We just returned from a three night stay over the 2008 fourth of July holiday. We went with another couple and booked the 2 bedroom suite. Below are the pro's and con's of the hotel:

Pro's:
Location - you can't beat right on the beach. True, you have to cross a road, but it is not as bad as others make it seem. There is not that much traffic.
Rooms - the room as I mentioned was a 2 bedroom suite. The master bedroom/bathroom was very spacious and the second bedroom was also spacious. The living room and kitchen space also made it very nice. It was like renting a condo for the weekend. The room had a nice layout and was very modern in its furnishing. Our room could have used a painting refresh though.
Beds - very comfortable
Balcony - our room had an awesome wrap around balcony. One side looked on the new W and ocean, and the other into downtown Ft. Lauderdale.
Concierge Services - very helpful with questions and getting us reservations
Construction - I list this as a pro, because even though it is there, you don't notice it. It did not disrupt us once.

Con's:
Kitchen - no cups, silverware, bottle openers, dish soap, etc. We needed an opener for beer and had to call to get one brought up (as well as dish soap). So although not there, it was a call away.
Pool - while the pool area is nice, it is on the small side. Over the busy weekend, it was very hard to find a spot by the pool.
Service - I list this as a con for this reason. After checking in and going up to our room, we found a person still in the second bedroom. The 2 bedroom suite is really like 2 hotel rooms. There is a hallway, with 1 door to the second bedroom and the second door to the kitchen, living room, and master bedroom. They checked us in knowing full well that somebody was in that room. Then they checked somebody into our room on our second day. We were luckily in the room so caught it. I will say that they did rectify the situation. They comped one of the nights and sent us a nice wine and cheese platter. So even though they did have the service guffaw, they made it right.

Some other notes:
Ilios - this is the restaurant. We did not eat here, but got the continental breakfast (for free because of Hilton Gold status) to go every morning and coffee. It was pretty good for what it was worth.
Location - I list this as a con also because it is at least a four block walk in either direction to get to a restaurant, convenience store, coffee shop, etc.
Spa - our wives went to the spa and commented it was OK...I guess a 3 out of five stars.
The Staff - they are very multicultural. This sometimes makes it hard to communicate. Not bad or good. Just something else to be aware of
Rent a Car - We did cabs and spent a lot. While you could get by without a car, I'd recommend one.

This hotel is beautiful and has the service to match. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, the rooms are well appointed. We stayed in a king suite that included a full kitchen, a Jenn Air refrigerator that I want at home, HUGE marble bath with a double sink and plenty of counterspace and storage, a rainfall showerhead that offered a deluge of water, comfy bed and linens, and spacious living room; two flat panel TVs and an oceanview balcony that unfortunately also overlooked a construction site next door, but it wasn't too bad; and a nicely outfitted fitness center. The 6th floor pool deck overlooking the ocean was great. And good food at the Ilios (though kind of pricey, aren't all hotel restaurants?) I wish they offered free internet access ($12.95/day), but that is truly the only thing to be found wanting. I highly recommend this friendly, gorgeous hotel.

Nice room. Refrigerator was really dirty. Someone elses leftovers were inside. Relatively new property so they seem disorganized. Good locatoin.

We spent one night at the "beach resort" in May 2008. The hotel is actually across a small four lane road from the beach.

Our room was clean and nice - and jammed with stuff: stove, fridge, coffee maker, closet with washer/dryer and pots/pans and so on. The room was a luxury 250 sf family beach home. Our small balcony overlooked the ocean and we enjoyed the views. The balcony also overlooked the numerous construction sites on the beachfront. It was dusty as there are major high rise construction projects on the left and right of this hotel. In 2010, the immediate area should be quite nice.

I really liked the staff! The concierge was sensational with practical advice. He recommended several restaurants outside the hotel and he was "spot on". The front staff was helpful. Great folks up and down the line.

My only complaint was that the main restaurant was not open yet (under construction). The small coffee shop by the pool was not inviting and expensive.

If you want a small family beach place, this is it.