Review: A Stay at the Luxurious Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale

Sometimes, you don't need to go too far to unwind and disconnect and that's exactly what I did when I took a little weekend getaway to the Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale. I headed there last month with Andres and my mom and had the best time ever. As soon as we walked through the door they made us feel like we were VIPs. Whether you're planning a romantic weekend or a family vacation you really don't have to look any further than the Ritz-Carlton.

Here are a few highlights from my experience: 

Location: The hotel is perfectly situated oceanfront with beautiful views of the Atlantic ocean and the Intercoastal waterway. It's also walking distance to several shops and restaurants on Las Olas.  It's about a 15 minute drive from the Fort Lauderdale Airport and about 25-30 minutes from Miami Beach. 

The Room:  We were shown to our room by the friendly staff and were greeted with the most delicious cupcakes. The room itself was stunning and meticulous with amazing panoramic views of the ocean and infinity pool. I literally spent most of my time just hanging out on the balcony admiring the view. Once nighttime rolled around, it was also the perfect spot to just sit and have a glass of wine. I also loved the spacious marble bathrooms, which even came equipped with an LCD TV.  

Activities: I have to say that the Ritz-Carlton has got to be one of the most family-friendly hotels that I've stayed at. From their Ritz Kids program to scavenger hunts, there's something for kids of all ages. Andres loved the playground by the pool as well as all the toys and games found in the Club Lounge. He even found a Thomas the Train (which he is obsessed with) and pretty much didn't want to leave the Club Lounge. 

The Club Lounge: One of my favorite things about the hotel is The Club Lounge. It's available for an additional daily cost to a limited number of guests who book a guest room or residential suite. The lounge offers everything from breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks, hors d'oeuvres, wine, champagne (throughout the day). Each morning we would have breakfast at the Club Lounge as well as lunch (it was soooo good).  We would also stop by for a quick snack after spending the day at the pool.

The Spa: You can't leave the hotel without trying a spa treatment. I had such a relaxing 'Rebalancing Citrus' massage which included a citrus scrub and full body massage. It was so relaxing I even feel asleep haha. The best part is 99% of the treatments in the menu use organic ingredients. 

Restaurant: On our last night we had dinner at the hotel's restaurant, Burlock Coast. If you're a big seafood lover (like I am) then you'll love this place. The restaurant has a rustic, yet elegant feel and offers locally sourced ingredients like Florida Gulf Shrimp to Black Grouper. I ordered the 1/2 dozen oysters and tuna tartare (as an appetizer) and had the Snapper for dinner. Everything was so yummy! It was raining that day so we sat inside, but they also offer outdoor dining. 

Overall we had an amazing time. So whether you're a local to South Florida looking for a little staycation or planning a trip to Fort Lauderdale, be sure to check out the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale.  

Special thanks to the Ritz-Carlton Fort-Lauderdale for hosting our stay. 

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