We've been annual visitors to this small hotel for almost ten years. Staff seem always glad to see us and remember our names. Several very good restaurants within walking distance. Reasonable rates for such an ideal beach location. Complimentary breakfast is served every morning including scrambled eggs and several choices of meats and fruit. Only negative was the mattress which needs replacing.

We stayed at the Sea Lord for 5 nights earlier this month. I had stayed in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea for a month about 15 years ago and thus already knew it to be a quiet, low-rise oasis in the midst of the concrete monoliths of coastal North Broward. For a hotel that's been around for a while, the Sea Lord is in great condition, with lots of modern appointments. Our top-floor, ocean-front room was very spacious with a fantastic view of the beach, a well-equipped kitchen, a walk-in wardrobe closet, and a comfortable bed. The continental breakfast included in the room price was much more than just pastries, juice and coffee. The hotel staff were friendly and helpful. And this was all for about half the price we would have paid for a beach front room in a bland, stock hotel down south in Ft. Lauderdale ... without breakfast. There is a small commercial area about three blocks from the Sea Lord with a nice selection of good restaurants and bars. Be sure to check out 101 Ocean for great food and a good beer selection. We can't wait for our next trip back to the Sea Lord and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea!

I had fond memories of visiting with my family when i was 15, and the rooms have definitely improved since then! I remember them as very stark and without much style. We had a king size bed, and i honestly found it to be too soft for my liking, although my partner liked it. We used the kitchen to cook most meals, and the balcony was heaven to experience the vantage point of the beach from the fifth floor and the ocean breeze. The entire suite was very clean and well maintained. One thing i didn't understand was at breakfast, often the eggs were cold and the bacon and sausage was always cold, even if you came to breakfast at 8am when it was served. The burners under the warming trays were NEVER lit either. What's up with that? Also, get a new toaster because when it was set on dark, the toast or waffles/bagels etc. were barely toasted and had to be done more than once. On the other hand, the coffee and cheese at breakfast were excellent..I would return to this location again, but i think i will try some other hotels in the area because i am looking for a quainter more homey atmosphere. Besides no one really seemed to care if we were there or not.

I’ll start this review by saying that I will definitely return to the Sea Lord now that I know what to expect and understand it’s fit with my travel plans. This was my first visit to Lauderdale by the Sea and I liked it a lot. Bordered by the geriatric Galt Ocean Mile, Fort Lauderdale proper and an endless mass of strip malls, this sleepy little neighborhood is a great oasis on the ocean. The street bordering the ocean (where the Sea Lord is located) is made up of funky old motor lodges and hotels from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s now trying regain their past glory as vacation rentals, condos or retro-sheik motels. Some are pulling it off, some remain a memory of the past. The Sea Lord thankfully gets it right. Located right on the sand and surf, it’s location is as good as you can get. It’s an old property with a creaky elevator and a Motel 6 type layout but the owners have thrown a good amount of cash and thought into making the rooms classy, spotless and a cozy. For the most part they have succeeded and the Sea Lord is a great combination of luxury and down to earth, laid-back hospitality.

It’s important to understand what this property is and isn’t. It’s a luxurious hotel but don’t hesitate for one second to hit Publix and drag your beer and food past the front desk to your room where you may even find a kitchenette. On the flip side, the room furnishings are luxurious and have great touches (like an iPod docking station) yet the bath towels are so thin you could probably read a newspaper through them. The very laid back downstairs lobby combines poolside, check-in area and breakfast area all in one. Expect a basic but sustaining breakfast lineup served on Styrofoam dinnerware. If you need to forage, walk an easy two blocks where you will find a smattering of tourist and local joints and as predicted, the closer to the surf the tackier the menu and worse the food. But great views reward and after all, this is what we come to the beach for.

By my own admission I am a fussy traveler and a few things got to me. The in-room wi-fi was out so I had to trudge to the lobby for emails. A really bad storm hit at night and I awoke at 0200 and put my feet in water. The southside windows leaked like a sieve and rainwater flooded 80% of my room out; no worries it dried the next day. Alternatively the front desk staff were friendly, the views amazing and the neighborhood was quiet and mercifully void of the all too typical overbearing Miami beach schmaltz.

If you want a laid back, unpretentious and classy getaway, give the Sea Lord a try.