Staying in Fort Lauderdale proper for a reasonable rate in February is not an easy task, but the Lafayette Motel is an outstanding value for price and room size. The rooms are large, with the aforementioned stove/full size fridge, cupboards, etc. Yes they are somewhat rusty, but the appliances work, and that is the main thing.

The bathroom is good sized, and there is an additional sink on the outside of the room, which is nice. There is good water pressure in both the shower and the toilet flush.

The room air conditioner works okay, but does not get ice cold like I prefer. It is functional, though.

It is a two minute walk to the beach with easy access, i.e., no "private entrance" to negotiate.

There is a Hess gas station about a 15-20 minute walk north to stock up on snacks, beverages, and the like. It is on the same side of the road.

Las Olas Bld is a 5-7 minute drive south. We did not walk it, but it would a good distance, probably around 25-30 minutes.

The best part of the hotel was the staff. The owner was very friendly and helpful when the internet was not working in the lobby. He appreciates a kind word, and his Lafayette Motel is worthy of such. The other members of the staff were helpful as well, what with giving directions and such.

If you don't expect a five star hotel, the Lafayette Motel will fit the bill for most people.

THE HOTEL WAS OLD AND OUTDATED.it smelled and was rundown. the refrigerator was moldy. the staff was helpful. wouldnt stay there again. it was a block from the beach. far from the main tourist area.

After reading some of these reviews, I admit I was very skeptical as to if I wanted to stay here but with the budget I was on for my lengthy stay in south Florida, the money and location were perfect so I decided to experience it out for myself. A lot of people seem to complain on these reviews but as my father used to say "You can't drink champagne on a beer budget." You can't expect a 5 star hotel, but you can expect a safe place to lay your head, a helpful staff and a quiet place to temporarily call your own. The room was cozy and comfortable for my two week stay, the staff was more than happy to oblige with any requests for extra towels or whatnot. There was free parking under the building which made going to the beach a lot less stressful since we didn't have to worry about where to park and how much money we'd waste on metered parking. They also have a community grill downstairs by the pool which allowed us to save money on eating out since there's a Winn Dixie right down the street.

Everyone has an opinion and I've learned that a lot of people can takes things and blow them out of proportion. The place itself is a little dated, but the location is great. I went down to South Florida to enjoy the culture surrouding the area and I found the Lafayette to be right in the middle of it all. A short walk down the block from a quiet and uncongested part of Fort Lauderdale beach, however still only 5 minutes away from a populated part of the beach in front of BeachPlace (a beach-style strip mall with shops and restaurants) and Las Olas blvd which is known for it's energetic nightlife. The Las Olas Riverfront is only about 10 minutes away and it's a bar-hopper's delight with how many places are packed into a three block radius. The Galleria Mall was a shopping pleasure, and the Sawgrass Mills outlet mall was a blast. As for music, there was a small venue just down the ways called the Culture Room which featured live local music almost every night. There's also a few beautiful areas to enjoy nature very close, such as Hugh Birch State Park and the Bonnett House (which is a little peace of heaven in Florida's history, such artwork and beautiful gardens to behold). I would recommend this place to anyone who's looking to visit Fort Lauderdale beach and be close to everything.

It is an older facility with a good location between the busy beach strip and Lauderdale by the Sea. It suited the need of a base to sleep, being that we were not there to hang on the beach.. I wasn't crazy about the tile floors, but the are cleaner than most rugs for germs. It could use a little brightening up, but the staff was extremly friendly and accomodating, even when we showed up early. The a/c , tv, fridge, worked, and bathroom was clean (throw out the ripped towel). Would stay again at the $50 - $60 price for a room with double beds.