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6/19/2009 1:00:32 PM
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dominic052788
Posts 2
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We haven't visited the city for several years but we're hearing mixed messages about the place now. We've heard San Olos (?) area is a building site with a high rise Trump hotel dominating the skyline. Is this right? And has the Royal Palms changed hands? a couple of friends have also said that they've experienced real attitude in a couple of places. What's that about? So I guess our question is - is Ft Lauderdale somewhere to visit or be passed up?
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6/19/2009 1:13:57 PM
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knickers190
Posts 2
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I was in FL earlier this year and stayed at the Villa Venice. Terry and his team were great! Nice room, decent rate and close to the beach. I checked out Pineapple Point whilst I was there and it looked really great. Both places had won a Pink Choice Award which was where I found them. Las Olas was a bit of a building site but as there wasn't much need to venture outside Villa Venice it didn't bother me too much. I also heard that the Royal Palms had changed hands but that's all. The restaurant at the end of Tarimar facing the beach was disappointing, crapy attitude and service for the price.
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7/9/2009 9:36:57 AM
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Capeguy508
Posts 4
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The skyline along Fort Lauderdale Beach is changing, but that is merely in looks - it is definitely not affecting the Gay Resorts which are still flourishing as always.
The former single and 2-level hotels, which had come into disrepair over the past years, have been replaced with some architecturally-interesting buildings. The former Sheraton Yankee Clipper has become a Westin and there is now a new Hilton and a W hotel dotting the stretch of A1A between Las Olas and Sunrise Boulevard. These, of course, are still 'mainstream' properties and the amenities that you'll find at the Gay Resorts (clothing-optional pools, etc) aren't available there. The strip along Las Olas Boulevard has changed in that a portion of one block towards the west end of the boulevard has recently been razed in preparation for a planned expansion of the venerable Riverside Hotel. There are some empty shop spaces which is a direct result of the current economic situation. Dining along Las Olas is just as good as always - Mango's is still popular with the Gay tourists and, of course, The Floridian remains a Fort Lauderdale institution.
There are still over 20 Gay or Gay-friendly properties, each having their niche clientele and 'sexual temperature'. Some of the properties have changed from an all-Gay to "all welcome" position as far as clientele is concerned. If you are looking for an exclusively-Gay property, or one that caters to an exclusively-male clientele, it's a wise idea to ask when you call the property to check availability or rates, etc.
No, I don't work for the Convention Bureau, but I am very familiar with Fort Lauderdale, being a 20+-year resident.
Refer to the Pink Choice ratings and prepare to enjoy a great South Florida vacation!
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8/4/2009 1:35:42 PM
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Troynyc
Posts 1
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Clearly, the highrise hotels -- a Hilton, a W, the Sheraton that has become a Westin, a Ritz Carlton (which was, for a short time, a St. Regis) -- have changed the skyline along the beach. But that is most noticeable only from the beach. From inside the enclaves of the gay resorts -- Terry's Villa Venice, or The Worthington, or The Grand and the others -- the new buildings have had no impact. And, to my mind, they have improved the neighborhood of the gay resorts, offering new cafes, snack shops, restaurants and newstands for out-of-town papers. Meanwhile, the arrival of a 24-hour full-service CVS just a few minutes' walk from Sebastian Beach has brought the convenience of a well-priced general store to the area.
So, sure, Ft. lauderdale beach has been changing. But not very much and the changes have actually added choices and conveniences to those staying at the resorts near the beach. And, the economic downtown and its accompanying drop in real estate values, probably means that there will be few new highrises erected for a very long time.
edited by Troynyc on 8/4/2009
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8/27/2009 4:01:26 PM
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Victor Vail
Posts 1
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Sure, it's changing - just like everything else is changing. But, it's still a great place to go. What's changed the most for me are a lot of the resorts close to the beach - because of the hi-rise bldgs that can now look down into the pool areas of the "clothing optional" resorts. This bothers me (don't get me wrong - I LOVE being looked at in my "clothing optional" state, but just not from windows 15 stories up... That sort of creeps me out.), so I don't stay in these places anymore. I prefer staying at the Cabanas in Wilton Manors, or the New Zealand House, the Coral Reef, or the Schubert Resort (the latter 3 are in the Victoria Park vicinity - close to Galleria Mall). The area is great - the gay life still flourishing - the "clothing optional" world still free... I've not detected any attitude in Wilton Manors or the Victoria Park areas. In fact, Fort Lauderdale continues to be one of the few cities in the country where I feel totally comfortable. Definitely still going strong.
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