
ultra-plush bedding and even a rub down from a private
masseuse. The main room features a baby grand piano, a
500-book library, and wine and beer bar in the afternoons.
Its lush tropical garden courtyard pool features free
iced tea on tap, and is just a short walk to water taxis
to whisk you off to nearby Max's Beach Place restaurant
that you can sign to your room. Note that all rooms are
non-smoking.
Ranked by Zagat Survey as the best hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Lago Mar is a classic Fort Lauderdale resort. Lago Mar has a private oceanfront beach, a swimming lagoon, and an Olympic-sized pool, so every room looks out on water. The lush grounds are covered in palm trees and bougainvillea. Tropical Key West style décor make up the rooms, while the common areas carry a Venetian theme.
The new four-star Atlantic Hotel greets you with a cocktail and lavender-scented towel as you check in from their lobby sofas. This terraced-balcony hotel by the beach has luxury accommodations like full-featured kitchens with granite counters, marble bathroom floors, and glass enclosed showers.
You may think you are in Las Vegas at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. If you like to play, the video slot machines and poker tables are always packed at the 130,000-square-foot casino. But the rooms are surprisingly luxurious, with flat screen, Egyptian-cotton sheets, and big showerheads. The complex features a waterfall lagoon pool similar to its sister establishment in Vegas, 22,000-square-foot spa, two nightclubs open all night every night, and a host of restaurants, and shops.
