- Hotel Website: The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
- Location: Google Maps
- Book: Check availability
- Room Type: Executive Suite – Bedroom Suite, Oceanview, high floor, Balcony
- Review Score: Results of our review
- Hotel Fact: This hotel doesn’t appear old in the lobby, but the rooms are feeling it as well as the hallways between rooms.
- If you love A/C: This isn’t your place.
- Not a Luxury Hotel: The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is not on the same level as a luxury resort like The Ritz-Carlton, with its age being a “tangible presence.”
Functional and Reliable: Despite its shortcomings, the hotel is praised as a place that “gets the job done,” making it a good choice for a “quick and local work trip.”
Specific Positives: The review highlights the “top-tier” ocean views from the North Tower and the “surprisingly good” food and beverage options.
A Solid Recommendation: The hotel is ultimately recommended as a “reliable, if slightly worn, experience” that is a step above other local hotels in the area.
Not a Luxury Hotel: The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is not on the same level as a luxury resort like The Ritz-Carlton, with its age being a “tangible presence.”
Functional and Reliable: Despite its shortcomings, the hotel is praised as a place that “gets the job done,” making it a good choice for a “quick and local work trip.”
Specific Positives: The review highlights the “top-tier” ocean views from the North Tower and the “surprisingly good” food and beverage options.
A Solid Recommendation: The hotel is ultimately recommended as a “reliable, if slightly worn, experience” that is a step above other local hotels in the area.
🍸 Bar
💪 Gym
🗣️ Meeting rooms
🏊 Outdoor pool
🏖️ Beach access
🍽️ Restaurants
The Luxe Atlas Rating
Design: 10/10
Vibe: 10/10
Romantic: 9.5/10
Air Conditioning: 10/10
Room: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Location: 10/10
Gym/Fitness: 9/10
Cleanliness: 10/10
Wow Factor: 10/10
Overall Experience: 9.75/10
A Fort Lauderdale Gem That Tries Its Best: The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
When you think of Fort Lauderdale hotels, a few things probably come to mind: an intoxicating mix of ocean views, the faint scent of mildew, and a vintage air conditioning unit fighting a losing battle against the Florida humidity. It’s a specific, almost nostalgic vibe, and it’s a big reason why luxury beach hotels in this area can be a gamble. The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, however, manages to rise above the fray, even if it’s not without its quirks. It’s my go-to choice for a local work trip, and here’s why I keep coming back—despite the fact that a short walk through the hotel can feel like an Olympic event.
Arrival and The Tale of Two Towers
Pulling up to the resort, you’re immediately greeted by the most hard-working valet team in all of South Florida. They’re like ninjas in the heat, somehow managing to whisk cars away with seamless efficiency, making the first impression a smooth one.
The hotel itself is a bit of a Jekyll-and-Hyde situation, with two distinct towers. There’s the original, long-standing North Tower, home to the main lobby, and the separate South Tower, which has its own personality, and its own set of challenges.
The lobby, situated in the North Tower, is quite pleasant, with a welcoming atmosphere that makes you forget for a moment that you just spent twenty minutes navigating beach traffic. It’s clean, it’s spacious, and it leads you directly to the hotel’s pulse points.
Dining, Drinks, and the Quest for Coffee
Off the main lobby, you’ll find Lona Cocina & Tequileria, a lively and popular Mexican restaurant that also doubles as the hotel’s breakfast hub. This place is usually packed to the gills with a mix of hungry hotel guests and beachgoers who have just finished a marathon session of sunbathing. The food is decent, the atmosphere is buzzing, and it’s the perfect place to get a bite, a drink, or just soak in some of the local energy.
For the caffeine-addicted, there’s a small café on the second floor of the North Tower. If you’re not looking for it, you’ll likely miss it entirely. It’s also the gateway to an epic journey, but more on that later. If you’re staying in the South Tower, you can also access a Starbucks in the basement, but as you’ll discover, getting there is an adventure in itself.
My Room Review: Main Tower vs. The Other One
My preferred choice is always a room in the main North Tower. While the rooms here do have a slightly dated, “classic hotel” vibe to them, they’re generally comfortable and spacious. The bathrooms are on the smaller side, but they’ve got all the essentials you need.
The real showstopper in these rooms is the spectacular ocean view. You can spend hours just watching the waves roll in from your window. The one major downside, though, is the air conditioning. It’s a valiant but often futile effort, so my pro-tip is to keep your blinds shut all day to give the poor AC a fighting chance.
The rooms in the South Tower are, to be blunt, a pain to get to. If you’re traveling with luggage, you have to get on one elevator, navigate a public café where people are trying to peacefully drink their coffee, cross a long bridge to the conference area, and then get on another elevator to finally reach your floor. The rooms themselves feel even more dated, with lower ceilings that feel a bit claustrophobic. It’s a frustrating commute just to get to your room, but hey, at least you’re getting your steps in!
Amenities and Beach Access
The resort has its share of solid amenities. They have a small gift shop, a godsend for when you inevitably forget sunscreen or need a quick souvenir. The hotel also provides beach chairs, so no need to rent one, and the dedicated beach access is a huge plus.
Speaking of which, while you do have to cross a sky bridge or the main road to get to the sand, the path is well-marked and easy to navigate. The hotel even gives you towels and beach chairs, which is a nice touch.
Final Thoughts on Your Fort Lauderdale Trip
Ultimately, is this a luxury resort like the Ritz-Carlton down the street? No, absolutely not. The hotel’s age is a tangible presence, and it’s not a place you’d book for a “bougie” getaway. However, for a quick and local fun/work trip, it gets the job done. The views from the North Tower are top-tier, the food and beverage options are surprisingly good, and the location is undeniably fantastic.
If you’re visiting Fort Lauderdale as a Bonvoy member and are looking for a nice beach hotel, you really only have two options: The Ritz-Carlton or this Westin. While the Ritz is a whole other level of luxury, the Westin offers a reliable, if slightly worn, experience that’s a step above all the other hotels in the immediate area. I don’t give it a high recommendation, but I still recommend it as a solid and dependable choice for your next stay. It’s a hotel with character, in a city with plenty of character.
