W Fort Lauderdale
It may only be a four hour drive or a quick 45 minute plane ride, but the east coast of Florida is like a world away from the Tampa Bay area. It’s a chic and glamorous destination and ready for a fun time, or to simply soak in the sun on the sugar-white sand beaches.
We recently escaped to Fort Lauderdale for a little relaxation and to check-out the area. A stay at the W Fort Lauderdale offers a captivating experience with both it’s dazzling design and impeccable service, and the allure of the beachfront location on Fort Lauderdale Beach. With 517 guest rooms and suites, the W Fort Lauderdale has an array of amenities and services. The W is also know for it’s Whatever/ Whenever service to provide guests whatever they desire during their stay. Each room offers floor to ceiling windows with views of the Atlantic Ocean or Intracoastal waterway. The private balcony is the ideal spot to enjoy a glorious sunrise or sunset.
The hotel offers two sparkling rooftop pools for rest and relaxation, or some energy and excitement. The East pool offers transparent pool walls and is a great place for an Instagram photo. Weekends you will find a pool party with a DJ mixing up tunes. Grab a book and seek the shade of an umbrella or day bed to relax the day away at the West pool. Soothe those muscles or get a pampering facial at the AWAY Spa. Get active with a workout in 24-hour FIT gym, the state-of-the-art fitness center or enjoy daily beach workouts of yoga or bootcamp that will get the body moving. Explore the area around the resort on a white or pink cruiser bicycle that is included.
The W is dog friendly and welcomes dogs up to 45 lbs in any of the guest rooms, Living Room, Living Room Terrace and patios of the two restaurants — El Vez and Steak 954. Included are a plush in-room doggie bed, bark box, curated doggie menu, in-room food and water bowls and a supply of doggie pick up bags.
No need to leave the property for dining as the property hosts an award-winning Steak 954 from restauranteur Stephen Starr or a more casual Mexican eatery with lounge seating and patio space. The Living Room offers up nightly entertainment from games to live music. It’s great for people watching, enjoying a crafted cocktail or light bite to eat.
A healthy dining option was SoBe Vegan that offers up healthy fare including smoothies, bowls and a delicious avocado toast. It was a great way to start the day with a nutritious meal.
To get some culture, we headed to the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale to explore the museum showcasing more than 6,000 art pieces. The museum is known for its significant collection of Latin American art, contemporary art with an emphasis on art by Black, Latinx and women artists, African art from the 19th to 21st century, as well as works by American artist William Glackens and European Cobra group of artists.
Be sure to checked out Sistrunk Market Place & Brewery for lunch or dinner with it’s food hall and urban market place offering a range of dining options from sushi to tacos, to Italian and Korean flavors. The venue hosts fun experiences and offers classes, special events and more. Don’t miss the distillery tour. Stroll the The FATVillage Arts District nearby offering a variety of art galleries and street art.
Whether you choose to just chill at the W Fort Lauderdale or explore the area, there are lots of places to discover in Fort Lauderdale and we will certainly return for more exploration and fun. M
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Reservations: www.wfortlauderdale.com | 954.414.8200 | @WFortLauderdale
NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale: www.nsuartmuseum.org | @nsuartmuseum
Sistrunk Market Place: www.sistrunkmarketplace.com
Visit Lauderdale: www.VisitLauderdale.com | @VisitLauderdale
By Stephen Parag, II
