I stayed at the Best Western Pelican Beach Resort from May 13th, 2005 to May 19th. A beautiful, intimate hotel that is RIGHT ON THE BEACH. You don't have to cross over A1A. RIGHT ON THE BEACH. There is an absolutely stunning long porch on the ocean side, with rocking chairs and cushion chairs/love seats. So if you need a break from the sun, all you do is walk up a few little steps and you're on the porch with the protection from the sun. Having breakfast on the porch, with the ocean breeze and ocean view was breath-taking. The pool had a separate "lazy river" feature, where you can float in a tube through some curvy sections, with the water being specially propelled. Lunch at poolside was very relaxing. I did wish, however, that the pool had a separate area for babies in pampers to swim in.

The beach area was beautiful. No charge for the use of beach chairs or umbrellas, though there were limited umbrellas and some were not in good condition. The man in charge of the beach towels and umbrellas was quite friendly.

Hotel staff were very helpful and accommodating. They were incredibly helpful about activities, like the Everglades Air Boat Tours, driving to South Beach and to the Saw Grass Mall Outlets.

The room was quite nice and well made up. My city view room had a balcony that had afternoon sun exposure. A nice feature.

Valet parking was $10 a day.

By car, Pelican Beach was 5 minutes from the hub of Los Olas, a major strip of boutiques, stores, restaurants and cafes. Miami is an approximate
45 minute ride away.

I would definitely return !!

We just returned from a long weekend at the Pelican Hotel in Fort Lauderdale and it was one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in. I can't believe I'm saying this because I've travelled around the world and didn't expect to find my favorite hotel in Fort Lauderdale (no offense)! I found the Pelican through this website, so I thought I should write a review to help fellow travelers who were searching for a great getaway like we were. We were traveling as a gay couple in our mid-30's in a mostly family resort, but we were welcomed warmly and felt totally at home (10 points to this hotel for being able to balance being very gay-friendly while still maintaining a friendly family vibe). My boyfriend and I stayed in a suite on the top floor of the (much maligned) Sun Tower, which is the older, more run-down building next to the new, immaculate main building, but we didn't mind at all. A more finicky couple in the room next to us complained to us that they didn't like the Sun Tower, but they seemed bitter that they weren't in the new building, and didn't realize it when making their reservations. The Sun Tower is not renovated, and will probably be demolished when its lease is up in a few years, but if you can roll with the slightly 1960's decor, you'll be fine, and you may even save a few bucks. Every room in the Sun Tower faces the ocean, and its only 6 floors high and is directly on the beach, as is the main hotel. Our suite had a kitchen and living room area and balcony with a great view of uninterrupted ocean. Plus both buildings share the same beach, pool/kids pool and fantastic restaurant(s). The main building's Plantation-style wrap-around porch with rocking chairs overlooking Carribbean-clear ocean is simply beautiful, the food is so consistently good that I was practically in shock, and the staff is the nicest most genuinely kind staff that I've ever met. This is a family owned company and it shows -- you will not believe that you are in a "Best Western". Just pray it doesn't rain though -- there ain't much else to do in Fort Lauderdale even if its sunny, so I personally wouldn't want to stay there for weeks and weeks on end no matter what the weather. But 3 or 4 days there could really make you very, very happy -- we were and we hated to leave.

Stayed 4/11 - 4/16. Excellent facility. Clean, modern and new. Staff is exceptional. This is a family business and the staff treats you as if they have known you for years and you are visiting them not their business. Cannot say enough good things. Location is directly on the water. Restaurant serves above average fair but still reasonable prices.

Best kept secret in Ft. Lauderdale. Was down the week of April 18th with my wife and two kids ( 6, 9 ). You must stay in the new tower, the old bldg should be torn down ( which i suspect may happen ). The new tower is luxurious and immaculate. The grounds are very pretty and the pool/ lazy river was very well thought out. The kids loved it. The room was beautiful, all suites in the new tower with double queens, a living room, BR each with it's own TV. Food was very good, especially the breakfast buffet which for 9.99 per adult, kids eat free. Lunch by the pool was equally good, no slop food here. The tower lobby is elegant with comfy couches, a nice gaming area. Good place to relax, perhaps read. The beach was no different than on the main strip, only without all the crowds. The guests were mainly families with kids, even grand parents. And all were very courteous. The staff was also very attentive. There wasn't a single thing that wasn't right about this place. You won't be dissapointed.