11 Best Beachfront Hotels in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, with lots of Floridian sunshine and a sandy Atlantic coast, was the party mecca of 80s America. The scene is the same today, but the vibe has been updated with chic marinas and piers, luxury condos, amazing nightlife spots and dining establishments, and malls. However, the beautiful beaches remain the same, complete with sparkling blue waters and tons of water activities like scuba diving, jet skiing, paragliding, and more. It’s no surprise that you’ll find amazing options for an oceanfront/beachfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on the beach. These hotels, which lie just steps away from the beach or the canals, range from all-suite resorts to chic and boutique beachfront abodes. Moreover, they sit either on the sand or just across it on the iconic A1A, which is one of the world’s most scenic drives.

If you’re visiting the ‘Venice of America,’ beachfront living is the only way to live! Besides, they all specialize in beach dreams and amazing pool scenes. To that end, the best oceanfront and beachfront hotels in Fort Lauderdale, FL, by the beach.

Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach

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We begin with one of the best cheap Fort Lauderdale hotels, the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach. This beachfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale sits on the expansive shores of Fort Lauderdale Beach. So, the best rooms offer sweeping ocean views from their private furnished balconies. On the inside, the clean and minimalist white color scheme lends them a light, airy feel, while mod-cons such as mini-fridges and Keurig coffeemakers make your stay comfortable. Downstairs, the outdoor terrace with the pools and the pool bars is the perfect place to unwind on cabanas and loungers. What’s more, the beach lies right across the road, and the hotel provides beach chairs and towels as well. Afternoons are best spent at the spa indulging in a soothing massage or a body treatment that’s sure to leave you refreshed. Wind up the day at one of the restaurants, which serve delicious Floridian fare.

W Fort Lauderdale

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It’s hard to go wrong with the party-centric W Fort Lauderdale, a chic and sexy oceanfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In a town known for its party-hard atmosphere, this hotel is one of the highlights, especially its pool scene. The aptly named Wet Deck is one of the best hotel pools In Fort Lauderdale, complete with a social atmosphere, cabanas and loungers, a poolside bar, and a DJ spinning tunes. Thanks to their open, minimalist designs and gorgeous sea views, you’ll also love the rooms and suites. In fact, some of the best suites even have balconies with sun loungers, where you can enjoy room service and gaze out to the sea.

Aside from the above, the hotel has a quieter and more secluded intercoastal pool courtyard, three amazing restaurants, and a glamorous lounge bar. And, of course, the corniche and the beach is right across the street, where you can lounge on a daybed under an umbrella all day long.

The Ritz-Carlton

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The Ritz-Carlton is not just a fabulous beachside hotel, but it’s also one of the best luxury hotels in Fort Lauderdale. From the moment you arrive, everything about the sumptuous, opulent, and nautically-inspired hotel will soothe you. The rooms and suites have views of either the beach and the ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway and boast restrained Art Deco décor. What’s more, they also have lavish mother-of-pearl and marble bathrooms, modern amenities, and gorgeous balconies with alfresco seating.

Downstairs at the oval infinity pool, you can enjoy a swim, followed by impeccable poolside service at the cabanas or lounges. The beach is a short minute’s walk down from the pool area, with it overlooking the beach. Besides a fitness center, the luxurious spa with sea salt detox treatments, wooden Swedish saunas, and marbled massage rooms is just the ticket for a relaxing holiday. Wind up the day at an amazing restaurant that serves exquisite cocktails, whiskeys, and fresh seafood. 

Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club

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If you’re looking for a spa-centric oceanfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale, FL, then head straight to the Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club. What’s more, it’s also a family-centric hotel and sits on 500 feet of a private beach. In fact, if you were to jump from the balcony of one of the ocean-view rooms and suites, you’ll land right on the beach! Even the pool area with the freeform pool sits right on the beach so that you can walk right from the pool to the sand. There is a wealth of activities and amenities besides the graceful lagoon-style lush pool. Lounge on the daybeds at the beach or play beach volleyball.

Afternoons are best spent at the European-style spa, which has some divine massages and body treatments. Back at the hotel, everyone will enjoy the fare at the onsite modern American bistro restaurant. What can you do post-dinner? While the kids happily slurp delicious ice cream sundaes, the adults can enjoy a drink (or two) at the chic wine cellar lounge.

Pelican Grand Beach Resort

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If romance is what you’re looking for, head to the Pelican Grand Beach Resort, one of Fort Lauderdale’s most romantic hotels. This best beachfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale sits on a secluded stretch of the strip, far from the bustle of the busy entertainment district. So, it makes for the perfect spot for a romantic weekend away. Choose from a host of elegant guest suites with minimalist driftwood decor, loveseats, and plush wrought-iron beds. Moreover, French doors open onto private verandahs where you can enjoy a private and intimate dinner with the 24/7 in-room dinner service.

The boutique rooftop spa is where you should be when you feel like unwinding. Or, you could head to the zero-entry pool at the beachside courtyard, complete with a gently flowing river and views of the private beach. In fact, you can walk down the wooden walkway right to the beach, where you can relax on sun loungers. Finally, the intimate alfresco dining patio at the seaside restaurant with unobstructed ocean views makes for the ultimate place to enjoy a romantic meal. 

The Pillars Hotel

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If you’re looking for a boutique oceanfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, then The Pillars Hotel might just be what you want. This best beachfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale, which is one of Ft. Lauderdale’s best boutique hotels, has a beach-cottage feel to it, especially since it sits on the Intracoastal Waterway. Since it has just 18 rooms and suites, staying here makes for a very intimate and exclusive experience. Add to that the fact that the Intracoastal Waterway is right out front, and you have a fabulous place to stay right on the water.

The rooms boast 1930s Art Deco design elements and classic colonial architecture, soft pastel hues, and furnished balconies overlooking the water. Downstairs, you can relax in the picturesque hotel pool courtyard, studded with bright tropical flowers and swaying palms. Later on, enjoy a meal at the exclusive Secret Garden dining club with spectacular sunset views and an extensive international wine selection.

The Atlantic Hotel & Spa

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The Atlantic Hotel & Spa, which sits across from Street Terramar Beach, sits in the heart of the city’s beach zone and sets the standard for luxury. The rooms and suites here feature a beautiful, ocean-inspired cream and blue color palette and expansive sea views from the large balcony windows. The large marble bathrooms, deep-soaking bathtubs, and well-equipped kitchenettes make a living here all the more memorable. If you leave these amazing digs, the fifth-floor terrace has a sparkling pool with a marbled pool bar. It’s perfect for all the languorous unwinding and boozing by the ocean.

The Spa Atlantis is just as it sounds – pampering, relaxing, and rejuvenating to the last bit. Gourmands will love the stylish restaurant with the scenic alfresco terrace that serves delicious Italian fare and seafood. The best bit? The beach is right across the road! It’s no wonder it’s one of the best Hotels in Fort Lauderdale.

Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach

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The Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach is the best extended-stay oceanfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The amenities here will certainly use up all your days in the city. Think about this; a sixth-floor pool deck with dive-in movies and poolside cocktails, 24/7 room service, and two restaurants serving continental fare and local delights. What’s more, the all-suite oceanfront resort has just 290 rooms, making it one of the most intimate large hotels along the Fort Lauderdale coastline. Moreover, they all come with full gourmet kitchens, cloud-like beds, plush mod-cons, and the crown jewel – a waterfront balcony with comfy sofas and daybeds. Down at the beach, just down a flight of stairs from the pool deck, you can indulge in sunrise yoga classes or lounge on the beach chairs under an umbrella with a drink in your hand.

B Ocean Resort

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Travelers looking for a unique yet budget-best beachfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale will love B Ocean Resort. This historic beachfront resort, which dates back to 1956, sits facing both the New River and the ocean and retains its kitschy 1950s vibes. There’s even a reservation for the mermaid and mimosa-filled brunch at the onsite restaurant, so you know it will be one amazing by-the-sea vibe here. You’ll love the B’s Wreck Bar, where you can enjoy the entertainment with delicious drinks and food too. Rooms and suites have flatscreen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, private bathrooms, and free Wi-Fi too. Since it sits right on Fort Lauderdale beach, stepping off the property means setting foot right on the sands of the mesmerizing beach. Besides two pools at the property, the hotel also provides food and beverages from the comfort of beach loungers. 

Plunge Beach Resort

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If quiet vibes are what you’re looking for, then the Plunge Beach Resort is the best oceanfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This beachfront boutique resort sits in a 1950s motel on Lauderdale-By-The-Sea beach, so the retro beachside touch is sure to leave you with some cool memories. On the inside, the spaces are all stylish and up-to-date. For instance, rooms and suites all feature cloud-like beds, 50-inch HDTVs, and fun, each-inspired decor like graffiti, chalkboards, and beach balls. If you’re looking to splurge, the suites even have kitchenettes and furnished balconies with ocean views. With its three onsite restaurants and oceanfront location, you’ll never feel like leaving the hotel – there’s even a Starbucks! Spend your days soaking up the sun on the beach right outside the resort.

Royal Blues Hotel

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What luxurious beach holiday is complete without a Relais and Chateau stay? Behold the Royal Blues Hotel Relais & Chateaux, one of the best beach hotels in Fort Lauderdale. This oceanfront escape sits on Deerfield Beach and is worth the splurge, especially since it’s Florida’s only Relais and Chateaux property! This art-driven seaside haven blends 1960s Americana and modern seaside style in an understated way.

Mod-cons such as digital temperature-controlled showers, Japanese-style bidets, and digital blackout blinds are decked out in every room, making for an incredible staying experience. Dining is an equally fantastic experience, thanks to the lounge and restaurant, but the water-based fun is the highlight here. You’ll find an outdoor pool and a swim spa at the property. Do you want to spend a day at the beach? It’s a hop, skip, and jump from your room, complete with complimentary umbrellas, chairs, and towels.

Recommended Beach Bars/Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale

• Lulu’s Bait Shack: This amazing Cajun-themed bar sits on the second floor of the Beach Place gallery and boasts great views of the beach and ocean. Drinks are served in bear mugs, souvenir bikini glasses, souvenir hurricane glasses, souvenir fishbowls, and hand-carved coconuts. They have not only a large selection of cocktails that come in their quirky cups but also a variety of draft beers and wines.
• Quarterdeck Seafood Bar: Ocean is the theme – and the menu inspiration – at this Las Olas Boulevard bar and restaurant. The beachside location sits perfectly with the ocean-themed decor, such as wall art, an aquarium in the middle of the restaurant, and a wood planks ceiling. Try the fresh Mahi sandwich, stone crab chowder, and fried calamari.

Recommended Things To Do in Fort Lauderdale

• Fort Lauderdale Guided Snorkeling Reef Tour and Lesson: There’s something unforgettable about snorkeling, and when you do it in the gorgeous waters off Fort Lauderdale, it’s even more special. This tour allows you to learn the basics of snorkeling and discover the vibrant reefs off of Fort Lauderdale in a guided tour. Check out the local marine life and learn about the seabed and the ocean from your instructor.

Best Beach Areas in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is Miami’s quieter and more elegant cousin and is famous for its pristine beaches and the winding Intracoastal Waterway. That’s why it’s dubbed the “Venice of America,” as it’s the only place in Florida where you can enjoy a sunny morning on the beach and glide past yachts in a gondola just an hour later. So, which are the best beach neighborhoods to stay in in Fort Lauderdale?

We begin with Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, home to some of the best beachfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale, FL, options. LBTS, as it’s popularly called, has a quaint beach town vibe reminiscent of a 1940s Old Florida postcard. So, the best beach hotels in Fort Lauderdale’s LBTS are indie hotels and B&Bs, not your four/five-star chains. That’s what makes this place so authentic and enchanting. Secondly, Central Beach has all bells and whistles options for an oceanfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Most beach hotel in Fort Lauderdale’s Central Beach have amenities like dive bars, spas, rooftop or seaside pools, and the like.

Harbordale on the Stranahan River and Lake Mabel is perfect for cruise passengers and those who want to tour the Everglades, one of the top things to do in Fort Lauderdale. The beach might be a taxi ride away, but it’s certainly home to many an oceanfront hotel in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Do you have a short layover in Florida but still want to stay at the beach? Consider Dania Beach, home to many best hotels near Fort Lauderdale airport.