You're driving down North University Drive, past the endless strip malls and palm trees, and there it is. The Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale Plantation looms over the landscape like a massive, peach-colored fortress. It’s hard to miss. But honestly, most people just see it as a convenient spot near the mall or a place to crash before a cruise out of Port Everglades.
That's a mistake.
If you’ve ever stayed in a standard hotel room where you’re basically tripping over your suitcase to get to the bathroom, you’ll get why this place is different. It’s an all-suite property. Every single room. That means a door between you and the kids, or you and your snoring partner, or just you and the TV. It changes the vibe of a trip completely.
The Reality of Location: It’s Not the Beach
Let’s be real for a second. If you’re looking for white sand and the sound of waves crashing outside your window, you’re in the wrong place. This hotel is about 10 or 12 miles inland. In South Florida traffic? That could be twenty minutes or an hour depending on whether a drawbridge is up or a rainstorm just hit.
People book here because it’s strategic. You’re right across from the Westfield Broward Mall. You’ve got Nova Southeastern University practically in the backyard. It’s a business hub. It’s a "I need to be near the Fountains or the Sawgrass Mills Mall" kind of spot. If you want the beach, go to the beach. If you want to actually be able to walk to a Target or a decent steakhouse without paying $40 for an Uber, this is your zone.
The neighborhood, Plantation, has this weirdly charming suburban-meets-tropical feel. It’s manicured. It’s safe. It’s where the locals actually live because they can’t stand the chaos of Las Olas on a Saturday night. Staying at the Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale Plantation feels a bit like having a temporary apartment in a neighborhood that’s actually functional.
Why the "Suites" Part Actually Matters
Most hotels use the word "suite" loosely. They’ll put a couch in a slightly larger room and call it a day. Not here. These are true two-room suites. You walk into a living area with a sofa bed, a desk, and a wet bar. Then there’s a separate bedroom.
Why does this matter?
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- Remote Work: You can actually take a Zoom call in the living room while your spouse is still asleep in the bedroom.
- The "Kid" Factor: Putting the kids on the pull-out couch means you don't have to go to bed at 8:00 PM just because they did.
- Sanity: It’s roughly 550 square feet. That’s bigger than some New York City apartments.
The decor is very "Sheraton." It’s predictable. You’re going to see earth tones, heavy curtains, and those signature Sweet Sleeper beds that are, frankly, way more comfortable than they have any right to be. It’s not "boutique cool." It’s "I know exactly what I’m getting" reliable.
Eating and Drinking (The Honest Assessment)
Let’s talk about Bridges Restaurant. It’s the on-site spot.
Is it Michelin-star dining? No. Of course not. But for a hotel restaurant, it’s surprisingly solid. They do a breakfast buffet that actually has flavor, which is a rarity in the world of soggy hotel eggs. The dinner menu leans into American classics—think burgers, flatbreads, and salmon. It’s the kind of place you go when you’ve had a long day of meetings or shopping and you just cannot deal with looking at a GPS again.
If you do want to venture out, you’re literally surrounded by food.
- J. Alexander’s is right nearby if you want a high-end wood-fired steak.
- TooJay’s Deli is a Florida staple for a massive corned beef sandwich.
- There’s a Whole Foods down the street if you want to use that wet bar in your suite to make a decent salad and save some cash.
The lobby bar is the soul of the place in the evenings. It’s a mix of flight crews (who know all the best spots, by the way), business travelers nursing a bourbon while checking emails, and families planning their route to the Everglades for the next morning.
The Rooftop Pool: The Secret Weapon
This is where the Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale Plantation wins. The pool is on the roof.
In a lot of Florida hotels, the pool is tucked away in a courtyard where you get maybe three hours of sun before the building’s shadow swallows it up. Not here. Being on the roof means you get the breeze—which you desperately need in July—and views that stretch all the way to the downtown Fort Lauderdale skyline.
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It’s an outdoor heated pool. Is it a Las Vegas pool party? No. It’s usually pretty chill. You might see a few kids splashing around, but mostly it’s people reading Kindles on lounge chairs. There’s a sauna and a fitness center up there too. The gym is decent; it’s got the LifeFitness equipment you’d expect, and because it's high up, you don't feel like you're working out in a basement.
Business and Logistics
If you’re here for work, the "Link@Sheraton" is still a thing. It’s basically their version of a business center but integrated into the lobby. Good Wi-Fi. Easy printing.
The meeting spaces are actually quite massive for a suburban hotel. They’ve got over 13,000 square feet of event space. You’ll often see local corporate retreats or mid-sized tech conferences happening here. The ballroom can hold hundreds of people, which is why it’s a popular spot for local weddings and mitzvahs too.
Parking Note: This is important. Unlike the hotels on the beach that will charge you $45 a day for valet-only parking, the Sheraton Suites generally offers much more reasonable situations, often including free self-parking depending on your booking package. Check your rate. If you’re renting a car, this saves you a fortune over a four-day stay.
What People Get Wrong About the Price
People see "Sheraton" and "Suites" and assume it’s going to be $400 a night. Sometimes, during the peak of boat show season or spring break, it might get up there. But generally, this is one of the best value-for-money plays in Broward County.
You get the Marriott Bonvoy points. You get the extra square footage. You get the rooftop pool. And you usually pay significantly less than you would for a cramped room at a "trendier" hotel five miles east.
A Few Real-World Tips for Your Stay
If you’re actually going to book a stay, keep these things in mind.
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First, ask for a room on a higher floor facing east. On a clear day, you can see the tall buildings of the coast, and the sunrise is pretty spectacular from the living room window.
Second, the elevators. There are three of them in the main atrium. They’re glass. If you have a fear of heights, maybe don’t look out as you’re going up to the rooftop pool. It’s a long way down to the lobby floor.
Third, the shuttle. They usually offer a local shuttle within a 3-mile radius. Use it. It’ll take you to the mall or nearby restaurants, saving you the hassle of finding a parking spot in a crowded Florida lot.
Is It Right For You?
Let’s be honest. This isn’t a honeymoon destination for someone looking for romance and seclusion. It’s a bustling, functional, comfortable hotel.
It’s for the person who has a meeting at the Motorola offices. It’s for the family that needs two rooms but only wants to pay for one. It’s for the shopper who wants to be close to Sawgrass Mills (which is about a 15-minute drive away) but wants a nicer place to sleep than the budget motels surrounding the outlet mall.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
- Check the Marriott Bonvoy App: Often, there are "member rates" that shave 10% off the price you see on Expedia.
- Plan for the Sun: The rooftop pool is intense. There isn't much shade. If you're going up there between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, wear the high-SPF stuff. Florida sun at that altitude doesn't play around.
- Skip the Beach Traffic: If you want a "water" day but don't want the drive, head 15 minutes west to Markham Park. You can rent a boat, go on a nature trail, or see the Everglades without the tourist traps.
- Request a Corner Suite: They aren't always available, but the layout feels even more spacious because of the extra window light.
- Verify the Shuttle Schedule: If you’re relying on the local shuttle, call the front desk the morning of your arrival. Schedules can change based on staffing or demand, and you don't want to be stranded at the mall with ten bags and no ride.
The Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale Plantation isn't trying to be the flashiest hotel in Florida. It's trying to be the most practical one. For a lot of travelers, that’s exactly what’s missing from their trip.