The Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa is Marriott's upscale property on Ft. Lauderdale Beach.  It's one of the few resorts on Ft. Lauderdale's beach that is actually directly ON the beach, which makes this a great location.  I've stayed here years ago and only recently made it back for a 'walk through'.  I took some pictures of the common areas to give everyone an idea of the personality of the place.  It looks like they recently had some renovations as it looks up to date. 

We entered the property via the beach.  We were there a bit early in the morning...so it was empty.  My only concern was that there was a LOT of seaweed on the beach.  I'm hoping that Marriott combs the beach regularly and maybe we were just too early.  There are cabanas to rent and they were not available yet.  They looked well worth the rental fee as you get some shade and not just a place to lay.

 
(Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa - left  ; Marriott's beach - right.)

Next we came to the pool area.   It's a good sized pool and lots of places to lay out.  One thing I did notice is that they are doing a bit of construction just off the pool.  It looks like they are building additional ballrooms that will overlook the beach.  The construction also looked like it was interfering with their waterfall feature.  It wasn't working and there was actually some nasty water in one of the ponds.  Ick.  My suggestion would be to drain it and put some potted plants in it until it's working again.

I would have thought that the pool would have been a little more 'interesting' since this is Marriott's only resort on Ft. Lauderdale beach.  They had a changing room and a game room for the kids.  They also had a few VIP looking beds you could lay by the pool on.


(The Marriott Harbor Beach Resort Pool)


(Interesting 'beds' by the pool.)

The inside of the hotel is very nice.  The spa is close to the pool entrance and there are 2 restaurants off the main lobby upstairs.  The lobby isn't huge, but has plenty of places to sit and relax.  They have a fresh tropical scent all though the place which is really nice.  For those of you coffee lovers....there is even a full Starbuck's to get your coffee fix.  The lobby bar is just off of the 3030 Ocean restaurant.  I've heard some great things about that place too.


(Marriott Harbor Beach Resort Lobby view.)


(Starbuck's inside the Marriott)


(Marriott gift shop.)


(Marriott lobby bar.)


(3030 Ocean Restaurant entrance just off the Marriott lobby.)


(3030 Ocean Restaurant Bar...almost an extension of the Lobby Bar.)


(3030 Ocean Restaurant - dining room.)

A little past the 3030 Restaurant is the more 'casual' eatery called Riva.  They serve Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.  The weekend breakfast buffet was $19.95 which seems to be the 'normal' price for all Florida Beach Hotel breakfast buffets.  (Your Marriott-Hilton type places.) 


(Riva Restaurant entrance - Marriott Harbor Beach)


(A little peek inside Riva.)

I noticed a sign for their Thanksgiving Buffet at Riva.  At $75 each, I'm wondering if they are all booked up.  The $75 price tag is for one adult.  Kids are $37.50.  If you are thinking of hitting this place for their Thanksgiving Buffet, you probably should give them a call ASAP.  It's only a few weeks away. 



The valet waiting area looks very stylish.  The music was calming and everyone was very friendly.  That's important since it's the first impression you get of the property when you arrive.


(Marriott Harbor Beach Valet waiting are, hotel entrance.)

Overall, this is still a nice property.  My only suggestion to Marriott would be to start working on the pool area.  They are becoming more and more the focal point of beach resorts.  Sure...you're on the beach, but lots of people still love a pool.  I hope next time I visit, I can get to see one of the rooms.  This resort is close enough to the main 'Ft. Lauderdale Strip' to let you partake in all the excitement...but it's far enough away to enjoy a relaxing vacation.  With oceanfront rooms and a property directly ON the beach, it's a win-win.