Fort Lauderdale Accommodation Guide

	A Gondola Passes a Cafe on One of the City's Many Canals1

Located 35 mi (56 km) north of bustling Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a sunny vacation haven boasting miles of sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, trendy boutiques and a relaxed atmosphere. Known as the "Venice of America" due to its extensive network of canals and waterways, Fort Lauderdale is also a major center for yachting. The city of under 200,000 began as an agricultural community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but saw its population boom after the World War II, with tourism eventually becoming a major force in the local economy.

In the 1970s, Fort Lauderdale was a popular destination among college students hoping to get a bit crazy during spring break, and while it still draws a number of undergraduates, for the last several years the city has gained a reputation for its ability to cater to more upscale and sophisticated travellers. Visitors descend on the sunny South Florida city hoping to catch some rays, do some shopping and enjoy the party atmosphere, and the huge range of local hotels, motels, inns and more cater to all manner of tourists. Everything from lavish chain hotels to friendly local B&Bs are all found in Fort Lauderdale.

Travelers headed to the Fort Lauderdale area may use this WorldWeb.com Travel Guide article to aid in making an informed accommodation choice, beginning with these important information pages:

1. Accommodation Directory - This complete accommodation directory containing detailed information about hotels, B&Bs, luxury resorts, inns and more. With links to accommodation websites and interactive maps, this directory is designed to help visitors find the right place to stay based on their type of trip and personal preferences.
2. Secure Room Reservations - This convenient room search and reservation page allowing the user to check for room availability and then make a secure online reservation. Although this is a useful feature anytime of year, the online Secure Room Reservations page is particularly helpful during busy peak seasons.
3. Maps - The Fort Lauderdale map can assist visitors in choosing where to stay by not only indicating where accommodations are located, but also where they are in relation to attractions, restaurants, shops, tours and transportation.

HOTELS & MOTELS

	Sunny Fort Lauderdale Beach2

Over 150 hotels and motels are located in the city. Visitors have their choice of accommodations near the airport, slightly inland around downtown, blocks from Fort Lauderdale Beach or almost right on the water. Nearly all major hotel chains, such as Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Best Western, Ramada, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt and more are represented, giving tourists a wealth of choices when it comes time to decide where to lay their heads for the night.

Travelers looking to spend their holiday in the lap of luxury have a number of possibilities to consider, including the hip and trendy Atlantic Hotel . Situated on the beach, the hotel boasts ocean views, a pristine swimming pool overlooking the water, and Trina Restaurant, which offers veranda dining and a menu of Mediterranean fare. Guestrooms have every imaginable amenity including pillowtop beds, Bose CD players, refreshment centers, in-room video games and much more.

Located along the Intracoastal Waterway just nine minutes from Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport, The Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel and Yacht Club is a peaceful, high-end lodging choice with a heated outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and fitness center. Additional features include a 33-slip marina, La Marina restaurant, which is located along the waterfront and guestrooms and suites offer a range of amenities including high-speed Internet access, ocean views, balconies, in-room wet bars and more.

Intracoastal Waterway With the Atlantic in the Horizon3

Luxury chain hotels in Fort Lauderdale include the Westin Fort Lauderdale, which is located close to a number of attractions including the Palm Aire Golf Club; the Hyatt Regency Fort Lauderdale Pier Sixty-Six, which features a spa and a poolside bar and grill; the all-suite Sheraton Suites Cypress Creek located close to the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and the Sheraton Yankee Trader, situated on the beach and offering various amenities including a restaurant and lounge to indulge in delectable recipes from around the world.

A large number of mid-range and budget hotels and motels are also available in the city with chains such as Comfort Inn, Howard Johnson and Travelodge offering reasonably priced rooms and suites with all necessary amenities plus several special extras like heated outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs and more.

Try the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Fort Lauderdale Air/Sea Port, which is located close to the airport and features an onsite fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool. The hotel also offers laundry facilities, a business center, wireless Internet connections, complimentary continental breakfasts and rooms and suites with mini refrigerators, microwaves and cable televisions with DVD players.

The Holiday Inn Fort Lauderdale Beach is also a good bet. Situated directly across the street from the beach, each room and suite boasts an ocean view and includes free high-speed Internet access, tea and coffee makers, cable TVs, pay-per-view movies and more. The hotel also includes a restaurant, a fitness room, an outdoor swimming pool and a sundeck.

SPECIALTY LODGING

Inns
In addition to the dozens of hotels and motels, visitors to Fort Lauderdale have their choice of nearly two dozen inns, which are smaller and offer extra intimacy and personalized service. Most feature many of the same amenities guests will find at larger lodgings such as heated swimming pools, sun decks and cable televisions, and many are located close to the beach.

The Estoril Paradise Inn offers spotless rooms and facilities and features a courtyard with a swimming pool where guests chillout and work on their tans. Rooms and suites all include cable televisions, refrigerators, microwaves, toasters, coffeemakers and more. The Alhambra Beach Resort is another good choice. Located close to the beach, the inn features a white-tiled, palm tree-lined courtyard with a sparking swimming pool and offers 12 spacious units including one-bedroom suites and two-bedroom apartments, some of which boast kitchenettes.

Guestrooms Vary in Size and Amenities4

Gay and Lesbian Guesthouses
Due to its vibrant nightlife, colorful ambiance and tolerant culture, Fort Lauderdale has become a very popular destinations for gay travelers looking to relax, make friends and enjoy a worry-free vacation. The gay-and lesbian-friendly city features many great shopping opportunities for unique items as well as a number of popular same-sex bars and nightclubs. Sebastian Beach, located at the intersection of Las Olas and Sunrise Boulevards, is recognized as the city's pimary beach where gay locals and visitors alike head to snorkel, sunbathe and swim.

Many inns and bed and breakfasts in Fort Lauderdale cater to gay and lesbian tourists, several with impressive lodging options and offering a variety of amenities. An example is The Royal Palms Resort, an exclusive guesthouse located two blocks from the beach. Each room is luxurious and well-appointed, and includes amenities such as Egyptian cotton sheets, plush bathrobes, flat screen televisions and DVD and Bose CD players. A complimentary breakfast is provided each morning and guests while away sunny days relaxing in the courtyard by the swimming pool.

La Casa del Mar provides gay and lesbian accommodation just minutes from the ocean. Each room includes a kitchenette and is equipped with wireless Internet access. The guesthouse also features an Internet cafe/gift shop and a courtyard with a covered gazebo and swimming pool. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning and social hour occurs from from 5pm to 6pm each Friday and Saturday, where guests enjoy free drinks around the pool. Mary's Resort caters to an all-male clientele and guestroom options include single rooms, two-bedroom suites and a two-bedroom cottage complete with a kitchen. Pets are welcome. Additional features include secure parking, a heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sundeck and library.

A number of other gay guesthouses are available and many are located close to the beach, nightlife and restaurants on Las Olas Boulevard. Almost all boast swimming pools, hot tubs and courtyards, and for the more uninhibited guests, many are clothing optional.

Trendy Las Olas Boulevard5

Long-Term Lodging
While Fort Lauderdale is often considered a place to head for fun in the sun, many of the city's visitors arrive for business reasons, as several large companies are based in the area. A lucky few head to Fort Lauderdale for extended holidays, and these visitors will find several accommodation options catering to long-term stays. Many local hotels and motels offer weekly and monthly rates in addition to daily rates. Some feature suites with kitchenettes and others have rooms called efficiencies, which include refrigerators, microwaves and other conveniences.

A number of extended stay hotels specifically cater to long-term guests. Most offer rooms and suites with fully equipped kitchens and separate living and working areas. Many also include extras such as swimming pools, fitness rooms and laundry facilities. The aim is to make each guest's stay as comfortable as if they were at home. One extended stay property is the Candlewood Suites Fort Lauderdale Sea/Airport, which offers smoking and non-smoking rooms and a number of suites have full kitchens. Amenities include business services such as copying, fax, Internet access, printers and more. There is a fitness facility and a convenience store on site and the hotel is located close to the airport.

Budget
Students and backpackers in town for some excitement who are looking to stretch their dollars as far as possible can try out one of Fort Lauderdale's hostels. Each provides good budget accommodations with many of the same amenities as hotels, motels and inns, but with the added bonus of meeting, mixing and mingling with like minded tourists.

The Backpackers Beach Hostel is located close to the ocean and offers shared dormitory accommodations and private rooms on a nightly or weekly basis. All rooms have ensuites and the hostel features three shared kitchens. Wireless Internet access is available and other amenities include free parking, laundry facilities, a pool table, a swimming pool, a barbeque and two TV rooms. The Bridge II offers female, male and mixed dorms in addition to apartments with full kitchens and living rooms. Guests can lounge by the swimming pool, enjoy a barbeque with new friends and keep in touch with family at the hostel's computer center.

ATTRACTIONS

	The Riverwalk Leads to the Arts & Entertainment District6

The miles of sand and sparkling water that make up Fort Lauderdale Beach are ground zero for relaxation and fun in the city. Visitors soak up rays, swim and try out watersports such as fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Boating tours are another interesting option. The beach is also the venue for popular annual events like Oceanfest and the Winterfest Boat Parade.

Las Olas Boulevard, which starts on the waterfront at the A1A Highway and heads west towards downtown and the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District, is well known for its cool galleries, sophisticated restaurants, and hip bars. The street is often busy with locals and visitors doing some shopping and people watching. The Broward Centre for the Performing Arts, a venue showing dance, theatre, musical performances and more, is located toward the western end of the boulevard.

Fort Lauderdale is home to a variety of museums where visitors are introduced to the city's past. The Old Fort Lauderdale Village & Museum is dedicated to preserving and educating visitors on local history, featuring collections of scrapbooks, photographs and artifacts.

The International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum, located in the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex, gives visitors a chance to learn the history of the sport and become familiar with its important athletes. The museum houses a photo gallery, video archive and rotating exhibits throughout the year.

Kids and adults alike will love the impressive Museum of Discovery and Science. The complex features an IMAX theater, a live coral reef, a huge nature trail, over 200 hands-on exhibits on a range of exciting subjects and more. After exploring the museum, find a cool souvenir of the visit in the gift shop.

Those who need a bit of a break from all the urban excitement can make a stop at the Huge Taylor Birch State Park, which is located within the city along the A1A Highway. This natural oasis in the middle of Fort Lauderdale is a great place to escape and partake in cycling, fishing, swimming, canoeing and hiking. For those less active, the beach is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic.

TRANSPORTATION

Water Taxis Traverse the Canals7

Transportation options to and around Fort Lauderdale are extensive. The city is home to two airports including the Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport, which services airlines and flights from across North America and Europe. A number of shuttle companies offer transfers between the airport and various destinations in the city. The cruise industry in the area is bustling and many visitors arrive and depart for holidays on any of a number of cruise ships that dock in the city daily.

Ground transport is easy, as visitors can hop on a motorcoach such as those operated by Greyhound, which features an extensive network with stops at hundreds of locations throughout North America. Amtrak offers train service from Fort Lauderdale to a number of cities in the eastern United States.

Alternately, rent a vehicle from Avis, Hertz, Thrifty or any of the many other vehicle rental companies with locations in the city and drive to and around Fort Lauderdale in a clean and comfortable car or truck. Broward Country Transit operates a fleet of public transit buses with an extensive network throughout the city, especially in the downtown core. See the city by water with a tour from Water Taxi, which travels throughout the city's massive canal system. The company offers scheduled pickups at a number of locations and will take guests to restaurants, shopping areas, attractions and more.

The diverse city has something for everyone, and after a full day a good night's sleep is in order. The ideal place to stay is just a quick browse away!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

1. c/o Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; A Gondola Passes a Cafe on One of the City's Many Canals; Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S.A.
2. Sunny Fort Lauderdale Beach; Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S.A.
3. The Intracoastal Waterway With the Atlantic Ocean in the Background; Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S.A.
4. Luxurious Guestrooms Can Be Found at Hotels, Inns and B&Bs; Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S.A.
5. c/o Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Trendy Las Olas Boulevard; Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S.A.
6. The Riverwalk Leads to the Arts & Entertainment District; Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S.A.
7. c/o Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Water Taxis & Boats Traverse the Canals; Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S.A.