48 Hours of Romance: A Couples’ Weekend Getaway in Greater Fort Lauderdale

With hundreds of hotel options at your fingertips in Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida, it can be hard to narrow the list. Here are a few standout stays that set the mood for a romantic weekend.

Conveniently located in Dania Beach, just 4 miles from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport at Dania Pointe sits in a lively area surrounded by bars, restaurants, and shops, and offers both standard and premium rooms, along with a rooftop pool. For the holiday weekend, reserve a themed room, complete with champagne, roses, and a $50 food and beverage credit you can put toward dinner at Radiant 166. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite members also have access to the M Club Lounge, which includes a complimentary buffet breakfast each morning and evening hors d’oeuvres.

Salty breezes and love swirl in the air at Pelican Grand Beach Resort on Fort Lauderdale Beach, where you can lock into the Love is Grand package for the ultimate partnered indulgence. Your stay will include a welcome bottle of Lallier Champagne, waterside breakfast each morning, and a $150 resort credit, which we highly recommend using toward a splurge at Pure Spa, a boutique rooftop haven of relaxation with Swedish nods, ocean views, and cozy cabanas. 

A love-fueled stay at the 325-room Pier Sixty Six comes with sweeping Intracoastal Waterway views, 12 dining venues, curated shopping and a superyacht marina. It’s an ideal setting for a romantic getaway, with opportunities to elevate your relaxation at Zenova Spa & Wellness.

Book a duo-friendly experience such as the Soul-to-Soul, held in a private, floor-to-ceiling treatment room and featuring aromatherapy, a 100-minute full-body massage, a rose quartz face mask, and scalp and foot massages. Another option is the Massage & Facial Connection, offered in a waterview duo suite with aromatherapy, a full-body massage, a detoxifying facial, and 20 minutes of dedicated “connect time,” complete with bubbly and treats. Couples can also experience the co-ed Via Aquae, a therapeutic hot-and-cold journey that includes a ceremonial sauna, snow room, sensory shower and vitality pool.

After resetting and recharging, freshen up and head to Pier Top, the hotel’s rotating rooftop bar, known for its 360-degree views, elevated cocktails and refined bites such as caviar and oysters.

If you’d rather plan a spa day instead of a full hotel stay, consider Evara Beach Spa at Auberge Beach Residences. The Cabana, Spa and Beach Day Package ($358, plus gratuity) includes a three-hour spa garden cabana rental with a 50-minute massage, a bottle of champagne, and access to a beach lounge and umbrella. Guests can also enjoy the salt cave, infrared sauna and steam room.

Iconic views are a hallmark of the Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida territory, and one of our favorite ways to enjoy them is with cocktails on a hotel rooftop. 

For direct access to oceanfront and city skyline views in a chic lounge setting, Nubé Rooftop, on the 26th floor of Beach House Fort Lauderdale, a Hilton Resort delivers standout scenery. Inventive cocktails in vibrant colors, complete with smoky effects, create Instagram-worthy moments for couples, paired with upscale tapas that round out the experience.

Inland, in Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village neighborhood, just a few blocks from Las Olas Boulevard, take the elevator to the top floor of The Dalmar hotel to access Sparrow  rooftop. The intimate hideaway channels funky 1960s flair with a vibrant, airy patio bar and playfully colorful cocktails, or bottle service for couples looking to indulge. A full dinner menu is available, though dessert alone makes for a sweet finish.

On West Las Olas Boulevard, take the elevator to Rooftop @ 1WLO, a swanky lounge overlooking the city.  Visit during happy hour to enjoy skyline views, a fire pit, and chic, lush seating, or reserve table service after hours for a more elevated, intimate experience for two.

If a lively rooftop bar is not your scene, consider a low-lit speakeasy. In recent years, Greater Fort Lauderdale has welcomed several late-night hideaways known for specialty cocktails and sultry atmospheres.

Tucked away on East Las Olas Boulevard, Sidecar Speakeasy is hidden behind the popular wine bar Vinos On Las Olas. The venue’s name nods to the classic Prohibition-era cocktail, and the atmosphere leans vintage. A strict dress code encourages guests to dress up and mingle with like-minded patrons. Guests should note that a door code is required for entry and is posted on the speakeasy’s Instagram page.

For another step back into the Roaring 1920s, visit Rm. 901, located inside the Hyatt Centric Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale. The small, intimate lounge evokes a bygone era with retro-style furnishings, antique art and artifacts, and a curated menu of cocktails and elevated bites from Chef Greg McGowan, including pan-roasted octopus and wagyu beef katsu sandos. Due to the limited seating, reservations are required. Rm. 901 enforces a $60 food-and-beverage minimum and offers three reservable seatings at 5 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 9:30 p.m., each lasting two hours.

In Oakland Park, Hidden lives up to its name. Accessible through a cupboard door inside Eatapas, with a separate entrance available after restaurant hours, the speakeasy features opulent chandeliers, tufted leather sofas, and an illuminated bar lined with velvet high-top chairs. The Prohibition-inspired concept comes with a modern twist. While classic cocktails anchor the menu, mixologist Jorge regularly introduces inventive creations. A pair of negronis or old fashioneds served in a smoking treasure chest offers a memorable finale to date night.

If your partnership is strongly centered around being a foodie couple, you’ll want to book at least one upscale dinner experience during your weekend of romance. 

At MAASS, which is located on the ground floor of the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, you can reserve a pair of seats at the exclusive Chef’s Counter, which won the destination’s first Michelin star in 2025. An intimate glimpse inside the restaurant, you’ll have front row seats to what brings chef Ryan Ratino’s award-winning contemporary American cuisine to life. 

Or, you can enjoy a nostalgic evening on East Sunrise Boulevard at acclaimed South Florida chef Allen Susser’s Sunness Supper Club, which brings warmth and familiarity with its friendly environment that invites you to make a night of it. Expect a chef-driven menu of bold-flavored American cuisine, craft cocktails, and hand-selected wines. After dessert, sneak up to the new, moody speakeasy, Bar Betty, for a final round complemented by live music.

February brings beautiful weather to Greater Fort Lauderdale, making a boat charter an ideal way to enjoy a romantic daytime escape. Cruise the canals of Millionaires Row or head out for a leisurely ride on the water. After time at sea, consider booking an intimate dinner for two at a dock-and-dine restaurant. Here are a few favorite waterside date-night picks.

Spacious Boatyard is a classic near the Intracoastal, just south of Fort Lauderdale Beach, with a lively atmosphere, hip drinks, and high-quality seafood.

Downtown, near Las Olas Boulevard, Boathouse at the Riverside is a locally loved riverfront spot along the scenic New River, and the outdoor patio is fun for a laid-back dinner for two. The menu is extensive, with hot and cold tapas, salads, sandwiches, fish tacos, crab cakes, and more. It’s also a great launching point for some bar hopping in the area, but you’ll have to arrange for a boat pickup if that’s your plan of attack. 

More central to Fort Lauderdale Beach, Ocean Prime offers refined surf and turf in a sophisticated two-story setting. The outdoor terrace is breezy, and the upstairs lounge features private cabanas for a more secluded dining experience. Nearby along the Intracoastal, Coconuts is an ideal choice for nice sunsets, with a more relaxed environment and fresh seafood.

Mastro’s Ocean Club pairs elegant Intracoastal views with upscale steakhouse fare, while Shooters Waterfront is a bit more energetic, with great sunset happy hour specials, raw bar options, sushi, and more.

And a bit further north along the Intracoastal Waterway, Kaluz is a stylish spot with a refined menu and outdoor seating.