Thanks for the recommendations on this site I booked three nights at Pineapple Point which surpassed my expectations in every regard and I will certainly be returning again soon.

I managed to get a great out of season deal, about $159 per night, but this was the cheapest, so in season this place is pricey.

But it is worth every penny, with *great* staff who went out of their way to assist in any way possible. The grounds and buildings are charming, well maintained and the rooms were cosy, yet offering every amenity you could imagine for a four star hotel. WiFi access available. Not close to the beach, though the pool was so nice you did not feel like leaving.

It was more like visiting someone's home than a guest house.

It is a little tricky to find if you are driving, so get good directions of you are planning a trip.

I also stayed a few nights at Elysium Resort. This will be superb in a few years time when the owners have fully renovated the rooms, but many of them are a little tired (though clean etc) by todays standards. Friendly staff. The website definitely shows the property in a good light. The two pools are pleasant, and its a friendly lower cost option. has the most rooms of any of the resorts as its really two resorts knocked together. Close to the beach. No WiFI, but an internet terminal is provided free of charge.

Here is a copy of a more detailed report I submitted to www.tripadvisor.com:

I stayed at this "99% men-only" resort for two nights in June 2004, when it had recently opened.

Because it was off season, the prices were extremely economical, at $80/night. From May-September there is often a stay three nights, get fourth free, so worth holding back your reservation till this offer appears.

I chose this resort as it is the largest in the area, being two Art Deco 1950s resorts moulded in to one to create a 36 room property. As a consequence there is plenty of landscaped outdoor space and two sparkling bright pools. Plenty of parking and easy to find opposite the Grand Resort. It is a short five minute walk to the beach, which is a major plus point.

The website photography (and ridiculously gorgeous male models..) is superb, but does present the property in a favourable light. The grounds are lush and well cared for, but the impression I gained from the website was more high-end than my experience of staying there. Those in search of luxury should check out Pineapple Point or The Flamingo Inn Amongst the Flowers.

There appears to have been some failure in operational management's interaction with guests, from reading other reviews. I am sure this has been looked into. I never experienced any problems with front desk staff, who were more than helpful, and would not single out any individual staff members for criticism, which I believe to be inappropriate on a public forum.

The guys who have invested in this property have a great vision, and are slowly renovating all the rooms, and once complete this should be a pleasant place to stay.

I had an unrenovated room, which was unremarkable, with TV and VCR. No WiFi, as an internet terminal is available free of charge near the front desk. I had a 1950s style tiled shower room, and a well performing shower (no tub), but it was not I do not think, what most travellers would want nowadays. You will probably have a much better stay if you request a renovated room, though comfort and function still predominated over style and sophistication in the one newer room I saw.

Guests were generally younger than average in Fort Lauderdale, with most being in their 20s (like myself) and 30s and personally I believe Elysium could do well to focus on this less demanding and more budget focused clientele.

The trashpop radio piped around the pool can be distracting and it is a shame staff have not in the past been receptive to reducing the volume or being considerate of guests' dissatisfaction.

The gym was not that impressive, in a small room to the side of the jacuzzi area. The large 10 man tub was particularly busy in the balmy Florida evenings. During my stay a chemical imbalance caused by high alkali levels caused one jacuzzi-dedicated resident to lose all his leg hair....although this imbalance was remedied by a pool attendant after a day once reception were informed. The leg hair took a little longer to recover!

The expanded Continental breakfast was superb.

Other positive factors were that fellow residents were friendly. Quite a bit of alternative activity in the evenings.

I hope I have managed to state the facts, and an honest impression of a resort which has many plus points, and will improve as the owners continue their ambitious renovation programme.

VERDICT: A great place for the undemanding budget conscious younger traveller, with great beach proximity, two pools and a jacuzzi, and plenty of other fellow residents with whom to make friends. Elysium is ideal for those wishing to enjoy an extended stay in Fort Lauderdale, especially if you will be spending most of your time at the beach and out at the bars.

I also popped my head around to see The Grand Resort; very smart esp. the studio apartments which are ideal for those staying a week or more. Would probably stay here as second choice next time if Pineapple Point was booked out. WiFi available here, too.