Eylul 
Welcome to Fort Lauderdale! Do you remember drooling over postcards with a white sand beach lined with palm trees? It is time for you to have that photo with you in it!
Fort Lauderdale is located in South Florida and is known for its beautiful beaches, great seafood restaurants, and fun night scene. Thanks to the Intracoastal Waterway, Fort Lauderdale is also called “the Venice of America” (they even have water taxis!). The city also has many nice museums, art galleries, and lush green parks to be discovered with stunning waterfront areas like port everglades!
In this blog post on where to stay in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, I will talk about the 5 best areas to stay in the city and give you the best of the best hotels for all budgets.
Before we start, I just want to remind you that in order to get better deals on hotels and secure your place, do not forget to make a reservation in advance. Many of the hotels in Fort Lauderdale have free cancelation, so don’t worry if you change your mind!
Let’s start to discover Fort Lauderdale!
Contents
Quick Picks for Your Stay
Here are the best places to stay in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with hotels from luxury to budget. They all have great reviews and central locations!
Here is a map for where to stay in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with the best 5 areas I will be talking about in this blog post so you can easily visualize their locations:
- Downtown & Fort Lauderdale Beach: for first-timers
- Hollywood Beach: on a budget
- Las Olas: for sightseeing
- Wilton Manors: the coolest neighborhood
- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea: for relaxation
1. Downtown & Fort Lauderdale Beach – where to stay for the first time
Thanks to its great number of restaurants, bars, shops, and stunning beaches, the area surrounding the city’s downtown beach, also called Central Beach and it is the most popular neighborhood to stay in. Sun, sea, sand, mouth-watering foods, and fun attractions. What else do you need? I’m sure you will have a great time in Fort Lauderdale Beach!
Start your day by heading to the beautiful Fort Lauderdale Beach to relax and enjoy the picturesque views of palm trees lining the white sand. When you get hungry, head to the beach bars and restaurants in the surrounding streets to have a meal and watch the sunset.
I know you won’t want to leave Fort Lauderdale Beach but you should also check out the nice museums, art galleries, and parks in the rest of Downtown, so make sure to allow some time for some sightseeing as well!
You will find many nice hotels in Fort Lauderdale Beach but in order not to miss the best hotels that I carefully picked for you, make sure to make your reservation in advance. And since you are in Florida, if you want to add another nice beach destination to your itinerary, I recommend you check out the best places to stay in Key West too!
Located near Downtown, this beachfront hotel offers comfortable rooms with a balcony overlooking the ocean, a nice outdoor pool, a fitness center, a spa, and private beach access. At night you can enjoy oceanfront dining while watching the amazing views and have cocktails at the elegant bar. The Downtown restaurants and shops are within walking distance and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is just 7 miles (10 km) away.
Other options in Fort Lauderdale Beach & Downtown
This hotel is within walking distance to both the beach and Downtown and has a swimming pool and comfortable rooms
This hotel has a central location near Downtown and offers a swimming room, spacious room with a coffee machine and free wifi
This waterfront Airbnb has an amazing outdoor pool overlooking the ocean, a nice terrace, and free parking
Things to do in Fort Lauderdale Beach & Downtown
- Visit the International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum
- Get a suntan and swim at Fort Lauderdale Beach
- Go to the beautiful Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
- Go for a stroll at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
- Visit the Museum of Discovery and Science
- Have a walk at Earl Lifshey Ocean Park
- Relax at the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Beach
2. Hollywood Beach – the best place to stay for those on a budget
Hollywood Beach is located 15 miles (25 km) south of Fort Lauderdale Beach and is the best neighborhood to stay in if you are a budget traveler. Being a bit further away from the city center, Hollywood Beach offers relatively cheaper accommodation options compared to other parts of Fort Lauderdale. But the best part is that you will still be near the beaches!
Hollywood Beach is a very relaxed and beautiful beach where you can lay on the powdery sand, swim in the turquoise water, and have a walk along the picturesque boardwalks. By the beach, you will find numerous shops, seafood restaurants, and bars so really, you don’t even need to go Downtown if you don’t feel like it!
Here you will be able to find all kinds of hotels and to make your job easy I found the top 4 ones for all budgets. Just make sure to book your hotel in advance to not miss them and get better deals. If you plan to continue your trip to South Florida, check out the best places to stay in Miami.
This 4-star hotel is located right on the beach and has a very nice outdoor swimming pool, contemporary rooms with a unique ocean view, a private beach, and free Wi-Fi. At night you can have drinks and snacks in the hotel bar with spectacular views. With its romantic rooms, I highly recommend this hotel for couples looking for a nice escape in Fort Lauderdale.
Other accommodation in Hollywood Beach
This beachfront hotel offers a unique stay by the ocean and has comfortable rooms with a stunning view
This hotel has easy access to the beach, an outdoor swimming pool, quiet rooms with free wifi and onsite parking
This Airbnb has modern-style rooms with great amenities, a fully furnished kitchen and is within walking distance to the beach
Things to do in Hollywood Beach, Fort Lauderdale
- Spend time suntanning and people watching at Hollywood Beach
- Go for a stroll at Harry Berry Park
- Take the Hollywood Trolley Downtown for some sightseeing
- Play with dogs at the Hollywood Dog Beach
- Enjoy beach time and relax at Charnow Park
- Have a delicious seafood meal at Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant
- Visit the Anne Kolb Nature Center
- Take a day trip to Dania Beach
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3. Las Olas – where to stay in Fort Lauderdale for sightseeing
Las Olas is located 2 miles (3 km) west of Fort Lauderdale Beach and thanks to its beautiful landscapes and cultural attractions, it offers great sightseeing opportunities. This neighborhood is also famous for its lively night scene so whether you are a culture buff or nightlife lover, there is something for you in Las Olas!
Here the main street called Las Olas Boulevard is the place where you will find many shops, a great selection of restaurants, and trendy bars. Las Olas Boulevard ends at Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard so if you follow it you will be able to see most of the attractions and reach downtown. You see, there is no better location than Las Olas to stay for sightseeing!
Let’s check out the best places to stay in Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale
Tribute Portfolio Hotel offers a unique stay with its convenient location close to the beach and great facilities. This hotel has comfortable rooms with a coffee machine, a swimming pool, and a very good breakfast. At night you can have a drink at the chic hotel bar with spectacular views and the Tribute Portfolio Hotel has a free shuttle to the beach providing towels and beach chairs for guests. Shopping centers are within walking distance and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is just 7 miles (5 km) away.
Other accommodation in Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale
This hotel has a central location, an amazing rooftop pool, spacious rooms with a city view, free wifi, a bar, and easy access to the beach
These family-friendly suites offer spacious rooms with modern amenities, a fully furnished kitchen, and a large terrace
This Airbnb has a nice swimming pool, comfortable rooms, a kitchen, and easy access to the restaurants and shopping centers
Things to do in Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale
- Check out the lively bars on Las Olas Boulevard
- Visit the Historic Stranahan House Museum
- Marvel the artworks at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale
- Take a boat tour with the popular Jungle Queen Riverboat
- Spend time on the powdery sand at Los Olas Beach
- Take a water taxi to see the iconic Port Everglades Cruise Port
4. Wilton Manors – the coolest neighborhood to stay in Fort Lauderdale
When you go 3 miles (5 km) northwest of Fort Lauderdale Beach you will reach the coolest neighborhood, Wilton Manors. Here you will be able to have a local experience, find very cool cafes, restaurants, and designer boutiques to explore.
The best way to discover this neighborhood is simply to stroll along the beautiful streets, check out the art galleries, shops, and hipster cafes. Apart from the amazing food scene, in Wilton Manors you will have the chance to explore so many nice parks such as Richardson Historic Park & Nature Preserve, Island City Park Preserve, and Fern Forest Nature Center.
Thanks to its proximity to Fort Lauderdale beach and the city center, Wilton Manors is a great place to stay in Fort Lauderdale to get a little bit of everything.
Here are the best hotels in this cool neighborhood:
This hotel is just a 15-minute walking distance to the beach and has a very good spa and wellness center. You can have a great message and enjoy the steam room to relax. There is a nice swimming pool and all of the rooms have a beautiful garden. At night you can easily access the trendy restaurants and bars and for those who want to have a pleasant stay surrounded by trees, I highly recommend this hotel.
Other accommodation options in Wilton Manors
This private vacation villa has a central location, a big kitchen, living room, free wifi, and a nice garden
This private villa has spacious rooms, a nice garden, private parking and has easy access to restaurants and a shopping center
This Airbnb has a big private pool, fully equipped kitchen, comfortable rooms, a sun terrace, and a central location
Things to do in Wilton Manors
- Go for a stroll at Colohatchee Park
- Have a beer at Funky Buddha Brewery
- Try fun activities at Broward County Parks & Recreation
- Take a pint at The Pub Wilton Manors
- Visit Fern Forest Nature Center
- Go for a walk at Richardson Historic Park & Nature Preserve
- Have a picnic at Island City Park Preserve
5. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea – where to stay for families and relaxation
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is located 4 miles north of Beach Fort Lauderdale and the best area to stay if you would like to have a relaxed holiday. Here you will find stunning, quiet beaches which are also great for snorkeling and diving.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea offers many beautiful boardwalks where you can go on sunset walks, nice fish restaurants, and green parks. I also recommend this neighborhood for families thanks to its laid-back beaches that enable kids-friendly water sport activities.
Here you will be able to find a great selection of accommodations for all budgets. Let’s check out the best hotels in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea for an unforgettable holiday.
Residence Inn Marriott offers waterfront accommodation with amazing views. All of the hotel rooms have a spectacular ocean view and there is one large swimming pool and a fully-equipped fitness center. At night you can have delicious cocktails at the onsite bar and in the morning I bet you can’t wait to have a fabulous breakfast with a panoramic Fort Lauderdale view. You can also rent a bike from the hotel and check out the nearby beaches and shopping centers.
Other options in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
This hotel has spacious rooms with city views, a swimming pool, fitness center, and free parking
Just a 5-minute walk to the beach, this hotel offers comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, and free wifi
This Airbnb has a beautifully decorated room, a fully furnished kitchen, a nice garden, and free parking
Things to do in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
- Enjoy a sunset walk at Anglin’s Fishing Pier
- Get a suntan and relax at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Beach
- Go for a stroll at El Prado Park
- Have a drink and delicious snacks at Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill
- See the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse
- Have a drink at Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar & Cafe
- Join a morning yoga session on the beach at the popular Ocean Manor Resort
| 👑 Luxury price: | $270 |
| 💵 Mid-range hotel: | $170 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | $120 |
| 🏠 Airbnb: | $200 |
| 💰 Accommodation prices: | High |
| 📍 Best Area: | Fort Lauderdale Beach |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Pelican Grand Beach |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | Blue Door Inn |
Frequently asked questions about Fort Lauderdale
🗺️ What is the best area to stay in Fort Lauderdale, FL?
Fort Lauderdale Beach is the best area to stay for first-timers thanks to its proximity to the beach and main attractions. Pelican Grand Beach and Aqua Hotel are some of the best hotels to stay in Fort Lauderdale Beach.
🕺🏻 Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale for nightlife?
Las Olas is the best place to stay in Fort Lauderdale for nightlife. You will find tons of lively bars and restaurants on Las Olas Boulevard. Some of the best hotels to stay in this area are Tribute Portfolio Hotel and Hyatt Centric.
🚶♀️ Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale without a car?
Fort Lauderdale Beach is the heart of the city and if you stay here you can reach the main attractions without a car. Some of the best hotels to stay here are Pelican Grand Beach and Aqua Hotel.
🏖️ Which are the best beachfront hotels in Fort Lauderdale?
Costa Hollywood Beach in Hollywood Beach and Pelican Grand Beach in Fort Lauderdale are some of the best beachfront hotels in Fort Lauderdale.
🤔 Is Fort Lauderdale a good holiday destination?
Yes, Fort Lauderdale is a good holiday destination with its beautiful beaches, cultural attractions, shops, and restaurants.
☀️ What is the best time to go to Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The best time to visit Fort Lauderdale, FL is between December and April when the weather is not too hot and there are fewer rainy days.
👨👩👦👦 What are the family-friendly hotels in Fort Lauderdale?
Residence Inn Marriott and Hampton Inn in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea are the best family-friendly hotels to stay in Fort Lauderdale.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this tour of Fort Lauderdale and have already decided on your ideal hotel. In this blog post, I talked about the best places to stay in Fort Lauderdale and gave information about the vibes of each neighborhood with the activities you can do there to try and help you find the one most suited to you.
As I’ve said earlier I recommend you to stay in Fort Lauderdale Beach if you are visiting for the first time but each neighborhood has its own vibe, so pick your favorite one according to your taste!
I would like to remind you again that in order not to miss your favorite place and get better deals on hotels in Fort Lauderdale, Florida do not forget to make a reservation in advance!
I know I’ve already given so many options to stay in Fort Lauderdale but to sum up, here are the 2 best hotels. Each has central locations and reviews and I can definitely recommend them for a pleasant stay in Fort Lauderdale!
- Pelican Grand Beach – One of the best hotels to stay in Fort Lauderdale by the beach
- Hotel Sheldon – a great place to stay that is located right on Hollywood Beach
Do not forget to take your beach essentials and have a lot of fun in Fort Lauderdale!
If you have any other suggestions or questions about Fort Lauderdale, Florida please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. I’ll be glad to leave a reply to them!
Enjoy your time in Fort Lauderdale,
Eylul
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