Things to do near The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale sits directly adjacent to Fort Lauderdale Beach and puts a 29,000-square-foot oceanfront sundeck with a heated infinity pool and private cabanas within the hotel. Nearby highlights include Las Olas Boulevard (shops, galleries, dining), Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, water-taxi access for canal and river sightseeing, and a range of on-site dining and wellness options.
In this guide
Beach access and the sundeck
The hotel offers direct access to Fort Lauderdale Beach and a private skywalk connecting the 7th-floor pool deck straight to the sand. The sundeck is listed as a 29,000-square-foot oceanfront space with a heated infinity pool and ocean-view cabanas.
Pool hours are published on the hotel's site (the outdoor pool has posted hours) and cabana service is available during daytime hours; non-guests may be offered day passes through third-party programs but are not allowed on the hotel's beach area.
- Private skywalk from the sundeck to Fort Lauderdale Beach
- 7th-floor heated infinity pool and oceanfront cabanas
- Sea la Vie Sundeck poolside bar for tropical drinks and small bites
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Oceanfront sundeck | 29,000 sq ft with heated infinity pool and cabanas |
| Beach access | Direct access via private skywalk; hotel controls beach entry |
| Pool day passes | Third-party day-passes sold for the pool deck; beach access not included for non-guests |
Dining and bars at the hotel
On-site dining centers on Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits, a restaurant-café-market-bar concept serving coastal and seafood-forward menus with an oceanfront dining room and private dining options. Burlock Coast publishes distinct hours for breakfast, lunch/brunch and dinner; reservations are available via OpenTable or by phone.
For poolside drinks and light bites, Sea la Vie Sundeck operates on the sundeck offering tropical cocktails and small plates during the afternoon hours listed by the hotel.
- Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits — breakfast, lunch/brunch, dinner; reservations recommended
- Marketplace at Burlock Coast — coffee and grab-and-go items in the morning
- Sea la Vie Sundeck — poolside bar, tropical drinks and small bites (hotel lists hours as 11:00 AM–5:00 PM)
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits | Breakfast, lunch/brunch, dinner; coastal seafood menu |
| Marketplace at Burlock Coast | Morning coffee (Panther Coffee) and grab-and-go items |
| Sea la Vie Sundeck | Poolside drinks and small bites (afternoon service) |
Spa, fitness and wellness
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Fort Lauderdale is described as an ocean-inspired spa offering signature treatments that emphasize sea- and citrus-based rituals, plus salon services. Spa hours are published on the hotel's site and include weekday and weekend hours.
The 24-hour fitness center is complimentary to guests and includes cardiovascular machines, free weights, strength equipment and Peloton bikes; personal trainers are available by arrangement.
- The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Fort Lauderdale — signature treatments and treatment rooms, plus locker rooms and relaxation areas
- Spa hours published on the hotel's site (Mon–Thu and Fri–Sun schedules noted)
- 24-hour fitness center with cardio, strength equipment, Peloton bikes and personal trainers
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spa | Ocean-inspired treatments; named signature experiences |
| Fitness center | Open 24/7 for guests; cardio and strength equipment, Peloton bikes |
Water-based activities and tours
Fort Lauderdale's waterways are a calling card: the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi serves stops along the Intracoastal and New River and has nearby stops that provide a convenient, scenic way to visit Las Olas and other waterfront sites. The hotel can help with tours and ticket assistance for boats, sails and parasailing.
For longer excursions, Everglades airboat tours operate from bases roughly a 25–30 minute drive west; the hotel offers tours and ticket assistance for arranging these outings.
- Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi — multiple stops along the Intracoastal and New River; useful for point-to-point sightseeing
- Riverboat and sightseeing cruises such as the Jungle Queen depart from nearby marinas
- Sailing, boat tours and parasailing are available from local operators; the hotel concierge can assist
| Activity | How to arrange |
|---|---|
| Water Taxi | Stops near the hotel area; useful for canal and river sightseeing |
| Jungle Queen Riverboat | Sightseeing and dinner cruises depart nearby marinas |
| Everglades airboat tours | Concierge can help book tours; closest bases are a drive west of the city |
Nearby sights, shopping and walking routes
Las Olas Boulevard — known for boutiques, galleries and dining — is steps from the hotel, and Las Olas Beach is listed as a short walk from the property. Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and the Historic Stranahan House Museum sit a short drive inland for more cultural sightseeing.
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, a 35-acre historic estate and art museum on a barrier island, is cited as roughly 1.5 miles from the hotel and makes for a half-day visit combining gardens and house tours.
- Las Olas Boulevard — shops, art galleries, restaurants
- Bonnet House Museum & Gardens — historic estate and gardens (about 1.5 miles)
- Riverwalk and Stranahan House — downtown riverfront promenade and historic museum
| Attraction | Approximate proximity from the hotel |
|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale Beach | 1-minute walk (adjacent to the hotel) |
| Las Olas Beach / Las Olas Boulevard | About a 5-minute walk |
| Bonnet House Museum & Gardens | Roughly 1.5 miles from the hotel |
Meetings, weddings and event spaces
The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale offers extensive event space including the Grand Ballroom and Astor Ballroom, plus smaller meeting rooms and the John Jacob Boardroom. The hotel's meetings pages list multiple ballroom configurations and a total meeting-space figure in the hotel's materials.
Wedding and event services include on-site catering and event planning support; published venue capacities and rental information are available through the hotel's events team for specific configurations.
- Grand Ballroom — largest ballroom space at the property; multiple configuration options
- Astor Ballroom — ocean-view ballroom for medium-size events
- John Jacob Boardroom — intimate executive boardroom for small meetings
| Venue | Published capacity notes |
|---|---|
| Grand Ballroom | Largest ballroom; published capacities vary by configuration |
| Astor Ballroom | Smaller ocean-view ballroom with foyer and terrace options |
| John Jacob Boardroom | Executive boardroom for small group meetings |
