Best Western Hotels Near Fort Lauderdale: A Practical Guide
Fort Lauderdale is a beach and boating city on Florida's southeast coast, known for its canal network, cruise port, and a laid-back downtown along Las Olas Boulevard. As of now, our Best Western catalogue does not list a property inside Fort Lauderdale itself, but it does include hotels in nearby Miami that many travelers use as a base for exploring both cities. This guide covers what to expect from the destination, how to decide where to stay, and how to secure the best direct rate when you book.
About Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale sits on Florida's Gold Coast, about 30 miles north of Miami. It's built around an extensive network of canals, which is why it's sometimes called the Venice of America, and much of the tourist activity centers on the beachfront strip, the Riverwalk, and Las Olas Boulevard with its shops and restaurants.
Port Everglades, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, is based here, so many visitors pass through Fort Lauderdale either right before or after a cruise. Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is the main gateway and sits close to both downtown and the beach.
The city works well as a quieter, less dense alternative to Miami while still offering easy day-trip access to it by car or by train.
Choosing a base: Fort Lauderdale or Miami
Because our current catalogue does not include a Fort Lauderdale property, travelers focused on this destination should check the Best Western site directly for the latest availability, since inventory changes over time.
In the meantime, Miami-area properties in the catalogue, such as Best Western Plus Atlantic Beach Resort and Best Western Plus North Miami/Bal Harbour, are reasonable options if your plans include both cities or if you're flying into Miami International Airport rather than FLL.
Staying in Miami and visiting Fort Lauderdale as a day trip works if you have a rental car or plan to use the regional Brightline or Tri-Rail train lines. If Fort Lauderdale itself is the priority, cross-check current listings on the site before booking elsewhere.
Planning your stay
Two to three days is enough to cover Fort Lauderdale's beach, Las Olas, and a canal boat tour. Add a day if you're combining it with a Miami visit or a cruise departure from Port Everglades.
The most comfortable months to visit are roughly November through April, when humidity and rain are lower. Summer brings heat, frequent afternoon storms, and falls within the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June through November.
If you're staying in Miami and commuting to Fort Lauderdale, factor in traffic on I-95, especially during weekday rush hours, and consider the train as a faster, more predictable alternative for the fixed-time parts of your itinerary, like a cruise departure.
How to book the best rate
Book directly on bestwestern.online rather than through a third-party site. Direct bookings typically avoid added service fees and give you a clearer, more flexible cancellation policy straight from the hotel.
Rates change with demand, so check the site for current pricing rather than relying on figures you might see elsewhere, especially around cruise season, holidays, and major South Florida events.
If your dates are flexible, compare a few nearby check-in days, since rates in coastal Florida markets can shift noticeably around weekends and event dates.
Confirm what's included, such as parking or breakfast, at the property level before booking, since this varies by hotel.