Ft Lauderdale Lago Mar is it worth it?
 

We're going to Ft Lauderdale, Florida in July and are thinking about staying at the Lago Mar resort. It costs $250/night for a 2 bd rm suite. We have 3 children ages 14, 13, 10. I don't mind spending the money if the place is really fantastic. Does anyone have any experience there? We are looking for an exceptional resort on the beach. (A good value would be a bonus). Are there any really great resorts any where along that coastal area? or a better value?

We have stayed at the Lago Mar many times, and also at Marriott Harbor Beach next door. Here is how I see it; Lago is a beautiful resort and the suites are very nice and big-great for a family and a good value.The resorts pools are both nice-especially the lagoon pool.The stretch of beach it is on is the best-you can also walk down the beach about 1/4 mi. and watch cruise ships come and go. There is a nice outside restaurant and bar (expensive), a small game room for kids(nothing great), a soda shop, mini-golf.Band plays by the pool weekends from 4-7. However, my kids (teenagers) think the place has a "stuffy" feel to it. They enjoy the Marriott Harbor Beach better because it is larger and has a llot more going on including more nitelife (none at Lago). The pool area here is also gorgeous.So, if I bring all my 3 kids again, we would probably go for the Marriott,but you give up the spacious accomodations that you have at Lago.Value wise, Lago is better. At the Marriott we allshared 1 room- there were 2 beds and a pullout sofa. Its a tough choice.

Thanks for a great evaluation. I appreciate your taking the time.

It's nice and clean but too old.

Almost forgot to mention something that we didn't find out about until check-in at the Lago(Feb.2002).As much as we love the place they had a new rule (which we didn't follow) that children under 21 cannot stay or go to the rooms by themselves.Our kids were 15, 17 and 20-can you imagine not being able to stay in the room by themselves!They did anyhow, and noone ever said anything, but still it is a reason you may not want to choose here. As for the place being old-it has all been recently redone, including health spa-it is beautiful.

We have stayed @ Lago Mar several times over a 3year pperiod w/ our sons who are now 14 & 15. They love the place! The mini putt, volleyball, pools & beach keep them busy enough. They love having dinner on the outdoor patio in the evening. They also get a big kick out of Los Olas & especially Louie Louie.We always have at least one dinner @ Charlie's Crab on the intracoastal. We take cabs everywhere.<BR> <BR>Some of the rooms @ Lago Mar have been renovated . We always stay in the 2 BR oceanfront Deluxe. We were there in Feb 2001 & our suite had not been renovated @ that time. It cld. use a major refurbishment but it's OK. The beachfront location is excellent so we overlooked the 'tired' condition of the suite! The 2 single beds in the 2nd bedroom are tiny, tiny, tiny! The bedrooms in the 2 BR Oceanfront Deluxe do not overook the beach. They overlook the parking lot or the property next door. I have not seen any other 2 BR Oceanfront Deluxe suites @ Lago Mar. However, I did speak w/ front desk about moving to one that had bedrooms overlooking beach & was told that there were none ( i.e., in the 2 BR units)<BR>The living room is spacious, the suite has 3 full bathrooms, 3 TV's & the kitchen which we only used for breakfast was well equipped. <BR>We plan to return b/c the location is spectacular! (we also need the space so Marriott Harbour Beach does not work for us.) Let us know what you decide.

We need the space too. Thanks for all the details. I plan to make a reservation at the Lago Mar. (PS Finally the kids are old enough to leave in the room alone for a while...I plan to ignore the rule as well!!)