Staying at the Element Ft Lauderdale right now, so I have give some first impressions.

1. The location is convenient for walking in the downtown area and Las Olas. I needed a car to get to some meetings elsewhere, and parking is limited to the $32 a night valet (and if there is any public parking nearby I missed it). The valet service was quick, and they use the system I see lots of places now where you get a text as you ticket.

2. Since you enter the shared space with the Dalmar, the entry feels hip and cool to this older guy. Lots of pretty people milling about. Once you get through the lobby, you have to figure out the elevators. I have used systems before where you have to put in the floor on the keypad and then it assigns you an elevator, but this one was more confusing that most. There was a small crowd in the elevator lobby trying to figure it out. There are no signs telling you where to check in, till you look at the changing display on the elevator keypad which shows are area marked "Element Reception" and another marked "Dalmar Reception", though it is not clear from looking that these are buttons. It is also not easy to tell which elevator you are assigned to, so people were missing them.

3. The lobby is simple and also no signs, I had to ask if I were in the right place. Checkin was easy (I had already checked in online), but zero status recognition at all, other than after handing me the key asking if I wanted a late check out. Nothing else mentioned. I know Elements are not fancy, but I had the completely opposite experience at the Element in Boston a few weeks ago.

4. The rooms are modern and simple. No upgrade- I am on a low floor with no view at all, and just a room not a suite, but it is big enough with a king bed, nightstands with no drawers, a standing desk, a small sink, stovetop , microwave, dishwasher and fridge, and a bath with shower (no tub).

5. It is hot outside and the AC is working, and not unbearably loud, so that is a plus.

6. There is an IPad on the standup desk and when I entered it was displaying and error message that "the app can not be loaded". I tried a normal Ipad reboot procedure and it came back on with my name, the termpurature, and a button that says it is a radio. Another button says "guest services. It displays info about the place, but does not let you order food or control the room or anything like that.

Overall a pretty typical newer element experience.