Just came back today (4/16/07) after spending a long weekend at the Sea Spray Inn at Lauderday by the Sea. I can't say enough good things about the place. They were absolutely fantastic!
My friend and I picked Ft. Lauderdale as a quick weekend getaway destination a few weeks prior and I was in charge of booking a place to stay. I had called 7 other places trying to get rates and availability after researching that area. Everyone I talked to at those places were pretty rude whether they had a room available or not. After working in customer/patient relations for several years, I don't do business with people who act like they don't want it. I called the Sea Spray Inn and talked to Susan on my last/8th call. She was very friendly and accomodating I immediately decided to book whatever she had just based on that first impression. She offered me a good rate and we made a deal.
We showed up on Friday (4/13) earlier than the check-in time and the owner, Franz, was preparing our room. Susan had told him we might be coming in early so he was working on it. He was so very inviting and jovial. It is a small place--maybe 6 or 7 rooms--and your are treated like visiting family. I loved the vibe of the place. Very laid back, the room was nicely done and clean with a neat kitchen, and Susan and Franz (a former chef) offered opinions about restaurants and road trips and beach activities. They offer off-street parking which I didn't give much thought to until I saw how busy some of the streets were during the weekend. The beach is across the street and the area is clean and not too crowded. Everything is within a few blocks.
I could go on and on (obviously) about the place and more importantly the level of service Franz and Susan offer. I will go back there sometime in the future and will definitely stay at the Sea Spray again. I enjoyed just being there.
Jo H.

In December we booked the Clarion hotel Lauderdale by the sea Florida Because the local infomation guide stated that the hotel had referbished all its rooms, What year was this advert printed ? We had to look at three rooms before we found one that did not have either black mold on the cieling, Running toilets, ripped curtains,wardrobe door hanging off generally very run down rooms, and over priced, over christmas they double the room rate.
The pool was cold, and the fianle straw was the mouse trap behind the sofa in room, We were booked in for a second time after the New Year but cancelled, We then went to four other Hotels in the area much smaller but all in very poor condition, It seems thay have a capative public in Lauderdale by the sea, and the responce from the staff was take it or leave it,
We stayed in Fort Lauderdale Sheraton very good

This is a place to go to if you don't drive, because everything you need is right around you. Plus, it's beautiful and friendly, with tons of restaurants for any type of food. Jungle Queen is a recommended tour on an old boat. It's fun, take your camera:)