Just returned from a quick "girl's" weekend and while the room we had was beautiful and the view was great....the wait for the elevator was BEYOND ridiculous!

If you're not in a rush to get anywhere (including checking out) then this will be just fine, but since it's really not a hotel that the stairs make any sense (we were on the 12th floor) be prepared to add an additional 15 minutes getting to or from your room, the lobby, etc.....

Just got back from Fort Lauderdale, stayed at Marriott Beach Place July 26 - August 2008.
My family of 5 traveled with older children ages 20, 18 and 14.
First, as mentioned... the location is great. Steps off the beach, situated along a strip where there is a ton of action. Nightlife, restaurants and people watching. Every evening we went out and sat on the beach wall and watched the cruisers.
I'm a Marriott owner at a different location so I know what to expect.
Yes, the place NEEDS, and IS being renovated. Everyone has commented on the elevator problem. it is a problem.
But the biggest problem Beach Place has is access to it. It makes me wonder how anybody actually signed off on it during construction or how it came to be. Anyway, depending on the floor, the only way to access any part of the hotel is through the elevator that is either in the parking garage or back in what feels like a dark, isolated place. It is terrible. However, once you get used to it, you get used to it.
The pool and pool area is small and not great. We visited the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort just to the south, and were reminded what a real resort pool area looks like.
We ended up staying at Beach Place because I was trading late and it was a location I could get into. Not to be too negative, but that may be the only situation that would bring me back. I mean it was great in a last minute pinch, but with time to plan I would try many other locations first. I'm sure even Marriott would admit this may be its weakest "Vacation Club" location.
One final word of advice to Marriott. I think Marriott needs to rent/lease/buy some of the open/shuttered retail space on the ground floor off the main street to create an entrance to the property. There is NO entrance. It's bizarre. I fear though that since the property is primarily a timeshare property, the desire to make BIG changes is less than it would be at a resort property more driven by daily fee guests. I also wonder what if any effect Marriott's purchase of the BEAUTIFUL and right next door St. Regis Condo-Hotel will have when it opens with Marriott's Ritz Carlton brand.

The hotel sits atop a parking garage. The hotel entrance is on the 5th floor. To get to the Beach Place, guests must walk through the garage and a tunnel to get to the "Beach Place." As you walk through the garage, hold your nose, or you will be overwhelmed by the putrid smell of garbage. My gold elite status upgraded me to the floor closest to the ongoing guest room renovations that are taking place inside the hotel. Hammering and banging can be expected by 7:30-8am.

The worst problem of this hotel, however, is that it is under-elevatored. Expect to wait five minutes during peak times to get to your room.

After all the negative reviews I was a little worried about our trip to Beachplace Towers. Then I decided that a vacation is whatever you make of it. There were 7 people in our party ranging in age from 12 - 65. No one drinks or likes to stay up late partying. Now you can see why I was nervous.

Flew into Miami and rented a car. Drove straight to the hotel and up the parking garage with no problem. Short wait for elevator to lobby. Check in was easy and fast. Found our 2 BR room easily and had an intercostal view. Room was large enough for all 7 of us. Even though the room had not been updated, it was still very nice and clean. Never kept awake from any noise below. We were on the 11th floor.

Woke up early to head for the beach. Rented chairs on the beach for that day. (Big mistake) After the first day I went to the lobby and rented 2 chairs and an umbrella for $6.00. Much better deal. Never had a problem with the elevators taking too long. Never a problem crossing the road to the beach. Employees were very helpful and friendly.

We liked having a van because we drove to Key West and out to eat most evenings. Didn't like having to pay for parking, but I had budgeted for that after reading the complaints on this site. Thanks for the heads up. You can get by without a vehicle, but for my family, we like to get out and about.

All in all great vacation and I would stay here again.