Better beaches..Ft Lauderdale or Miami??

[kitty1625]

Need some help deciding where to stay after our cruise next April. I've been looking at hotels around South Beach and thought that Fort Lauderdale might have better beaches?? Any thoughts?? Also if anyone can recommend a nice clean hotel right on the beach, we would really appreciate it. Thanks!

[cawhite]

Hi kitty1625,

 

I've also been doing research and reading through the various posts here, as well as asking questions regarding a stay next April. From what I've learned it seems that Hollywood Beach is nicer, cleaner, and less crowded than Fort Lauderdale. Not sure about the comparison with Miami Beach.

 

Do a search for post responses by bequia and trents... they are both locals who seem to have a very good handle on the local hotel scene, and have been helpful with advice.

 

Have fun!

[grvdggr71]

This past May, I was in Miami Beach for a conference. We stayed in the middle of Miami Beach, but also ventured down to South Beach. Near the end of the trip, we drove to Ft. Lauderdale to look around a bit.

 

Personally, I thought that Miami Beach and South Beach was dirty, overcrowded, and way too overrated. The prices for food and drinks are outrageously expensive, and though the food was good, it was not worth the price. Many say that South Beach is nice for "people watching", so I guess if that is your thing. The beach, at least in the areas we saw, had a solid line of dead seaweed and the sand turned to sharp jagged rocks about 5 feet into the ocean. It was not well maintained at all.

 

Ft. Lauderdale Beach, on the other hand, was clean, less crowded, and overall was just more appealing. Food prices in the area were much more affordable than in Miami, at least in the one restaurant we ate in (admittedly, we did not spend nearly as much time in FLL as in Miami).

 

Though some people may consider it blasphemy, I would rather go back to Ocean City, Maryland than back to Miami Beach, and I would definitely rather go to FLL than Miami Beach.

[dosi]

We love Fort Lauderdale. Also we love Bill Baggs State Park in Key Biscayne just outside of Miami. That is a lovely beach and wasn't at all crowded when we were there.

[Bequia]

We love Fort Lauderdale. Also we love Bill Baggs State Park in Key Biscayne just outside of Miami. That is a lovely beach and wasn't at all crowded when we were there.

 

Have you been to the John U. Lloyd State Park? It borders Port Everglades, has a beautiful expanse of beach and rarely has any crowds. http://www.floridastateparks.org/lloydbeach/ParkSummary.cfm

[kitty1625]

Thanks everyone. So it looks as though I should focus on a hotel in Fort Lauderdale for post cruise. Any suggestions on a nice hotel on the beach in Fort Lauderdale? Thanks again!

[Bequia]

Any suggestions on a nice hotel on the beach in Fort Lauderdale? Thanks again!

 

Marriott Harbor Beach http://www.marriottharborbeach.com/ or The Lago Mar http://www.lagomar.com/ ;)

[miss hlywd]

Just wanted to add to cawhite's post:

 

While Miami and Ft. Lauderdale both have great beaches, and lovely parks, Hollywood's beach is unique b/c of it's 2.5 mile paved boardwalk. In Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, eating at an outdoor "beachside" cafe actually means eating ACROSS THE STREET from the actual beach. In Hollywood, there are restaurants and shops all along the boardwalk which borders the sand. I find it much more pleasant be dining with pedestrians, bikers, and roller bladers passing by instead of cars driving by. (see pix below)

 

A couple of other things that differentiate Hollywood from it's neighbors to the north and south: It's much more affordable, both the accomodations and restaurants. It's also very family-friendly...there's both miniature golf and a playground right on the boardwalk.

 

For a bit more info on Hollywood, check out a thread I started a while back

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=184354

 

or go to http://www.visithollywood.org which has a complete listing of Hollywood hotels, attractions, etc.

[kenandlaura06]

Is Hollywood Beach north of Fort Lauderdale or South????

[miss hlywd]

Hollywood Beach is south of Ft. Lauderdale and north of Miami so it's especially convenient if you have a few days and want to explore both areas.