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The coastal city of Fort Lauderdale is situated just 30 miles north of Miami and offers a more relaxing pace of life than the Magic City. Fort Lauderdale is lined with palm trees and beautiful beaches, and it’s the perfect destination for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving in the Atlantic Ocean. The unique city also boasts 165 miles of the Intracoastal Waterway, which is why it is often described as the Venice of America.
Fort Lauderdale is a popular tourist destination and there’s no shortage of hotels, resorts, guesthouses, and vacation rentals throughout the city. Before you book, it’s helpful to learn more about the city’s neighborhoods and what they have to offer visitors.
Let’s take a look at the best areas for tourists and highlight where some popular Fort Lauderdale hotels and resorts can be found, to help you decide where to stay.
Fort Lauderdale Beach for First Timers
Highlights: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Bonnet House Museum, International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Fort Lauderdale Beach, also known as Central Beach, is the ideal spot for people new to this region of Florida. The oceanfront area is dotted with gorgeous sandy beaches and lively bars and restaurants. It attracts locals and tourists from all over the city who want to soak in the fun, laid-back atmosphere and watch street performers do their thing on Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard.
You can easily sunbathe, swim, surf, and play volleyball on the sand when you stay in Fort Lauderdale Beach. Plus, you have the option to go hiking, fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding in the tropical High Taylor Birch State Park, which is close by.
Some of Fort Lauderdale’s most luxurious hotels are in this area, which means it’s one of the more expensive parts of the city. The high price point is worth it, though, if you want both beachfront accommodation and easy access to the city center.
Top Accommodation in Fort Lauderdale Beach
Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club
This popular resort includes access to a private beach, two outdoor pools, four restaurants, a spa, and dedicated volleyball, tennis, and shuffleboard courts.
Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach
This luxurious beachfront hotel has a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, hot tub, and fitness center. Its stylish rooms offer ocean views and a 24-hour concierge service.
Pelican Grand Beach Resort
This grand resort has an oceanfront pool, a rooftop Swedish-inspired spa, a fitness center, and an old-fashioned ice cream emporium beloved by families.
The Ritz-Carlton
Designed for ultimate relaxation, this luxe hotel and spa offers 11 treatment rooms, jacuzzis and private massage areas on the pool deck, and a fitness center with aerobics, yoga, and spinning studios.
Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
This reliable 4-star hotel has an extensive range of rooms and a large pool. Its deluxe rooms are equipped with kitchenettes for those looking for self-catered accommodation.
The Atlantic Hotel & Spa
This indulgent boutique hotel offers spacious rooms with kitchenettes or kitchens and private terraces, as well as a 10,000-square-foot spa with an ocean terrace pool.
Wilton Manors for LGBTQI+ Culture
Highlights: Richardson Historic Park & Nature Reserve, Island City Park Preserve, Fern Forest Nature Center, The Pride Center, Stonewall National Museum & Archives, World AIDS Museum
Wilton Manors lies just a few miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale Beach and its stylish atmosphere is very popular with locals.Â
The area is littered with trendy cafes, chic restaurants, eclectic boutiques, and fascinating art galleries. It has a thriving LGBTQI+ community and is deemed the heart of gay Fort Lauderdale. The neighborhood is home to several museums and institutions centered around LGBTQI+ history and liberation, and the celebrations that take place here during Pride Month are not to be missed.
If you’re looking to experience local life in Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors is a great place to stay. It’s also an excellent base for those looking for culture, vibrant nightlife, and LGBTQI-friendly businesses to support.
Top Accommodation in Wilton Manors
Cabanas Guesthouse and Spa
This popular clothing-optional guesthouse offers an all-male day spa, a pool, a jacuzzi, and beautiful tropical gardens with waterfront views.
Downtown Fort Lauderdale for Nightlife
Highlights: Las Olas Boulevard, Riverwalk, Museum of Discovery and Science, Fort Lauderdale History Center, NSU Art Museum, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Naval Air Station Museum
Fort Lauderdale’s City Center region is known as Downtown. It’s also often referred to as Las Olas, thanks to its renowned Las Olas Boulevard which is lined with boutique and international stores. Downtown Fort Lauderdale is where many of the city’s biggest attractions are located, and it’s also home to world-class restaurants, bustling entertainment venues, and fascinating art galleries and museums.
Downtown is the city’s entertainment center and is perfect for sightseeing and partying. This makes it the place to stay if you want to be at the center of the action: particularly at night. The area is highly walkable, making it a top option if you don’t have access to a vehicle during your trip.
Top Accommodation in Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Riverside Hotel
This pet-friendly hotel has spacious rooms, most of which provide beautiful waterside views. It also boasts two on-site restaurants, a heated outdoor pool, a gym, and a boat dock for easy water taxi access.
Hyatt Centric Las Olas
This affordable and comfortable hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, room service, a fitness center, and a 24-hour concierge service. It’s conveniently located next to some of Downtown’s best bars and restaurants.
Hampton Inn Fort Lauderdale
Just off I-95, this reliable hotel provides easy access to Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades. Plus, it has a bar, restaurant, fitness center, and outdoor pool, and it offers hot breakfasts and free WiFi.
Victoria Park & Flagler Village for Art Lovers
Highlights: Holiday Park, Parker Playhouse
US Highway 1 divides Victoria Park and Flagler Village, and although these neighborhoods have different atmospheres, it’s easy to enjoy both when staying in either.
Victoria Park is a peaceful residential area, and as one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, it’s known for its charming 1930s architecture. Flagler Village is a thriving arts district with quaint cafes, craft breweries, and quirky bars. It was once an industrial area but many of its buildings have been repurposed into cool art galleries and studios.
Since Victoria Park and Flagler Village are close to the city center, they are affordable areas to stay while still providing easy access to Downtown. The accommodation options are limited, but there are a few great places available, and you also have the option to rent a private condo here for a relaxing self-catered stay.
Top Accommodation in Victoria Park & Flagler Village
Tru By Hilton Fort Lauderdale Downtown-Flagler Village
This popular hotel has a convenient central location and offers plenty of amenities for a comfortable stay. There’s a fitness center, sun terrace, swimming pool, bar and lounge, and billiards room to keep you entertained day and night.
Victoria Park Hotel
This beautiful hotel is within walking distance of the leafy Holiday Park and provides a peaceful stay close to Downtown. It offers free parking, charging stations for electric vehicles, a pool, and a hot tub.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea for Restful Beach Breaks
Highlights: El Prado Park, Laura Ward Park
If you want a beach break with less hustle and bustle than Central Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is an excellent choice. Positioned just four miles up the coast from Fort Lauderdale Beach, this is a smaller and more peaceful spot that’s perfect for days spent lazing on the sand.
Natural coral reefs protect the coastline, meaning that Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is considered by many to be Broward County’s best beach. Snorkeling and scuba diving are excellent here, and there are several reliable businesses offering equipment hire, lessons, and guided trips for these activities. This neighborhood also has a good array of restaurants and cafes, and there are some pretty green parks in the area when you want a break from the sea and sand.
There’s a great mix of accommodation here to suit various budgets, and the area is cheaper overall than Downtown. If you’re looking to get to know the locals, opt for an independently owned hotel or guesthouse, many of which are in the area.
Top Accommodation in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Plunge Beach Resort
Designed for fun, laid-back stays, this resort offers free bike rentals and on-site parking to make it easy to get around. It has a 24-hour fitness center, a swimming pool, and both a coffee shop and a bar for drinks and snacks. The resort also offers access to water sports facilities and can arrange snorkeling and diving.
Tides Inn Hotel
This attractive beach hotel provides exceptional views of the sea and has its own private beach area. It has a pool and sun deck and offers bike rentals and daily breakfast.
The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
This tranquil hotel is designed for a peaceful getaway, with many of its rooms and suites providing ocean views. It boasts a spa, 24-hour in-room dining, a poolside bar, and a Mexican restaurant.
Harbordale for Short Layovers
Highlights: Port Everglades, Broward County Convention Center
Harbordale is centered around Port Everglades, a major seaport and one of the biggest cruise ship docks in America. It’s also close to Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, which makes it a popular base for short layovers. There are many great places to eat here, and you’re not too far from the city center and its beaches.
If you want easy access to the airport, the cruise port, or Broward County Convention Center, Harbordale is a convenient neighborhood to stay in. There are plenty of hotels and guesthouses in the area to suit various budgets.
Top Accommodation in Harbordale
17th Street Embassy Suites By Hilton Fort Lauderdale
This hotel specializes in spacious two-room suites that are ideal for business travelers. Breakfast is included for free, and guests can enjoy two hours of complimentary beverages in the evening.
Dania Beach for Peace and Quiet
Highlights: Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
Dania Beach is seven miles southeast of Downtown, making it one of the least crowded neighborhoods in the city. The beach here is smaller, significantly less developed, and much more peaceful than Fort Lauderdale Beach. Just north of the beach is a pristine state park that’s guaranteed to help you reconnect with nature.
Dania Beach is ideal if you want peace and quiet, and its close proximity to the airport makes it a scenic place to stay for short layovers. However, it doesn’t offer the most convenient access to Fort Lauderdale’s main attractions, so it might not be the best option if you prefer to be in the thick of things.
Even if you don’t decide to stay here, this tranquil spot is well worth a visit thanks to its charming ice cream parlor, quality restaurants, and relaxing atmosphere.
Top Accommodation in Dania Beach
Le MĂ©ridien Dania Beach
This upscale hotel is fronted by palm trees and offers a very comfortable and relaxing stay that’s ideal for layovers. It has three restaurants, an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center, plus a complimentary airport shuttle that provides convenient transfers.
Hollywood Beach for Family Vacations
Highlights: Anne Kolb Nature Center
The laid-back atmosphere in Hollywood Beach makes this neighborhood the perfect family-friendly destination for those on a budget. The Hollywood Beach area is 10 miles southeast of Fort Lauderdale city center. Still, there are plenty of amenities nearby — particularly along the 2.5-mile Ocean Drive, which is a pedestrianized street filled with restaurants and street performers.
If you’re looking for a classic beach holiday with plenty of outdoor activities for the whole family, Hollywood Beach is the best area to stay in. The area is highly walkable, and the hotels and resorts here are more affordable than those in the city center. It’s a little less glamorous than Fort Lauderdale Beach, but Hollywood Beach is ideal if you want convenient beach access without too many crowds.
Top Accommodation in Hollywood Beach
Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort
This iconic beach hotel offers fantastic ocean views in its bright and airy premium rooms. It has a wealth of amenities for a comfortable stay, including bars, restaurants, pools, a spa, and a kids club.
Book Your Trip to Fabulous Fort Lauderdale
Now you know more about the most popular areas of Fort Lauderdale and the city’s best hotels, you can get started booking your stay in this iconic region of South Florida.
