Miami Beach might take everyone’s attention when it comes to a Floridan beach resort, but Fort Lauderdale is up there as one the state’s best seaside destination. With its charming waterways, lively beach bars, and miles of sandy shoreline, it’s the place to be for quintessential Sunshine State fun.

Considering where to stay in Fort Lauderdale can be tricky though. It’s not simply made up of one beach, and distances between certain areas can mean the difference between great or no nightlife.

Don’t worry though: we’ve come up with this guide to the seven best neighbourhoods in Fort Lauderdale so you can cherry-pick the one that’s perfect for you.

Here we go!

Quick Tips – Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale

• Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale for your first time? Los Olas
• Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale close to everything? Fort Lauderdale Beach
• Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale for nightlife? Downtown
• Best neighbourhood in Fort Lauderdale for families? Imperial Point
• Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale on a budget? Harbordale
• Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale for couples? Hollywood beach
• Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale for nature lovers? Lauderdale by the sea

Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale

If you’re looking for the best of the best, then look no further than these three gems, the top places to stay in Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale 7 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the seven best neighbourhoods of Fort Lauderdale. Each area is perfect for different types of travellers, so make sure you opt for the neighbourhood that gets you hyped!

Neighborhood #1 – Los Olas

Best neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale for your first time!

• COOLEST thing to do in Los Olas – stroll the boulevard, window shop, and enjoy the tropical breeze
• BEST place to visit in Los Olas – jump on a riverboat to explore the waterways known as ‘the Venice of America’

One of the main thoroughfares that cuts through Fort Lauderdale and runs right down to the beach, Los Olas is a happening area. The perfect neighbourhood for a first time trip to Fort Lauderdale, there’s a little bit of everything going on here. If you’ve only got a few days in the city, we’d recommend basing yourself here.

Brimming with chic eateries, boutiques, bars and beautiful people, Los Olas is the place to stay in Fort Lauderdale if you get bored easily. There’s basically everything you could want out of the city on the doorstep. And as a bonus, there’s always the beach.

• Soak up the Art Deco ambience and enjoy a cocktail or two at Elbo Room, made famous in 1960’s flick Where The Boys Are
• Amble along the Riverwalk with all its yacht moorings and palm trees; on Sundays, there’s street food stalls and live music
• Gaze at the multi-million dollar houses from Colee Hammock Park
• Eat your fill of authentic Italian ice cream and other frozen treats at Gelato-go
• Tuck into some choice diner fare at Floridan – it’s a colourful and classic spot to people watch, too
• Simply sit on the sand at Los Olas Beach and take it all in

Best Budget Hotel in Los Olas

Tropical Oasis

Tropical Oasis consists of condos set near the beach, close to Los Olas Boulevard. Staying here means having the use of a full kitchen, seating and dining area – a whole lot of room. There are outside facilities to use and free parking if you want it. It’s an easygoing, clean, cosy place to stay in Los Olas.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Los Olas

Villa Venezia

With nearly a 10-star rating on booking.com and over 200 recent reviews, Villa Venezia is a super popular and sought-after place to stay in Los Olas. We can see why this is the case with the hotel offering a glistening outdoor swimming pool, air-conditioned rooms, and a beautiful garden and terrace area.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Los Olas

Riverside Hotel

Looking for a high-end hotel in Los Olas? Riverside Hotel is the one for you. There’s a touch of old-fashioned charm about the place, which features a lot of palm trees and an outdoor swimming pool, too. Rooms are large, views of the riverside are lovely, and it’s generally a beautiful spot.

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Neighborhood #2 – Fort Lauderdale Beach

Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale close to everything!

• COOLEST thing to do in Fort Lauderdale Beach – windsurfing is a must when you’re in this neck of the woods
• BEST place to visit in Fort Lauderdale Beach – it sounds simple, but the beach is where it’s at

Set just along the coast from Los Olas Beach, Fort Lauderdale Beach is the palm-fringed, sandy stretch of quintessential Florida goodness. This neighbourhood of Fort Lauderdale is set over seven miles of oceanfront and comes complete with a long promenade bursting with shops and restaurants to enjoy.

It’s an award-winning beachfront – and a top spot to enjoy water sports. Being such a large stretch of coast, it’s got to be the best neighbourhood in Fort Lauderdale close to everything: it’s right in the middle of the action. You’re never too far from a lively bar or a stunning section of beach.

• Get your skates on and join the rollerbladers on the dedicated in-line skating paths at Hugh Taylor Birch Skate Park
• And whilst you’re there, make sure you check out the freshwater lagoon and try to spot the wildlife
• Take a step back in time at the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, a 1920s-era plantation house
• Go for a dip and do some lane swimming in the Olympic-sized pool at the International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum
• Rent a bike a cycle along the boardwalk, stopping off at Park & Ocean for a huge burger lunch and a beer

Best Budget Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach

Nobleton Hotel

A laid back offering, Nobleton Hotel is a good option for a budget hotel in Fort Lauderdale Beach. It’s a classic beachside hotel with a relaxed, resort feel. Spend your days swimming in the pool, lounging on the terrace and cooking yourself a barbecue lunch. Rooms come with kitchens – great for sticking to budgets.

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Best Mid-range Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach

North Beach Hotel

If you want to stay somewhere as close to Fort Lauderdale Beach as possible, then this is the place to stay for you! North Beach Hotel is just a stone’s throw away from the famous Fort Lauderdale Beach and also has plenty of hip cafes, bars, and restaurants surrounding it.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Fort Lauderdale Beach

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort

This Hilton right on Fort Lauderdale Beach is a high-end option. It’s a towering hotel and the higher up you go, the more amazing those sea views get! There’s a large outdoor pool surrounded by numerous sun loungers, as well as a sun terrace and chic dining options to enjoy. Luxurious, in a word.

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Neighborhood #3 – Downtown

Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale for nightlife!

• COOLEST thing to do in Downtown – listen to live jazz at Mango’s Restaurant
• BEST place to visit in Downtown – head to Stranaham House for a slice of history

A world of high-rises, businesses and condos, Downtown Fort Lauderdale is also the best neighbourhood for nightlife. This is a busy, bustling area full of all the delights you would expect from the most urban part of town; there’s always something going on here – day or night.

Staying here means you will also be spoilt for choice when it comes to everything from restaurants, museums and late-night drinking. As the sun sets the area hots up, with beachgoers leaving the sea behind and heading inland to party the night away.

• Get to grips with the natural world at Museum of Discovery and Science
• Watch a live performance at Broward Center for the Performing Arts; comedy, music, plays, you name it, they put it on
• Dance the night away to the sounds of hip hop and reggae at Club Euro Nightclub
• Mosey on down to Tacocraft at happy hour for discount tequila and a few Mexican snacks
• Go watch a band play at Revolution – a live music venue with multiple indoor and outdoor stages
• Ease your hangover with some modern art at the calming NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale

Best Budget Hotel in Downtown

The Drift Hotel

Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s top budget hotel has to be The Drift. This place boasts lush tropical gardens and low-key rooms with shuttered windows and seating areas. A cool Fort Lauderdale hotel, there’s a boutique feel but without the pricetag that comes with that sort of thing.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Downtown

The Olas

In walking distance to Los Olas and Fort Lauderdale Beach, this Downtown lodging is a perfect spot for travelers on a mid-range budget who want their very own slice of nightlife. This share house-type accommodation is a social space to meet people, complete with garden, kitchen and friendly staff.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Downtown

Element Fort Lauderdale Downtown

A modern, clean, crisp luxury hotel in Fort Lauderdale, this is a calm spot to relax in the bustling Downtown area. There’s a hotel bar serving up fresh cocktails and a serene outdoor pool complete with views of the city. Hire bikes and pedal to the beach, then return for the nightlife on this hotel’s doorstep.

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Neighborhood #4 – Imperial Point

Best neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale for families!

• COOLEST thing to do in Imperial Point – stroll along the myriad waterways in the surrounding area
• BEST place to visit in Imperial Point – head to Dottie Mancini Park with its playgrounds and tennis courts

A laid back, local neighbourhood in Fort Lauderdale that’s perfect for families, Imperial Point is close to shopping, restaurants and the all-important beach. Staying here means sharing the areas with other families – a quiet place where you and your children can cycle around and go to playgrounds.

Surrounded by nature, there are plenty of things to do to keep the little ones (and you) entertained. Gardens, waterways, winding paths and nearby parks mean you won’t get bored. Lacking in tourists and without too much of the glitz and glam of a beachside location, it’s a homely place to be.

• Try out some traditional German food at Cypress Nook – they’ve got a nice, shady courtyard to enjoy your meal in
• Take a boat ride along the many rivers and waterways that run through the area
• Amble down towards the beach and spend a day enjoying the sun, sea and sand with your children
• Go on a road trip down the Fort Lauderdale coast and explore the many parks along the way; stop at somewhere like Red Reef Park and cook yourself up a barbeque
• Be amazed at the wildlife as you stroll along the boardwalk at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

Best Budget Hotel in Imperial Point

Best Florida Resort

This resort but it’s got great prices and is an easygoing place to stay that’ll suit those on a budget. It’s run by friendly, helpful staff, boasts clean, comfortable rooms and even has its own outdoor pool. Getting to the beach from here is not difficult at all, either.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Imperial Point

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Ft. Lauderdale Northeast

Those looking to save some money on hotel prices but still want a sense of luxury will love this mid-range hotel in Fort Lauderdale’s Imperial Point neighbourhood. Complete with an outdoor pool where you and your family can splash around, there’s also a fitness centre for adults. The laundry service is very convenient, too!

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Best Luxury Hotel in Imperial Point

Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale East

A high-end hotel in Fort Lauderdale, this branch of Courtyard straddles the border between Imperial and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. With its attractive outdoor area, swimming pool, and proximity to the beach, it’s a great spot for a splurge option in Imperial Point. Rooms boast garden-view balconies.

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Neighborhood #5 – Harbordale

Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale on a budget!

• COOLEST thing to do in Harbordale – take a water taxi from Harbordale and cruise the rivers
• BEST place to visit in Harbordale – enjoy fresh seafood at Boatyard as you watch the ships roll in

Harbordale is Fort Lauderdale’s budget neighbourhood. This is often where people choose to stay the night before they board a cruise – that’s because it’s very close to the harbour (hence the name) where cruise ships rock up. Even so, Harbordale has a chilled, suburban vibe.

Here you will find bars, restaurants, shops and cafes that keep the residential population busy and entertained. It’s a neighbourhood known for its young professionals, who live here for the atmosphere, the parks and the waterside wanderings on offer. Perfect for budget travellers looking for a different side of town.

• Walk along the water’s edge at Cliff Lake Park, a scenic stretch home to a sizeable population of different bird species
• Meet some locals at Village Well Pub – the perfect spot for a late-night drink or two
• Go for a swim in the outdoor swimming pool at Croissant Park
• Try out some new beers at LauderAle, a funky brewery that’s popular with local beer aficionados
• Hop over to nearby Dania Beach Ocean Park, which is a great spot for walking along the pier and enjoying a sundowner

Best Budget Hotel in Harbordale

The Lauderdale Boutique Hotel

The Lauderdale Boutique Hotel is a lovely little spot to enjoy in the Harbordale neighbourhood. Each room opens out onto a communal outdoor seating area, making for a nice spot to get to know other travellers. Everything’s very clean and there are lush gardens to relax in, too.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Harbordale

Holiday Inn Express

This mid-range budget hotel in Harbordale, Fort Lauderdale, is the top choice if you’re looking to get the most bang out of your buck. Complete with a gym, an in-house dining option, and a buffet breakfast, this branch of Holiday Inn Express has you covered. The staff here are also very helpful.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Harbordale

Renaissance Fort Lauderdale

If you’re looking for a high-end hotel in Fort Lauderdale, this place in Harbordale is going to suit you just fine. This luxury hotel boasts stunning interiors, large rooms and a very fancy outdoor pool area. With professional staff and a delicious restaurant to enjoy here, it’s no wonder this is Harbordale’s best splurge option.

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Neighborhood #6 – Hollywood Beach

Best neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale for couples!

• COOLEST thing to do in Hollywood Beach – head to the white sand beach, pull up a sun lounger and relax
• BEST place to visit in Hollywood Beach – learn about sea turtles at Carpenter House

Located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach in the south, Hollywood Beach is the best neighbourhood in Fort Lauderdale for couples. It’s here where you’ll be able to relax, unwind and enjoy spending time together away from the tourist crowds of both these sometimes hectic resort locations.

Hollywood Beach is primarily beach – a slice of land sandwiched between the Stranahan River and the sea. This is a beautiful location with its own stretch of sand that’s kept uber clean. You’ll be spoilt for choice for activities, things to do, and places to spend a romantic evening.

• Pedal along the boardwalk with a rental bike and explore the beachfront in its entirety
• Visit Lake Forest Park with its mangroves and pathways – as well as beautiful views of the glittering lake
• Take a kayak out onto the waters of the lake itself and get to grips with the waterways, discovering wildlife along the way
• Stop off for ice cream at Zack’s Snacks Hollywood Beach
• Grab tacos for lunch at Taco Beach Shack; it’s a chilled-out spot for tacos complete with ping pong tables
• Have a romantic meal at Latitude Restaurant and Bar – the perfect spot

Best Budget Hotel in Hollywood Beach

Hollywood Beach Boutique Suite 

A fantastic option for a budget hotel in Hollywood Beach, this is a pretty cool spot. Painted in a colour scheme of aqua blue and white, and with tiled floors, this feels like an old school motel that’s undergone a hip renovation to modern-day beachside retreat. Budget bonus: rooms come with kitchenettes.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Hollywood Beach

Hollywood Beach Marriott

The Hollywood Beach Marriott has one of the most sought-after locations in Fort Lauderdale with direct access to the beach and the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk. The hotel also features lavish facilities at mid-range prices including a beachfront swimming pool, indoor and outdoor restaurants along with a gym area equipped with a hot tub.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Hollywood Beach

The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood

If you really feel like treating yourself and your partner to a slice of beachside luxury, then this high-end hotel in Hollywood Beach is the place for you. Set on the beach itself, complete with sun loungers and a huge outdoor pool, The Diplomat is the perfect choice if you want sea views and interior luxuries.

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Neighborhood #7 – Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Best neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale for nature lovers!

• COOLEST thing to do in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea – wake up super early and watch a beautiful Atlantic Ocean sunrise
• BEST place to visit in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea – visit Anglin’s Fishing Pier (South Florida’s longest pier!)

In the northern part of Fort Lauderdale, you’ll find the charming area of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. There are two and a half miles of beach here, as well as a famous pier, but the prime attraction is the sea itself. Snorkelling and diving are the main event here, making this the best neighbourhood for nature loves in Fort Lauderdale.

People come from far and wide to discover the tropical reefs just off the shore here, with their rainbows of tropical fish and sea turtles. It’s easy to get around to other parts of Fort Lauderdale here, with a bus service, but Lauderdale-by-the-Sea has a charm all of its own – and plenty of stuff to do.

• Dive one of the 12 shipwrecks along the coast; pick up an underwater map to discover the maritime history of the area (don’t forget your underwater camera)
• Grab a bench in the shade of the lush, palm-filled seaside El Prado Park and watch the world go by
• Tuck into cheesecake and an iced coffee at Aruba Beach Coffee and enjoy the lively local atmosphere
• Watch live music performances along the seafront walkway on Sundays
• Stake out a spot at the beach and spend a day of laying out in the sun and splashing around in the sea

Best Budget Hotel in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Blue Strawberry by the Sea

This budget-friendly but beautifully modern hotel has an incredible location just one block from the ocean and a short stroll from the town square and Anglin Fishing Pier. It also offers two outdoor swimming pools which are perfect for cooling off from the beaming Floridan sun.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Beachside Village Resort

A sweet little holiday village that’s right in the heart of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Beachside Village Resort is a great budget option. The rooms here are bright, beach-themed and airy for a charming stay. There are two heated outdoor pools and shaded areas to lounge around in, all a short walk from the beach.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

The Plunge Beach Hotel

A top place to stay in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, this lovely hotel is right on the beachfront itself. Rooms come with balconies boasting sea views – perfect for sunrise. There’s an outdoor pool surrounded by palm trees, a variety of rooms to suit your needs, and a sultry beach bar for evening cocktails.

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Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale is definitely one of the most popular coastal destinations in Florida. It’s got sun, it’s got beaches, it’s got awesome food and it’s got plenty of bars, shops and things to do. Whether you’re here for the snorkelling, or simply want to lay out in the sun all day, this city has you covered.

Our favourite area has to be Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Los Olas is fun, and so is Downtown, but both can be pretty hectic; Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is chilled, great for diving, and has a fun nightlife.

Of course, it might not suit everyone. All the best neighbourhoods in Fort Lauderdale have their pros and cos, so make sure you go for the one that sounds like the most fun to you.

Know any hidden spots in Fort Lauderdale? Neighbourhoods we skipped? Tell us in the comments!

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Clair Ricketts

Clair is a travel addict and a staff writer for One Weird Globe! A Nomad since birth, Clair has lived all over the world, calling home wherever she is in the moment. Having traveled half the world, Clair is working on a memoir about her experiences in hopes to inspire others to travel and experience this amazing planet!

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