Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale (By an Area Local)

Let’s look closer at exactly where to stay in Fort Lauderdale during your next visit, depending on your travel goals: 

7 Best Areas to Stay in Fort Lauderdale

Downtown Fort Lauderdale or Fort Lauderdale Beach? Which is right for you? That’s the question travelers typically ask themselves when selecting a place to stay in Fort Lauderdale – and it’s a good question to ponder. After all, these are the two districts with the most hotels catering to visitors.

However, what most people don’t consider is the option of staying in the outlying cities that make up the greater Fort Lauderdale area. Sure, they aren’t technically within Fort Lauderdale city limits. But, as a local, I can tell you most folks consider it all pretty much the same anyway. 

So, before you book your trip, consider the entirety of Fort Lauderdale (downtown vs the beach) PLUS the nearby cities I’ve listed below.

Fort Lauderdale Beach – Central Beach

👉 Best Area for Nightlife & Beach Days | ✨ Best Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotels: Conrad • Ritz Carlton • The Lago Mar Beach Resort

A rooftop pool, spa, beach resort, dive bar, or a Fort Lauderdale hotel with all the amenities, bells, and whistles (like my #1 hotel pick: Conrad). Whatever it is you’re looking for, you’ll find it located in Fort Lauderdale’s Central Beach.

This area is truly the epicenter of tourism in Fort Lauderdale and the atmosphere reflects it. The beach is lively, the streets are busy, and the dive bars are oddly full at all times of the day.

If you’re a family, I recommend not staying in this area during certain times of the year, particularly college spring break. However, that’s not to say this isn’t an awesome place to stay outside of that wild month.

Pros of Staying in Fort Lauderdale Beach:

• Walk across the street for beach access
• Many boat tours leave right from Bahia Mar Marina
• Close to bars and restaurants

Cons of Staying in Fort Lauderdale Beach:

• More expensive than other parts of the city

Las Olas – Downtown Fort Lauderdale

👉 Best Area for Luxury and City Life | ✨ Best Las Olas Hotels: The Hyatt • The Dalmar • Riverside Hotel

Las Olas is the downtown entertainment district of Fort Lauderdale. Its namesake, Las Olas Boulevard, is lined with high-end boutiques, outdoor restaurants, and luxurious hotels. The olive tree-lined median cutting down the center of the street portrays a sense of quaintness in the midst of the towering buildings overhead.

My favorite part of Las Olas Boulevard, though, is the diverse range of establishments off-shooting the street. A block away, the Riverwalk trails along the New River where it’s not uncommon to witness sailboats and megayachts making their way inland. A half-mile west is Himmarshee Village filled with nightclubs and pubs. 

Along the way, you’ll find the NSU Art Gallery, the Museum of Science and Discovery, and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. It’s a wild place and I can honestly say I’ve never seen anywhere else like it.

With all that said, if you’re looking for shopping, nightclubs, bars, world-class restaurants, and endless amounts of things to do, I recommend staying in the Las Olas area. It’s farther away from the beach so if you’re not too inclined to spend all day every day in the sun and sand, this is the spot for you.

I recommend a stay at The Hyatt for its awesome, central location, but Riverside Hotel is another great choice.

👉 Pro Tip: purchase a Water Taxi ticket to get down to the beach. It’s a fun and unique way to see the city on the way to and from your beach day. They stop right on Las Olas Boulevard before heading to Fort Lauderdale Beach Park.

Pros of Staying in Las Olas:

• Close to bars, restaurants, and nightlife along Las Olas Boulevard
• Always a fun, lively atmosphere
• Unique boating environment on the New River

Cons of Staying in Las Olas:

• Downtown is not within walking distance of Fort Lauderdale beach – you’ll need a lift for a beach day

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

👉 Best Area for Families | ✨ Best Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Hotels: Plunge Beach Resort • Beach Aqualina Apartments • Windjammer Resort and Beach Club

Yes, I realize the name of this spot is confusing – but technically, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (aka “LBTS”) is its own municipality three miles north of Fort Lauderdale Beach. And surprisingly, the contrast between the two is stark. 

As Fort Lauderdale grows in size and luxury, LBTS seems to stay the same. In fact, the quaint beach town appears unchanged from a 1940s Old Florida postcard. 

Even the accommodations are unique – you won’t find the standard 5 and 4-star resort and spa like you would down the road. Rather, you’ll discover independently owned and operated hotels and guesthouses like Beach Aqualina Apartments – a refreshing reprieve from the typically overdeveloped Florida shoreline. The authenticity of this area is enchanting.

Pros of Staying in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea:

• Easy access to the best beach in Fort Lauderdale
• Lively town circle filled with bars, restaurants, and shops
• Everything you need in walking proximity including groceries and pharmacy

Cons of Staying in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea:

• Downtown Fort Lauderdale and the international airport are farther away.

Harbordale / 17th Street Causeway

👉 Best Area for Cruise Passengers | ✨ Best Harbordale Hotels: Crowne Plaza Hotel & Resorts Fort Lauderdale Airport/ Cruise • Hyatt Place Cruise Port

If you’re looking for a place to stay the night before or after your cruise, consider booking a spot in the Harbordale neighborhood (better known as the 17th Street Causeway). I recommend Crowne Plaza Hotel & Resorts Fort Lauderdale Airport/ Cruise.

This area is entirely designed with cruise passengers in mind. You’ll find easy transit to and from Port Everglades and the airport, plus several of the best hotels in Fort Lauderdale for pre-cruise embarkation. 

If you are attending an event at the Broward County Convention Center, you might consider staying here as well. Or at the very least, during your stay in Fort Lauderdale, you’ll surely pass through to visit one of the many fabulous seafood restaurants, including the famous 15th Street Fisheries on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Pros of Staying in Harbordale:

• Plenty of fun things to do nearby before or after your cruise
• Location close to International Airport and Port Everglades
• A plethora of awesome seafood restaurants (see below)

Cons of Staying in Harbordale:

•  The beach and downtown are a taxi ride away

Victoria Park & Flagler Village

👉 Best Area to Stay Like a Local | ✨ Best Victoria Park & Flagler Village Hotels: Marriott Courtyard • Alani Bay Luxury Condos

The dividing line between Victoria Park and Flagler Village isn’t more than US Highway 1. However, the two neighborhoods a mile north of downtown Fort Lauderdale couldn’t be more different. 

In my opinion, it’s entirely reasonable to stay in one while enjoying the benefits of both. On one hand, Victoria Park is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Residential and quiet.

Just across the street is Flagler Village: an up-and-coming arts district blooming with development yet ripe with breweries, cafes, and some of my favorite bars in Fort Lauderdale.

Most of the places to stay in the area are privately owned condos, like these Alani Bay Luxury Condos. It provides a charming, local-like feeling as you enjoy a central location suitable for all travelers.

Pros of Staying in Victoria Park & Flagler Village:

• Holiday Park with playgrounds, basketball courts, exercise equipment, and more
• Quiet neighborhood tucked away
• Central location near downtown, a taxi ride away from the beach

Cons of Staying in Victoria Park & Flagler Village:

• Flagler Village is still under construction in various spots

Dania Beach

👉 Best Area for Airport Access | ✨ Best Dania Beach Hotels: Hyatt Place • Wyndham Garden • Residence Inn by Marriott

Consider Dania Beach if you have a layover in Fort Lauderdale. It’s conveniently located near the airport with hidden gems worthy of visiting spread throughout the small town. This Hyatt Place is a good choice.

From your hotel or resort, you can easily visit iconic establishments like Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor or 3 Sons Brewing. Or, at the very least, you can get a cheaper night stay while still visiting Fort Lauderdale a few miles north. All of which make this small beach town one of the best areas to stay for those passing through for a day or two!

Pros of Staying in Dania Beach:

• Close to Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport
• Cheaper than a night stay in Fort Lauderdale hotels
• Less traveled beaches and parks

Cons of Staying in Dania Beach:

• Lacks the restaurant and bar scene of the big city
• No hotels on the actual beach

Hollywood Beach

👉 Best Area for Smaller Crowds | ✨ Best Hollywood Beach Hotels: Diane Oceanfront Suites • Villa Sinclair Beach Suites

Consider Hollywood Beach if you want a quieter experience – it’s a slightly smaller town with a much smaller crowd. And honestly, that’s what makes it one of the best areas to stay in. I recommend Diane Oceanfront Suites.

Located a few miles south of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood’s famous Broadwalk (you read that right, not boardwalk) provides endless free (or cheap) outdoor fun like cycling, paddling, beach yoga, open-air concerts, and other entertainment. The beach is stunning while still providing all the amenities you’d find in Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Pros of Staying in Hollywood Beach:

• Broadwalk is a great place for outdoor exercise and a sunrise
• Bars and restaurants are within walking distance from anywhere
• Located north, you can find secluded beaches covered by thick tropical hardwood hammock

Cons of Staying in Hollywood Beach:

• Older style apartments and condos

Tips for Staying in Fort Lauderdale

Tip #1 – Don’t Rent a Car if Staying Downtown or on Fort Lauderdale Beach

Why? First of all, it’s easy enough to walk around to places you need to get to. For the places you do need a lift, take the Water Taxi or an Uber. Secondly, the hotels often charge a separate parking fee that’s almost as expensive as a night stay. It’s scammy, so be sure to call your hotel before renting a car.

Tip #2 – Do Rent a Car if Staying Anywhere Else

If staying anywhere but downtown or Fort Lauderdale Beach, parking is often free with your stay. So in this case, it’s beneficial to rent a car. 

If you still need a rental car, check out Discover Cars. They are our pick for the best search engine to find you the most affordable car for your trip and easily compare customer reviews of different rental agencies. 

👉 Pro Tip: Having wheels makes it easier to check out some of my favorite epic day trips around Fort Lauderdale!

Tip #3 – Try a Vacation Rental

Part of the charm of the South Florida region, particularly in places like Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, is the privately owned and operated vacation rentals. These can get wildly unique and facilitate some of your most memorable vacations. My family has found a lot of success on VRBO during their visits to Fort Lauderdale.

Tip #4 – Staying On the Beach May be Cheaper

Sure, the beachfront hotels and condos may run a larger bill upfront. But consider these costs if considering staying inland to save money: taxi rides, car rental, beach parking, chair rental, etc. 

If you’re visiting for a beach vacation, it may be cheaper, in the long run, to rent a place directly on the beach even if it’s $20 – $30 more per night than the hotels inland.

🌴 Doing a big trip around Florida? If you’re headed to Orlando, be sure to check out our guide to where to stay in Orlando, and also our epic article on the best stuff to do there!

FAQs

What is the best area to stay in Fort Lauderdale?

The best area to stay in Fort Lauderdale is Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. It is where my family stays when they visit, and it is a popular spot with tourists for good reason. It’s family-friendly, safe, has many dining options, plenty to do, and the most beautiful beach in the Fort Lauderdale area. Fort Lauderdale Beach is also great for first-time visitors who want to be in the midst of the city’s tourism scene.

What is the nice part of Fort Lauderdale?

The nicest parts of Fort Lauderdale include the areas from Las Olas to Fort Lauderdale Beach. Another nice neighborhood just on the outskirts of downtown is Victoria Park.

What are the bad areas of Fort Lauderdale?

Areas to be avoided for tourists in Fort Lauderdale include areas as you go west of I-95, where the crime rate increases. A few neighborhoods on the outskirts of downtown should be avoided, as well. If you stick around the Las Olas Boulevard area and the beach, plus the outlying neighborhoods and cities we mentioned above, you won’t have any unwanted run-ins.

Where is the main part of Fort Lauderdale?

The main part of Fort Lauderdale is Las Olas and Fort Lauderdale Beach. Between the two, tourists will find most of the things to do including boat tours, the Riverwalk, public parks, beaches, bars, and restaurants. Even if you’re staying in a neighborhood on the outskirts of the city, you should make a point to visit both main sections of Fort Lauderdale.

What part of the year should I visit Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale is a year around destination, but the best time to visit is between March and May. This is when the temperature is still relatively cool, and there is less rain.

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Honestly, wherever in Fort Lauderdale you end up, you’ll always be a few miles away from the beach and the Florida sun is always one step out your front door. Need more help planning? Check out my guide to the best attractions in Fort Lauderdale next.