2 weeks in South Florida

December 28, 2021 4:12 AM

I am going to be working/playing in South Florida in February and March. We (two colleagues and I) are staying in Fort Lauderdale for 2 weeks, and then I am planning to stay on alone for another two weeks (2/27-3/12 ish), considering Lauderdale By The Sea, Pompano Beach and Hollywood for options. Any recommendations for a location where it’s possible to live walkable to a good beach for less than $2000 per week? I am liking the large hotel-style condo buildings with lots of amenities but the resort fees are adding up. I am checking VRBO, Air Bnb but the choices are not great. I am hoping someone has an under the radar idea. I would consider renting somewhere with a shuttle to the beach or easy public transport as well. Thanks for any ideas!

For more details: I am a single female and will not have a rental car- walkability to groceries, etc is key.

posted by halfsorry to Travel & Transportation around Florida (3 answers total)

I love the beach at North Hollywood (between Hollywood and Dania) and the Ann Kolb nature centre. A few years ago we stayed at the Riptide Hotel and Tiki bar near there which was decent but fairly basic. However it should be well within your budget and it also has kitchenettes in the rooms so you can do your own cooking if you want (you mention groceries). I don't know about proximity to grocery stores though. Many years ago my grandparents had a condo in the Diplomat Towers on Hollywood beach however I've taken a look and this now seems to have been torn down and rebuilt as luxury condos. They don't allow owners to rent them out short term and I'd imagine a lot of those buildings are similar, which may explain why you're not finding much on Airbnb.
posted by hazyjane at 6:55 AM on December 28, 2021 [1 favorite]

Check redweek.com for timeshare rentals in the area-long shot but often can be great units and good deals.
posted by purenitrous at 8:19 AM on December 28, 2021

Here is the link we used for years when shore diving near Anglin Pier at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.
The hotel we used has been torn down and we haven't had time to go back since.
We stayed on the west side (odd numbers) of El Mar Drive. The east side is beachfront and is more expensive.
There are several public beach entrances between Palm Avenue and Pine Avenue.

Definitely worth having dedicated parking and walking to the beach and to Publix for groceries. Do not depend on finding a metered parking spot in this area.
We rented something with a kitchenette by the week and did our own meals and on-site laundry.
We occasionally used the free Pelican Hopper Shuttle to go to the local library or Publix.
Ocean Drive (A1A) is also a possibility for hotels if you don't mind a longer walk to the beach and a bit more traffic.
posted by TrishaU at 10:40 PM on December 28, 2021