Escape to Paradise: Your Fort Lauderdale Oasis Awaits at La Quinta Inn!
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Fort Lauderdale Fling: A Review of La Quinta Inn (and My Rollercoaster Stay!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on La Quinta Inn in Fort Lauderdale. Is it an oasis? Well, let's just say “oasis” is a strong word… more like a pleasant, readily available watering hole for a weary traveler. But hey, sometimes that's exactly what the doctor ordered, right? This review is gonna be a bit of a chaotic adventure, because let's be honest, life, and travel, is usually a beautiful, messy, glorious mess.
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- Keywords: Fort Lauderdale Hotels, La Quinta Inn Review, Accessible Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Swimming Pool, Fitness Center, Breakfast Included, Pet-Friendly Hotel, Family Friendly, Spa Services, Room Service, Free Parking, Airport Shuttle, Best Fort Lauderdale Hotels, South Florida Hotels.
- Metadata Description: A brutally honest and hilariously detailed review of La Quinta Inn in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. From accessible features to the questionable merits of the "buffet," discover what it's really like to stay at this hotel. Includes personal anecdotes, quirky observations, and a healthy dose of opinion. Find out if it's worth your stay!
Arrival & Accessibility: (The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Confusing)
I'm gonna start with the important stuff. Accessibility. Because when you're traveling, you want to know if the place actually caters to everyone. La Quinta gets some points here. The elevator was a lifesaver, the parking was easily accessible and car park [free of charge] is a huge plus in Fort Lauderdale. I peeped around and saw facilities for disabled guests and a wheelchair accessible setup that seemed decent, meaning you could get to the pool with a view without a problem. BUT… navigating the hallways felt a little narrow, and the entrance, while technically accessible, felt like it could use a little more… well, oomph. A little more welcome. Let’s be honest, getting into a door can be a workout after a flight and a car ride, amirite? Also, I think there were some interconnecting rooms available, but I didn’t specifically ask.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because, You Know, Existential Dread):
Okay, this is where La Quinta really shines, and I mean, really shines! Amidst the chaos of post-pandemic life, they were taking safety seriously. I loved the professional-grade sanitizing services, and seeing staff diligently disinfecting all the daily disinfection in common areas put my mind at ease. They had those little bottles of hand sanitizer everywhere and anti-viral cleaning products they used. They even offered a room sanitization opt-out available, which is a nice touch for anyone leery of extra chemicals (or just a bit of a clean freak, like yours truly). The staff trained in safety protocol, and the sterilizing equipment, it all made me feel like I was in a bubble. The cashless payment service was a definite plus, and they obviously had fire extinguishers and smoke alarms, and the staff trained in safety protocol. Felt pretty safe, tbh.
The Room: My Personal Condo (or Not…)
Alright, let's talk about the heart of the matter: the room. My room wasn’t exactly a palace, but it was… functional. The air conditioning blasted like a hurricane, which was great considering the Florida heat. The free Wi-Fi was a good speed and I used it a lot! Also got the internet access – wireless on my phone and laptop, no problems there. I had the usual stuff: air conditioning, a desk, a not terrible bed, and a mirror that was surprisingly forgiving. The complimentary tea and free bottled water were welcome little treats. The blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in, but the window that opens thing was definitely a selling point for me. I’m a sucker for fresh air, even if it’s just a brief whiff of Fort Lauderdale humidity.
There was a desk I used a few times, a refrigerator, and a coffee/tea maker to fuel my caffeine addiction, even though the coffee tasted like it had been brewed in a shoe. It actually had all the basics including things like towels, ironing facilities, and a safe box.
I chose a non-smoking room, of course. There was a seating area and a sofa, which came in handy and a good view of the outside. The shower was a bit cramped, but the water pressure was decent. The linens were clean and changed daily, which is always appreciated. However, I did kinda get the feeling of being slightly trapped, with the exterior corridor design.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (Buffets and Beyond!)
The breakfast [buffet] was… an experience. Let's put it that way. It was basic, but hey, it was free. Expect the usual suspects: scrambled eggs that probably came from a carton, questionable sausage, cereal, and pastries that had seen better days. The Asian breakfast was a pleasant change, as was the Western breakfast and the coffee/tea in restaurant were not bad!
I caught a glimpse of the restaurants and poolside bar, but didn't indulge. I was a bit too chicken to try to Asian cuisine in restaurant, but the Happy hour was tempting, so I may grab a drink or two. I was too tired during my stay to go to the coffee shop or the snack bar, but I am sure they are great. The bottle of water came in handy.
More, More, More!
- Things to do/Ways to Relax: Okay, the swimming pool [outdoor] was actually pretty decent. Clear water, comfy lounge chairs… perfect for soaking up the sun. Didn’t have time for the other options, like the fitness center or the spa.
- Services and Conveniences: The dry cleaning service came in handy, and the daily housekeeping was on point. The front desk [24-hour] was super accommodating, even though I showed up a bit early. The luggage storage was also a plus. I didn’t use the food delivery, but it was available.
The Quirks & Imperfections (Because, You Know, Life):
Okay, here's where it gets real. La Quinta, like any hotel, wasn't perfect. The elevator, while accessible, was slow. Like, glacial-speed slow. There was a tiny bit of wear and tear in the room (a small crack in the sink), which is normal. But hey, it gives character, right? I also found myself a little uncertain about my surroundings, and the exterior corridor really didn’t help. Also, I heard the traffic noise in the distant, but at least I had the soundproofing in the room!
Quirky Observation:
- I swear I saw a tiny, travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer inside the complimentary toiletries bag. It was like a tiny, existential reminder that even in paradise (Fort Lauderdale, if you're feeling generous that day), you still gotta wash your hands.
Overall Verdict: Worth the Fling?
So, would I recommend La Quinta Inn? Yes, with caveats. It’s a solid choice for a comfortable, clean, and (relatively) affordable stay, especially if you are looking for accessibility. It's got all the basic necessities, and they really DO seem to care about safety, and is absolutely great. The breakfast is what it is, my room was good, and the pool was actually relaxing.
If you're looking for a luxury experience, this ain't it. But if you want a clean, safe, and relatively easy base for exploring Fort Lauderdale, La Quinta delivers. Just be prepared for a few quirks, embrace the chaos, and maybe bring your own coffee. Because the real escape, my friends, is finding the humor and joy in the everyday adventure, even in a perfectly average hotel.
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Alright, buckle up, Buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-packaged itinerary. We're talking Fort Lauderdale, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Plantation, and the glorious, messy reality of travel. Here's what actually happened, not the airbrushed version:
Day 1: Arrival – The Great Luggage Hunt and a Poolside Existential Crisis
1:00 PM - Arrival at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL). Oh, the joy! Or rather, the potential for joy. Let's be honest, airport chaos is a constant. Today's flavor? Trying to wrestle my suitcase into the luggage carousel's hungry maw. I swear, that thing is specifically designed to taunt you. I stood there, clutching the handle like it was a lifeline, praying my bag wasn't destined for a permanent vacation in baggage purgatory. My first thought, "Oh, you have got to be kidding me!" I eventually got my bag, a victory worthy of a ticker-tape parade.
2:00 PM - Taxi to La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Plantation. Thank the gods for taxis. I had visions of getting on a bus, the bus had to leave me because of my baggage, I get lost… no. I finally had my taxi and I was on my way. I was so excited about the hotel. The driver, bless his heart, probably thought I was on my way to a funeral. I had such a bad day and was so tired.
2:30 PM - Check-in & Room Reconnaissance. Okay, let's be real. Checking in is a gamble. You're praying for a non-smoking room that actually smells non-smoking. I was greeted by a cheery lady behind the desk, which already gave me a boost. She gave me my room key, the type with the card insert. At least it's better than an actual key. I got my room, the hotel looked dated, but it looked clean, which was the most important thing.
3:00 PM - Room Inspection & Pre-Pool Panic. Room looked alright, so I went to the pool. I was really craving for sun and water. I went to the pool, and it was quiet. My mood immediately changed for the better. I made my way to the pool and had a nice swim.
5:00 PM - Dinner at a nearby chain restaurant. (You know the type. TGI Fridays or something. Let's not pretend I have amazing culinary tastes. Gotta love the predictability.)
7:00 PM - Back to the hotel. Channel surfing. I was so tired. I don't know why I even bothered going out. I was dead to the world as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Day 2: Beach Bliss (and Minor Meltdowns)
8:00 AM - Breakfast - Free breakfast, huzzah! I went to the breakfast buffet; it's never the greatest, but hey, it's free. I made myself some waffles, scrambled eggs, and a few strips of bacon. It wasn't gourmet, but it was fuel.
9:30 AM - Beach Bound! Ah, the ocean! The promised land! I have this thing where, before I go to the beach, I convince myself it will be the most perfect day ever, complete with flawlessly tanned skin, no rogue waves, and the ability to read a novel without my sunglasses slipping down my nose. Guess what? Never happens. I get a little anxious before going to the beach.
10:30 AM - Sun, Sand, and Stubborn Sunscreen. I spent the next hour doing the usual dance - slathering myself in sunscreen, fighting the wind that kept trying to steal my towel, and trying to find that perfect spot that's both sunny and not overcrowded. Success! Mostly. Sunscreen application, however, turned into a comedic ballet of missed spots and greasy hands. Ah, the joys!
12:30 PM - Lunch at a Beachside Shack. Okay, this was actually pretty great. I found a little shack with fresh seafood. The fish tacos. Oh, sweet mercy, the fish tacos. The taste of the food was so good. I could have eaten more, but I thought the tacos were enough. I was wrong, but it was great.
2:00 PM - The Great Sandcastle Fail. So, I attempted to build a sandcastle. You know, the classic, childhood dream. Well, let's just say it was less "majestic fortress" and more "pile of sad, damp sand." I got frustrated, which led to me kicking the crap out of it later.
4:00 PM - Back to the Hotel. After a long day at the beach, I was burnt, sandy, and exhausted. I sat on my uncomfortable bed, watched some terrible reality TV, and fell asleep almost instantly.
7:00 PM - Dinner - Somewhere, anywhere with air conditioning. I was so sunburnt. My first thought, "Oh, that's not good…" I went to the nearest restaurant with air conditioning and ate food. I don't even remember what I ate, but it was food.
Day 3: Shopping Spree and Suburban Adventures
9:00 AM - Snoozing and Regret. I wanted to make it out of bed, but I just couldn't. I snoozed my alarm and wished I had more time.
10:00 AM - Shopping! (Or, Attempt Thereof). I was looking for a mall. I found one. I wanted to enjoy my shopping, but I gave up.
1:00 PM - Lunch at the mall. I met up with my cousin, who was really nice! I haven't seen my cousin for a few years, and she made my day! Even with my bad sunburn, my day was going great!
3:00 PM - Pool. The pool was empty.
5:00 PM - Dinner. I went to a pizza place. A big piece of pizza was exactly what I needed.
7:00 PM - Check out. I was on my way!
Notes:
- Transportation: Rental car for a day, taxis, and a whole lot of walking.
- Emotions: A rollercoaster. Highs of beach bliss, lows of sunscreen struggles, and the general exhaustion of solo travel.
- Food: The holy trinity of free breakfast, beach shack tacos, and pizza.
- Imperfections: Sunburn, sand in everything, and a sandcastle that would shame a pre-schooler. But hey, that's life, right?
This is a travel "itinerary," Florida style. And it's the honest truth of how it went down.
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Escape to Paradise – or at Least, Fort Lauderdale: Your La Quinta Inn FAQs! (Because Let's Be Honest, it's NOT Always Paradise)
So, "Paradise"... REALLY? That La Quinta Inn, REALLY Paradise?
Okay, alright, let's pump the palm trees brakes a *little*. "Paradise" might be a *slight* exaggeration. Think... a comfy beach-adjacent basecamp. Picture this: You're hauling your luggage through the lobby, sweating from the Florida humidity (because, hello, humidity!), and you *think* you spot a shimmering pool of turquoise water. That's the promise, right? Paradise is promised!
Here's the thing: La Quinta? It’s reliable. It's *there*. You can count on a clean-ish room (and believe me, I’ve stayed in places where “clean-ish” was a pipe dream). You can count on a, let's say, *eh* breakfast. But paradise? Maybe after a few margaritas by the (admittedly decent) pool, it starts to feel like it.
One time, I walked in, absolutely wrecked from a flight, and the front desk guy, bless his heart, looked like he’d seen a ghost. He probably had. He gave me the room key, mumbled something about the elevator being "temperamental," and sent me on my way. THAT, my friends, is an experience. It’s not *perfect*. It’s real. And that, sometimes, is better than perfect.
What's the deal with the breakfast? Is it genuinely edible?
Ugh, the breakfast. Alright, let's be honest. It's... breakfast. Free breakfast. The key phrase: *Free*. Don’t expect Michelin star quality. Expect… a carb-centric adventure. Think: waffles (if the machine is working - sometimes it’s a war zone!), sugary cereal, maybe some questionable fruit cocktail. The coffee? Hit or miss. Sometimes it tastes like motor oil.
Here's my pro tip: Bring your own instant coffee and a decent granola bar. You'll thank me later. I once saw a guy *stockpiling* those little packets of jam. I judged him, *then* I became him. Desperate times, people. Desperate times.
Look, the breakfast is fuel. It’ll get you started. It’s not the highlight of the trip. But hey, you can't beat the price... which is, again, FREE.
Pool Time? Is it as glorious as the photos make it look?
The pool... *sigh*. The pool is usually a *positive* element, honestly. Most of the time! The pictures? Usually pretty accurate. Sometimes a little… *enhanced* by the photographer's skill. (Think a little less crowded, a little more dazzling.) But generally, it's a decent pool. It's saltwater (a plus!), and it's a welcome escape from the aforementioned Florida humidity. It's also usually where you'll find the best/worst people-watching of your entire trip.
I saw a guy try to do a backflip off the edge once. Nearly ate it. The entire pool area gasped. It was… memorable. Bring a pool noodle. You’ll need it. And some sunblock. Please, for the love of all things holy, apply sunscreen.
Don't go expecting the Ritz. But a refreshing dip after a day at the beach? Absolutely. It is, at a bare minimum, the *promise* of rejuvenation.
How's the noise level at this La Quinta? Are you getting a good sleep?
Look, this is a hotel in a popular area of Fort Lauderdale. Noise is… a factor. It depends on your room location, honestly. If you’re on the side facing the highway, expect some traffic hum. If you're near the pool, you might get some splashy, happy noise (or, you know, the occasional backflip fail).
My advice? Ask for a room away from the elevator (trust me), bring earplugs, and maybe invest in a white noise app. Oh, and don't expect any late-night quiet time if you are directly below the roof. It’s a well-known phenomenon, at least in La Quinta circles. That's the other big thing with a hotel in Florida - there’s a lot of movement up above, and you'll hear everything.
I slept *through* the fire alarm once (don’t judge!), so, y'know… your mileage may vary. But pack those earplugs!
Is the beach *actually* nearby? Or is it a “short walk” that turns into a death march?
Okay, the beach proximity is a *definite* plus. The hotel *is* near the beach. It's not directly on it, but it's a manageable walk. I'd estimate about 10-15 minutes, depending on how fast you walk and how often you stop to gawk at the ocean. It is not a death march. However, it's still Florida. That means you're likely to be sweating by the time you reach the sand.
Pro tip: Pack light. You *will* be carrying all your beach gear. There's also a convenient public transport option - think of it like the "lazy man’s way”. I love it, I use it all the time. But it's not always on a regular schedule so be sure to check the times.
What's the WiFi like? Because, let's face it, we're all addicted to the internet.
WiFi is… functional. Let's leave it at that. It *works*. You can check your email, scroll through social media (probably), and maybe even stream something if you're lucky. Don't expect blazing speeds. There are times when I get better bandwidth in a third-world country. It is, by all means, serviceable.
Prepare for the occasional buffering. Prepare for the occasional drop. Keep your expectations low, and you won’t be disappointed. (Or maybe you will. I can't control your internet needs!). One time, I tried to upload a video and it took… well, let's just say I walked to the beach and back.
Are there any decent restaurants/bars nearby - you know, for, ahem, *research* purposes.
Okay, *this* is where things brighten up a bit! The location of this La Quinta is actually pretty solid. There are a bunch of restaurants and bars within walking distance or a short Uber ride away. You have everything from casual burger joints to slightly more upscale seafood spots. And the best part? You're in Florida! The place to drink and get loud is, in fact, everywhere.
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