Usually, I’m not much of a resort person, but I had a complimentary night through a rewards program I’m in, so I decided to check in at Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale to extend my stay in the Florida sun.
It’s a beautiful hotel right by the beach, in an area very similar to Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai. Add a few more sports cars and maybe a leopard or two, and you would have The Walk JBR.
My room was facing away from the beach, so instead of white sand and clear blue water, I had a view of the canals, which wasn’t bad either. The room interiors were light yellow and white, which made the room seem sundrenched and bright, a good pick for a beachfront location. The bathroom was a little heavy on the marble-everything side, but if anyone can get away with marble-overload, it’s gotta be The Ritz.
The pool area was overlooking the beach and looked as neat and tempting as resort pool areas tend to do, and if it hadn’t been so windy, I would have gone for a swim.
I had breakfast at Burlock Coast, which is the hotel’s restaurant located on ground level, right by the beach promenade. I had a freshly squeezed juice, a croissant and a fruit bowl, which was all very nice, but I regret that I didn’t get room service instead, because on second thought, that room was made for breakfast in bed.
If you’re looking for a polished beachfront stay in Fort Lauderdale, The Ritz-Carlton is a solid choice. It’s one of those hotels that works equally well if you want full resort mode with pool, beach, and room service, or if you just want a comfortable, well located base by the ocean. I stayed here using a complimentary night through a rewards program and ended up really appreciating the light, airy rooms, the beachside location, and the calm, grown up atmosphere. If Fort Lauderdale is on your itinerary and you want something reliable with a luxury feel, this is a hotel worth considering.
