With Ft. Lauderdale undergoing an "upscale" tranformation, finding a 4-5 star hotel, for less than $275 a night is difficult. There are several choices on the 5 star end--St. Regis, Atlantic, and a W under construction--and plenty of old Ft. Lauderdale beach hotels that are crowded with tourists. The Hyatt Pier 66 has all the charm and few of the drawbacks.

The location is on the waterway 5 minutes from the beach, 5 minutes from Las Olas Blvd., and 15 minutes from the airport. The view from the tower rooms is impressive--watch the mega yachts go by. I booked my room for a steal on priceline, asked for a renovated room upon check-in, and was very pleased. Renovated rooms are clean, nice bathrooms, plasma tvs, free internet, balconies, and excellent beds with down comforters. The staff could not be nicer (great with my small children) and the recently renovated pool is fabulous! The pool restaurant renovation is underway. The hotel has a marina, and is on the water taxi route--a great way to travel for a 2-3 hour dinner excursion. I would stay there again in a second. IMO, the best feature is that is away from the congested, cheesy, overpriced, tourist infested beach area.

Thius was one of the best hotels I stayed in. I was in a Pool room right next to the pool! Literally I walked from my patio about 25 feet to the pool everyday. The pool is wonderful!!! Great services by the pool also such as the cold towels and mist refresher spray! There are 2 pools and a xxxxlarge hot tub! Sunbathing was the best here!

The room was terrific! The air conditioning was very cold, the beds were soft and the pillows the best! The bathroom was BIG and the shower was clean and the water pressure was in top condition!

The grounds are kept really clean! I never saw 1 bug at all. The hotel is set on the intercostal so if you take walks around the grounds, you will see some amazing yatchs!

Overall I really enjoyed my stay. I would go back the this hotel in the future! I cant wait to see the newly renovated check in area!

I recently stayed at the Hyatt Pier 66 over the Fourth of July.
We had a tower room on the 14th floor.

The staff was outstanding.

The hotel is going thru some renovations in the lobby areas. They had moved the check in area to the ground level. At no time did the construction bother or worry us.

We had to wait for our room, so we sat at the lobby bar and had such a good and fun time with Brandonton? I wish I was good at names.

Our view was to die for. Looked North and East. Saw the most spectular fireworks from all the surrounding towns. Had a view of the ships departing Port Everglades (Not many at this time of year). View of the ocean and the typical Florida afternoon thunderstorms.

I would not hestitate to return, as a matter of fact I am booking for next year also.

The pool was beautiful.

See pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/lindanick101

Our room in the towers had a refrigerator with a sign on the front stating that it was provided for the convenience of the guests. When I checked my bill, we were charged $21 a night for the "use" of the refrigerator. Since we were attending a wedding, many other people that we knew were also staying at this hotel. Many of them had the same charge. The hotel took the charges off the bill when I brought it to their attention (hotel policy is not to charge for the refrigerator whether it is used or not). One member of our group got home before realizing that they had paid for this. Watch carefully for all of the hidden costs at this place which also charges for all parking - self parking and valet.