I should first mention that I was in Miami to work, not to play. This is an important thing to consider, as I had very little time to enjoy the hotel. I am most often simply at hotels like this to sleep, cleanse myself, and drink. Sometimes I get a chance to dip my toes into the hot tub, but not this time. That being said, the beds were clean and comfy, the shower worked well, and the bar and waitstaff were appreciated.

It rained most of the time we were here, but I'd imagine it would be a great spot to be in the event of more leisure time with nice weather - right on the beach with great views and a nice boardwalk. Maybe next time.

This hotel is located on the Hollywood Beach (Florida) Broadwalk--a wide esplanade directly on the beach where automobiles are not allowed.

The Broadwalk is the best part of Hollywood. One side is lined with hotels, restaurants, bars and shops, the other side is fully commanded by the beach. The set-up is easy, quiet, architecturally pleasing, plus the lack of cars makes the Hollywood Broadwalk one of the most people friendly areas in all Florida.

The Marriott was built in 1986 and is surrounded by older art deco and mid-century modern motels--most of which are much smaller. In that regard--for good or ill--the Marriott literally stands out.

One of the positives of the Hollywood Broadwalk is that it is not a canyon of hoity-toity high-rises walled and moated off from the street (if you want that, go just a couple miles south to the area of the Westin Diplomat) and even the Marriott, while large compared to its neighbors (Marriott calls it a boutique hotel) is at least street friendly.

The hotel: think standard Marriott. The rooms are nice, clean, and the beds very comfy. I often stay with Marriott, and while style is always a matter of personal preference, I find Marriott furniture to be overly large and clunky. But, I guess it works.

Each room at the Marriott Hollywood Beach has a sliding glass door to a veranda with two chairs. Rare is the hotel that truly does a veranda well and in this case the Marriott is no exception. The non-oceanfront verandas are very small and the chairs are low, which, should you choose to sit, puts you out of any breeze and behind a salt-encrusted glass railing--without much of a view. A shame. The direct oceanfront verandas are a better in that they are a little larger.

My stay was one night on the fifth floor, north facing, non-oceanfront, but then I changed to tenth floor direct oceanfront.

Fifth floor was good, the view decent--both ocean and Intercoastal.

Tenth floor was very nice. If you can swing it ($$$) I highly recommend. My room featured two verandas, spectacular ocean view and a huge bath with a walk-in shower. Ocean front also includes access to the concierge lounge. Did I mention the spectacular view?

Worth the price of admission right there.

Elevator wait times were nil, the front desk staff very wonderful folks, the common areas of the hotel what you'd expect from a Marriott--meaning generally comfy.

I did not eat at the restaurant but heard good and bad. I did enjoy some libations at the beachfront bar which is very nice, although one thing they do is drop the side curtains on the slightest whim which, in my view, defeats the purpose of a beach bar.

Oh, well. There are plenty of other food and drink choices along the Broadwalk.

If you're going to be in the greater Fort Lauderdale area, I highly recommend the Hollywood Broadwalk, and I'll say the same about the Marriott Hollywood Beach Hotel. I'll stay there again.

A note: I understand a very large Margaritaville/Jimmy Buffet resort is planned for the Broadwalk, which may be okay, however it may also be the first wave in a transition for the Broadwalk into that canyon of hoity-toity--which would be a true shame.

Although Hollywood, may be the area of south Florida which time forgot. I had a very pleasant experience at this hotel while in town for a conference being held down the road at the Westin Diplomat. Hotel was slightly better then average, staff was great, and the beach front location was excellent although it is a public beach.

Consistently bad service everytime I go to the restaurant. As a local they have the location and ambiance so it seems a good fit to go there for brunch or dinner. Unfortunately everytime I go, the service has been less than great. The worst offenders seem to be the management and not the waitstaff.
Two thumbs down.