Fort Lauderdale: A Relaxing Getaway

August 30, 2015 
By Rachel Kapur 

The state of Florida is a popular destination for beautiful beaches, amusement parks and nightlife. There are many places in Florida that are great for family getaways or a romantic weekend. Fort Lauderdale is great for both. The city is quiet compared to its neighbor Miami, but still has the beauty and weather we come to expect when visiting southern Florida. We embarked on a relaxing three-day stay in Fort Lauderdale and wanted to share our tips on where to stay, what to eat and what to do. 

Where to Stay

Nestled in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, the family owned and operated Pelican Grand Beach Resort is a stunning luxury retreat perfect for a family or a couple's getaway. This beachfront luxury property has won countless awards for it's quality and service. 

The resort has the only lazy river in Fort Lauderdale, a world class spa, beach, pool food/bar service and multiple restaurants. There are a variety of guestrooms and suites with classic furnishings to accommodate every type of traveler. 

The hotel has everything you need for a relaxing getaway, so much so that you never need to leave the property for anything. Relax at the pool, on the beach or get a relaxing massage at the spa. This resort makes it easy to get away from the hustle and bustle of your normal routine to relax and unwind in this beach paradise. 

In addition to the relaxation and recreation, The Pelican Grand Beach Resort also caters to business travelers and conventions. It has ample space to host large scale events offering more than 4,000 square feet of unique indoor space and an additional 4,000 in outdoor space. With two stunning ballrooms overlooking the ocean, the resort can host a wide variety of functions including weddings of various sizes. The catering and event planning team makes sure all aspects of the event are carefully planned and executed to guest's satisfaction and expectations. 

One of the most breathtaking ballrooms in the resort is the Oceanview Ballroom. It is 2,055 square feet and has great views of the ocean. The ballroom can accommodate 100 seated guests and is the perfect place for a unique and unforgettable event. 

Tip: Make sure to plan your event well in advance as the ballrooms are booked months in advance. 

What to Eat

While staying in paradise you naturally expect delicious and appetizing food. Rest assured the Pelican Grand Resort does not fail to please. The resort features two full dining restaurants and an ice cream parlor. 

The OCEAN2000 Restaurant is an upscale sophisticated waterfront dining experience which focuses on new American fare. The OCEAN2000 includes a lounge that features small-plates with bold flavors accompanied by a mixology program of ‘Classic Reinvented Cocktails’. 

For casual fare we recommend taking advantage of the resorts poolside and beach side dining options. The resort features a wide array of fun cocktails like the "Dreamsicle" and an assortment of casual dining food such as burger and salads. 

The hotel had so many delicious dining options that we ended up dining at the resort during our entire stay. We do however suggest exploring restaurants such as 15th Street Fisheries which has been one of South Florida's most popular waterfront eateries for over 35 years and La Dolce Vita, which serves authentic Italian food. 

What to Do

Fort Lauderdale is a place to relax, and what's more relaxing then enjoying spa services overlooking the ocean? The Pelican Grand Beach Resort has just completed a major renovation and has built a brand new luxury spa called PURESPA. The spa features an extensive array of services including customized facials, massage, make-up application and more. 

This luxurious spa also features the famous organic Swedish line "Maria Akerberg", which is used in a majority of their spa services. The professional line includes pharmaceutical grade skincare and make-up that is made in Sweden. The spa is the only place in the entire United States of America that features Maria Akerberg's full 150-item product line. For fitness lovers, the spa also features rooftop yoga. 

For those that enjoy the nightlife there are a few local bars to venture to such as Lulu's and the varied and famous nightlife of Miami is close by for those that want to venture out of Fort Lauderdale. 

Tip: Try the Pure Youth Facial for wrinkle reduction and the Body Papaya Dream for an enzyme peel. 

Fort Lauderdale is a hidden gem with beautiful scenery and plenty of outdoor activities. With it's beautiful beach, relaxing spa, delicious food and the lazy river it was very hard to say good bye to the Pelican Grand Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale. The resort was definitely a place to escape everyday life and relieve stress. We will be back again soon to enjoy the luxury spa, gorgeous pool and wonderful service again.