Our school district unexpectedly announced the return of unused snow days, turning Memorial Day into a five-day weekend! With little notice, we scrambled to find a family-friendly getaway and stumbled upon a great deal for the Pelican Grand Beach Resort: stay two nights and get the third night free, plus a $100 resort credit and the possibility of a room upgrade. We quickly booked flights and set off for a fun-filled Memorial Day Weekend in Ft. Lauderdale!

• Spontaneous Trip: An unexpected five-day Memorial Day weekend prompted a last-minute family-friendly getaway.
  
• Room Details: Spacious and beach-themed room with two queen beds, a pull-out couch, small balcony with beach views, and a fridge. Issues included a misaligned deadbolt, broken blackout shades, and a bathroom door without a lock.
  
• Amenities:  Beach chair and umbrella service, fitness center, pool service, and free ice cream vouchers for kids.  Small fitness room with limited equipment but nice beach views. Pool area featured a lazy river and excellent pool service. Easy access to both pool and beach.
  
• Dining: Convenient and fairly priced hotel restaurant with a good breakfast menu and great beach views. Excellent service from the staff, especially Raya.
  
• Shuttle Service: Available but tricky to schedule; opted for Uber for most of the stay.
  
• Overall Experience: A great family hotel with convenient beach and pool access, friendly staff, and minor room issues. Highly recommended for families with young children, especially with promotional pricing.

Arrival and Check-In

Ft. Lauderdale in May is a delight, with warm yet bearable temperatures. Upon arriving at the Pelican Grand Beach Resort, we were greeted by its relaxed beach vibe and sun-faded yet well-maintained decor. Check-in was smooth and the staff were incredibly welcoming, even engaging our kids with fun conversations. We received early check-in, complimentary beach chair and umbrella service, fitness center access, pool service, and vouchers for free ice cream at the hotel store and drinks at the pool bar. The kids also enjoyed a scavenger hunt that rewarded them with extra ice cream vouchers. Within the first hour, we were pleasantly surprised.

Accommodations

Our room was spacious, comfortable, and had a charming beachy vibe. It featured two queen beds, a pull-out couch in a separate seating area for our teenager, and a small balcony with spectacular beach views. The room included a fridge, perfect for storing leftovers and cold drinks. The art, featuring beach and ocean-themed animals, added a nice touch.

However, there were a few issues. The deadbolt on our door didn’t lock due to a misalignment, which the hotel fixed promptly. Other minor issues included broken blackout shades, a bathroom sliding door without a lock, and a somewhat loose security latch. The elevators were dated, but the hotel is planning upgrades.

Amenities and Activities

The fitness room was small and limited, which was a bit disappointing since I enjoy working out on vacation. However, the treadmills offered a nice view of the beach. The pool area, featuring a lazy river (the only one in Ft. Lauderdale!), was a highlight. Pool service was excellent, with towels provided and chairs set up for us. The pool was never overly crowded, and when it was, the beach was just a few steps away.

Dining

The hotel restaurant was convenient for breakfast, with spacious seating and a great beach view. Our server, Raya, was fantastic, engaging with our kids and making our mornings enjoyable. While prices weren’t cheap, they were fair, and the menu offered something for everyone, including kids’ favorites like pancakes and waffles. The veranda at the back of the hotel was a lovely spot to relax, enjoy the view, and listen to live music on weekends.

Additional Notes

The hotel offers shuttle service, but scheduling it was a bit tricky. After some confusion, we managed to get a lift to a local restaurant, and the driver was helpful and friendly. For most of our stay, we opted for Uber, which was more convenient.

Overall Experience

The Pelican Grand Beach Resort is a fantastic family hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. The convenience of having the beach and pool with towel, chair, and umbrella service just steps from the hotel is perfect for families with young children. Despite minor issues, the spacious and clean rooms, friendly staff, and great amenities made our stay memorable. We would definitely stay here again, especially with any promotional pricing or discounts, and have already recommended the hotel to friends with young kids.