After a winter of snow and cold, this Fort Lauderdale experience saved us! The hotel has a great location if you are looking for the beach, pool and activities for younger children. Since we had a teenage daughter with us, as long as the sun was present, we were golden. The ride from the airport was easy since it it only about six miles to this location. The hotel is in a private area so although we did walk to some shops, be prepared for a bit of a hike which is probably about 1-2 miles. We enjoyed the chance after eating at Riva. It is located in the hotel and serves an ample buffet breakfast which is certain to please. The wait staff there was both friendly and very efficient. Since we had rented a car, the hotel has a parking garage which is either self parking or valet and comes with a fee attached. If you choose to take your car out, you must be aware of meters which are centrally located on the street rather than at each individual parking space. We encountered this situation in Fort Lauderdale and in South Beach and was explained to us right before we almost got a ticket from a meter maid. Our room at the Harbor beach Marriot had a view of the ocean which was lovely even from a second floor balcony. However, it could have used some touch up to the plaster around the sliding doors. Since we had a rollaway in the room, it was a little tight on space. We would definitely go back in the future for the beach and pool, but prefer the added space of a condo or family suite.

My husband and I just spent three days here. We can't say enough about how wonderful the room and all the staff are. They are absolutely committed to making sure that you are comfortable and happy there.
Everyone is always smiling and saying hello. We are not usually geared up for big hotels, but this was so homey and the staff so considerate that we would stay here again any time. It was a stunning experience. The beach is simply fabulous, enormously wide, right in front of the hotel, and in a very uncrowded area, a nice long walk south of any other hotel beach. There are cabanas if it is a little windy. Otherwise chairs are available and you can pull them to very quiet areas along the beach. The grounds are magnificent with scalloped grass, flowers and shrubbery landscaping, all meticulously kept. You can have the most delicious breakfast of your life (I will never forget the sticky buns) outside on the huge patio overlooking the landscaping and with gorgeous views of the ocean right below you. The pool was very large and nicely heated. It was surrounded by beautiful rock and flower landscaping. It was somewhat busy as you might expect on the weekend, but still nice for a dip if the ocean is a little chilly. Very young children stay in the low area, but you could have the deeper area, which is quite separated from the low area to yourself. There is a hot tub also. The early morning and late afternoon saw very few people at the pool There was some music and activity around the pool during the day, but the beach was a simply fabulous alternative for us. There are no buildings close by at the beach, lots of foliage, especially to the south, so the walks were perfect and endless....as close as you can get to a Carribean beach. If you don't want table service for breakfast or lunch, you can just buy some cereal, fruit, yogurt, or self serve salads and sandwiches at the easy little restaurant at the pool and bring it anywhere you want to eat. That is just typical of the laid back and carefully thought out things they do in consideration of visitors...so you don't have to wait for table service if you don't want to, and you can bring your food out onto the beach....or you can just raise a flag if you are too lazy, and someone will come by and take your order. You can even do your own laundry in the washing machines on the lower floor. They have simply thought of everything. You can have all the service you want or you can just be laid back and do things on your own at your own pace. That's what made this place so special for us.
The ocean front room we had was large, beautifully kept by room service, and of course the view was magnificent. We actually did spend some time out on our balcony, and it was worth the view in the morning. But even if you don't have an oceanfront room, the hotel has such outstanding features and service, that it is a winner. When our luggage was misplaced for a while, the staff spent all evening tracking it down, and eventually found it. Everyone was wonderful about it. Nothing seemed too much for the staff to handle at any time in any circumstance. I am convinced that there is simply no place in Fort Lauderdale that can come close to the Marriot Harbor Beach Resort.

We arrived for an overnight stay in the midst of a dreary rainy two days. I had requested an ocean view and was pleased to learn that we were placed on the top floor in a room with a balcony. So, we ordered room service, made coffee, and when the rains stopped, sat outside during the late afternoon and evening. The room service was prompt and efficient, the room was fine, and the view was magnificent. One by one the cruise ships streamed by (the beach is next to the channel) and went east to the horizon. At one point, we watched a stream of 6 cruise ships, each lit up making a convoy to east. The maid service was discreet and attentive. The next morning, we went to the breakfast room at 6:45 am and had a lovely breakfast, sitting by the window, watching more rain - but the coffee was good, the food prepared beautifully, and (for those of you who aren't enthralled with crowds of kids) very, very quiet. I add the note about the kids because this resort has plenty - and there are plenty of parents who were not enjoying the family vacation and did not hesitate to yell at their children publicly. Be prepared. I would definitely return to this hotel when staying in Fort Lauderdale; also, please note that the hotel is a Hertz depot so it is possible to rent a car from the hotel for an excursion. Book the top floor with an ocean view - yes, it is more expensive, but the balcony, high above the kids and parents is worth it.

Stay here and be happy; you're as close to perfection as it gets.
We took a Christmas cruise on the Costa Mediterranea and stayed here one day prior and booked the nearby Hyatt Pier 66 on the return. The Hyatt was fair and located near the water taxi to Las Olas shops but was in no way the hotel the Harbor Beach Mariott is.
In fact we rebooked the Mariott for two more nights so we could enjoy it's beach. We sailed the Hobie twice; we rented the Segway scooters and got great treatment from Chris.
The food at the Riva is superior.
The pool and setting are perfect.
If you're not happy here, you're a crank and don't know how to relax and enjoy this clean and wonderful place.
We are international travelers and have found few places stateside to match this except the Highlands Inn and Tickle Pink Inn in Carmel Highlands...totally different, but wonderful places in the world. Also L'Auberge in Sedona.
Stay here and rent the nearby Club Nautica boats, and go cruising up the wonderful canals of Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy!