SMU alum (1999-2003), but I was born and raised in Miami (Coral Gables). I practiced law for 10 years in Boca Raton next to Mizner Park and close to the Boca Resort, and have lived in Downtown Fort Lauderdale now for almost 12 years. So I know my tri-county South Florida.
(1) Staying in the Boca Raton area
Downtown Boca Raton:
- Boca Resort is in Downtown Boca, and a great place with a golf course, restaurant, and spa on-site. Rooms right now are about $300+ per night becasue they're in-season for the Winter and of course the Bowl Game. But it is less than 1 mile from the beaches, 3 blocks from Mizner Park, and 3 miles from FAU's Stadium.
- Hyatt Hotel in Downtown Boca was built within the last 5 years, and is a VERY nice hotel. Below is Louis Bossi, a very popular delicious restaurant (they also have one on Las Olas Blvd in Downtown Fort Lauderdale). It is located on Palmetto Park Road and US-1 (Federal Highway) which are the two main North-South/East-West roads going in and out of Downtown Boca Raton. It's 2 blocks from Mizner Park. Mizner has a ton of different restaurants, and there's a Boston Market, a Burger King, and an Einstein Brothers within a block of Mizner Park if you need a grab-n-go meal.
West Boca Raton:
- Just west off of I-95 off of Glades Road (FAU's Stadium is just east of I-95 off of Glades Road), there are is a Courtyard, Wyndham, and a Renaissance. Good hotels. Conveniently located about 1-2 miles from FAU's Stadium. There's a Chipotle, Moe's, Hooters, a Cigar Bar, Grand Lux, Abe & Louie's Steakhouse, and 10-20 other restaurants/bars scattered in 2-3 commercial plazas in that area. The Boca Mall is 5 minutes from this area too off of Glades Road.
Just South of Boca Raton:
- Another option you can do is to stay in north Broward County, just south of the Palm Beach County line in Deerfield Beach. There's a Club Lux Resort, a Comfort Inn, and a Wyndham. Quieter area, but there are some great restauarnts along the beach area there like J.B.'s on the Beach (one of my favorites), Bru's Room Sports Bar, and Barracada Seafood Restaurant.
(2) Staying in the Fort Lauderdale area
- The Hard Rock Casino was just redone and upgraded, and it is off the chain. Arguably one of the best in the U.S. Hundreds of millions of dollars. It is massive, and located off the Florida Turnpike, west and south of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport. You can take the Florida Turnpike north to Glades Road in Boca Raton and head east to FAU's Stadium. Probably a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/guitar-hotel-hard-rock-hollywood-220638645.html
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale has great options, and some people who plan on staying longer in South Florida after the Bowl Game are electing to stay in Downtown Fort Lauderdale for several reasons: (1) more flight options into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood as opposed to West Palm Beach; (2) livelier area with Las Olas Blvd, Flagler Village, and Fort Lauderdale Beach; and (3) the Port of Everglades is there for anyone considering a cruise.
Downtown Fort Lauderdale has the Dalmar Hotel. It is a premium hotel. Great lobby bar on the pool level (6th floor) and a rooftop bar overlooking Downtown FTL. Downtown FTL also just built a very nice Fairfiled Inn by Marriott which is located at the corner of Broward Blvd and US-1 (Federal Highway), the two main North-South/West-East roads going in and out of Downtown Fort Lauderdale. There is also the Historic Riverside Hotel, located on Las Olas. Real nice. If you're thinking about Fort Lauderdale Beach, we have the W Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach which as a great steakhouse downstairs (Steak 954), and there is also the Ritz-Carlton and the Ocean Beach Club, among others.
There are countless great craft breweries, casual restaurants, upscale restaurants, shops, things-to-do, and other stuff throughout Downtown FTL to Fort Lauderdale Beach, so feel free to ask for details. Happy to help any way I can. Good luck!
Pony up!
(1) Staying in the Boca Raton area
Downtown Boca Raton:
- Boca Resort is in Downtown Boca, and a great place with a golf course, restaurant, and spa on-site. Rooms right now are about $300+ per night becasue they're in-season for the Winter and of course the Bowl Game. But it is less than 1 mile from the beaches, 3 blocks from Mizner Park, and 3 miles from FAU's Stadium.
- Hyatt Hotel in Downtown Boca was built within the last 5 years, and is a VERY nice hotel. Below is Louis Bossi, a very popular delicious restaurant (they also have one on Las Olas Blvd in Downtown Fort Lauderdale). It is located on Palmetto Park Road and US-1 (Federal Highway) which are the two main North-South/East-West roads going in and out of Downtown Boca Raton. It's 2 blocks from Mizner Park. Mizner has a ton of different restaurants, and there's a Boston Market, a Burger King, and an Einstein Brothers within a block of Mizner Park if you need a grab-n-go meal.
West Boca Raton:
- Just west off of I-95 off of Glades Road (FAU's Stadium is just east of I-95 off of Glades Road), there are is a Courtyard, Wyndham, and a Renaissance. Good hotels. Conveniently located about 1-2 miles from FAU's Stadium. There's a Chipotle, Moe's, Hooters, a Cigar Bar, Grand Lux, Abe & Louie's Steakhouse, and 10-20 other restaurants/bars scattered in 2-3 commercial plazas in that area. The Boca Mall is 5 minutes from this area too off of Glades Road.
Just South of Boca Raton:
- Another option you can do is to stay in north Broward County, just south of the Palm Beach County line in Deerfield Beach. There's a Club Lux Resort, a Comfort Inn, and a Wyndham. Quieter area, but there are some great restauarnts along the beach area there like J.B.'s on the Beach (one of my favorites), Bru's Room Sports Bar, and Barracada Seafood Restaurant.
(2) Staying in the Fort Lauderdale area
- The Hard Rock Casino was just redone and upgraded, and it is off the chain. Arguably one of the best in the U.S. Hundreds of millions of dollars. It is massive, and located off the Florida Turnpike, west and south of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport. You can take the Florida Turnpike north to Glades Road in Boca Raton and head east to FAU's Stadium. Probably a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/guitar-hotel-hard-rock-hollywood-220638645.html
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale has great options, and some people who plan on staying longer in South Florida after the Bowl Game are electing to stay in Downtown Fort Lauderdale for several reasons: (1) more flight options into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood as opposed to West Palm Beach; (2) livelier area with Las Olas Blvd, Flagler Village, and Fort Lauderdale Beach; and (3) the Port of Everglades is there for anyone considering a cruise.
Downtown Fort Lauderdale has the Dalmar Hotel. It is a premium hotel. Great lobby bar on the pool level (6th floor) and a rooftop bar overlooking Downtown FTL. Downtown FTL also just built a very nice Fairfiled Inn by Marriott which is located at the corner of Broward Blvd and US-1 (Federal Highway), the two main North-South/West-East roads going in and out of Downtown Fort Lauderdale. There is also the Historic Riverside Hotel, located on Las Olas. Real nice. If you're thinking about Fort Lauderdale Beach, we have the W Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach which as a great steakhouse downstairs (Steak 954), and there is also the Ritz-Carlton and the Ocean Beach Club, among others.
There are countless great craft breweries, casual restaurants, upscale restaurants, shops, things-to-do, and other stuff throughout Downtown FTL to Fort Lauderdale Beach, so feel free to ask for details. Happy to help any way I can. Good luck!
Pony up!
