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Fort Lauderdale TRAVEL GUIDE AND DEALS

No longer a rowdy spring break mecca, Fort Lauderdale charms sophisticated beach bums with luxury resorts, culinary delights, and a burgeoning cultural scene to complement the year-round outdoor activities.

Why Go

 No longer spring break central, this newly upscale resort town offers everything you require from a beach vacation – sun, sand, surf, and shopping.

Fort Lauderdale Travel Deals

Fort Lauderdale Hotels

No longer primarily stocked with mom-and-pop motels, Broward County (which includes Fort Lauderdale) has recently broadened and deepened its offerings to include more than 600 hotels and resorts, with a growing number of higher-end properties which go for over $300 per night. Though the new crop of luxury hotels is getting most of the attention, several good moderate and budget options remain.

= Smart Splurge = Great Value

Gallery ONE
Cut down on driving courtesy of the dockside Water Taxi stop and satiate your inner shopaholic at Galleria Mall, located next...

Holiday Inn Express Convention Center
Proximity to Port Everglades makes for a good pre- or post-cruise base camp; the free airport shuttle and breakfast are handy... cruise | tour

Pelican Grand Beach Resort
Smack dab on the sand at the north end of Fort Lauderdale Beach, this family-friendly condo hotel has a lazy river tubing ride... family

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
One of the first hotels to renovate as part of Fort Lauderdale’s renaissance, the Hilton’s 373 designer-furnished suites... beach | family | culinary | spa

St. Regis Resort
The latest addition to Fort Lauderdale Beach's luxury resort boom features 187 rooms inspired by vintage yachting, plus butler... smart splurge | expensive

The Pillars at New River Sound
This Small Luxury Hotel of the World, a fusion of British Colonial and island plantation style, offers in-room spa services... romantic | expensive

W Fort Lauderdale
The newest member of Starwood’s collection opens in Fort Lauderdale this October 2008. All 346 hotel rooms (and 171... luxury | beach | culinary | expensive

Tropi Rock Resort
Within walking distance from the beach, this quirky, budget-conscious charmer has a small pool, tennis courts, and... tennis | extended stay

Gallery ONE
Cut down on driving courtesy of the dockside Water Taxi stop and satiate your inner shopaholic at Galleria Mall, located next...

Holiday Inn Express Convention Center
Proximity to Port Everglades makes for a good pre- or post-cruise base camp; the free airport shuttle and breakfast are handy... cruise | tour

Pelican Grand Beach Resort
Smack dab on the sand at the north end of Fort Lauderdale Beach, this family-friendly condo hotel has a lazy river tubing ride... family

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
One of the first hotels to renovate as part of Fort Lauderdale’s renaissance, the Hilton’s 373 designer-furnished suites... beach | family | culinary | spa

St. Regis Resort
The latest addition to Fort Lauderdale Beach's luxury resort boom features 187 rooms inspired by vintage yachting, plus butler... smart splurge | expensive

The Pillars at New River Sound
This Small Luxury Hotel of the World, a fusion of British Colonial and island plantation style, offers in-room spa services... romantic | expensive

W Fort Lauderdale
The newest member of Starwood’s collection opens in Fort Lauderdale this October 2008. All 346 hotel rooms (and 171... beach | culinary | trendy | expensive

Tropi Rock Resort
Within walking distance from the beach, this quirky, budget-conscious charmer has a small pool, tennis courts, and... tennis | extended stay

W Fort Lauderdale
The newest member of Starwood’s collection opens in Fort Lauderdale this October 2008. All 346 hotel rooms (and 171... luxury | beach | culinary | expensive

Fort Lauderdale Restaurants

Gone are the days when Fort Lauderdale dining was little more than greasy-spoon diners on the budget end and surf-and-turf on the fancy end. Among the 3,500-plus local restaurants, interesting options ranging from Brazilian to Thai are springing up like porcini mushrooms all over the county. And don't be put off by a fancy restaurant in a strip mall: Outside the Las Olas pedestrian corridor, that kind of setting is pretty common. Whenever possible, call ahead and make reservations, especially at the hotter spots along Las Olas Boulevard and A1A.

= Smart Splurge = Great Value

Blue Moon Fish Co.
Watch yachts cruise by from an elegant dockside table while dining on super-fresh seafood. Sunday's brunch buffet ($29.95) is... smart splurge | seafood | waterfront

Canyon
The upscale southwestern fare (brie quesadillas, ancho chili chicken) and signature prickly-pear margaritas are best savored... romantic | southwestern

Mark at Las Olas
Mark’s impeccable wine selection, great service, and ever-changing menu of nouveau American favorites titillate all of... smart splurge | notable wine list | notable chef

Casablanca Cafe
Tropical dishes like lobster salad on Bimini bread and sautéed grouper complement the ocean views from this renovated... seafood | patio

Greek Islands Taverna
Join the locals for saganaki (brandy-flamed cheese), chicken ladoregano with lemon and olive oil, and other tasty Greek... local favorite | greek

Croissan'Time
Drool over the cases of homemade cakes, fruit tarts, quiches, and croissants while queuing up at this authentic French bakery. bakery | dessert

Le Tub
Locals groaned when Oprah discovered the divine mega-burgers at this worth-a-drive outdoor dive. Weeknights are better for... local favorite | waterfront

Blue Moon Fish Co.
Watch yachts cruise by from an elegant dockside table while dining on super-fresh seafood. Sunday's brunch buffet ($29.95) is... smart splurge | seafood | waterfront

Canyon
The upscale southwestern fare (brie quesadillas, ancho chili chicken) and signature prickly-pear margaritas are best savored... romantic | southwestern

Mark at Las Olas
Mark’s impeccable wine selection, great service, and ever-changing menu of nouveau American favorites titillate all of... smart splurge | notable wine list | notable chef

Casablanca Cafe
Tropical dishes like lobster salad on Bimini bread and sautéed grouper complement the ocean views from this renovated... seafood | patio

Greek Islands Taverna
Join the locals for saganaki (brandy-flamed cheese), chicken ladoregano with lemon and olive oil, and other tasty Greek... local favorite | greek

Croissan'Time
Drool over the cases of homemade cakes, fruit tarts, quiches, and croissants while queuing up at this authentic French bakery. bakery | dessert

Le Tub
Locals groaned when Oprah discovered the divine mega-burgers at this worth-a-drive outdoor dive. Weeknights are better for... local favorite | waterfront