Castle by the Sea
4520 N Ocean Dr, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308-3611
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About
4.5
#14 of 26 hotels in Lauderdale-By-The-SeaLocation
4.5
Cleanliness
4.3
Service
4.4
Value
4.3
Located in the town of Lauderdale-by-the-sea, this hotel is a 2 minute walk from the beach with many restaurants, eateries and shopping. It features an outdoor swimming pool and Wi-Fi in all areas. A microwave and refrigerator come standard in each room at Castle by the Sea. Select rooms feature fully equipped kitchens. A flat-screen TV is included. Beach towels and sand chairs are available to guests at Castle by the Sea. Guests will be 5.4 miles from Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course, 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale Airport and Port Everglades and only 30 minutes from Miami Beach.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Pool
Pool / beach towels
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Express check-in / check-out
Outdoor pool
Fence around pool
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
Room features
Air conditioning
Coffee / tea maker
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English
Location
4520 N Ocean Dr, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308-3611
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 81 out of 100
81
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
8.9 mi•
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Miami Intl Airport
29.9 mi•
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Rental Cars
37 Restaurants
within 0.3 miles
270Reviews6Q+A40Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
Hotel's Favorite
Boyfriend and I stayed here for a relaxing week in early Dec '22. Stayed in Room 10 (get this room!) King size bed (new mattress) small kitchenette and a nice bathroom. Reni, manager, who is terrific and very efficient, checked us in and explained the rules of the place clearly. The pool is very nice, though we went to the beach mostly (as it's so close) but it's nice to have. Other guests were very friendly and would always say hello. There is parking in front but limited to about 10 spots (and it's right on the main street, so watch for cars.). A Publix grocery store is within walking distance and was a def plus! Checkout the First Watch restaurant next to it, with healthy food options. Castle by the Sea is very close to Aruba's Beach Shack (def go here!) and other lively restaurants, some with live music. We had a wonderful and relaxing time staying here and would definitely enjoy it again. For your next vacation in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea choose Castle by the Sea!
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Renee Allison, General Manager at Castle by the Sea
Responded Feb 4, 2023
Hi, thank you so much for an amazing review. It was really our pleasure having you. Thank you again for choosing Castle by the Sea.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed here for 6 nights after flying in from Australia to board the Koningsdam Cruise Ship, which was cancelled. The place is not modern but it doesn't say it is. Sure it can use some maintenance, but we picked it as a stop off location close to the beach and amenities in Ft Lauderdale.
There is coffee making facilities in the room, no tea, only powered creamer/milk no liquid milk. There is a fridge and the beds, sheets blankets etc are clean. The shower/bathroom is functional and modern although the shower is a bit narrow. If you have mobility issues be aware of this.
The pool was clean and very usable although a bit small to swim laps, but fine to jump in for a splash.
There is no breakfast available, although there are diners/coffee shops a short 10 min walk away.
As mentioned our cruise was cancelled which meant we had to extend out stay in Ft Lauderdale by 2 days to change flights back to Australia. Marina was wonderful and helped us out as did the young man who staffed to office over the weekend.
There were a lot of cancellations from what I saw and Marina did her best to accommodate from what I saw. Bottom line I'd stay here again in a heart beat. Ft Lauderdale is very similar to the Gold Coast in Australia or Waikiki in Honolulu. So sometimes you don't need to travel far for a good holiday.
The top floor rooms are NOT suitable for people with mobility issues, and there is free WiFi.
There is coffee making facilities in the room, no tea, only powered creamer/milk no liquid milk. There is a fridge and the beds, sheets blankets etc are clean. The shower/bathroom is functional and modern although the shower is a bit narrow. If you have mobility issues be aware of this.
The pool was clean and very usable although a bit small to swim laps, but fine to jump in for a splash.
There is no breakfast available, although there are diners/coffee shops a short 10 min walk away.
As mentioned our cruise was cancelled which meant we had to extend out stay in Ft Lauderdale by 2 days to change flights back to Australia. Marina was wonderful and helped us out as did the young man who staffed to office over the weekend.
There were a lot of cancellations from what I saw and Marina did her best to accommodate from what I saw. Bottom line I'd stay here again in a heart beat. Ft Lauderdale is very similar to the Gold Coast in Australia or Waikiki in Honolulu. So sometimes you don't need to travel far for a good holiday.
The top floor rooms are NOT suitable for people with mobility issues, and there is free WiFi.
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Date of stay: March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Getaway530475, Manager at Castle by the Sea
Responded Mar 26, 2020
Thank you for staying at Castle By The Sea and for taking the time to share your experience with us. I am looking forward to welcome you again! Best Regards Marina
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This little hotel was an amazing surprise that made our vacation perfect! The management was super friendly, helpful and accommodating — thanks, Marina for all your help! The location cannot be beat— close to everything, 5 min walk to the beach, to the supermarket, bars, restaurants, shopping, bicycle renting, park, etc. The room was huge, very spacious, clean, very comfy big beds, sofa, big TV, plenty of closets/ drawers/ shelves, multiple outlets for device charging, table with chairs. Very good functional kitchen with full-size fridge, sink, stove, dishes, utensils, everything you need to cook and eat. The room was full of very well thought thru details like a pocket for your phone in the bedding sheets, lovely toiletries, good coffee refilled each morning, lots of towels, plus they give you beach towels and beach chairs! Fantastic, clean, beautifully decorated pool area — we spent one whole day in there, just enjoying the little paradise with our books. Plenty of free parking right in front. We found our home away from home, and definitely will be back!
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Getaway530475, Manager at Castle by the Sea
Responded Mar 9, 2020
Thank you for staying at Castle By The Sea and for taking the time to share your experience with us. I am looking forward to welcome you again! Best Regards Marina
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
WOW!!! My 21 yr old daughter, her bestie & I stayed here for four nights this week & let me tell you that Renee was AWESOME!! She worked really hard to make sure our trip was seamless!! She went above and beyond for us making sure we always had all the beach chairs, umbrellas, towels, roll away with sheets & pillow for our unexpected guest to stay comfortably with us, etc, etc. She even came to our rescue at 9:30 pm one night when we sadly locked ourselves out of our room while having the most positive attitude towards us. Sorry again Renee 😔 We will work really hard to never let that happen again!!!! Renee needs a raise!! 🤩
This hotel is perfectly located within a 2-3 min walk across the street to the beach, & very close walking distance from shops, restaurants, grocery & bars...there is not much of a need to even have a car but there is free parking for one should you have one. All the guests were super friendly and we even had some cute lizards & iguanas come by to visit us during our stay. My ONLY suggestions would be to supply each room with a broom & dustpan to sweep up any sand that might get dragged in from the beach and to have keypad locks on the room doors so lockouts can’t ever happen. We will DEFINITELY be staying here again and hope & pray Renee is still working there for our future visits!! Until next time Castle By The Sea 🌊 😬
This hotel is perfectly located within a 2-3 min walk across the street to the beach, & very close walking distance from shops, restaurants, grocery & bars...there is not much of a need to even have a car but there is free parking for one should you have one. All the guests were super friendly and we even had some cute lizards & iguanas come by to visit us during our stay. My ONLY suggestions would be to supply each room with a broom & dustpan to sweep up any sand that might get dragged in from the beach and to have keypad locks on the room doors so lockouts can’t ever happen. We will DEFINITELY be staying here again and hope & pray Renee is still working there for our future visits!! Until next time Castle By The Sea 🌊 😬
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Renee Allison, General Manager at Castle by the Sea
Responded Apr 17, 2021
Thank you so very much for such a great review. We really loved having you and your family stay with us. See you next year.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our stay at the 16 room Castle By The Sea was just what was needed for a relaxing vacation (please correct me if there are more or fewer rooms). The ocean, less than a 3 minute walk, was where we spent most of our day. The variety of town restaurants, where we spent our evenings, was a 5 minute walk. We spent the late afternoon poolside, where we could chat with the other guests and share our experiences and suggestions. The management set the bar high for friendliness: everyone was friendly- from Renee the manager and Nicola in housekeeping to all other guests. We watched and cheered a 3 year old learning to swim. Because guests became acquainted with each other, we all were respectful of pool hours and keeping the place looking good.
The rooms are recently refurbished and very clean. The air conditioner worked better than many hotels I’ve stayed in. There is no daily cleaning, but this did not detract - we kept our rooms in good order using the community broom and some supply requests that were quickly carried out.
My entire family was delightfully surprised in the quality and comfort. You certainly get value for your dollar here. And, we did not need a car at all (except for the airport transfer when we used Lyft). Loved checking out of the real world and checking onto our fantasy castle!
Only suggestions are more thorough cleaning of the room fans and the management to be willing to talk to my boss to give me more time off to extend my stay.
P.S.- the best breakfast croissants (or more correctly brioches in Italian) are at the Pane D’or a 5 minute walk.
The rooms are recently refurbished and very clean. The air conditioner worked better than many hotels I’ve stayed in. There is no daily cleaning, but this did not detract - we kept our rooms in good order using the community broom and some supply requests that were quickly carried out.
My entire family was delightfully surprised in the quality and comfort. You certainly get value for your dollar here. And, we did not need a car at all (except for the airport transfer when we used Lyft). Loved checking out of the real world and checking onto our fantasy castle!
Only suggestions are more thorough cleaning of the room fans and the management to be willing to talk to my boss to give me more time off to extend my stay.
P.S.- the best breakfast croissants (or more correctly brioches in Italian) are at the Pane D’or a 5 minute walk.
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Renee Allison, General Manager at Castle by the Sea
Responded Apr 27, 2021
Hi. You review was amazing, thank you so much. We really enjoyed having your family stay with us. It is always to our enjoyment watching our guest become friends & family. By the way, what is your bosses name (your to funny)? Have a great day.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed here during part of my travel nursing assignment in Plantation and thoroughly enjoyed my stay here. A beyond convenient location to absolutely everywhere! Great shops and restaurants simply a block away. A hop,skip, and a jump from the ocean.....a beautiful beach that while being occupied by others was far from being flooded with people as some of the other beaches I have seen. I was made to feel like family here at Castle By The Sea. My vehicle was only a few feet away in a parking area that I never had any trouble finding a place to park in. This all being essential for those times that I was on call and needed to get to the hospital in a timely manner. The beautiful pool was right outside my room. While I know that there were plenty of other guests around, the place was quiet and well maintained. I would stay here again for sure! I truly hope that I get the opportunity to do so! Thank you for giving me a home away from home!
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Date of stay: February 2021Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Renee ALLISON, General Manager at Castle by the Sea
Responded Feb 21, 2021
Thank you so much for staying with us. Your review means a lot!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was one of the worse experiences at a hotel due to the extreme unfriendliness and rudeness of the main staff/customer “service” rep. Even before coming, I asked a question about restaurants, and right away the responses took a few days and were cold and not actually answering the question. I took it as “don’t bother me”, but with all the good reviews, I have the place the benefit of doubt. And then when we arrived at exactly the check in time of 3pm, the staff member had apparently just left and wrote to us very rudely that we were late and she could not stay etc etc so she had left the key in a small box. There were phone numbers to call, neither of which had a response. And then the day after when she was there, she was so rude and made us feel as though we are imposing staying there. Our key was actually deactivated and she forced us to “check” in to pay an extra deposit… I don’t know if the lady was having a horrible day and was taking it on us or was racist… but we travel extensively and I’ve never had such a rude customer service rep or owner. Plus, we are Canadian! We felt so unwelcome. On top of it, although the room was big and clean, there was never any hot water, not enough towels or change of towels during our stay and the wifi never ever worked. And when we advised the lady, she gave a whole explanation of how basically we are wrong to make these assumptions… and at the end of the stay, she almost shewed us to leave, when I asked about my deposit she very cruelly was like… “you leave your keys and once we do a thorough verification of the room and pillows and towels… and if all is good and you haven’t ruined anything we will refund you”. Which basically makes you feel like, although you are the paying guest who is actually a highly educated and well to do person with a sweet family… that you are a criminal! I could not wait to be away from the bitterness that was this woman and out of a pretty much motel with pretty pillows you need to remove so you don’t ruin and pay a steep price for! If you want to be ignored and then treated like a criminal… then this is your place. But if you are a decent person and are kind to others…. And want to be treated the same way, and really, like a normal human, do not stay here, especially not when you are on vacation.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Too expensive for amenities. Just location is good. No customer service, just cruel and bitter rep.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Renee Allison, General Manager at Castle by the Sea
Responded Jan 2, 2024
Hello, your review was not a good one. We apologize but we are not a 24 hour service motel and it was Christmas so our staff was able to leave early. If my memory services me correctly you do not celebrate. Our templet letter for our arrivals (when the office is closed) is not inconsiderate at all, as many people appreciate it. Our staff is firm not rude and some of the statements are incorrect or false. This may have stemmed from trying to collect payment and I am sorry but it is policy to make a room key for only one day especially since the room was not paid for. I am sorry you felt the way you did but we have a great staff nor do we discriminate. Every room has four sets of towels, if you needed more we would of gladly given them to you. There is also a housekeeping sign that could of been placed on the door for any room service. We have plenty of hot water and if there was an issue we could of rectified the situation at that time. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thank you
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I loved everything about my stay. The rooms were clean, updated (new bathrooms/showers), and included a full kitchen. The location is perfect; the beach is a three-minute walk, the restaurants/bars are a five-minute walk, and the grocery store is a ten-minute walk.
Also, I want to highlight that all the staff at this motel are awesome. Alba, one of the managers, is amazing and she made my trip even better. She also went out of her way to locate an item I left behind and mailed it back to me.
I will be coming back ASAP!
Also, I want to highlight that all the staff at this motel are awesome. Alba, one of the managers, is amazing and she made my trip even better. She also went out of her way to locate an item I left behind and mailed it back to me.
I will be coming back ASAP!
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Date of stay: April 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Renee Allison, General Manager at Castle by the Sea
Responded May 7, 2021
Thank you for such a nice review. If there is anything you need just let us know. See you again
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was our first time in Fort Lauderdale and staying at this hotel made it better. The staff was very friendly and helpful. But note they are only in from 10-6 each day! They provided beach chairs, beach towels and an umbrella for our time on the beach. Because of staffing you have to ask for things or your room to be cleaned but the staff was prompt and did a really good job. It is about 3 blocks from the beach and so much cheaper! The only negative I have is that the shower took a while to warm up and would go back and forth between hot and cold. Because it is a smaller hotel, it was very quiet and the pool area was so nice. It's a great place to eat, relax or watch the sun set. I highly recommend staying here.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Walking distance to the beach
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Renee Allison, General Manager at Castle by the Sea
Responded Jun 10, 2022
Thank you for staying with us. Hope to see you again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Renee was so accommodating. She went above and beyond to correct our stay due to Booking.com messing things up. Throughly enjoyed the motel being “family oriented” The housekeeper was so sweet and made sure things were very clean and tidy. We certainly enjoyed our stay here and not having to worry about packing beach towels, chairs, or umbrellas. Highly recommend and will be staying again.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Renee Allison, General Manager at Castle by the Sea
Responded Aug 8, 2021
Thank you so very much for your review. We really appreciated having you. See you soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Can’t help with the pool question unfortunately as I didn’t use it but the nearest beach is no more than 5-7 minutes walk away depending on how quick you go.
No we do not have an ice machine or washer and dryer. There is a laundry mat two blocks away.
We have all advertised types of rooms on the ground floor.
We do not offer a military discount, however please call the motel to see if we are running any in-house specials.
Within 5 min walk to beach and restaurants/bars.
We do not have an airport shuttle.
"Parking limited but never a problem. Walking distance to many restaurants and shops."Read full review
"Office hours are 10AM to 6 PM. If you are arriving after office hours make sure you let office know so you get key box code."Read full review
"Too expensive for amenities. Just location is good. No customer service, just cruel and bitter rep."Read full review
"Great location . One block in from the beach . Clean rooms , comfortable beds with lots of pillows ,and the air condition is cool "Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$113 - $158 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesFloridaBroward CountyLauderdale-By-The-SeaLauderdale-by-the-Sea
NUMBER OF ROOMS
16
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Castle by the Sea
Which popular attractions are close to Castle by the Sea?
Nearby attractions include Coast Boutique (0.2 miles), El Prado Park (0.05 miles), and Dolly’S Designer Outlet (0.2 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Castle by the Sea?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and free parking.
Which room amenities are available at Castle by the Sea?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What are some restaurants close to Castle by the Sea?
Conveniently located restaurants include Jan's Homemade Candies, El Mar Cafe, and Kilwins Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Castle by the Sea?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Is Castle by the Sea located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.2 miles away from the center of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.
Are there any historical sites close to Castle by the Sea?
Many travelers enjoy visiting History Fort Lauderdale (6.0 miles), Old Dillard Art and Cultural Museum (5.9 miles), and Bob Marley Home Tour (6.3 miles).