The 6 Best Hotels in Fort Lauderdale

We are the editors of SmarterTravel! Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. We dedicate our days to creating and producing expert travel content, including packing tips, general travel advice, destination inspiration, and helpful videos. Follow us across social media on YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or drop us a line to say hi at editor@smartertravel.com!

See recent posts by The Editors

Accommodations in Fort Lauderdale range from the extravagant to the comfortable with everything in between. If money is no object, consider staying at one of the best hotels in Fort Lauderdale.

The Best Hotels in Fort Lauderdale

Casual elegance defines these six Fort Lauderdale hotels where you can bask in luxury and live like a VIP. From oceanview rooms and high-end bedding to celebrity chefs and fun-filled casinos, these Fort Lauderdale luxury hotels deliver the finest stays the city has to offer.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

The 469-suite Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is one of the best hotels in Fort Lauderdale for entertainment. It offers 469 music-themed rooms and suites, plus a variety of restaurants, an entire live concert and nightlife complex, a sprawling pool and beach club, a full-service spa, and a fitness center. The resort is in the midst of a major expansion that will include a guitar-shaped hotel tower and Bora Bora-style water wonderland. Try your luck at the adjacent casino or catch a live concert or comedy show.

Amenities: Egyptian cotton sheets, guitar rental, mood lighting, HD electronics, complimentary Internet access, rock memorabilia and musical accents, spa, and a pool with 182-foot waterslide.

Book It: Get prices for the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and other Fort Lauderdale hotels

Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale

One of the best Fort Lauderdale hotels for luxury and elegance, the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale is a beachfront property with decor and amenities inspired by the sea. All 147 guest rooms and 47 suites have private balconies with ocean or Intracoastal Waterway views. Wine and dine on seafood at Burlock Coast Seafare and Spirits, or relax in a VIP cabana poolside. Escape to the serenity spa for a relaxing hot stone massage or a “cleansing ceremony” that includes exfoliation and a lymphatic-drainage massage.

Amenities: Food and drink throughout the day in the Club Lounge, marble baths, LCD panel TVs, heated infinity pool, and beachside towel and chair service.

Book It: Get prices for the Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale and other Fort Lauderdale hotels

Diplomat Beach Resort

The iconic Diplomat Beach Resort features two beachfront towers connected by a luxurious lobby with numerous dining options, including outlets by celebrity chefs Geoffrey Zakarian and Michael Schulson. A walkway connects to the Intracoastal side where more dining options can be found, along with a marina. The 1,000 rooms and suites are designed in soothing colors with dramatic views from floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel has a supervised kids’ club and an infinity pool with two cascading waterfalls. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard or arrange a fishing or sailing excursion.

Amenities: Poolside and terrace cabanas, some designed by Trina Turk; yoga on the beach; full-service spa; infinity pool; water taxi; two-story fitness center; pillowtop beds; and 10 restaurants.

Book It: Get prices for the Diplomat Beach Resort and other Fort Lauderdale hotels

Conrad Fort Lauderdale

This newly opened Fort Lauderdale luxury hotel features 290 suites with kitchens, 50-inch HDTV, marble bathrooms with tubs and separate showers, and private balconies or terraces. Four on-site restaurants offer hand-crafted signature cocktails and Mediterranean fare. The Conrad also recommends curated experiences in one-, three-, and five-hour durations to experience local food, art, culture, and history.

Amenities: In-room espresso machines, pillow menu, expansive pool terrace, 24/7 fitness center, full-service spa, and some kitchens with Sub-Zero refrigerators and Wolf touch-screen stovetops.

Book It: Get prices for the Conrad Fort Lauderdale and other Fort Lauderdale hotels

Lago Mar Beach Resort and Club

This secluded gem encompasses 10 acres in the exclusive Harbor Beach neighborhood. Renowned as one of the best hotels in Fort Lauderdale, Lago Mar has been privately owned and operated for the past 50 years. The 40 rooms and 164 suites feature pillowtop mattresses and private balconies. There’s also a full-service spa on site as well as a 500-foot private beach and a large oceanfront pool.

Amenities: Tommy Bahama-inspired furnishings, Keurig coffee makers, 24-hour room service, four tennis courts, children’s playground, watersports, and sightseeing tours.

Book It: Get prices for Lago Mar Beach Resort and other Fort Lauderdale hotels

The Pillars Hotel

A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the elegant Pillars Hotel is located right on the Intracoastal Waterway within walking distance of the beach. Some of the 18 rooms and suites are located poolside, while others are in the main plantation-style house. The Secret Garden is the hotel’s signature restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Amenities: Molton Brown toiletries, complimentary parking, luxury yacht to charter, wine cellar, marble bathrooms, Frette sheets and towels, in-room Nespresso coffee machines, spa bathrobes, and alfresco dining.

Book It: Check rates at the Pillars Hotel and other Fort Lauderdale hotels

More from SmarterTravel:

[viator_tour destination=”660″ type=”3-mod” tours=”26409P8,6273PIRATE,6795P4″]

—Original reporting by AnneMarie Mathews

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.