One has over 1,000 rooms; the other a bit over 200. Only a few minutes apart, there is a world of difference between the two; a compliment to both places. I stayed at one and visited the other for lunch. Both have their admirers and detractors. I will let you judge what is best for you; I loved both of them.
The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa is brand spanking new. This 39 story hotel is the tallest building in Broward County, Florida and opened January 31, 2002. It has 1,060 guest rooms including 100 suites and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterways. I had stayed at the old Diplomat which was torn down in 1998. . I enjoyed seeing photos and articles showing the old hotel. I stayed on one of the four concierge floors which gave me access to the Executive Club and its continental breakfast, snacks and soft drinks, at no additional charge.
The Diplomat is located in Hollywood, Florida, just 10 minutes from the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and 15 minutes from the Port Everglades Cruise Ship Terminal. The adjacent Convention Center is over 200,000 square feet on three levels, including the 50,000 square feet Great Hall. The 5-story atrium lobby is canopied with 48 freeze-dried Palm trees and surrounded by infinity-edged water features. Waterfalls cascade to aesthetically separate a lounge and café from the main lobby. Beyond the steel-framed, glass walls of the lobby is a unique, see-through bottom pool with waterfalls that flow into a 240-foot, lagoon-style pool below with two outdoor Jacuzzis nearby. There are 60 marina slips opposite the hotel on the intracoastal, next to the multi-leveled self-parking garage.
One of Westin’s signature touches is the Heavenly Bed with its down blanket, high thread count linens and five king and queen size pillows. The firmness of the mattress was important to me because of my bad back. I used the high-speed internet access, cordless phones (useful while sunning on my balcony facing the ocean), Bose CD player / radio and awakened to the Starbuck’s coffee in my room. The oversized bath opened into the room and a view of the ocean or intracoastal. The hotel, Convention Center & Country Club all have a 21st Century internal all-fiber gigabyte infrastructure.
The nearby Diplomat Country Club, with 60 guestrooms, has shuttle service to the 18-hole golf course and 10 clay-courts Tennis Center. There is a 30,000 square foot Spa with 18 private treatment rooms. The 2002 World Travel Awards named the Diplomat Country Club North America’s Leading Golf Resort.
I ate dinner at the Hollywood Prime, voted the #1 Steak House in Broward County. While there, I had the opportunity to sample the $439 cocktail ($400 plus $1 for each floor in the hotel) for a story I am researching on America’s Millionaire Cocktails. Mix Hennessy Timeless Cognac (Cognacs blended from every decade of the 20th Century) with 150th Anniversary Grand Marnier, and 2 splashes of Dom Perignon. The restaurant’s 20 foot tower contains more than 400 wine selections. The lobby level Satine’s is a high-energy dining and nightclub venue where the late night crowd spills out into the lobby area.
Hidden away on the Intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale, a mere 10 minutes from the Diplomat is Logo Mar. It is family owned, with a bit over 200 rooms and suites, a conference center, tennis courts, putting green, a new spa, playground, beach volleyball, shuffleboard, two swimming pools, four restaurants, and the largest private beach in the area. It is the only resort in Fort Lauderdale to be recognized by Conde Nast “Gold List”. It is also rated as the best hotel in Fort Lauderdale by Zagat, and is an AAA Four Diamond Award winner. (888) 627-9057
One cannot appreciate Lago Mar until you step inside the lobby. It is a secluded, tropical,10 acre paradise hidden between Lake Mayan and the Atlantic Ocean on Harbor Beach. Lago Mar is a private club that allows hotel guests to use all of its facilities. The Banks family has selected more than 600 pieces of artwork, furniture and new carpets to give this intimate hotel a warm and friendly feeling. Even though I only spent a few hours touring the facilities and having lunch, the entire staff called me by name.(800) 524-6627
Two hotels, two sizes, two styles, two winners.
Real Travel Adventures 