We stayed at the Riverside for three nights and had a true "Jekyll & Hyde" experience. There are two different parts to the hotel, the original "old" hotel and the newer hotel tower. Our first night was had a room in the old hotel and it was one of the worst rooms we have ever stayed in. The room was small, dank and had a musty smell. The furniture was old, drab and worn; ditto for the carpet and drapes. The bed linens and towels were very old and worn. The double beds were small twin-size beds barely big enough for two people. The bathroom had old, worn fixtures, with a broken toilet seat, and the lighting in the bathroom was so bad that when you pulled shut the shower curtain to take a shower, the shower area was completely dark. We couldn't get any Internet service in the room, and to top it all off the walls were so thin that we could hear our neighbors having an amourous time at 4 in the morning.

The next day we insisted that they move us to a room in the newer Tower, and they complied, and it was like a COMPLETELY different hotel. Our room was spacious, clean, bright and new, with a great view of the skyline and ocean. The bed linens and towels were nice and new. The Internet service worked great. The bathroom was spacious and nice. Everything was quiet, too. And the location is fantastic.

I don't know what's going on with this hotel, but whatever you do DO NOT stay in the older section of this hotel. Insist in getting a room in the newer tower. Otherwise, you will be very, very sorry. I'd give a rating for our first night in the older section a "1" and our rating for the last two nights in the newer section a 3.5 or 4.

When staying in Fort Lauderdale on business, I don’t think there is a better place. It is within walking distance of many nice restaurants and nightlife. If you stay out on the ocean you have that bridge thing to contend with and that can make you late for a meeting. Plus, who want to watch people frolic on the beach when you are working. The Riverside has two distinct sides: New and Old. The new side of the hotel is a tower that has nice sized rooms (larger bathrooms, newer fixtures, etc.). The old side has…small or cozy rooms (smaller rooms and tiny bathrooms). I really am not sure which I prefer. The new is a little “common Hilton” and the old is a little “nostalgic old Florida”. You decide. Either way, unless you are expecting a view of the sea, I like this place. Staff is polished and smiling a little to much (I guess not a bad thing). I haven’t eaten at the restaurant, but it seems to have a following. I have eaten at Mark’s on Los Olas, Mancini’s, Zucca and La Bohnes (I think that is correct). All, wonderful. I am not a Florida fan, but do like Fort Lauderdale. And the Riverside is the best option within the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Kudos for the free internet in my room. What a concept.

We stayed at the Riverside for one night for a pre-cruise stay. We booked a room through Expedia in the newer tower and were very pleased. Hotel check in was quick, and the lobby was very nice.

The room was large, clean, cool, and comfortable. Nice plush towels in the bathroom which was very large, good water pressure too. We also had a great view of the river. We spent the day at the pool which was across the street, but very clean and nice and quiet. We really enjoyed the location since we did not have a car, and spent the nite on Las Olas, at at Mancini's Restauarant. Was excellent..I recommend the fresh spinich ravioli in the brown butter cream sage sauce, was the best!

Overall I would definatly stay here again, was a great choice.

Just spent the weekend at the Riverside hotel, was a little nervous considering the reviews.. noso when I arrived I upgraded to the new tower building, wow great view of the river big , nice room, friendly service, and as you come out of the hotel you are right there on las olas loads of nice restaurants, resonably priced for lunch, a little pricey in the evening, but so cute.We walked to the beach which was really too far 40 mins, should have taken the tram. And the fact that the pool is accross the street is no big deal, its not really a street just the other side of the hotel, and it too is right on the river. Would definately return to this hotel.