I just booked rooms at the Riverside Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale for one night in November and would appreciate any feedback on it. We won't be there long enough to enjoy the beach and would rather be near restaurants and evening entertainment. Also any restaurants in the vicinity (near the western end of Las Olas Blvd). Thanks!

The Riverside is a nice, quaint hotel on a beautiful stretch of Las Olas Blvd. I've never stayed at the hotel, but have been to numerous dinners and parties there. The local restaurants have changed a lot since I've been in the neighborhood (I live west of Fort Lauderdale.)

If you get to Ft Laud early enough inthe day, look into a cruise on the Carrie B, it leaves a few blocks west of the Riverside Hotel. If you get there too late for the Carrie B, take the Water Taxi through the inland waterways and stop off at some of the restaurants. You'll see some magnificent homes along the waterways and get a nice tour of Ft. Lauderdale.

If you like a fun bar, check out Howl At The Moon at Beach Place. There are loads of places to eat, drink and shop at Beach Place, and then you can walk along the beach. Near sunset would be a nice time for a walk and then stop for dinner/drinks. I think the Water Taxi runs pretty late, they have schedules. If I find their website, I'll return with the URL.

ENJOY!!!

As mentioned before, here is the URL for the Water Taxi/Water Bus:

www.watertaxi.com/FortLauderdale/FLLMap.Asp

It's very economical and has a stop at the Riverside Hotel. It also stops at the Carrie B. Go to the Map page and then click on any location for more info and links. It's a unique way to see Ft. Lauderdale. Runs until 12:30am, too.

I usually check the Fort Lauderdale postings every day or so, in case you need any other info.

I've stayed there many times, but not since they built on the addition.
Mark's Las Olas is my favorite restaurant in Florida and a couple blocks away -- but of course, also the priciest in the area.

Thanks very much for the responses. Two of us will be there mid-afternoon and will probably hop on the water taxi but the other two won't arrive until nearly 6 pm and it will be dark by then. but we'll still have fun.