20 Best Hotels in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, Florida

Husband-and-wife team Marc and Cristie Furth have run this whimsical Mexican-theme motel in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea since 1971. Across the street from family-friendly beaches, lattice fences, gurgling fountains, and gardens of cacti and impatiens provide privacy for the patio and heated pool. A Mexican-hacienda aesthetic welcomes guests to their rooms with hand-painted and stenciled furnishings and terra-cotta tiles.

This colossal 39-story, contemporary, multitower resort property sits on a 50,000-square-foot swath of Hollywood Beach and has become a destination for fun in the sun and culinary intrigue. There are about 7 bars and 10 restaurants on property, and all are excellent. There are two pools, cabanas, a kids' play area, plenty of water sports, and an oceanfront spa.

Sitting on a quarter-mile of private beach, this property shines with the luxe personality of a top-notch island resort. The full-service private beach is great for luxuriating, sunbathing, and water sports. An excellent Kids' Club keeps the little ones entertained while parents enjoy some quiet time in the adults-only heated saltwater pool. Dining outlets include the acclaimed 3030 Ocean, the fun and fresh Sea Level, and Riva. It's no wonder the property is the Marriott family's personal choice for their annual vacation.

Beaming with LED light shows that can be seen from miles away, this prominent 450-foot guitar-shaped hotel is a magnet for folks looking for Las Vegas–style entertainment (i.e., casinos that never close, clubbing, and hedonism). The newest addition to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino is outfitted with floor-to-ceiling glass panes and high-tech sound systems (and soundproofing) in each room. A large casino is just part of the story here. The Hard Rock Live presents nightly music, concerts, and shows by the top performers in the world. The 4½-acre pool complex comes replete with a jaw-dropping waterslide and a Vegas-style nightclub/dayclub, DAER. The resort features 14 restaurants ranging from the memorabilia-centric Hard Rock Cafe (wings and burgers) to Kuro, an excellent, upscale Japanese eatery.

Quietly tucked away on the beach, this seaside getaway has four buildings that offer standard rooms, studios, and bungalow suites with kitchenettes and dining areas. The expansive retro-theme lobby doubles as an art gallery featuring rotating work by local artists and a coffee and gelato shop; the space is often used for open mic or karaoke nights. Consider staying in the bungalow building for access to a quieter, private pool and glorious ocean views, especially at sunrise.

Twenty-four dramatically tiered, glass-walled stories rise from the sea, forming a resort that's helping to revive a golden age of luxury travel. The lobby and public areas sparkle with white-and-charcoal marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and leather banquettes. A lavish tropical sundeck and infinity pool gaze out over the ocean, and the Club Lounge spans an entire floor. The lobby-level restaurant-café-market-bar Burlock Coast offers superior ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows with excellent food and inspired cocktails to match. Luxury also awaits at the spa, which is a must-visit. The hotel's Club Lounge is situated such that guests can watch both the sunrise and the sunset from the balcony. Golfers have privileges at the private Grande Oaks Golf Course, where Caddyshack was filmed.

In addition to a relaxing spa, a restaurant, and a sleek fifth-floor pool overlooking the Atlantic, this towering oceanfront hotel has fantastic views of the ocean from its beds (unless, of course, you select a city view). Interiors are slightly dated, but the en suite kitchenette and oversized floor plan are great for longer stays. You can also bring dogs up to 60 pounds with you, a rare find in Fort Lauderdale.

This iconic riverboat-shaped landmark, once the Yankee Clipper, is chic yet functional, and the unobstructed ocean views and beach access set it apart from neighboring properties. The Beach Tower sits directly on the beach and the Main Tower is the only building to offer balconies on the property. The one-of-a-kind mermaid show in the Wreck Bar is worth checking out.

This nicely situated resort has identical rooms in both its marina building and its tower building; however, the latter offers superior views. Rooms tend to be on the small side, starting at 250 square feet, but the boating crowd is comfortable with close quarters. Note that the hotel fills up quickly for annual international boating events. Most year-round snorkeling and boat outfitters are found directly on the marina, and the water taxi makes regular stops here.

This tidy no-frills motel, accredited as an SSL (Superior Small Lodging), is less than a block from the ocean and comprises a two-story, colonial-style building with a second-story sundeck. Steady improvements have been made to the quiet facility, and kitchenettes are equipped with quality utensils. Rooms are cheerful and color-splashed.

For families favoring home-style comforts over resort-style amenities, Cottages by the Ocean is one of five beach-area properties run by Beach Vacation Rentals. This property offers furnished, well-equipped condo-style lodging in accommodations that take shape as refurbished cottages or condos. Units are available for daily, weekly, and monthly rental.

This highly rated family-run hotel sits on 300 feet of beachy paradise with plenty of cozy spots, two heated pools, and an atmosphere that keeps visitors coming back for more. Accommodations—poolside or oceanfront—range from standard rooms to efficiencies with kitchens to full apartments with separate bedrooms and one or two baths. Nine rooms have private balconies. There's also a two-bedroom beach house.

This oceanfront sparkler features tasteful, large suites and a fabulous sixth-floor pool deck. Rooms glow with natural light and offer luxurious amenities like marble bathroom vanities and soft linens. The family-friendly pool may have quite a few kids, but adults can easily sneak off to the prolific sunbathing areas flanking both sides of the hotel. On the ground floor, S3 (Sun, Surf, and Sand) is a popular local hangout with incredible food.

Located inside Fort Lauderdale's tallest skyscraper and featuring views of the city, neighboring Bubier Park, and the Riverwalk, this nautical-chic hotel has an eighth-floor pool complete with cozy indoor-outdoor cabanas. The property also boasts a Tesla house car available for drop-offs within two miles of the hotel.

The sprawling family-friendly Lago Mar retains its sparkle and authentic Florida feel thanks to committed owners. Brilliantly colored bougainvillea edges the swimming lagoon, and guests get direct access to a 500-foot private beach in an exclusive neighborhood. Most accommodations are spacious suites with sofas and kitchens, making them ideal for families.

Inspired by legendary singer Jimmy Buffett's lifelong search for paradise, this tropical resort is at once accessible and upscale, with an attention to detail that sets it apart from many of its neighbors. It's a utopia for families, thanks to the FlowRider Double surfing simulator, waterslide, and beach activities. But the adults-only poolscape on the roof provides a respite from all parental responsibilities. The bright, airy, and tropical decor evokes a Key West feel, and the entertainment options showcase local talent across the property's hip venues.

This bright yellow Key West–style Noble House property fuses a heritage seaside charm with understated luxury. Plus, it has Fort Lauderdale's only lazy river! More than three-quarters of the guest rooms are spacious suites, each with a separate living room area. The penthouse is out-of-control gorgeous. Pelican's beachfront is considered private, which enables the resort to offer full-service food and drink on the sand. The serene veranda extends to the edges of the property and has plenty of rocking chairs for gazing at the ocean and enjoying the breeze.

Tucked a few blocks behind Las Olas Boulevard in the residential neighborhood of Victoria Park, clothing-optional Pineapple Point is a magnificent maze of posh tropical cottages and dense foliage catering to the LGBTQ+ community and is nationally renowned for its stellar service. Amenities abound at this clandestine retreat, including four hot tubs and swimming pools, hammocks, a gymnasium, and gardens, all showered with touches of luxury and class. Units range from standard suites to individual three-story homes, often attracting the power players of the LGBTQ+ community.

Sonesta Fort Lauderdale merges trendiness with affordability in its 13-story U-shaped tower overlooking the ocean. It's easy to relax at the laid-back, sophisticated hotel, which boasts ocean views for every room. The refreshing decor in white and neutral has a bright pop of color, evoking a fun, youthful vibe throughout the property. The on-site restaurant, Steelpan, serves Caribbean-American cuisine creating an island feel that's further backed by the everlasting ocean breeze. There is a daily resort fee that covers the basics like beach chairs, towels, and bottled water; the fee includes two free welcome drinks to be redeemed at either the lobby or pool bar.

Fort Lauderdale's trendiest hotel has a glamorous poolscape, ubermodern rooms and suites, and dramatic views from every direction. It's home to not just one, but two Stephen Starr restaurants serving high-end steaks and seafood or authentic Mexican fare. It's also the most pet-friendly hotel in town. Guests are welcome to bring two of their four-legged friends weighing up to 40 pounds.