I can understand why this resort needs to be renovated. The pool area and common areas are lovely and the grounds are beautiful. This location is right on the beach but in an isolated area so make sure you rent a car!

The rooms, however, truly need to be updated. Although they have put flat screened TV's as a "soft" update, the rooms really need a make-over since they are quite worn and old.

As a gold elite member, I was first given a suite "as a courtesy update" and I switched to another room when I discovered there were ants crawling on the bed and desk. The room I was switched to was sufficient for a short stay, but was not really a "resort" room in appearance. The bathrooms are quite nice with granite counters and modernized shower.

Their website does say that rooms are being renovated and I will return once this has been completed. I suggest you wait before staying here as well.....

My husband had a conference at the hotel, and we decided to bring our children along to enjoy the beach. The hotel is under going reconstruction, please do not underestimate this fact!

Our room was fortunate enough to be located near 4 rooms that were having work done. As with most construction projects the noise was very loud. We are talking LOUD with banging, hammering, yelling down the hallway... Now most of you are not likely trying to allow for young children to take a nap (if you are do NOT stay here!), but this went on every night after it was dark outside, not exactly romantic or relaxing!

Now, I can assure you I am not hard to please. I would never have written in over little things like the person behind the hotel desk being unkind, or being passed up by a server to seat men in suits standing behind us in line at one of the restaurants, or the fact that our room really did need the reconstruction being performed on its neighbors, but all of this put together makes you wish you had spent a lot less!!!

Now for the positive: The staff for the most part was quite friendly, the beach and pool were nice and the kid activities were quite fun. One member of the hotel staff, even gave my children some beach toys left behind by another guest.

I sent a letter to Bill Marriott describing our experience. He then forwarded it to the hotel to then deal with because I received a letter from the GM of the Harbor Beach. It offered an apology and two nights stay in the hotel. (I gues they did not realize that I live in another state and would likely not be back)

Hopefully this helps you in making an informed choice!

My elderly mother and son accompanied me on a 4 night stay at this resort. While the setting was spectacular with beach, poolside area and views in Ft. Lauderdale, the costs of meals and drinks at the hotel was really outrageous. 10$ magaritas, 8$ chicken fingers for kids, etc. The locale was amazing though with a clean and spacious beach, great pool area and remarkable landscaping. I noticed many families walking to the main street near this complex and buying sandwiches and drinks, then toting them back to the pool. Another issue is the 23$ per day parking for your rental car and the miscommunication between the guard gate and front desk in making it extremely chaotic to come and go. In essence, I would recommend this hotel primarily for its location (prox to airport), beach and pool. But the add-ons and extras make it an extremely expensive vacation. I think you can find better value elsewhere, honestly.

I just came back from 5 wonderful daysat this resort, and I have to say it was the best of my 5 past visits there. Aside from the late check-in (around 4:30pm) everything was perfect. This is the only Major deluxe resort on the beach. All the other resorts, including those massive ones, are on the other side of A1A, and you have to cross the road to get to the beach.

Listen,,,THIS IS A FAMILY RESORT!! If you have a problem with kids playing in the pool, or having a catch in the pool, then DON"T COME HERE!!

The staff was friendly, they have pool attendants who walked around the pool serving free fruit, and iced water. Everyday at 2:00pm there was a cart with cookies and lemonaide available poolside. The pool grounds are spectacular with waterfalls and landscaping.

Accomodations were fine, the SPA rivles anything in Vegas and dinner at 3030 Ocean was probably the best meal I have ever had. We had the chef's 5 course tasting menu and had no idea what was next! We actually ended up with 7 courses...(bout $70 per person- well worth it)

Check out was a breeze. There are very nice lockers , stocked showers and all the ammeneties located by the pool. We checked out then relaxed poolside till we had to go to the airport. We then showered, and dressed in the changing rooms!

There are so many nice things about this place, and I can't wait to come back...AND I AM!!