Everyone is talking about 'stay-cations' this year...so I decided to check around and see what kind of deals were out there.  I ended up finding a great rate at the Ft. Lauderdale Beach Hilton Resort (AAA Rate).  The resort sits right on A1A between Sunrise Blvd and Las Olas Blvd.  It's next door to the as-yet-to-open Trump Towers and the awesome W Hotel.  Hilton opened the property about 2 years ago...so it's fairly new.

First of all, I should state that this is a 'condo-hotel'.  This simply means that people own the units and put them into a 'pool' of hotel rooms when they want to rent them out.  This is the hot new concept that started about five years ago and seems to work well.  This also means that there are a limited supply of rooms from time to time....depending on when you are looking. 


I booked a 'King Oceanview Suite with a Pullout sofa bed' for two nights and got a pretty good rate for being directly on the beach in a new property.  About $300 which included tax seemed like a great deal..especially with the room-type description.  The one down-side...parking.  This property has Valet only...which runs $29.50 per night.  I guess if you are flying into town...you can take a taxi and won't need to worry.  For those of you with a car...the $$ can add up.

The staff upon check-in was very friendly and accommodating.  Check-in took about 10 minutes.  Getting up to the room...there was actually two 'locked' doors to go through for our room.  It seems that the room booked is really a two bedroom suite...but they break it out into a studio suite and one bedroom suite.  I got the one bedroom suite.  GREAT choice!  Let me just say...the room is AWESOME! 

(Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Beach lobby)

The suite comes with a FULL KITCHEN.  Not a kitchenette, not a microwave with a mini-fridge.  A FULL KITCHEN with done in granite and stainless steel appliances.  REAL appliances...a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer, a stove/range, a microwave and a dishwasher.  They don't have any utensils or flatware waiting for you...but you can contact guest services and they bring it right up to you.



(Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Beach full kitchen)

The bathroom is HUGE!  Not only is there a jacuzzi/spa tub, but there is a huge walk-in shower with one of the best shower heads in a hotel I've seen.  There are two sinks as well...but no separate 'vanity' area.



(Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Beach bathroom)

This particular suite has a separate living area with a LCD TV, a pull-out sofabed and a chair.  While the sofabed isn't that comfortable (what sofabed is)...it is really a great option. 

(Living room)


(Living room with pull out sofabed.)


(Bedroom with separate balcony overlooking the ocean)

There is also a wrap-around balcony that offered views of downtown Ft.Lauderdale and the beach.  There is also another small balcony off thebedroom with views of the Trump Tower and the beach.
(View from living room...wrap around balcony offers city/Intercoastal and ocean views.)


(Downtown Ft. Lauderdale and Intercoastal...view from balcony)


(Ocean view from main balcony..and bedroom balcony)

There is internet service in the room at a cost of $13.95 per 24 hours.  There was a problem with the ethernet cable.  It wasn't long enough to use the laptop on the desk if you have the ethernet port on the left side of your laptop.  There is Wi-Fi, but it's not the best connection.  This is the only real complaint I have in the room.  However...when it was mentioned to the front desk staff upon check-out, they waved the 2-day fee!  They were a bit hesitant at first (all hotels do that)..but they checked the log and saw that a complaint was phoned in on the first day of the stay.  That was great customer service.

There are two restaurants on property.  The more 'casual' bakery is located beach level and serves everything from pastries to pizza.  They serve coffee and have some basic grocery items for sale as well.  The main restaurant is located on the 6th floor next to the pool entrance and workout room.  They had dinner buffets each night, but didn't splurge for the $35 price tag (includes tax and tip).  The restaurant looked well decorated and the prices were around the mid-to-upper range...at least for the beach.  Oh...they also offer 24 hour room service with a limited menu. 

(Le March - bakery, coffee, pizza and sandwiches)


(Outside dining at restaurant  - 6th floor  - Ilios Restaurant)

The pool was a little small, but it was laid out very nicely.  The restaurant had outside seating next to the pool as well. 

(Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Beach pool)


(View from the 6th floor pool area.)

Overall...the Ft. Lauderdale Beach Hilton Resort is an awesome property.  It's well worth the price and the service stands up to any of the more high-brow resorts around.  It would be a great place for a family to stay for a week vacation, since you can save some money on food....buy groceries and eat in a few times.  The Hilton will even do your grocery shopping if you want!

Check out the video taken on the wrap around balcony: