My husband and I travelled with my daughter, her husband and her two boys 5 and 9. We had two adjoining units so my husband and I would have some space of our own. Our unit had a kitchenette - older, but clean. My daughter's unit was a one bedroom with full kitchen. There was a pull out couch for the boys. Her unit was a bit shabby also - not something I associate with the Marriott name. When I got up early to make a cup of tea, I was greeted by multiple small insects running all over the counter. They were also under the sink and in the dishwasher. It is Florida so you have to expect a few bugs. This was more than a few. I thought the pool was also questionable. We almost didn't let the kids go in - the water was somewhat murky. There was no bad smell. The kids had a through tubbie after swimming. The location on the beach was great and this should have been a perfect spot for family. My husband and I decided to walk to Bonnet House, a home built by artist Frederick Bartlett. There are good restaurants nearby

Me and my family stay at the Marriott Beachplace Towers nearly every year when we come to Fort Lauderdale, and it is like our home away from home. Everything is perfect - spacious rooms, great location, amazing views, everything. It is all you could need for a family trip to Fort Lauderdale...

To start with, checking in at the hotel is great. The lobby is cool and spacious, with fish tanks and the pool just outside. Everything runs smoothly, friendly assistants and you are never waiting for very long. One time our room was not ready, but it was all handled well and our suitcases were stored safely away whilst we went food shopping during the wait, so don't worry. QUICK TIP: When choosing your room, take one with a view of the Intracoastal, because you can see all the mansions and yachts and boats, and a beautiful sunset as well. Plus, you spend so much time on the beach that you would probably get sick of seeing the ocean for so long! So choose a room with an Intracoastal view!

Once you get in your room, everything is perfect. Immaculate. Clean, polished and cosy. When you enter the room, there is a nice hard floor which is good for if you have just come back from the beach or pool and you are covered in sand. The kitchen is to your right, and is fully equipped with a dishwasher, sink, worktop, oven, microwave, brilliant coffee machine and even a little laundry cupboard where you will find the vacuum cleaner, ironing board and more. There is an excellent breakfast bar which is lovely to sit on in the mornings. Then you see the open plan living room, which is lovely and bright. The colours are very summery - light green, sea blue and golden yellow highlight the atmosphere outside. There are some lovely couches and armchairs, very soft and comfortable. The TV is huge, and there is a guide to tell you which channels are which. The door to the balcony is at the corner of the room, and it is very simple and nice out there - two chairs and a table, all facing the Intracoastal or the sea. It is very humid and hot outside, even at night, but when you come indoors it is very cool and nice.

To the left of the kitchen and living room is the master bedroom. In here, there is a king size bed, another huge TV, a wardrobe and two bedside tables. It is very spacious and luxorious in here, as with the second bedroom. Both bedrooms have TVs and I love the soft bedding. You sink into the thick pillows and have a good night's sleep under down feather duvets. The master bedroom has a giant en-suite bathroom, complete with a jacuzzi bath, massive walk in shower, two sinks, mirrors and a hairdryer. The second bedroom also has an en-suite bathroom, but it is slightly smaller, but still good.

Most extras are provided - washing powder, soap, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, ironing boards and irons, kitchen roll, etc. But the maid is always closeby with any extra things if you need them.

The location of the hotel is amazing. Downstairs, there is a life-saving CVS where you can just about buy anything, plus loads of little stalls by the beach. Literally two-five minute walk to the beach, depending on how long the wait for elevators is. Everything is closeby and the beach is really lovely.

SOME THINGS I RECOMMEND:
Galleria Mall
CVS
Beach during evening/night (but day is nice too, just hotter)
Gameroom and table tennis outside
Chuck's Steakhouse
Publix
Target
Barnes and Noble

WARNING: Elevators are out all of 2012, I think, and the gameroom is being fixed up so cannot be used. The shop that used to be there is now gone from the lobby, but I don't know if they are bringing it back...

Overall, and amazing hotel. Perfect location, amazing rooms and I guarantee you will want to come back...

After reading some of the reviews of this property regarding logistics, we were somewhat concerned, No need. We took the advice and grabbed a taxi from the airport and the signage is well marked to enter the parking lot and go to P3 for drop off. Reception was superb, best information from Rachel we have gotten at any Marriott Vacation Club. The unit was typical Marriott layout with an ocean view as requested. It is an older building, completely up to date but the elevators do pose some issues as there are normally four, one out of service for a year long upgrade. The staff need to use the same elevators for cleaning etc. We took Rachel's advice and avoided peak usage times and had very limited waiting, perhaps a minute or two. Elevators always full but one lady made a bit of a social out of it, 'Where y'all from?" and inquired of us all. Easy walk to water taxi, about 45 minute walk to full Publix supermarket, mostly along the ocean, so why not. Most fun are the new open air extended golf cart type vehicles that zip around the main tourist areas for $3 a passenger, simply call [--]. Casablanca and Coconuts two best restaurants for lunch and dinner within a four block area, lots of other beach front spots with music, food. Complex itself has three floors of quick food/bar venues and a CVS with all the basics on the ground level (strangely enough without an actual pharmacy). Car parking is available for $14 a day approx. We had no issues using the local transport, much easier then getting a car in and out of the garage.

marriott beach place is a great property with beautiful views (day and night). It is situated right in the heart of the action on the FLL boardwalk. a few blocks north of Las Olas and only a ten minute drive to the shopping and dining area of las olas, the stranahan house and the art museum.

i stayed with my mom in a 2 bed room villa on the 16th floor. it was amazingly spacious with a host of amenities including a full kitchen, dining/ living room, 2 bedrooms (one with mini fridge and microwave), 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies!

the activites are plentiful as well with daily happy hour, fitness classes a few times a week, movie / game sessions for teens and a whole program for kids. each week is different you get a schedule at ccheck in.

speaking of the front desk. Ahmed was very helpful and accomodating... quickly responding to my inquiry regarding a brief WiFi (which is complimentary) outage at 2 AM which only lasted for fifteen minutes. he also came to the resuce with bandaids and a cool little first-aid kit when needed.

Downstairs, is Beach Place. While evidently packed on weekends, during my monday and tuesday night visit it was relatively empty in fact some of the venues (including Soprano's the dueling piano bar) were closed. LuLu's was great for a casual seafood bite and 24 hour CVS was a great addition over the past year.

the only really negative feature is the parking lot, a spiraled maze. marriott has p4&5 reserved for guests at an awesome rate of $14 per day but it is a nightmare to get in and out of. if you don't have the pass, it is about $4 per hour, so be careful.


Overall, it was an enjoyable stay with great service. I couldn't have asked to be in a better location and it was the perfect backdrop for a great and very rare "weekend" with MOM.

Thank you MBP ... since i only live in Miami Beach, I look forward to returning! if not, soon, next year when my mom comes back!