We stayed at Ataraxia by the Sea (formerly Hollywood by the Sea) for four nights in January. The room was spotless, the location amazing and the owners were great. If you are looking for a formal B&B, this is not your place. If you want to be treated like you are home, this is the place for you. Dean and Lori are wonderful laid-back hosts. You truly are steps from the broadwalk, the outside pool area is beautiful and one will want to sit there for hours. Umbrellas and beach chairs are available for your use. Dean and Lori ensure your stay is trouble-free. We'll stay there again if our travels ever bring us back to Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood, FL. .

This was a terrific location, with comfortable accommodations, serene surroundings, that only paled to the great service provided by hosts, Dean and Lori. Our hosts instinctively know what makes for a great stay and it was apparent that they were tireless in ensuring our comfort and enjoyment. The location is literally steps to the beach... a lot of place say this, but this one delivers. We'd definitely love to stay here again and again, if we are lucky enough to synch up with available rooms! We previewed all the rooms and they are all winners. We had the privacy of the Margarite! Very cozy and private, right off the pool.

Hollywood by the Sea is now "Ataraxia" after Dean bought the property back (he sold in 2007 and bought it back in March 2009). We stayed at Ataraxia in November, 2010 and loved it. Dean and Lori made us feel at home. The room (Everglades Suite) was eclectic, roomy, and comfortable. Dean's casual poolside breakfasts were just right - eggs (however you want), bacon, fruit, pancakes, juice, coffee. What impressed us the most was Dean's hospitality; he made us feel at home; he went out of his way to go get my wife a bike helmet (to ride his personal bikes); he went out in the pouring rain on our departure day get us a cab after the cab we had called failed to show, making sure we got out on time. The hotel is perfectly located steps from the broadwalk; the pool is a heavenly oasis; we are booking a second stay and will stay with Dean and Lori whenever we are in the area.

I had to find a place in a hurry to stay a few nights before we could get a plane home. There was a Mardi Gras celebration on the beach, and what better place to be if we're stuck in FL than on the beach right? I didn't expect to find any open rooms at a decent rate, and called around without much luck. I spotted this B&B on my list but kept calling other places. Well, my girlfriend likes B&Bs so why not? Mike answered, room is available, right price, just steps to the beach, come on down. "You don't need a credit card to hold the room? No, just come on in."

We dropped off our bags and went for a walk down the beach broadwalk to find some dinner at a place Mike suggested. We stayed out longer than expected, but had no problem arriving “home” late. Breakfast the next morning was delicious; much better than I make at home and worth the stay on its own. Ours was a cozy room on the corner of the house so we opened the windows to let the breeze off the beach and the sound of the waves wash through.

The place was quiet during the day and evening even with a lot of other people staying there. We had good conversation over breakfast and Mimosas the next morning as we met some of the folks that were staying there. Mike and Diane must attract good people.

How’s the service? As soon as we got through security at the airport I realized I’d left something kind of large and awkward on the bed. No problem, Mike graciously figured out how to box it up and get it to me.

It’s a beautiful place with beautiful people, good food, great location, and I look forward to staying more than a couple of days next time.