I recently stayed at the Hyatt Centric Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale, and it was the ideal spot for both relaxing and exploring the fun this vibrant city has to offer. It’s ideal for both a weekend getaway or a pre- or post-cruise stay.
My visit was part of a press trip, but my opinions remain my own. This hotel is a great option for your next visit to Fort Lauderdale. It hits all the right notes from style to location with some great amenities to make your vacation easier.
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What Makes This Hotel Special
The Hyatt Centric Las Olas is a modern, chic retreat with a twist. The hotel is located in the heart of the Las Olas neighborhood, and the vibe is a perfect mix of stylish sophistication and laid-back Florida charm.
When you walk in, you’re greeted sleek, contemporary furnishings with pops of color and artistic touches, and the couches where you can wait are actually comfortable. It feels like the hotel was designed to make you feel both at home and like this is an upscale vacation ready to pamper you.
What is the Las Olas Neighborhood?
Las Olas is a historic, cultural, and artsy district in Fort Lauderdale that feels has both a ton of energy and a laid-back vibe. The name “Las Olas” translates to “The Waves” in Spanish, primarily because this area is located near the beach.
As you walk the streets, you’ll find a great mix of cafes, shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Both locals and tourists spend time here to window shop or enjoy a delicious meal, all while soaking in the Florida sun.
The cool thing about staying at the Hyatt Centric Las Olas is that you’re literally steps away from everything Las Olas has to offer.
Want to try an artisan coffee? A couple of blocks down. Looking for a fine dining experience or a low-key spot to grab a drink? You’ll find it right outside your door. The neighborhood is walkable, accessible, and a great introduction to Fort Lauderdale beyond just the beach.
The Rooms Are Fab
The rooms at Hyatt Centric Las Olas are the perfect blend of modern design and comfort. As soon as you walk in, you’ll notice how big they are compared to so many hotels and that they are updated with modern decor and touches.
The hotel only opened in April of 2020, so it’s designed to accommodate all our modern needs. I love the floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light and clean lines that make everything feel open and airy.
There are more than enough plugs and outlets, no matter how many devices you bring with you that are easily accessible throughout the room. The smartest feature might be that each light switch it labeled with what it controls so you don’t randomly have to try each one to figure out how to turn off that one light.
The bathrooms have a DryBar hair dryer, which is unusual to have a decent hair dryer in a room, and the rest of the toiletries don’t disappoint. You’ll enjoy the BeeKind shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion and the rain shower fixtures.
Stay Here Before or After Your Cruise
Fort Lauderdale is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world with access to both the Port of Miami and Port Everglades, though obviously Miami is a bit further away. If you’ve cruised from Miami regularly, flying into Fort Lauderdale is sometimes cheaper, and this makes a great swap from your usual.
The hotel is less than a 20 minute drive from the Port Everglades cruise terminal, so you’re close to the action without being right in the middle of it. This gives you a relaxing and stylish place to rest up before your cruise and easy access to the port when you’re ready to board.
Personally, I like to stay in the heart of a city rather than at the edge of the cruise port. I’ll skip the free shuttle (though so many hotels don’t offer this even nearby) and enjoy my time outside the hotel for a day or two, taking a quick Uber to or from the port.
For pre-cruise stays, the hotel gives you time to unwind, check out some local sights, and enjoy a meal or two in the neighborhood without feeling rushed. I come from Chicago, and the last thing I want to do is stress about whether I’m going to miss my cruise because of a flight delay or cancellation.
Post-cruise, it’s the perfect place to decompress and spend some time in Fort Lauderdale before heading back home. I need a vacation from my vacation sometimes, and this extra day or two somehow feels extra decadent.
The Hotel Offers Great Dining
As a relatively small hotel – above the fifteenth floor is personal residences not associated with the hotel – there is just one restaurant on property, but that’s sufficient for the 238 rooms in this hotel.
Harborwood Urban Kitchen is located just off the lobby, and it’s open throughout the day. They have both tables and high tops, in addition to bar seating, so it works for everything from solo travelers to families traveling together.
The menu focuses on fresh, Florida-forward ingredients, emphasizing seafood and seasonal produce alongside well-executed classics. I had a fantastic breakfast sandwich one day, along with an absolutely fantastic dinner that included steak and parmesan fries.
The bar includes a Starbucks, so you can enjoy a coffee all day long either to go or with your meal. And the bar itself made it super hard to decide amongst a plethora of cocktails and mocktails, in addition to the curated list of wines and craft beers.
Note that I say just one restaurant, but that doesn’t include the “secret” speakeasy, and you definitely want to make reservations to explore that, whether you stay at this hotel or not.
Don’t Forget Room 901
Room 901 is the “secret” speakeasy located within Hyatt Centric Las Olas. It is reservation only and has a seating of just 12 people at a time for a two hour block.
There is a minimum food and beverage order per person, but it isn’t onerous, and between the fantastic bartender who makes amazing cocktails and the delicious food options, this makes for a fun date night or gathering.
This is open to anyone, even if you aren’t staying at the Hyatt Centric, but reservations do fill up quickly. If you’ve never been to a speakeasy before, this is one to experience to create the perfect vacation memory.
The Hotel Offers Great Amenities
There’s more to this hotel than just a beautiful room and prime location. The Hyatt Centric Las Olas offers several amenities you definitely want to take advantage of during your stay.
The rooftop pool and bar located on the eighth floor are perfect for an evening dip or a relaxed day with panoramic views. Grab a cocktail from the bar, kick back on one of the lounge chairs, and soak in the sun.
There are plenty of seats both with and without shade, and the pool is set up to allow lap swim if you’re there to get your exercise. This is a great place to hang out in between other activities.
If you’re in the mood to work out, the fitness center is fully equipped, so you don’t have to worry about missing your regular routine. It’s located on the same floor as the pool, and it includes everything from cool towels to earbuds if you forgot yours.
The hotel offers a unique concierge service that helps you experience Fort Lauderdale like a local. Whether you’re looking for the best secret spots for dinner or trying to find out where to rent a kayak, they’ve got you covered.
You can borrow everything from bikes to explore the city to all your beach necessities. We checked out chairs, towels, and beach umbrellas to take with us when we visited the beach, and all are no cost items so long as you turn them in again when you return to the hotel.
If You Need a Fort Lauderdale Hotel, This Is It!
Hyatt Centric Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale is convenient to everything from the airport to the beach to attractions. There are plenty of amenities to enjoy while you feel pampered in a gorgeous space.
This makes a perfect base for any stay in Fort Lauderdale, whether you’re here to explore the neighborhood, relax before a cruise, or just enjoy some time in the sun, this hotel has all the bases covered.
