Unwinding By The Water in Fort Lauderdale
- Delia Jo
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Situated in Fort Lauderdale, the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina is conveniently located near loads of popular attractions like Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Boulevard, and the Intracoastal Waterway. And let me tell you, this was a room WITH A VIEW worth writing home about.
I have had a food and travel blog for 17 years and this is the least amount of restaurants I've ever experienced on one trip -- and it was exactly what I needed. There are trips where you chase the itinerary…and then there are the ones where you finally let yourself be still. This one ended up being the second kind of trip. Ryan I came to Fort Lauderdale for Barbie DreamFest in the middle of spring break, the kind of timing that usually means noise, crowds, chaos and ovewhelm for what I now know is actually co-occuring autism and ADHD. But somehow, tucked along the Intracoastal, I accidentally found something softer. Slower. A place that felt like an exhale.
🏨 Where We Stayed: Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
Just steps from Port Everglades and across the way from the beautiful Broward County Convention Center, this waterfront hotel is perched right on the marina like it knows exactly what it’s doing. Boats drift in and out, sunlight bounces off the water, and for a moment, you forget where you rushed in from.
We stayed in a top corner king room with a balcony, and truly, that balcony became my favorite travel companion! From one side, I could see the city and pool. From the other, the marina stretching out like a postcard into the intracoastal as I watched water taxis and stunning yachts cruise by. And every night, the sun dipped low enough to remind me that endings can be beautiful too.
The room itself felt clean, calm, and thoughtfully designed, but let me tell you something important:
👉Y'all, the shower deserves its own paragraph.
Spacious. Strong water pressure. The kind of shower that feels like it’s washing off more than just travel. If you know, you know. And even with the buzz of spring break and cruise traffic nearby, I felt… peaceful. Safe enough to slow down. Safe enough to rest.
One afternoon, I even napped with the door open. On a Saturday. During spring break.
That tells you everything.
🍽️ Dining on Property:
Olive & Sea
There’s something about being able to walk downstairs and find a meal that feels like a destination in itself.Olive & Sea sits right on the water, with views that make you want to stay longer than you planned. It’s relaxed but elevated, the kind of place where you can dress up or show up exactly as you are and still feel like you belong.
Fresh coastal flavors, a breeze off the marina, and that golden-hour glow that makes everything feel just a little more meaningful.
Some meals fill you up.Some meals lighten you. This one did both.
And on the night I didn’t feel like going anywhere?
We stayed in, ordered takeout via Uber Eats for dinner, and sat out on the balcony watching the boats come in. No pressure. No performance. Just presence.
What to Do
Fort Lauderdale gives you options.
Hop on the water taxi and explore
Walk along the marina
Watch the boats and let your thoughts settle
But here’s the truth: You don’t have to do anything to enjoy this place. Sometimes the best thing to do… is nothing at all.
✨ A Slower Way to Travel
I don’t travel the way I used to. These days, I’m not chasing the loudest experience or the most packed itinerary. I’m looking for places that feel good in my body. Places where I can breathe a little deeper, sleep a little better, and maybe even hear my own thoughts again. This stay gave me that. A waterfront reset.
A reminder that peace isn’t always found far away… sometimes it’s just found in the right room, with the right view, at the right time.
📍 Location for Vacation Matters
If you’re cruising out of Port Everglades, attending an event at the Broward County Convention Center, or just looking for a Fort Lauderdale hotel that blends convenience with calm…This is it.
✔️ Near cruise port
✔️ Walkable to convention center
✔️ Waterfront marina views
✔️ On-site dining
✔️ Feels like a getaway without leaving your hotel
💿 Some places are just a stop along the way. Others feel like a small turning point… even if it’s just for a weekend. This one felt like a soft landing, hidden among the chaos we call 'life". And lately, that’s the softer, quieter kind of travel I’m choosing.
If you’re planning a Fort Lauderdale trip, save this one.
And if you need a place to rest, not just stay…
Stay Queso’d. 🧀✨
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