GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2026) – As winter gives way to spring, travelers heading to Greater Fort Lauderdale will find new refreshed hotels, dining experiences and seasonal events offering fresh reasons to visit in the months ahead. From laid-back beach towns to family-friendly attractions, Visit Lauderdale is spotlighting what's new across the destination for late-winter escapes and spring getaways.

New Hotels and Reimagined Stays

Greater Fort Lauderdale is buzzing with new openings and freshly renovated properties, offering travelers modern design, upgraded amenities, and prime coastal locations. Omni Fort Lauderdale, part of the Broward County Convention Center District expansion, opened in December 2025 with 801 rooms, six dining venues, a panoramic pool deck, a full-service spa and the destination's tallest rooftop bar – all just minutes from beaches, Port Everglades, and the airport, making it a hub for both business and leisure travelers.

Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort completed a multi-phase, multimillion-dollar renovation in January 2026, unveiling 219 redesigned guestrooms. The newly reimagined resort introduces a refreshed beachfront stay, combining contemporary design, enhanced guest experiences and unobstructed ocean views of Pompano Beach.

The Garden Hotel and Resort, formally the Royal Beach Palace, reopened late 2025 following a full renovation and complete rebrand as a redesigned boutique resort. The 155-room property showcases modern coastal design, three inviting outdoor pools and a new on-site restaurant, The Greenhouse. Conveniently situated near Fort Lauderdale Beach, the retreat offers travelers a relaxed, tropical-inspired escape.

New Restaurants and Culinary Experiences

Greater Fort Lauderdale's culinary scene continues to expand with a diverse mix of new openings across the destination. Along Fort Lauderdale Beach, ViceVersa — a James Beard-nominated Italian aperitivo bar – has debuted a first-of-its-kind residency at the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, taking over the lobby bar through May 2026. The limited-time collaboration brings a playful approach to Italian cocktails with a South Florida twist. Nearby, Bar Betty, a hidden speakeasy above Sunness Supper Club, offers a late-night escape for travelers with expertly crafted cocktails and intimate live entertainment in a vintage-inspired setting.

In Deerfield Beach, the recently reopened International Fishing Pier has helped usher in a renewed beachfront energy, anchored by The Break House, which features the city's first rooftop bar overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Just blocks away, Lucky Lou's Raw Bar has quickly become a welcoming local hangout, serving oyster-forward, tide-to-table seafood in a casual coastal atmosphere.

In Pompano Beach, Lola's on the Water embodies Greater Fort Lauderdale's boating culture, inviting guests to dock and dine while enjoying bold Middle Eastern flavors with sweeping views of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Beyond the shoreline, Café Bastille has introduced its Parisian-inspired all-day brunch to Weston Town Center, marking its fourth South Florida outpost. Oakland Park, a lively community just north of Fort Lauderdale known for its growing Culinary Arts District, is now home to Bondi Sushi, a celebrated New York favorite reimagined with an elevated, fine-casual approach. The new space features a sushi bar, expanded indoor and outdoor seating, inventive new creations, and The Bar at Bondi, a standalone cocktail bar ranked among North America's top 100.

Adding a playful twist to the season, Señor Frogs Fort Lauderdale now hosts Drag Brunch on the Beach every Sunday, pairing high-energy performances with unlimited mimosas in a lively oceanfront setting — ideal for groups seeking a vibrant weekend experience.

Upcoming Events, Experiences & Attractions

Greater Fort Lauderdale offers a lively mix of seasonal events, cultural experiences, and family-friendly attractions that make it a top destination for travelers. At the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, Huizenga Park has been transformed through a $15 million transformation into a 3.6 acre urban green space along Las Olas Boulevard and the New River. The redesigned park features a children's play mound, shaded seating, landscaped gardens, public art and the city's first dedicated downtown dog run.

On March 28, 2026, the Fort Lauderdale Beer, Wine & Spirits Fest invites adults to Esplanade Park for a lively afternoon and evening of tastings featuring local breweries, international wines and crafted spirits, paired with food and a live band.
MEDIA NOTE: Hi-res images are available here. Photo Credit: Visit Lauderdale.

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About Greater Fort Lauderdale

With 24 miles of golden sand beaches and 300+ miles of navigable waterways, Greater Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America and the Yachting Capital of the World. The area boasts an average year-round temperature of 77˚F, has 3,000+ hours of annual sunshine, and is home to 31 unique municipalities, including eight distinct beach communities. Residents hailing from 170 countries, speaking 147 languages, call this destination home. And there's good reasons, including the area's unwavering commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Upon arrival at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), a five-minute drive will get you to the beach, Port Everglades, the newly expanded Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, and a bustling downtown.

Experience 4,000+ eateries, a thriving arts and culture scene, craft breweries, stunning rooftop bars, fishing, diving, and the unmatched beauty of the Florida Everglades. From world-class shopping, to boating, yachts and superyachts all moored at the area's many marinas, it's no wonder Greater Fort Lauderdale is one of the most desirable places to stay, work and play. The destination has more than 38,000 unique lodging accommodations at a variety of hotels, luxury spa resorts, and beautifully appointed, boutique properties, all reflecting the area's cosmopolitan vibe. Find inspiration for your next trip at visitlauderdale.com and follow @VisitLauderdale on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

About Visit Lauderdale

Visit Lauderdale is the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale and serves as the tourism department for Broward County, Florida. Visit Lauderdale promotes the area's 31 municipalities to a global audience of leisure and business travelers and books conventions into the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and area hotels and resorts. Find more information at visitlauderdale.com and follow @VisitLauderdale on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.