Ft Lauderdale - Sana Souci

We stayed at the San Souci, Ft Lauderdale 3 times. It is a convenient short walk to the beach. No loud music anywhere, no trendies, just a pleasant, modest place to stay on a very intimate scale. The staff are helpful and friendly and provides free internet in the office. Comfortable. Towels could be a little bigger.

Ft Lauderdale is a great place for a holiday. Flying direct from the UK it is just a 45 minute drive from Miami Airport, except for in the rush hour. Ft Lauderdale Airport is even better and only 10 minutes from the beach area. Ft Lauderdale is a very clean city with a beautiful beach and promenade/boardwalk, popular for early morning walks and skates. First weekend in May is the Ft Lauderdale Airshow when 2 million people crowd on the the beach and seafront boulevard for the spectacle. For the rest of the year it is not so crowded.

We've been going to Ft Lauderdale for about 10 years and used to stay at the Howard Johnson but, although the patio bar is good fun, the rooms are a little tired and dated. Four years ago we discovered a small hotel just two blocks from the beach, abd one along from HoJo's called Sana Souci. It is great. It has a beautiful pool area which the owners keep spotless. The poolside loungers are polished daily and wiped down after any rain. The rooms, roughly 20 in total, range from hotel type rooms with a double bed to efficiencies with fully equipped kitchens and two king size beds. The rooms are also very clean. Rates are pretty reasonable.

Shopping and dining in FLL is varied. Touristy type shops and entertainment/bars can be found at Bayside just 10 minute walk from San Souci whereas a further 20 minutes, better by car, taxi or water taxi takes you to the high fashion shops and good restaurants of Los Olas. The Riverfront complex at the end of Los Olas is worth a visit for bars, shops and entertainment. Whilst there visit The Downtowner for a meal and a drink. I recommend the Clam Chowder which is served in a hollowed out bread roll.

If you like fish then a must is Old Florida Seafood House. The fish is wonderful but if you are having a starter remember you get soup or a large salad with the entree anyway.

The nearby mall Galleria Mall has a fair range of shops but is pretty quiet. For large malls with all the shops go to Aventurs Mall between Ft Lauderdale and Miami. It is huge. For shopping not quite as luxurious but with plenty of bargains the Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall is worth a visit. All of the hotels will give you directions.

Ft Lauderdale is ideally located for getting out and about. It is at the eastern end of Alligator Alley so the west coast of Florida is only a couple of hours away and the Keys are reached via the Turnpike, thus avoiding the congestion of Miami. And of course, Miami is ony 40 minutes away.

I have recommended Ft Lauderdale to sevaral friends and none have been disappointed. Give it a go.