The Atlantic Hotel & Spa

Resembling much of the rest of the large condos and hotels lining the street, the cream-colored building of the Atlantic Resort and Spa is pleasantly flanked by palm trees and manicured green hedges. Inside, the lobby is doused in brown marble tastefully paired with tangerine walls for a sleek and shiny -- yet warm and inviting -- effect. A chic sitting area features an eye-catching backlit display of various colorful items in cubed shelving, and there's plenty of vibrant art on the walls that draws the eye. The hotel's Beauty and the Feast restaurant offers a stylish space to dine in, full of trendy details like exposed stone walls and rustic wood paired with greenery walls, cool Edison lightbulb fixtures, and chalkboard quotes.There's plenty of outdoor seating spots as well, with padded wicker seating on a large patio overlooking the pool and beach beyond. It's a nice spot to relax in outside and soak up some rays, and many guests can be seen hanging out here in their swimwear. String lights hanging amid the tall palm trees make for a nice atmosphere in the evenings. Most of the clientele here are leisure tourists seeking a sunny vacation, and due to the spacious nature of the hotel's studios and suites, many families choose to stay here, attracted by the convenience of full kitchens and proximity to the beach. Though there are two bars on-site, the atmosphere here is mellow and those seeking nightlife might want to look elsewhere.

The Atlantic Resort and Spa is part of Fort Lauderdale's main strip of beach hotels situated along the A1A highway. Most importantly, it is right across the street from the Fort Lauderdale Beach. There are a couple of dining options and cafes within walking distance, and Bonnet Gardens, home to beautiful flora and fauna as well as a museum, is just blocks away.- Across the street from the beach

• 18-minute walk to Bonnet Gardens
• Five-minute drive to Las Olas Boulevard, a strip of restaurants, bars, and clubs
• 10-minute drive to downtown Fort Lauderdale
• 15-minute drive to Fort Lauderdale International Airport
• 45-minute drive to Miami
• 50-minute drive to Miami International Airport
• One-hour drive to Palm Beach

The hotel offers spacious studios and suites, all elegantly decorated with contemporary black furniture (that shows some signs of wear and tear) paired with a neutral color palette of cream walls and brown patterned carpeting. White shuttered windows and two-poster beds give it a bit of a colonial vibe. The units have either living areas (in the studios) or separate living rooms (in suites) furnished with blue pullout sofas accented by orange pillows. Photographs in thick black frames adorn the walls. All rooms have private furnished balconies with gorgeous views over the beach and ocean -- the ones on higher floors offer particularly stunning vistas. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, Bose CD players, electronic safes, irons/ironing boards, and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Studios have kitchenettes with two-burner stoves, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, while suites have full kitchens, some with full-size fridges. Large marble bathrooms come with tubs and separate walk-in showers as well as double sink vanities with magnifying mirrors. The hotel's own brand of toiletries are provided. Penthouses have whirlpool tubs in addition to showers.

One of the highlights here is the hotel's outdoor pool that overlooks the beach -- though it's a bit small for the size of the property. It's surrounded by a pleasant sundeck lined with loungers and some comfy shaded circular sunbeds. There's also a hot tub. Other wellness features include a well equipped fitness center with cardio and strength-training machines as well as weights. The hotel's spa has seven treatment rooms, plus men's and women's saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation areas. There's also a full service hair and nail salon.Beauty & the Feast Bar/Kitchen serves American fare with a global twist in a stylish dining space. It's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as Sunday brunch. There's also a casual lunch spot, Ocean Market Grille, that overlooks the pool and has an outdoor bar. Room service is available, too.The hotel has a business center that's open 24/7 as well as 1160 square feet (108 square meters) of meeting and event space, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout. It's also host to weddings and offers wedding planning services, bridal packages, and custom catering. Other amenities include a small shop selling clothing, cosmetics, and other items. Valet parking is available for a fee.