Best Family Hotels in Fort Lauderdale

Located right on Fort Lauderdale's beach, the lemon-yellow (oddly shaped) Atlantic Hotel & Spa is all about the views. Along with balconies facing the ocean or city, another guest favorite is the kitchenette – stocked with a minifridge, a two-burner stove and a microwave – that comes with each room. In addition to the well-equipped accommodations, recent guests also praise the hotel's efficient and amicable staff. After visitors get their fill of staring at miles of sand and surf (if that's even possible), they can seek rejuvenation at the property's 24-hour fitness center and spa or take a dip in the waterfront pool. Or, guests can simply soak up the sun at the beach, which is merely steps away. However, be prepared to pay. Daily parking fees at this Preferred Lifestyle outpost are steep, but most guests say the location is completely worth the splurge. To cut costs, iPrefer loyalty program members can use points while staying here.

Its ultra-convenient location at the edge of the Intracoastal Waterway makes the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina a popular rest stop for cruise-liner crowds and business travelers. This Hilton is also 4 miles from Fort Lauderdale Beach (which can be reached by the hotel's complimentary beach shuttle), a plus for recent visitors who added a few extra days to their trip to enjoy the city. Past guests recommend asking for a room with a marina view to avoid noise from the 17th Street Causeway. However, even with the scenic views, guests are disappointed with the poor conditions of the rooms that are in need of some upgrades (as well as a good cleaning). While here, visitors are also welcome to take advantage of the hotel pool and various dining options. Nanking, the hotel's sushi restaurant, was especially popular with prior travelers. And if you're a Hilton Honors member, you can earn or use points here.

Like its name suggests, this hotel caters to the cruise crowd with its prime location near the Fort Lauderdale cruise terminal. According to those who have stayed here, the location can't be beat. However, high room rates combined with pricey extras (like $25 per day self-parking and daily Wi-Fi fees that range between $9.95 and $13.95) earn this Renaissance property fairly tepid reviews from recent visitors. Each accommodation comes equipped with signature Revive bedding, flat-screen TVs and deluxe bath products. Additionally, visitors will find an outdoor pool, a fitness center and Bistro 17 and R Lounge, which serve American fare. Cruisers in particular really appreciate the cruise port shuttle available to guests. Plus, Marriott Bonvoy members can use or earn reward points here.

Situated in Pompano Beach, Florida, about halfway between Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale near the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa caters to vacationers and business travelers looking for a quiet getaway. The property boasts an outdoor pool, a whirlpool and a full-service spa. For business travelers, the resort offers two meeting rooms, with the largest venue able to accommodate up to 300 people. Whether traveling for business or for pleasure, most guests say the resort's proximity to uncongested beaches and excellent customer service were the highlights of their trip. Guests were just as complimentary of the great condition of the rooms, all of which feature balconies that overlook the resort grounds or ocean, as well as flat-screen TVs, minifridges and marble bathrooms with Bath & Body Works toiletries. Some recent travelers felt slighted by fees for parking and Wi-Fi, but as part of the Marriott brand, members of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program can earn or use points here. 

Easily accessible from I-595 and a 12-mile drive to Fort Lauderdale Beach, the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale-Plantation Hotel makes a convenient home base for those looking to visit this part of Florida. And only 11 miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, this Renaissance outpost also caters to redeye travelers. Guests like the contemporary look of the hotel and appreciate the clean and comfortable guest rooms, which feature crisp blue and white decor, Aveda bath products, flat-screen TVs and high-speed internet access (for a fee). The in-house restaurant, Bin 595 Eclectic Grille & Wine Bar, also earns praise for its top-notch international cuisine. Additionally, there's a spacious fitness center and an outdoor pool that overlooks the adjacent lake. But most of all, travelers love the high level of customer service offered here, describing the hotel staff as friendly and helpful. What's more, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn or cash in reward points while staying here.

Situated about 19 miles west of downtown Fort Lauderdale, the Bonaventure Resort & Spa is bit of an inconvenient commute for those with plans to hit the beach. But it is a great choice if you want to explore the nearby Sawgrass Recreation Park or the Everglades. However, this property caters more to business travelers with ample meeting space and four restaurants, including the AAA Four Diamond-rated Ireland's Steakhouse. And when it comes time to take a break from work, test your game on the rolling fairways of the Bonaventure Country Club. If you're not much of a golfer, past guests recommend booking a massage or body treatment at the in-house spa or securing a spot next to one of the hotel's four pools for an afternoon in the sun. The Bonaventure's colonial-style guest rooms include marble bathrooms, iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs and even bidets. Although minutes away from one of Fort Lauderdale's top attractions, the close proximity to Sawgrass Recreation Park's swampy environment has been known to linger into the property. Some recent guests reported encountering a musty smell in their rooms, as well as bugs. Keep in mind, it's location far from the city's beaches make it much cheaper than accommodations on the shore.

Sandwiched between the Stranahan River and the beach, Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club has a primo locale away from the chaos of the strip. Rooms here are filled with cushy, Tommy Bahama-style furnishings, flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations and complimentary high-speed internet access. Guests suggest splurging on an oceanfront suite to enjoy the breathtaking views. Meanwhile, the resort's private stretch of shoreline is popular for its chaise lounges and hammocks, as well as its activities available to children. After a long day spent in the sand and the sun, refresh your skin with a treatment at the on-site spa. And when you start to feel peckish, grab a bite at one of the four on-site dining options. Cruisers stand to benefit from this resort's location, being less than 3 miles from Port Everglades and 7 miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Keep in mind that you'll need a car to reach most destinations though.

Located down the street from the Bonnet House and just a few steps from the beach, this ultra-modern resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, receives high praise from travelers for its picturesque ocean views. But past visitors had mixed feelings about the property's decor: Some found the trendy neon touches (especially in the lobby) to be a bit over the top, while others said the atmosphere was tasteful and unique. The Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach's facilites also feature an outdoor pool, a fitness center and the highly acclaimed Bistro, which serves casual American fare. When it's time to sleep, recent guests were pleased that rooms come stocked with minifridges, flat-screen TVs, upscale bath amenities and Keurig coffee makers. However, for complimentary services like in-room Wi-Fi access and two welcome drinks, guests are charged a $20 (plus tax) daily resort fee.