Looking for a Weekend Getaway? Consider a Trip to Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale

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You know that time of year when you want to be anywhere but where you live? Well, for me, that's pretty much any day when the sun isn't out. Lucky for me (and you!), an offer to come out and experience all things in Fort Lauderdale came across my desk (re: inbox) on a sad, rainy NYC day. I immediately said y-e-s.

I don’t know if it’s because the Sunshine State's most famous city, Miami, is just down the road (like, less than an hour away), but I have to admit, I never really thought about vacationing in Fort Lauderdale prior to this invite. But let me give you a little TL;DR: Fort Lauderdale is actually THE place to be in Florida. From the clean beaches and epic restaurants to the picturesque palm trees and constant blue-sky days, I can't think of a better trip to take when you need a little vitamin D.

Because I got the lowdown on all the best things to do and see while I was there, I put together a little guide to the sunny city just for you. So whether you're going for a quick weekend getaway with your partner, a BFFs trip, or a solo adventure, here are some recs for what to see and do in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

P.S. The writer received free stays, meals, treatments, and experiences in order to write this story.

STAY

Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale: Listen, I don't feel like you need much convincing to stay at literally ~any~ Four Seasons hotel BUT in case you do...here we go! First things first, this resort is ON the beach. Not near the beach, not close to the beach, but literally steps away from the ocean. That means pretty much anywhere you stay within the resort, you can hear the ocean waves. Score! Second, the design of this hotel is unlike anything I've ever seen. I'm talking lush tropical plants, classic yacht club energy, and so much more. And finally, the rooms. THE ROOMS. They are huge, clean, and oh-so relaxing.

The Prime Ocean View Suite my fiancé (hi, Zack!!) and I stayed in was *chef's kiss*. Not only did we have a massive bathtub perfect for relaxing after a long day at the beach, but we had not one but TWO balconies overlooking the ocean. Pro tip: Order room service for brekkie and enjoy it outside on the patio. It was the perfect way to start our mornings. Not really a tub person? Don't fret! The waterfall shower head combined with the Le Labo products had me feeling like I was in a damn spa shower. 10/10 would recommend. Basically, I'll be thinking about this suite for the rest of my life.

But this isn't the type of place where you're going to want to spend all of your time in your room. No, the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale team made sure to think of everything, and designed a space you'll actually enjoy outside of the rooms. One of the things I loved in particular was the morning yoga class offered on the sun deck each day. It was an easy (and free!) way to wake up on the right side of the...yoga mat. The gym is also equipped with the latest fitness tech, meaning you can get a damn good workout in, if that's your thing.

Then there's the lobby, which was giving nautical chic in the best way. I mean, the ceilings are all 20+ feet tall, so we're talking Up! Scale! One of my favorite things about this property, though, is the transparent amount of outdoor space. Not only was there a sun deck with two pools, but there were also several places around the lobby and restaurants where you could just sit and enjoy a glass of wine in the sunshine. Everything was so relaxed, it was just what my little NYC-tired attitude needed.

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PLAY

Enjoy a pool day with an ocean view: The Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale pool has got to be one of my absolute favorite hotel pools...because it doesn’t feel like a hotel pool. It’s more like a rooftop pool at a private club with a) the comfiest day beds, b) two pools to choose from, and c) the most delicious poolside menu. They’ve even got aloe ready for you should you forget to reapply that SPF. And I haven’t even gotten to the best part of this pool: It looks straight onto the beach, so you feel like you’re at the beach without, you know, the mess of being at the beach.

Explore the city. Spoiler alert: There's actually, like, so much to do in Fort Lauderdale. I spent one morning doing a self-guided tour through the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, and I would highly recommend it. The Bonnet House was created in 1920 by artist Frederic Clay Bartlett. This house, on oceanfront land, was once home to the Bartlett family, where they collected art, hosted parties, and spared no expense in creating this unique space. Yes, it's all very Gatsby. The house is now a museum where people can walk the property to see the exotic vegetation that grows there and the incredibly ornate details within each room. I also suggest setting up a lil boat cruise with Riverfront Gondola Tours. Pro tip: You can get a picnic basket full of goodies from Honey Fitz, the restaurant inside Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, to take on your ride.

Treat yourself to a spa day. The Spa at Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale treated me to the most magical spa experience. Not only is the spa just as modern and chic as the hotel itself, but they have *so* many options for how you can spend your time there. They treated me to their Signature Ebb & Flow Massage and it melted the travel-stress away, leaving me ready to enjoy the rest of the trip. During your treatment, you get to choose your aroma (I went with lavender) and in a mere 120 minutes, you’re a new person. Plus, the spa amenities are top-tier. I followed my massage up with a quick stint in the steam room and then a refreshing shower.

EAT

Honey Fitz: The thing about Honey Fitz (yes, named after JFK’s boat) is that it really does it all. Between breakfast, snacks, happy hour, and the delicious cocktail menu, there’s really nothing stopping you from hitting up this hot spot during your trip (and maybe every single day). We opted for a cheese board and a glass of champagne before heading to dinner one night. Morale was high as a result.

Wine + Garden: Similar to Honey Fitz, Wine + Garden also fits whatever vibe you’re going for. Boozy brunch? They have bottomless mimosas for just $25. Happy hour? They have the most delicious charcuterie board you’ve ever seen. Dinner date? They have healthy portions of the Italian classics. And yes, I’m still thinking about the lobster ravioli I had there. I miss you, bb.

Evelyn’s: This restaurant, also inside the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, features an Eastern Mediterranean menu with a hint of coastal Florida. Now, to preface, I’m normally a picky eater—but when it's Florida and it's the Four Seasons, you have to experiment a little. Per the recommendation of the waiter, I tried the olive wood-smoked octopus, which came on top of a carrot purée with preserved lemon, and WOW I am an octopus girlie now. An honorable mention goes to the truffle hummus we had as a starter, and the batata harra, which is a crispy, spicy potato dish coated in garlic, cilantro, and extra virgin olive oil. *Wipes drool from keyboard.* The stars of the show for me, however, were the cardamon donuts. Chef Christina Kaelbere's dessert was by far the best sweet treat I've had this year. The silky vanilla paired with the crispy donuts made for the perfect ending to a delish meal.

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