Deck pool Fort Lauderdale across from the beachBeach, sand, balmy breezes – all present and expected when visiting a Fort Lauderdale beach hotel. What I hadn’t counted on was the luxury and sensory pleasures I’d discover at the Atlantic Hotel & Spa.

lobby at the Atlantic Hotel, Fort LauderdaleThe joy of any visit to Florida rests on where you lay your head. Mine was luxuriously treated to featherweight comfort at the Atlantic Hotel, just steps from the waves on the waterfront. Notorious Fort Lauderdale spring break crowds have long since moved on and the city has stepped quietly in to establish a fine food culture, support an arts district, a science and arts center to linger in and encouraged construction of gorgeous hotels that take advantage of the long, sandy beaches. The canals host luxury yachts. There are restaurants and bars to please all manner of visitors and budgets. I was fortunate to check in at the Atlantic Hotel as part of the TBEX Food FAM Trip and couldn’t have been happier.

Audrey Hepburn multi-media artwork in the lobby at the Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

Audrey Hepburn stars in multi-media artwork in the lobby at the Atlantic Hotel

While waiting for my room, there was abundant WiFi and cooling fruit water to be enjoyed in the lobby. Color surrounded me from the rotating gallery of paintings by local artists to textures from wood grain to gilded mirrors.

Double room at the Atlantic, Fort Lauderdale

Double room at the Atlantic, Fort Lauderdale

 

Atlantic Hotel amenities, Fort Lauderdale

Atlantic Hotel amenities, Fort Lauderdale

Room view, Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

Room view, Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

Bathroom Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

Bathroom Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

The room was opened onto a small veranda where I was treated to a light show every morning as the sun rose over the waves and as it happened, to the full moon rise on my last night. The bathroom was spacious with two sinks, a full bathtub and separate shower plus water closet.

Sunrise from the Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

Sunrise from the Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

But the real surprise was the hotel restaurant, Beauty and the Feast. On the Sunday I checked in a buffet overflowed with brunch treats and a crowd filled tables inside and out. That evening as the bar sprang to life, I met my group of foodies. We sat in a private area as a series of small plates and one large platter rotated around the table.

A few plates from our dinner at Beauty and the Feast, Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

A few plates from our dinner at Beauty and the Feast, Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

TBEX foodies taking pictures at the Atlantic Hotel

No one eats till each dish is documented! With apologies to my TBEX foodie friends.

From sunrise to sunset, a winning location and attention to detail, the Atlantic is one Fort Lauderdale beach hotel I’d happily return to.

Street view Atlantic Hotel, Fort LauderdaleMy stay in Fort Lauderdale was partially underwritten by the Fort Lauderdale Visitors Center and part of the TBEX Food FAM trip. Regardless, the opinions shared are all my own.

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A Fort Lauderdale, Atlantic Hotel view