Fort Lauderdale

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Spring Break in Ft. Lauderdale 50+

An April 2003 trip to Fort Lauderdale by ksparker

From the beachMore Photos

Two wonderful weeks in Ft. Lauderdale. Easy access from the airport, parking, etc. Did MaiKai, Billie Swamp Safari, glass bottom boat, Busch Gardens, Jungle Queen Dinner/Show, Miami Seaquarium, and lots of beach!

  • 10 reviews
  • 4 photos

Berkshire Beach Club of DeerfieldBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Berkshire Beach Club"

Best Things Nearby:
JB's on the Beach - great restaurant less than a block away. Can also walk to many shops, cafes, pubs, and night spots.

Best Things About the Resort:
Friendliest place I've ever stayed. You feel like you are staying with family. The only thing between you and the beach is the pool! Has only about 13 units so it is quiet and SO RELAXING. Not fancy, not luxury, but tremendously comfortable.

Resort Experience:
Initially I was disappointed that this was such a small, not very luxurious property. Boy was I surprised when after just a day or two when I so totally fell in love with this place. Just can't describe what it is, but the location is perfect. It is so low-key and yet so friendly. It is just a very unique place.

  • Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
  • Activities: Not Available
  • Amenities: Fair
  • Unit Satisfaction: Good
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by ksparker on May 19, 2003

Berkshire Beach Club of Deerfield
500 NE 21st Ave Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33441
(954) 428-1000

Fort Lauderdale Beach ResortBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Ft. Lauderdale Beach Resort"

From the beach
Best Things Nearby:
Bonnet House and Gardens next door. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park across the street. Ft. Lauderdale Beach just a block away. Water Taxi just across the bridge. Homemade Italian Ice and Ice Cream one block away.

Best Things About the Resort:
Perfect location - close to everything. Underground parking is wonderful! Adorable squirrel monkeys next door. No matter what side you are on, the views are great!

Resort Experience:
Older property that was once considered very luxurious. Still very nice - in fact, better than the majority and a great location too. Service was impressive. Units are very large and clean. The balconies are wonderful. I loved sitting out in the evening watching the boats travel the waterway. Especially enjoyed the squirrel monkeys who came to sit on the wall when they heard the music from the pool. I went home and bought another unit here because I enjoyed it so much.

  • Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
  • Activities: Very Good
  • Amenities: Very Good
  • Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
  • Family Friendliness: Very Good
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ksparker on May 19, 2003

Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
909 Breakers Ave. Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304
954/566-8800

Mai-KaiBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "MAI-KAI Polynesian Restaurant/Revue"

This is a "must see" for a combination of great food and mesmerizing show. Closest thing to a luau on the mainland. Beautiful gardens to walk through. Take your camera. Would especially recommend this for a romantic evening even though I thoroughly enjoyed it with my son and his wife.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ksparker on May 19, 2003

Mai-Kai
3599 North Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308
(954) 563-3272

JB's on the BeachBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Always busy! Always great! Best burgers in the world for about $8. Varied menu that would please anyone. Can eat inside or on patio on the beach. Very clean and well run. Not sure if they even take reservations, but if you get there and have a wait, there are many shops to browse through, all within a one block area.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ksparker on May 19, 2003

JB's on the Beach
300 Northeast 21st Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33441
(954) 571-5220

France & Vinnie's Italian RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Franco & Vinnies Pizza"

Appears to be family-owned and run. Very authentic Italian restarant offering much more than just pizza, although their pizza is very good. Good on the budget as well as the stomach!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by ksparker on May 19, 2003

France & Vinnie's Italian Restaurant
2884 East Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304
(954) 564-9522

The Cheesecake FactoryBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

One of my favorites no matter what city you are in. There is also one located on Las Olas Blvd. in Ft. Lauderdale.

Fantastic selection of meals, salads or sandwiches. No matter what you order, plan on a doggy bag if you want to have room for the most scrumptious cheesecake you ever tasted! Also note that this location is a shopper's paradise. You can walk off your meal with no problem.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ksparker on May 19, 2003

The Cheesecake Factory
2612 Sawgrass Mills Circle Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33323
(954) 835-0966

Cheeburger CheeburgerBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Strictly 50s fun with all the fixin's. The decor, the music, the waiters, everything is just plain fun with the biggest, juiciest burgers you've ever tasted. Warning: if you order the "frings" (onion rings/fries combo), plan on sharing.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ksparker on May 19, 2003

Cheeburger Cheeburger
708 East Las Olas Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
(954) 524-8824

Aruba Beach CafeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Features a wall of windows open to the beach. Great selection, good food, wonderful view. Valet parking. Just a very comfortable place to go have dinner and a few drinks overlooking the beach.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ksparker on May 19, 2003

Aruba Beach Cafe
One East Commercial Blvd Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida 33334
+1 954 776 0001

Jungle Queen RiverboatBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Jungle Queen"

The boat trip alone is worth the price. The boats and the homes are unbelievable. They narrate the trip to their own private island where you depart to eat all the barbecue ribs, shrimp, and chicken that you can put away. The food is very tasty and certainly plentiful. The entertainment afterwards is fun and entertaining. It's a whole evening and one you will not soon forget.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ksparker on May 19, 2003

Jungle Queen Riverboat
Route A 1 A Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
(954) 462-5596

Miami SeaquariumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Older, smaller park than SeaWorld but actually easier to get around and easier to see what is going on. The original Flipper is still a resident here.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by ksparker on May 19, 2003

Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149
305/361-5705

About the Writer

ksparker
ksparker
Toledo, Ohio

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