With a laid-back, welcoming feel, a buzzing restaurant scene, and miles upon miles of unspoilt golden beaches and waterways, Greater Fort Lauderdale is the perfect Florida holiday hotspot.

Made up of 31 neighbourhoods, Greater Fort Lauderdale offers a diverse range of experiences for visitors to enjoy, from the area’s thriving arts district, shopping on Las Olas Boulevard, fishing & diving spots galore, to the glitzy marinas lined with superyachts and the luxurious five-star hotels.

For 2023, the region is welcoming new attractions and transport links, seeing a raft of hotel and restaurant openings as well as old favourites re-opening their doors, following refurbishments.

Known as the ‘Venice of America’ visitors can explore some of the 300 miles of inland waterways by boat or the more adventurous can take to a paddleboard or kayak as they explore beyond the beaches.

The destination, which is just 30 miles from Miami International Airport, served from the UK by direct flights with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, boasts an average year-round temperature of 25˚C and has 3,000+ hours of annual sunshine, so what are you waiting for?

Accommodation

A raft of new hotels have opened in Greater Fort Lauderdale in recent years with 10 in 2021 alone. The trend is set to continue in 2023 with five new openings, starting with the 120-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale Northwest in Tamarac, slated to open in March 2023.

In April 2023, both the Wyndham Dolce Hotels & Resorts Hollywood (100 rooms) and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Lauderdale (110 rooms) are set to welcome guests.

Following in May 2023 is the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fort Lauderdale with 150 rooms and October sees the design-led brand Aloft Hotels open a 14-storey Fort Lauderdale property with 138 rooms.

Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina. A South Florida icon for more than 50 years, is going through a total reimagination. Upon completion the hotel, which is expected to open in 2024, will have 376 guest rooms & suites, multi-level pool experience with family and adult areas, lobby lounge, Pier Top lounge, spa, fitness centre, kids’ club and marina promenade.

A further 10 hotels are set to open in 2024, including The Whitfield Las Olas Hotel & Spa.

Recently Opened

In October 2022 the re-branded 96-room KimptonShorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort (formerly the Kimpton Goodland) opened under its new name. The art-deco inspired boutique hotel features hidden courtyards, a coastal-inspired bar and sits on an enviable location just steps from the shore in the North Beach Village area. Originally opened in 1949 as the Escape Hotel, it was the first in the area to boast a year-round swimming pool near the beach.

The hotly-anticipated Four Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Fort Lauderdale officially opened last year overlooking Fort Lauderdale beach. The 22-story luxury hotel features two restaurants, a spa, private pool club, fitness centre, “Beach Butlers” and ballroom and meeting facilities.

Activities

Following its grand opening just last month (January 2023), visitors can experience a ‘Top of the Tower’  tour with scenic views of the waterways at the  Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and International Swimming Hall of Fame. The US$47 million renovation and expansion features five swimming pools, a 27-metre dive tower with springboards, nine platform levels and more.

With waterways aplenty in Fort Lauderdale, visitors can join the all-new paddleboard or kayak tour of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. Organised by  Sunrise Paddleboards, the excursion includes a paddle from Coconut Cove and a walk through the grounds of the historical 100-year old plantation that is home to raccoons, wild monkeys, turtles, manatees, heron and more.

Craft Food Tours invites culinary explorers and cocktail connoisseurs to join them for a new tour in Fort Lauderdale’s North Beach Village. Taking place on Saturdays, visitors will taste delights offered at Lona Cocina &Tequileria, Takato, Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery and Archibald’s.

Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show is planning to reopen its doors in late Spring 2023. The landmark restaurant is currently undergoing renovations.

Preparing for opening in 2023 is the three-story Victory Entertainment Complex in Fort Lauderdale’s historic Sistrunk neighbourhood. The exciting development will include a distillery, cigar bar, wine and whiskey lounge and rooftop area.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is the flagship casino resort of Hard Rock International and home to the first-ever Guitar Hotel. The hotel and event complex is set to play host to top international acts in 2023 including Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Gladys Knight, Bryan Adams, Billy Idol and many more.

Dining

After an eight-month refurbishment, Italian eatery Anthony’s Runway 84re-opened its doors in January 2023. Located on West State Road 84 the much-loved 40-year-old spot has been transformed into a supper club with live music.  It serves up some classic Italian dishes as well as tempting ‘Runway Specials’ such as Swordfish ‘Runway Style’ and Chicken Vodka Parmigiana. Guests should check out the cocktail menu, too.

Southern Cajun Kitchen, Voodoo Bayou is slated to open its doors on Las Olas in 2023. Offering up a true taste of New Orleans, the menu will feature Southern Cajun Cuisine, an exotic craft cocktails list, and an extensive Bourbon/Whiskey collection.

Moxies, an intimate dining destination, is also set to open on Las Olas Blvd this month (February 2023). Moxies is a contemporary-casual restaurant that offers a globally inspired menu and handcrafted cocktails in a vibrant and interactive atmosphere.

Opening in spring 2023 on Las Olas Blvd, TIMBR will invite visitors to an “enchanted world with a unique dining concept”. The 6,500-square-foot space is undergoing a multi-million-dollar transformation and diners can enjoy twists on their favourite American and European dishes, a superb wine list and cutting-edge cocktails.

Arriving in late 2023, Marina Village by Bahia Mar is one part food hall, one part event space, with prime views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Spanning 35,000 square feet, the complex includes an open-air, waterfront promenade lined with eight food concepts and a bar, plus a ferry that has been converted into a two-storey event space.

Also coming later in 2023 is Baresco, a Mexican restaurant in Pompano Beach Fishing Village, which will feature fresh seafood with Mexican flare, a 40-seat private indoor dining room and an expansive, 150-seat covered patio.

Recently Opened

Another Fort Lauderdale Italian favourite, Timpano Las Olas, has reopened with a reimagined, contemporary menu where guests can enjoy daily handcrafted pasta specials and a ‘parm to table’ experience.

Visitors who want to listen to great live music while eating some of the best seafood around, can head to Harats By The Sea. The lively venue in the charming seaside village of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea offers daily happy hour and seasonal menus.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana opened its first Florida restaurant in late 2022. Located within the suburb of Plantation, guests should not miss its famed coal-fired pizzas.

At the new Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop, visitors will find a selection of over-the-top pies, cakes, milkshakes and other delectable confections. The bake shop has an artsy feel, with neon signage and decor in sync with a laidback atmosphere.

Connections

Brightline, the eco-friendly high-speed rail, which currently connects Fort Lauderdale to Miami and West Palm Beach, is adding a new station and service from Orlando later this year. The station will be located in the heart of Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C, making Fort Lauderdale more easily accessible for travellers flying direct from the UK & Ireland into Orlando.

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