Hotel Review: The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
Hotel Review for stay on March 5, 2022
My March 2022 cruise on Caribbean Princess took me back to my favorite port, Port Everglades. After a less than perfect stay at the Renaissance in December 2021, I wanted to give another hotel a try. I opted to choose a hotel near the beach in an area I had stayed in before. Fort Lauderdale beach has a lot to offer but for a one night stay I just took in the beautiful views and the warm weather. This was my first time staying at the Westin so I was excited to see how it would work out.
Transfer from the Fort Lauderdale Airport
In my previous visit to Fort Lauderdale, I found the ride-share area very congested with a long wait for a ride. So, for this trip I opted to simply go with a taxi. The taxi stand is right outside the baggage claim, and I waited no longer than five minutes for a taxi. If you do plan to take a taxi, I recommend printing the hotel name and address and bringing that with you as many hotel chains have multiple hotels in the area with similar names. Having the address printed makes things much easier for everybody. The cost of the taxi was $30.66 including tip and extras. The taxi I got in used the “Curb” app. I don’t know if all taxis use this app, but it worked out great. After I got into the taxi, there was a sign on the back of the seat in front of me with directions on how to download the app. In a few minutes I had it downloaded and setup. The app made the sometimes-awkward process of paying for the taxi a breeze. It was a nice drive along the beach passing by many of the famous Ft. Lauderdale sights including the International Swimming Hall of Fame. In a short time I arrived at the hotel. (As a side note the International Swimming Hall of Fame is also a supporter of the “Every Child a Swimmer program, “created to help prevent drowning incidents, raise the necessary awareness about water safety and funds swim lessons for children in underserved communities.”)
Check-in and Lobby
On arrival the hotel lobby was very busy with many guests talking loudly and pressing issues they had about getting a room. It was not a good start, but I decided to skip the wait and go explore the hotel lobby a bit. Turns out there isn’t much to see. So, I made my way back to the front desk and after a short wait, was greeted warmly and I had my room assignment pretty quickly. The hotel is actually two buildings, so make sure you know which building your room is in. The two buildings are connected by an elevated walkway. I was in the north tower building the same as the lobby and the pool. There is also a restaurant on the ground level at the front of the hotel which was very popular as it overlooks the beach.
Room
The room was showing some age, but I found it to be clean and for one night it was fine and even if I was planning an extended stay at the beach then I think this hotel would work out well. The bed was comfortable, and the desk was a good size. The room did have a safe, iron and luggage stands. The bath was really nice and included Molton Brown amenities, a large sink and plenty of towels. The view I had was not exceptional, but I could see the ocean. I’m a Lifetime Titanium Elite Marriott Rewards member, but I guess the days of getting upgraded rooms at Marriott are over. At least now I don’t feel so bad if I choose a chain outside the Marriott family.
Gym and Spa
The fitness center was better than average and there is a full-service spa as well. I don’t usually have time to take advantage of the gym before my cruise, but nice to know it’s an option. If you have time, I do recommend the spa at the hotel. It was well run and worth the money. Make sure you make a reservation in advance.
Pool
The pool area was pretty crowded, so I didn’t go out to that area, but it did look nice and was certainly popular.
Things Nearby
The Gallery at Beach Place is a comfortable walk from the hotel and has a variety of restaurants and shops. There is also a CVS Pharmacy there. Inside the CVS is an ATM. Ft. Lauderdale Beach is one of the best beaches you will find on the east coast of Florida. There is always a lot going on, beautiful views of the ocean and warm ocean breezes. If you want to enjoy the beach, I’d recommend adding an additional day to enjoy it. Don’t forget your sunscreen, it would be a shame to start your cruise with a sunburn.
Transfer to Port Everglades
I again had the coveted "Boarding Group A", meaning my boarding time was between 11:00 and 11:30 AM. This time I opted to use Lyft to get from the hotel to the port. The cost was $20.99 including tip. There was a road race happening that day so most of the road was closed along the beach. I always head out early anyway and was glad I did this time as it took longer than normal to get to the port. The driver was not very familiar with the port so I’m glad I knew where I was going. Once at the port, the normal efficiency of Port Everglades was in full swing. I handed my bags off to the porter, headed into the terminal and was all checked in within 10 minutes of arriving. I hope this never changes; I hear of such long delays at other ports. It’s a real treat to sail from Port Everglades.
Would I stay here again?
The beach area is beautiful and if you can stay at least an extra day, it would be worth it to stay here. But I usually only have the one day before the cruise so next time I’ll opt to stay closer to the port. The service is great, the rooms are a bit tired but nice and the gym and spa are excellent. You would not be disappointed to stay here.
Additional Information
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/flllw-the-westin-fort-lauderdale-beach-resort/overview/
https://www.everychildaswimmer.org
https://myfortlauderdalebeach.com/things-to-do/gallery-at-beach-place/