We paid extra for a room with a view- the view was limited due to a wall next our balcony. And we could never sit on the balcony in the evenings because it was so noisy due to the many parties the hotel has on the beach for the large conference groups that stay there. The room itself is just your average hotel room. Also they charge for everything!! Even the internet access in the lobby costs money! And yes, they have a lovely spa, but $175 for a massage? Well I paid it and it was fine, but not worth $175, that's for sure. Anyway, we won't be back.

stayed here over christmas 2004 and new years 2005. great location but there are really two worlds there. the main pool and beach get very, very crowded with kids being supervised by loud and rude adults. hate to be judgemental but it was very unpleasant. they have two jacuzzis for lots and lots of people. beach cabanas are close together - although there were lots of activities for kids. the hidden jewel was the spa pool and related areas. for a fee (then it was 25 per person per day) you have access to a beautiful private pool where there were never more than a few people out. they set you up at a chair, lots of beautiful towels - the pool and hot tub there are secluded with music and aromatherapy. we enjoyed it every night after the sun went down - cool wind - it was gorgeous. you have access to indoor mens and womens hot tubs and great locker rooms with saunas etc. all this at a cost however (50 per day per couple plus 10-20 for daily tips add on to already pricey rooms.) the rooms were not a big deal - nice but not overly large or fancy. the king oceanfronts have balconies but nothing special. food was good - we ordered room service for new year's eve and even as busy as it was all the courses arrived warm. perhaps it was me but i found many of the people to be be rude and inconsiderate (loud talk on the cell phones in the elevators, kids pressing all the buttons on the elevators and parents just laughing...). maybe it was the time of the year but it seemed everyone who recently acquired some money but not the manners yet was there. a much, much better choice (far less pretentious and many hot tubs and uncrowded beach area is marriot's ocean pointe in plam beach shores) the one bedroom oceanfront usually lists for 300 and comes with a living room, washer/dryer, kitchen, and private hot tub. would not revisit harbor beach.

My wife and I stayed at Harbor Beach March 11-13. The ocean-view room was clean and the view was great as advertised. Staff was friendly and extremely accomodating. The pool area was not crowded, nor was the beach. Food by the pool at Cascades was good, but not great. The breakfast buffet at Riviera was excellent. I would recommend this hotel to anyone going to Ft. Lauderdale. You simply won't find a nicer place in town.

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.