Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort and Spa Review

Jetting off to a luxury resort is one of the best ways to escape winter and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Florida is known for its sunshine, beautiful coastline and fabulous tourist attractions so it's not surprising that Miami and Fort Lauderdale have become my home away from home.

Usually when people consider tropical vacations the Caribbean comes to mind but Fort Lauderdale offers white sandy beaches and swaying palm trees coupled with great nightlife, restaurants and shopping. It combines the excitement and thrill of the city with a tropical island vibe and an eclectic cultural melting pot, making it the perfect destination for fun, entertainment and relaxation.

Recently I stayed at the Marriott Pompano Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale located on a quiet strip of coastline that is as serene and pleasant as the modern decor. As I walked into the large, inviting lobby adorned with artwork depicting calming ocean graphics I was instantly transported to an oasis of rest and relaxation. The valet parking and warm welcome from the front desk followed by a fresh fruit platter and cool drinks made me forget my winter woes and jet-lag.

The Marriott on Pompano Beach is a trendy boutique style resort with 25 suites and 194 guest rooms to choose from, many of which feature picturesque private balconies. My room, on the ninth floor was quite spacious with a stunning ocean view and king sized bed.

View from the private balcony

The first thing I noticed was how clean and wonderful the room smelled, so unlike what you’d expect from a high occupancy, large hotel. The scent of freshly washed linens filled the air and from the balcony I had a great view of the pool and well manicured garden.

The modern, simple decor incorporates rustic touches of wooden art and a charming neutral color palette of cream, gold and hints of sea foam green. The pillows were fluffy, the bed was comfortable and the bathroom and shower were large and equipped with a range of toiletries, what more could a tired traveler ask for! As I turned on the large flat screen TV with premium movie channels and settled in to enjoy my stay our luggage was promptly brought to the room.

One of the best aspects of the hotel is its fabulous amenities. The highly ranked SiSpa is a seaside sanctuary inspired by the healing powers of the ocean. It caters to men, women and couples with a great range of body therapies, massage packages, facials, waxing and nail treatments plus a quiet relaxation room where you can kick back, relax and let the stress just melt away. The 24 hour fitness center is equipped with all the machines you need to continue your healthy lifestyle with a fantastic panoramic view of the pool and beach.

Relaxation room

Pedicure/foot care station

The secluded pool area that backs onto the pristine beach is surrounded by tall palm trees and is a popular spot to spend the afternoon. This tranquil space has many lounge chairs, a hot tub and two heated pools so there was no issue with overcrowding during my stay.

The versatile indoor-outdoor bar offers guests the option of sitting in the large dining room with friends or outside in the warm, lulling breeze and catching a sporting match over some appetizers and cocktails. The resort also played great music throughout the day which created a positive, upbeat environment and there was fresh popcorn should you crave a midday snack!

If you can drag yourself away from the comfort of the poolside or the shaded cabana rentals on the beach there are also a few games available like ping-pong and beach volleyball should you care to challenge your family to a friendly match. If water sports is more your thing, the resort also offers jet skis and paddle board rentals for some exhilaration and ocean fun.

I opted to have breakfast by the pool every morning and the variety was good! Usually I am underwhelmed when it comes to breakfast food as many hotels serve bland, boring options but the Marriott Pompano Beach offers both a buffet and a made-to-order menu. There were traditional options like eggs and bacon, sweet delectable foods such as pancakes, French toast and waffles plus mouth watering, savory dishes including omelettes and crispy potatoes. (Breakfast can be enjoyed for an additional cost).

The resort is very accommodating and caters to leisure, special events and business stays. They also offer meeting rooms, wedding services and a kids club operated by trained professionals.

I really liked that the beach was well kept, clean and not overflowing with tourists so my romantic evening strolls with my husband were peaceful and refreshing. The soft white sand and crashing waves provided just the escape we were looking for.

The Marriott Pompano Beach Resort is not all-inclusive so certain amenities, services, food/drinks, internet, valet parking and rentals must all be added to the price of your stay should you choose to indulge. In my opinion the beach cabanas located just a short distance from the pool area should be complimentary to all guests just as the lounge chairs are since they belong to the hotel. The business center with high-speed internet and printer is convenient but in my room the wifi connection was sluggish at times.

Since we rented a car I was also able to enjoy the surrounding area. The resort is a short drive to Las Olas which is a fabulous neighborhood to browse, shop and have a bite to eat. We also spent some time at Fort Lauderdale Beach where there are golf courses, world class diving, casinos and water parks close by.

If you want to head to Miami for the day it is a very easy drive and South Beach has more of a party vibe if you want to take a break from the peace and quiet of Pompano and let your hair down. There are many upbeat bars, malls and clubs and in Miami the party never ends!

South Beach

South Beach

Bayshore Market Place Miami

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the resort and I was able to recharge, recoup and have fun which is what vacationing is all about! Whether you are traveling as a couple, with kids or getting away with friends the fabulous tropical atmosphere and pampering environment of the Marriott Pompano Beach Fort Lauderdale has something for everyone! Currently the ocean view king room is aprox $420 U.S or $568 CA per night (rates my differ with exchange rate, season, additional costs and room type). For more information you can visit the website by clicking HERE.