Ft. Lauderdale Hotel Guide

Ft. Lauderdale bills itself as the "Venice of the Americas," and not without good reason. This is a city in which water makes up a significant part of the geography.

In addition to having miles of unobstructed views of the Atlantic, the city is bisected by the Intracoastal waterway and the New River, both of which are honeycombed with finger canals.

Not surprisingly, some of the most popular places to stay are either on the water or provide easy access to it.

There are 28,000 hotel rooms in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area and prices range from budget to superdeluxe, varying with the season. From December through April, expect to pay a premium almost everywhere, although with a little searching some relative bargains can still be found a few miles inland. Other times of the year, prices are more moderate and reach the lowest point in the summer months, making the city a perfect destination for the budget-minded "off season" traveler.

Spring Break, which used to be a big factor in Ft. Lauderdale's tourist economy,is still lively, although a shadow of what it once was. Millions of dollars have been poured into redevelopment of "The Strip," a central area of the city's beachfront that was once slightly seedy and honky-tonk. Now it's been successfully reincarnated as an upscale mix of restaurants, clubs and shopping, with dozens of great places to stay clustered within easy walking distance.

Though the beach is still the city's prime draw and the focus of much of its activity, there are plenty of other things to do here year-round. Las Olas Boulevard, the Riverwalk and the Himmarshee Village historical district feature unique shops and eateries housed in charming architecture on tree-lined sidewalks and footpaths. Many hotels throughout greater Ft. Lauderdale offer vacation packages tied to favorite pastimes, such as golf, arts and museums, and diving. Boats and other water toys can be rented for personal use and deep-sea fishing trips can be chartered.

Without a car, getting around in Ft. Lauderdale can sometimes be difficult because the demand for public transportation in South Florida's commuter culture isn't strong enough to justify funding a really comprehensive transport system. But buses and a few city-operated trolleys can fill in most of the day-time gaps for non-drivers who aren't in a hurry. Taxis, while expensive, are reliable and plentiful around the clock.

And speaking of taxis, probably the most novel and certainly the most entertaining way to tour the city is by Water Taxi, a service that floats customers between designated stops for dining, shopping and nightlife. Tickets are sold one way, round-trip or for all-day cruising.

Because Ft. Lauderdale is a favorite tourist destination, it's easy to find accomodations in all price ranges that cater to those seeking a fun-loving tropical lifestyle. But business travelers, families and the more serious-minded will also find much to choose from in the way of lodgings.

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