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There are hotels you stay in, and there are hotels you settle into. The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort belongs firmly in the second group. Over five days here, I stopped checking the time and started moving to the rhythm of the tide instead, which is exactly what a beach resort should do to you.
What makes this place work is its relationship with the water. The Westin sits directly across from world-famous Fort Lauderdale Beach, and a private skywalk bridge carries you from the property straight onto the sand. No crossing the busy A1A, no hunting for a public access point. The ocean simply feels like an extension of the hotel, and that one design decision shapes the entire stay.
Table of Contents
Overview
The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is a 432-room oceanfront resort set directly across from Fort Lauderdale Beach, built around wellness, easy beach access, and a relaxed sense of place. I spent five days here, and what struck me most was how complete the stay felt without ever needing to leave the property. Between the spa, the dining, and a skywalk straight to the sand, the resort gives you everything a beach getaway should and asks very little of you in return.
Here is what stood out most before I get into the full review:
- A private skywalk that drops you right onto Fort Lauderdale Beach
- Two complimentary beach chairs and towels per room, per day, included in the resort fee
- Heavenly Spa by Westin, a recently renovated sanctuary that ranks among the top resort spas in the city
- Floor-to-ceiling ocean views and the brand’s signature Heavenly Bed in every room
- Sunrise coffee from the on-site Starbucks, sipped from the beachfront seating area
- Dinner at Lona Cocina & Tequileria, voted Best Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale by Miami New Times
Beachfront Location and Skywalk Beach Access
The Westin spans two oceanfront towers with 432 guestrooms, so it has the scale of a full resort, but it never felt sprawling or impersonal to me. The layout pulls everything toward the water. Pool deck, dining, the skywalk, all of it points you toward the Atlantic.

What I appreciated most was how much the property leans into wellness. That is The Westin’s whole identity, and here it is not just a tagline. You feel it in the small choices, from the beds to the spa to the morning yoga on the sand, all of which made it easy to actually rest instead of just changing locations for a few days.



Rooms and Ocean Views
My room had floor-to-ceiling windows and a Juliet balcony, and most rooms here face the water, so you wake up to the ocean rather than a parking structure. The Heavenly Bed lives up to the reputation. I am usually a restless sleeper in hotels, and I slept through the night here more than once, which almost never happens to me on the road.








Little touches added up: an in-room refrigerator, the Heavenly Shower, and the signature White Tea bath amenities that make the bathroom smell like a spa before you have even left for one.



Mornings on the Beach: Starbucks and Breakfast at Tinta
My favorite ritual of the whole trip was the simplest one. Each morning started with sunrise over the beach and a coffee from the resort’s ground-floor Starbucks, which I carried out to the beachfront seating area to watch the light come up over the water. There is something about that first quiet hour, coffee in hand and nowhere to be, that resets you.



When I wanted something more substantial, the resort’s oceanfront breakfast spot, Tinta, serves a Mexican-inspired morning menu right on the terrace with direct beach views. Between Tinta, Starbucks, and the poolside options, you genuinely do not need to leave the property to eat well.


Heavenly Spa by Westin: Massage, Sauna, and Relaxation
If you take one piece of advice from this review, make time for Heavenly Spa by Westin. It is a serene, recently renovated sanctuary that consistently ranks among the top resort spas in Fort Lauderdale on TripAdvisor, and it earns that reputation.





I booked a relaxation massage, spent time in the infrared sauna, and then lingered in the quiet of the relaxation lounge afterward, which is the part people tend to rush and absolutely should not. By the time I left, I felt like I had reset completely. The spa also offers treatments you will not easily find elsewhere in the area, so it is worth browsing the full menu when you book.






Pool, Fitness, and Beach Amenities
Even on a wellness escape, I like to move, and The Westin made that effortless. The WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio is open around the clock with Peloton bikes, treadmills, and free weights, and there is daily seaside yoga if you would rather stretch with the sound of waves in the background.




Then there was the beach itself. One afternoon I claimed my spot with the two beach chairs and towels that come included with the resort fee, and I let the day unfold in that blissful, unhurried way only a real beach day allows. No itinerary, no agenda, just the water doing its work.
Dining at Lona Cocina & Tequileria
Evenings belonged to Lona. The resort’s signature Mexican restaurant comes from renowned chef Pablo Salas, and it was voted the Best Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale by Miami New Times, so I had high expectations walking in. The setting does a lot of the work, with an indoor-outdoor bar, expansive views of the Atlantic, and a breeze coming off the water as the sun goes down.





The flavors are bold and the margaritas are made fresh, with no premade mixes, which a tequila lover will taste immediately. Between the ocean air and the energy of the room, dinner here was the easy, festive end to the day every time.








Is The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort worth it?
By the end of five days, the thing I kept coming back to was how complete the experience felt. The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort gives you direct beach access, genuine wellness amenities, comfortable and view-filled rooms, and strong dining without ever needing to get in a car. It is polished and stylish, but the overall feeling is relaxed rather than fussy.

For travelers who want to experience Fort Lauderdale Beach with the ease of a true resort and a real sense of place, this is an ideal home base. Polished, restful, and perfectly positioned by the sea.
Plan Your Stay: Location and Booking

The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is located at 321 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. You can book directly through Marriott, and it is worth noting the property is both family-friendly and pet-friendly, so most travelers will find it works for the way they like to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort have direct beach access?
Yes. A private skywalk bridge connects the resort directly to Fort Lauderdale Beach, so you can reach the sand without crossing the road.
Are beach chairs included at The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort?
Each room receives two complimentary beach chairs per day as part of the resort fee, along with access to towels and a beach hut on the sand.
Is there a spa at The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort?
Yes. Heavenly Spa by Westin is a 9,000 square foot spa offering massages, facials, infrared saunas, and a relaxation lounge. It consistently ranks among the top resort spas in Fort Lauderdale.
What are the dining options at the resort?
The property has five dining and drinking spots, including the signature Mexican restaurant Lona Cocina & Tequileria, the oceanfront breakfast eatery Tinta, Waves Bar & Grill on the pool deck, Lavazza Café, and an on-site Starbucks.
Is The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort family-friendly and pet-friendly?
Yes. The resort welcomes both families and pets, and offers amenities like a heated outdoor pool, bicycle rentals, and a beach hut with toys.
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