Does anyone recommend or have information on any of the following 4 beachfront hotels for our May 2001 vacation? 1) Ramada Plaza Resort (Galt Ocean Dr.) 2)Ocean Manor Resort Hotel (Galt Ocean dr.) 3) Ireland's Inn Beach Resort (N. Atlantic Blvd.) 4) Best Western Beachcomber Hotel (S. Ocean Blvd.) Thanks!

Hi Linda:
Galt Ocean Drive is a bit out of Ft Lauderdale proper. Nice area definitely beachfront but you are kind of out if the loop. I don't think Ireland' Inn on North Atlantic Blvd is on the beach. What is their address? S. Ocean Blvd should give you beachfront property

Linda:
I checked the Best Western Beachcomber Resort. It is in Pompano Beach about 12 miles north of Ft Lauderdale. Looks like a great place. Right up the road from Ft. Lauderdale, if you have a car no problem. I love that area. just far away and just close enough. Hope this helps.

AC, How many miles is it from Galt Dr. to Las Olas and Beach Place, or the loop as you put it? Our main desire is to be in a nice hotel on the beach with a balcony, and be close enough to the Ft. Lauderdale restaurants and nightlife 1-3 miles. Would the Best Western be a better location? Any other suggestions? (Ireland's picture shows it on the beach 2220 N. Atlantic Blvd.)

AC - That must be a different Best Western, the address for this one is 1200 South Ocean Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 33062.

Hi Linda:
The Best Western is a really nice looking place. Looks like what you are looking for. You will be out about 15 minute drive. Galt is about a 5 minute drive. That Ramada looks like a cookie cutter but the location is closer for you. Irelands Inn I don't know at all. It must be located right on North Atlantic and A1A. The Ocean Manor is an older facility. Located pretty close to the Ramada location wise.
The stretch between Pompano and Ft. Lauderdale is easy to navigate.
I like the look of the Best Western, but if you are looking to stay closer 'to the loop' than the Ramada is it.
When I go to Greater Ft Lauderdale area I stay at Surfrider. I really don't mind being out of Ft Lauderdale proper and going downtown for the action. Hope this helps!

Linda:
Looks like we were posting at the same time. Pompano Beach is considered Greater Ft. Lauderdale. From all I look at on the web sites, I like this one the best. Good luck and I hope I helped!

Linda:
Just to add to AC's info, no hotel right in Ft. Lauderdale is directly on the beach, You have to be a bit north or south. I like the Sheraton Yankee Clipper. A bit south.5 minutes from Las Olas,etc. Alot of people use it before sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale.
I checked Best Western's web site for the Beachcomber. 1200 S. Ocean, Pompano Beach 33062. I guess it is close enough for them to consider themselves Greater Ft. Lauderdale. Have a wonderful time!

Hi Again,
Where is the Surfrider? Couldn't find it on the web. What do you mean cookie cutter (Ramada), uninteresting? Thanks for your help.

Dear Linda.Ramada at Galt Ocean Dr. is a very good choice.On the beach very ,very close to everything and quiet.Short drive or looong walk to Las Olas.Get to top of 66 for a stunning view of the city .Good luck

Hi Linda:
Cookie cutter meaning the rooms are exactly the same, no charm
I had my cousin in Pompano do some research. From farthest away from the loop--to the closest
Best Western Beachcomber
Irelands Inn
Ramada
Ocean Manor
All are pretty much the same as far as amenities. All are beachfront. Ireland's Inn is on a really busy and commercial corner. Ramada and Ocean Manor are just north of the loop but as travelman said a very long walk to Las Olas,etc.
If you are renting a car, We would base our decision on prices only. Though we both agree that the Best Western looks the best (newer). If you are interested in staying in the heart of everything with no driving involved, you will not be directly on the beach. You will have to cross the street (A1A). A bit further south and less of a walk are a few beachfront hotels (but not many).
Greater Ft. Lauderdale incorporates a few towns like North Lauderdale, Laderdale by the Sea, Pompano, Lighthouse Point. So let me know if you are interested in staying a bit closer and we can do a bit more research for you. Hope this helps. (or have we confused you completely?)

Dear AC,

I really appreciate your help. I like the idea of a nice quiet highrise on the beach with plenty of ammenities. We will have a rental car, so driving a short jaunt to town won't be a problem as long as there is parking available?

Thanks again.

Dear Travelman,

Where is the "top of 66"?

Hi Linda:
Glad to help. I love Ft Lauderdale!
Top of 66 is the top of a hotel called Pier 66 in the heart of Ft Lauderdale. Kind of exclusive but go there for a drink at sunset. You'll love it.
Best Western has parking available, no problem. Parking in Ft Lauderdale is off A1A in lots or on street. (Remember not to leave valuables in sight and lock the doors)
Hope that you have a great time. May is a great time to be there. Post a note when you return.

Thanx AC .Its Pier 66.Linda if you get a chance get a boat ride at Kolb nature center near Davie.

Up for Scott's question about Ft Lauderdale Hotels.

We stayed at Ireland's for one night in early October prior to leaving on a cruise. We stayed in the "south" building which is very old on the outside but the inside of the room was great. It was very large and clean, had a round, wooden dining table with comfy chairs, floor to ceiling windows, separate bathroom and separate sink area with ironing board, refrig, etc. etc. The best part...one door opens onto the your own patio which steps down onto the beach-really spectacular. The other door opens onto the pool. We got a great rate (seventy nine a night) and really enjoyed ourselves. The main building, which has recently been renovated, is several stories high and looks very, very nice. The lobby is brass and wood, the hotel has a three or four star restaurant which is excellent, they have a small disco/lounge with free appetizers and a cute outdoor/on the beach bar/restaurant. The offer free snorkeling lessons and have a second larger pool connected to the main building.
The front of the hotel is right off the main street but we didn't get any noise on the beach side.

-
Linda:

The Ramada Plaza Resort & the Ocean Manor Resort are right next to each other on Galt Ocean Drive.

I stayed at the Ramada for a long weekend in November. At that time, many of the rooms were being renovated; the workmen on the balcony were a bit annoying --- you can imagine my surprise when I came up to the room from breakfast to see a guy sawing a plank on my balcony. BUT by the time you'll be there in May, they'll should be all complete with the renovations (good news for you if you decide to stay here!).

What I enjoyed about the Ramada (and is also true about Ocean Manor) is that they are DIRECTLY on the beach.
You walk out the back of the Ramada on to a patio area where you can eat --- then there's the swimming pool with lots of lounge chairs around --- walk down a few steps and there you are on the sand!

Another thing that I liked about the location of both hotels on Galt Ocean Drive, was that you could walk down the street to a grocery store to pick up a few items or the McDonald's or a Dunkin Donuts (much cheaper to get your coffee & a bagel than hotel breakfast prices). If you stay at the Ocean Manor, I think they have suite rooms which have a small fridge.

As for the parking at the Ramada, I think it's mostly valet & costs $5 per day. I didn't have a rental car, as there were other folks staying there that I travelled with.

Do note however, the Ramada balconies don't face the ocean directly; rather they all have side views. As for the Ocean Manor Resort, I think that they did have rooms that faced the Atlantic directly, as well as some that faced the parking lot; so make sure you know what you're getting if you reserve with them.

For those budget travelers that don't need a balcony overlooking the sea - The new Fort Lauderdale Beach Hostel has dorm beds for $17.00. It is only 200 meters from the beach. It is near Ireland's Hotel.

Traveling to ft. lauderdale first week of april with a hockey team of 14 year olds and families. Booked into the Clarion Beach Hotel. Are we within walking distance of anything for nightlife. Any comments on the hotel?