Picture in your mind a tropical warm sunny day in December when most of the country is under a foot or more of snow. Add to that a hot outdoor spa and/or heated pool and live music poolside or sitting out on the balcony seven floors up and watching the pleasure boats out on the ocean. That's Sunterra Resorts Fort Lauderdale Beach on a Sunday afternoon.A converted hotel, it doesn't have as fancy an architectural plan as a new gold crown condo, but the renovations are pleasing and expensive. New sliding glass doors lead to a covered balcony with a great view of the ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway. On the seventh floor we were just above the treetops. The living/dining room is spacious and the sliding glass doors allow an ocean view from anywhere in the room.
A Murphy bed and pull out couch allow sleeping arrangements for six people; however, the one bathroom might be uncomfortable for that many. For two people it’s a wonderful tropical island paradise and it's in the city with so many interesting attractions. The thick glass top dining table has a base that looks like a section of a designed stone architectural column. The chairs around it are dark bamboo as is the couch and side chairs. A white louver paneled armoire holds the big television. All the furnishings are in new condition as is the sea green carpeting. The bedroom has a white triple dresser and king size bed in new condition.
The kitchen has shrimp colored modern cabinets and new 8"ceramic tile on the floor. The dishwasher is new but the stove and refrigerator are dated. The bathroom is small and has a glassed-in shower and wall to wall vanity sink. There is ample storage space throughout.
On the bottom floor is a free laundry and well equipped exercise room. There is a gift shop and community room on the main floor. The maid cleans midweek and the activity center leaves a phone message every day concerning resort activities. We went to the Polynesian Show on Tuesday, learned through an expert how to hula and won the free raffle for a dinner show at the Mai-Kai Restaurant (worth $39). I wanted to catch the free Scuba diving lessons but no time. Maybe next time.