125 N Riverside Dr, Pompano Beach, Florida, United States | (618) 248-8274
On the Intracoastal Waterway, walking distance to the beach
Spacious, contemporary rooms with kitchenettes, AC, and balconies
Efficiencies have stovetops and cookware
Marina with boat docks, fueling station, water taxi stop, and shops
Two bars, including a waterfront bar popular with locals
Two casual seafood restaurants with waterfront seating
Small pool with a few loungers and water views
Third-party dive shop, water sports, hair salon, and other shops
Guest laundry, business computer with printer, and ATM
Free continental breakfast buffet
Free Wi-Fi and parking
Old property with visible wear and dated exterior
Rooms are basic and show some age
Noise between rooms and from the dockside bar
Only a few loungers at the pool
Parking can be a problem during restaurant dinner hours
Sands Harbor Resort and Marina is a 56-room value property located on the Intracoastal Waterway and just a seven-minute walk from Pompano Beach. Inside the dated exterior, guests can expect 2014-renovated rooms, public spaces with colorful (if kitschy) beach-themed decor, and a friendly, unpretentious vibe. The real bang-for-your-buck comes from the hotel's several on-site features, most notably a 50-boat full-service marina, the local-favorite dockside bar, and a small pool (though limited loungers can be a problem). Rooms have kitchenettes, balconies, and air-conditioning. This property is popular with fishing enthusiasts and budget-minded families, although it can be noisy. Those wanting a beachfront hotel should consider Coral Tides Resort and Beach Club, which has full kitchens and laundry facilities, though it lacks many of the on-site features at Sands Harbor.
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Scene
Basic but fun waterside hotel with kitschy decor and unpretentious vibe
Sands Harbor Resort and Marina was built in the 1950s. Visitors can expect a classic motel exterior with outdoor hallways and lots of fun, kitschy character inside. In the lobby, thatched palm trimming runs along the ceiling, Caribbean-style pop songs play from speakers, and pieces of shells and glass decorate several columns. The hotel embraces its vacation vibe further with painted Adirondack chairs sporting colorful cushions, murals on the walls, and a fish tank. It’s not fancy, but it’s got heart and remains a local hangout and popular pick for folks wanting a lively, low-key spot on the water with all the basics on-site. Expect families with small children, middle-aged couples, and boaters who dock at the marina.
Location
Waterfront setting on the Intracoastal Waterway and walking distance to the beach
Sands Harbor Resort & Marina Pompano Beach has a great marina location right on the Intracoastal Waterway, about a seven-minute walk from Pompano Beach. Several restaurants, shops, and a Publix can be reached within a 10-minute drive. For those who prefer to travel by boat, the Pompano Beach Water Taxi has a stop right off the hotel’s marina out back. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport is around a 22-minute drive from the hotel, while a trip to Miami International Airport will take about 45 minutes.
Rooms
Basic, contemporary rooms with kitchenettes and balconies
All 56 rooms at Sands Harbor were renovated in 2014, giving them a more contemporary look and feel than the rest of the hotel. Guests can expect a loose beach-themed color palette with carpet, yellow drapes, and walls painted seafoam green. Some units have more modern hardwood floors, beige walls, and distressed wood furniture. Air-conditioning units are basic, and in-room safes are old, metal, and rusty. Noise can be a problem, from both surrounding rooms and the bar downstairs. All have small kitchenettes with the basics like microwaves, toasters, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. Furnished balconies off every room are a big plus, and several have views over the marina. Upgrades to efficiencies add junior stovetops with four burners and minimal cookware. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos and only generic bars of soap.
Features
Packed full of features, including a pool, restaurants and bars, and a marina
Although this hotel is small, it is packed with resort-like features, including a pool, restaurants and bars, and conveniences like laundry facilities and shops. It also has a full-service marina with dockage for 50 boats up to 100 feet, and boaters can refuel or grab fishing gear from the bait and tackle shop. Docking fees are charged by the foot, plus there's a facility fee. Sand Harbor’s pool is small but deep and located out back between the hotel and the docks. There are only a handful of strappy loungers and they are often commandeered by visitors over guests during peak season, so most guests tend to sit at one of the many sets of tables and chairs on the deck. It’s a friendly, relaxed vibe and there’s nightly live music from under a tiny thatched stage. Both of the hotel’s restaurants have a good amount of dock-level deck seating. The Rusty Hook Tavern is open for dinner and serves up casual seafood dishes and daily food and drink specials in a nautical-themed space. The Sands Harbor Patio Bar and Grille is located on the marina and has easy seafood-focused bar bites like conch fritters and burgers. The rustic beach bar area is popular during the day, with both locals and guests alike. Boaters drive up and dock, a full bar slings frozen drinks, and Caribbean-style pop songs play on the stereo. There’s also a small bar located in the back of the hotel lobby. Freebies include Wi-Fi, free parking (which can get full during dinner hours), and a free continental breakfast spread. Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate are available 24/7 by reception. There's also a business computer in the front of the lobby, as well as an ATM and cigarette machine. Other on-site features include a third-party dive shop, souvenir shop, art studio, water-sports vendor, and hair salon.
