W Fort Lauderdale Review: What To REALLY Expect If You Stay (2024)

• Hip 2017-renovated hotel across the beach
• Art installations and attention to design throughout
• Rooms have contemporary beach decor, minibars, and Bluetooth speakers
• Some units have ocean-view balconies, living spaces, and kitchens
• Two full-service rooftop pools, and a hot tub
• Resort fee covers beach chairs and umbrellas, bike rentals, and Wi-Fi
• Excellent Mexican, steak, and sushi restaurants, plus three bars
• Bliss Spa and contemporary gym
• Art, music, and dance events, including poolside DJs
• Pets welcome (fee)

• Hefty resort fee (typical for the area)
• Some units have open-plan glass showers without privacy curtains
• Loud dance music is common (pro for some)
• Not all rooms have balconies
• No food or drink service on the beach

Renovated in 2017, the 517-room W Fort Lauderdale is a trendy, upscale hotel located across the street from the beach. Young professionals are drawn to the hotel's hip vibe, artsy decor, and lively event schedule. The entire food program, including a steakhouse, Mexican eatery, sushi bar, and dedicated menus for dogs, is helmed by Celebrity Chef Steven Starr, and the bar menu sports creative co*cktails. Two rooftop pools provide space to either party or relax, plus spa treatments are available. A hefty resort fee covers beach chairs and umbrellas, Wi-Fi, the gym, and two four-hour bike rentals. Rooms are chic, but not all have balconies, and many have a glass shower open to the bedroom, creating privacy issues for some. For a less bustling and pricy option, consider the historic and modern B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale.

The W Fort Lauderdale has 517 rooms and suites spread out across two 27-floor towers. Renovated in 2017, rooms have a stylish, ocean-inspired look with distressed wood accents, wave-patterned blue-and-white carpeting, white linens and walls, and marble bathrooms.Highlights include the W’s stellar minibars featuring alcohol, treats, and various kits, 24-hour room service, bathrobes, and Nespresso machines with free pods. Bathrooms are spacious and feel hip with a six-piece collection of Bliss bath products, modern showerheads, and frosted glass, however the open-plan glass showers in many may cause privacy issues for those not on a romantic getaway. Bluetooth speakers, ironing facilities, and rose-gold mini-fridges keep things current and convenient, and most rooms have furnished balconies.

Wonderful Rooms start things off with 50-inch flat-screen TVs, bedside electrical outlets and USB ports, comfy W-brand beds, and shower/tub combos. Upgrades to Spectacular Rooms guarantee balconies, and Fabulous Oceanfront Rooms have large, furnished terraces with direct ocean views. All of these rooms can sleep up to four, while further upgrades have occupancy limits of just two people. Sitting areas are available in the Cool Corner Oceanfront Rooms and above, while suites have separate living and bedroom areas (and often more than one balcony).

If the W prides itself on anything, it’s having its pulse on the hip and slightly eccentric. W Fort Lauderdale flexes these muscles through nightly events in the lobby space, which is called the Living Room. From Bollywood nights to live art studios and top DJs, guests don’t have to go far to find interesting entertainment. During the day, this space is relaxed, with business meetings on lounge couches and drinks out on the terrace. Thanks to the W brand’s co*cktail culture, drink specials are available every night.

Just across the road from the property is Fort Lauderdale's beach. This beach is public, which means no alcohol or food service on the beach, though guests have a dedicated area set up with free beach chairs and umbrellas.The fifth-floor Wet Deck is home to two pools, one on each tower. The West Pool on the resident’s side is calmer, and features Intracoastal views, a whirlpool, and padded loungers on top of Astroturf. The East Pool has a cooler scene, peek-a-boo cutouts that expose swimmers to the Living Room, and vinyl padded loungers, plus DJs at times and a party vibe on weekends. Curtained daybeds and cabanas are available for an extra fee. Both pools have food and drink service.

Bliss spa offers a variety of treatments. A 24-hour gym, dubbed FIT, is loaded with Technogym equipment. Water and fresh fruit are self-serve, and personal trainers are available for a charge. Over 40,000 square feet of event space is hiding inside the hotel, with both indoor and outdoor options, catering menus by Steven Starr, and a la carte costs for audiovisual equipment. The W Fort Lauderdale also has a well-connected concierge service called W Insiders who help hook guests up with hard-to-book restaurants, tickets, and exclusive clubs.

Like most hotels in the area, guests are charged a hefty daily resort fee that covers two beach chairs and an umbrella down, bike rentals, daily yoga or boot camp classes, water bottles for the beach, Wi-Fi, and coupons for signature co*cktails. Dogs are welcome at the hotel for a daily fee and pricey cleaning fee. Even dogs have special perks here, like their own room service menu, bowls, treats, beds, bark boxes, bandanas, and balcony tinkle turf pads.