Lago Mar is a family run, non-chain hotel, well run with a capable and caring staff. We were able to check in early and due to a noisy neighbor (teens' birthday party), which quickly was quieted down by the front desk staff after we complained, the next morning we were kindly comped for breakfast "for our inconvenience."

But we were most impressed by the deep, wide beautiful sand beach directly in front of the resort, with amazing views of the cruise ships going into and out of the harbor of Ft. Lauderdale. It is the best beach by far in the area, due to vagaries of the sea current and the movement of sand from the channel, it is growing deeper. Which is definitely NOT the case just down the road in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale at the the public beach, which is disappearing and is now so narrow one is practically sitting next to the road.

The room - a standard double - was in great shape, with a tropical/Florida decor and a small balcony with a view of the ocean, the passing cruise ships and even the evening sunsets to the west. Spacious bathroom, well equipped. We were very comfortable.

All in all, a lovely resort: a lagoon-like pool for families and kids, another separate pool for adults...all the amenities: tennis, mini-golf, shuffleboard, ping pong, all along the beach. Did not see the spa or fitness center on property. There's even a handy shop which sells decent bottles of wine, cheese, crackers and snacks, at not unreasonable prices - very convenient. Also, a cute old-fashioned ice cream parlor/snack counter adjacent to the shop.

We were thoroughly impressed with the resort overall. Only caveat: not a fan of the breakfast buffet. It was pedestrian and seemed a bit tired. Could use some updating in the arrangement of the food and some new additions, The fruit selection was especially disappointing, given that this is Florida. Tired, tasteless melon slices, some watermelon and pineapple pieces. Only the pineapple had any flavor. At $16.95, it seemed a bit pricey for what was available, which seemed to stress quantity over quality.

Otherwise, we loved our stay.

1) Never ask for a late check-out
2) Never ask to change your room
3) Never ask for a kindness or hospitality.

The property is amazing; the rooms are run-down and depressing. The staff doesn't give a hoot and Mr. Banks doesn't answer letters or calls.
But if you want a beautiful beach, nothing could be better!

Following are excerpts from an article I wrote for a newspaper about our stay with Lago Mar.

The Lago Mar Club and Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, offers the perfect combination of a beach-resort experience with a country club feel. Luxurious rooms, a family friendly environment, fully appointed spa, gourmet dining and private beach make this the perfect relaxing getaway for couples and families alike. Located within a mile of the cruise port, the resort is also a great place to relax before starting or ending a cruise.

Catch a taxi ride from the airport to Lago Mar for around $17 and let your vacation begin!

While there are hundreds of hotels in the Fort Lauderdale area, only a couple boast a privileged position directly on the beach. Lago Mar is one of them. This beautiful, unassuming resort offers all the amenities of a four-star hotel with the comfort and personalized service of a bed and breakfast, with an envious location on a stunning white sand beach.

In addition to the 500 feet of private beach, the resort features two pools – one large enough for lap swimming and the other lagoon style with an island stage. The pools are always warm and inviting. Four tennis courts, shuffleboard, outdoor chess board, putting course and children’s playground offer additional recreation.

Families will enjoy nearby attractions including the Museum of Discovery and Science, Butterfly World and the Flamingo Gardens. For the adventurous, experience the Everglades up close and personal with Sawgrass Air Boat Tours. Restaurants and shops – from boutiques to department stores – offer something for everyone…literally minutes from your home base at Lago Mar.

All rooms include amenities like complimentary wireless Internet, pillow top mattresses and in-room safes. The Executive Suites have one bedroom, living room with sofa bed and wet bar. The Poolside Suites – one bedroom, one bedroom deluxe and two bedroom – feature a full kitchen and/or wet bar, living room with pull-out sofa and spectacular ocean views.

Whether you’re looking for a pizza or a three-course meal, Lago Mar can offer the perfect dining experience. Nothing beats fresh squeezed OJ in the morning as you soak in the sun and enjoy the warm morning air. For lunch, grab a burger or sample the amazing fried calamari at the Ocean Grill before heading back to the beach. For fine evening dining, Executive Chef Philip Damien will create Shrimp & Mussel Garganelli at the resort’s Acquario American bistro, or enjoy one of his three-course dinners for under $30. Before or after dinner, enjoy the old-world charm of the Wine Cellar Lounge.

The Spa at Lago Mar is ideal for those who desire personalized service, unique amenities and an exceptional atmosphere. Relaxing and therapeutic treatments, including massage, facials, wraps, waxing and more are offered at affordable prices to revitalize and rejuvenate body and spirit. Too much sun? Try the Water Lily After-Sun Soothing Wrap to ease the burn and sting of sunburn. Follow up with a Sun Lover’s facial, or choose one of nine other specialty facials. Relax further with one of six different massage styles including hot stone, Swedish, reflexology and deep tissue. Other services include wraps, salt glows, waxing and manicures. The Spa also sells an incredible sugar scrub that makes a perfect gift for those you left behind!

Even without the elegant accommodations, gourmet dining and full-service spa, Lago Mar would still be a special place. That’s because of the wonderful team of employees – from the owner right down to the housekeeping and restaurant wait staff. Owner Walter Banks believes in treating his employees as family and it shows. They in turn treat guests in the same way, making Lago Mar a truly welcoming resort.

“People come to Lago Mar the first time because of our incredible beach location and wonderful resort amenities,” says Walter Banks. “But they return year after year because of our staff, who work to make every guest feel at home. We’ve got a wonderful group of employees who really enjoy their work at Lago Mar. Because so many guests return every year, we have become good friends with them and look forward to their return. It has been amazing to watch the children grow up and really get to know the families. ”

What is evident is that employees take pride in offering first-class service to all guests – young and old. During our recent visit, our dining room waiter Eden, made dining an incredible experience for all of us. With his wonderful Romanian accent, he remembered each of our names and befriended my children in an instant. On every trip to the dining room, our children would look for Eden with anticipation. Whether it was an extra chocolate, a big scoop of ice cream, or a special napkin design, Eden captured our children’s hearts and won their parents over in the process.

Lago Mar has been awarded the prestigious Four Diamond Award by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and is consistently rated as one of Fort Lauderdale’s Best Resorts by Zagat’s.

We love this place so much, we plan to make it our "home away from home" whenever we are in Fort Lauderdale.

a beautiful, clean, hotel. Grounds and beach are just exquisite! If you are planning on spending most of your stay at the resort, just know everything has a 18% gratuity...I mean everything that you purchase there! Town/boardwalk/restaurants/etc...You must take a cab everywhere. It is about 12 bucks to get 4 miles away and 20 to the airport which is about 5 miles. With that being said, the place is lovely. Take a trip to the Winn Dixie upon arrival to get some stuff for the fridge. This could save you about 400-500bucks!
If you love palm trees and miles of beach to walk/run on....there is no other place like it in the area. Plus, always plenty of room at both pools and they are also quite beautiful.