Riverside Hotel

Fort Lauderdale, Gold Coast Beaches

Virgin rating

Executive Tower Balcony Room
Executive Tower Balcony Room
Preston's Wine and Martini Lounge
Lobby
Classic Room
Micro Room
Executive Tower Balcony Room
Executive Tower Balcony Room
Preston's Wine and Martini Lounge
Lobby
Classic Room
Micro Room

The hotel

Full of Old Florida charm, the Spanish tile floors and and overhead fans means that this classic hotel fits in well within the Cuban feel of Las Olas Boulevard. The road is the forefront of everything from restaurants to fashion boutiques, art galleries to bars - so it's a great alternative to the oceanfront hotels of Fort Lauderdale, and the beach is still only a 10 minute drive away! There's a wide variety of dining options available within the hotel too - with Wild Sea featuring an impressive raw bar and a creative seafood menu, all of which can be enjoyed whilst watching the yachts sail down the river. The Golden Lyon Pub and Preston's Wine and Martini Lounge both offer happy hours for a pre-dinner tipple too. If you're not planning to spend much time in your room, the Micro room offers value for money, but upgrading will give you more space to relax in for families. 

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • No Smoking
  • Restaurant
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Swimming Pool
  • Valet parking

Where is it

Located on Las Olas Boulevard, in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, alongside the Tarpon River, just 10 minutes drive from the beach. 

Hotel information

231 rooms and suites across two towers, all with air-conditioning, complimentary WiFi access, safe, mini fridge, TV, and bathroom amenities.

Micro Rooms are approximately 200 sq ft and are located in the original tower, with 1 queen-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 people. 


Classic Rooms are approximately 325 sq ft and are located on floors 1-6 in the original tower, with either 1 king-size bed, 1 queen-size bed, or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 people. 

Executive Tower Standard Rooms are approximately 500 sq ft and are located on floors 9-12, with skyline and river views, and either 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 people. 

Executive Tower Balcony Rooms are the same as above, with the addition of a private balcony. 

New River Café and Bakery (offering grab and go, and eat-in options, with indoor and outdoor seating). Wild Sea Oyster Bar and Grille (serving fresh seafood and classic American cuisine, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch). Boathouse at the Riverside (relaxed waterfront dining, offering a selection of local and internationally inspired dishes, open for all day dining). Golden Lyon Vintage Pub (serving a wide range of drinks and classic dishes). Preston’s Wine and Martini Lounge (with daily happy hour, regular live music, and both indoor and outdoor seating). 

Outdoor swimming pool. Fitness centre. Sauna. Fitness classes*. 

Complimentary WiFi access. Concierge. 24-hour front desk. Gift shop. Self-parking $26 plus tax per night, and valet parking $36 plus tax per night (payable locally, fee subject to change). On-site boat dock. 

*Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1405)
  • Very good (727)
  • Average (276)
  • Poor (123)
  • Terrible (89)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating In advance of our cruise

Jan 22, 2025 Stew H Somerset, Massachusetts

Great location, wonderful restaurants, reasonable prices. We will return. We stayed there last year as well, leaving Mass. cold weather and spent a couple of days before boarding our cruise. Located on Los Olas boulevard with multiple shops, restaurants, activities and a stop on the water taxi for access to all of the area.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Don’t stay there

Jan 20, 2025 LittleRicky Madrid, Spain

Probably the filthiest lobby carpeting I’ve ever seen. We stayed there 2 years ago and while definitely not 5 star we were very disappointed in how deteriorated the hotel had become. Housekeeping not on top of the job. Lobby messy, nobody ever picks up used coffee containers, water bottles etc. Rooms are bare and unwelcoming. Don’t stay there
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Worst nights sleep ever !!!

Jan 17, 2025 995carens

This was probably the worst night I have ever spent in a hotel . This was entirely due to the lighting in the room. As soon as either of us got out of bed lights would come on , waking you up . Then they would die down but when the other pers on returned from the bathroom on they went again, thus waking you up once again. Imagine this happening… Read more
This was probably the worst night I have ever spent in a hotel . This was entirely due to the lighting in the room. As soon as either of us got out of bed lights would come on , waking you up . Then they would die down but when the other pers on returned from the bathroom on they went again, thus waking you up once again. Imagine this happening 3or 4 times that nigh,very little sleep was able to take place, Unfortunately when I complained to Reception the next morning they were most unhelpful, I am not sure if the lights were faulty or some idiot thought these lights were a good idea. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Can’t Beat Location

Jan 14, 2025 DivitGirl Fife, United Kingdom

Hotels in FLL are expensive due to captured cruise audience. Riverside gets great recommendations on cruise forums so I held off booking til last minute and priced dropped to a level I was happy to pay for my 4 night stay. It’s classed as a 3+ star hotel which due to age and old style appearance I get but it’s a lovely clean hotel in a fantastic… Read more
Hotels in FLL are expensive due to captured cruise audience. Riverside gets great recommendations on cruise forums so I held off booking til last minute and priced dropped to a level I was happy to pay for my 4 night stay. It’s classed as a 3+ star hotel which due to age and old style appearance I get but it’s a lovely clean hotel in a fantastic area with plenty restaurants and shops in the vicinity. It’s ideal for solo travellers as I felt very safe. The room newly renovated - Tower Balcony City View - was huge with all new mod cons so I’d give that 4 star - bathroom was really big too and I’d have given room overall 5 star if it had been a walk in shower and not bath/shower combination with shower curtain but that’s a personal preference. I ate at Wild Sea Las Olas a few times - NYE and it was delicious and service excellent. Loved the Golden Lyon pub for happy hour and New England Lobster Roll/fries. Never got a chance to try The Boathouse - which you walk across a small road to get to and also go through to get to pool - was always busy and lively. Lyft was much cheaper than Uber for every journey I needed so do a price comparison if you have both apps. While water in room is $7 for large bottle the onsite shop sell normal size bottles for $3 or 2 for $5. The hotel is practically next door to The Cheesecake Factory which I ate in a few times and loved. AMC Dine in Coral Ridge 10 was a great movie theatre close by with recliner seats. Very easy to get to cruise port from here. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Excellent location at this lovely iconic hotel- reserve asap!

Jan 12, 2025 STJHN21 Ohio

Excellent location and very friendly staff! Rooms are clean and close to the cruise port. The Boathouse restaurant is wonderful. So fun to walk around at night and shop in the shops. Such a fun area!! Rooms are nice lobby is where the magic happens. They have a piano players and the mood is fun!