It would be easy to fall into the shadow of its larger neighbor to the south, but Fort Lauderdale continues to shine, just as it has since the 1930s. Once famous as a spring-break hotspot for sunny skies and sandy beaches, the city now welcomes roughly 14 million visitors a year and is investing in improvements that preserve its heritage while preparing for the future.
This year saw the launch of Brightline, a new high-speed passenger rail linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, with expansion to Orlando underway. Brightline is the only privately owned, operated and maintained passenger rail system in the United States. Trains run frequently throughout the day and connect seamlessly with local transit options, including light rail, rideshares, taxis, car rentals and bike rentals. Fort Lauderdale’s Brightline station at 101 N.W. 2nd Ave. offers easy access to cultural attractions such as the Museum of Discovery and Science, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale and the FATVillage Arts District.
Port Everglades, regularly ranked among the top three cruise ports globally, is also expanding. Cruise Terminal 25 is being renovated ahead of the December debut of Celebrity Cruises’ 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge. Holland America Line’s newest Pinnacle-class ship, the 2,650-passenger Nieuw Statendam, is also scheduled to begin sailing from Port Everglades in December, with Oprah Winfrey serving as the ship’s godmother.
Fort Lauderdale’s hotel scene is booming as well. Seven new properties have opened or are slated to open this year, expanding lodging and meeting capacity for the city’s growing visitor base. In nearby Dania Beach, the 143-room Hotel Morrison opened with 1,500 square feet of meeting space. Downtown Hollywood welcomed the 111-room CIRC Hotel, a modern boutique property featuring a rooftop bar and 3,000 square feet of meeting space.
Brightline © BRIGHTLINE
Within Fort Lauderdale, the 150-room TRYP by Wyndham Fort Lauderdale Maritime Hotel serves both leisure and business travelers and includes 3,400 square feet of event space. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale Downtown/Las Olas provides 108 guestrooms and 1,037 square feet of meeting space for small conferences and gatherings.
Coming soon, The Dalmar, part of Marriott International’s Tribute Portfolio, is scheduled to open later this month. The 25-story hotel will offer 209 guestrooms, roughly 9,000 square feet of event space and a rooftop bar with 360-degree views of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Floors seven through twelve will house Element Fort Lauderdale Downtown, an extended-stay component with 114 guestrooms. Near the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk, the Costa Hollywood Beach Resort is slated to open with 307 suites ranging from studios to three-bedroom units and will feature a 25,000-square-foot rooftop pool deck overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. The Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale has broken ground and is expected to open with 150 hotel rooms and 95 residences, plus meeting facilities.
Many existing hotels are undergoing refreshes. The historic Escape Hotel is being transformed into the Gale Boutique Hotel & Residences Fort Lauderdale Beach, which will include 96 guestrooms and 129 condominium residences. The Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel is completing a $7 million renovation that adds and upgrades 25,000 square feet of meeting space. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Hollywood is in the midst of a $1.5 billion expansion that will increase room inventory to 1,200 and deliver about 120,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. Le Méridien Dania Beach at Fort Lauderdale Airport is expected to reopen after a $30 million renovation with 245 guestrooms and approximately 20,000 square feet of meeting space.
To better understand Fort Lauderdale’s recent transformation, local industry leaders point to the arrival of luxury hotels, improved airlift, expanded public transportation and a growing dining and cultural scene. These changes have attracted a broader range of travelers, including international visitors arriving on new flights from regions such as the Middle East and Europe, which has contributed to local economic growth.
Leaders in the hospitality sector emphasize that as visitor numbers rise, Fort Lauderdale’s evolution continues at a rapid pace. New luxury offerings and expanded event space strengthen the city’s appeal to meetings, conventions and upscale leisure travel. Hotels and resorts are focusing on unique experiences and exceptional amenities to differentiate Fort Lauderdale within the competitive South Florida market.
SCENIC DRIVES
If you prefer exploring by car rather than taking Brightline for a day trip, Fort Lauderdale’s surroundings offer a variety of short drives. Head north about 30 miles to Delray Beach, a lively town with a European feel, where Atlantic Avenue is lined with boutiques, cafés and galleries in the Pineapple Grove Arts District.
For an outdoor escape, drive west and reach the Everglades in roughly 30 minutes. Nearly two-thirds of the Greater Fort Lauderdale area includes protected Everglades wetlands, offering opportunities for airboat and kayak tours and close encounters with native wildlife, from exotic birds to American alligators. These natural experiences complement the city’s urban attractions, giving visitors a full picture of what Fort Lauderdale and its region have to offer.