Last Updated on November 3, 2023
Finding lodging on Florida’s East Coast is easier than you might think! Take an East Coast road trip to discover charming and authentic lodging.
From cottages to bed and breakfast inns to vintage motels that go above and beyond the norm, there is no shortage of lodging options.
Florida is a vacation paradise. Some would say it is America’s playground.
Picture miles and miles of beaches, refreshing cool Florida springs, outdoor trails filled with wildlife winding through wetlands, hammocks and shady tall pine forests, and everything in between.
Lodging on Florida’s East Coast
Authentic Florida embarked on an East Coast road trip and scouted out a selection of favorite small accommodations. Of course, while enjoying authentic Florida “things to do” along the way.
Visitors to the state can easily find accommodations, but knowing where to look to find a place that matches an “authentic Florida” travel experience is helpful.
By adventuring beyond chain hotels, you should consider some charming alternatives for an ideal and memorable Florida trip.
Cottages, vintage motels, and bed and breakfast inns all fit this profile. And yes, they do exist.
Charming Places to Stay on Authentic Florida’s East Coast
Ft. Lauderdale’s North Beach
Ft. Lauderdale‘s famous beach has long been a favorite vacation destination. Many smaller beach motels and resorts have yielded to newer, larger, and taller high rises.
But with some research and exploration, you can still find a way to enjoy the area as it used to be.
South of Sunrise Boulevard and north of Las Olas Boulevard, North Beach has one of the largest collections of mid-century modern architecture in Fort Lauderdale.
This 1950-60s collection of small motels and apartment buildings will transport you into Florida’s past, where you can admire the architecture and imagine life during that period.
The simplistic and minimalistic designs use whimsical angles, geometric architecture, and curved stairways to create artistic attractive “retro” accommodations.
Manhattan Tower, North Beach Village
The Manhattan Tower is a perfect example of mid-century modern design. And, despite the name, it is not a “tower” but a low-rise beauty overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway in North Beach.
Combining tropical ambiance with “Miami Modern” architecture, it was built in 1952 as a corporate retreat for General Motors executives.
Today’s Manhattan Tower retains its original design and offers 13 roomy apartment accommodations (some with private terraces), with sleek, eclectic furnishings, a full kitchen, a pool, and easy parking.
Five minutes from Ft. Lauderdale beach and restaurants, Manhattan Tower is accessible by a water taxi that picks you up steps away from your room.
You’ll be mesmerized watching boats cruise up and down the waterway, and some will amaze you with South Florida opulence, but this retreat is really all about relaxation and fun.
Co-owners Russel Dion and Joseph Caffey are perfect hosts with insider tips to make your stay even more special. And they offer some great specials.
Manhattan Tower Address: 701 Bayshore Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Driving north on A1A from Fort Lauderdale, you’ll find the small, charming coastal community of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. You may be surprised as you discover the contrasts between the two “Lauderdales” that seem worlds apart.
In Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, you won’t see towering condominium complexes. Instead, you’ll experience a small walking village with public plazas, quaint outdoor restaurants, shops, beaches, and a fishing pier.
This is all within easy access to charming mid-century motels and hotels nearby.
Authentic Florida reigns here, eliciting a sense of nostalgia and paying homage to the past while welcoming travelers to this special slice of paradise.
Windjammer Resort & Beach Club
Owner John Boutin is a leader in this town where he promotes the area with unbridled enthusiasm. When he is not promoting Lauderdale-by-the-Sea he is greeting customers at his oceanfront Windjammer Resort & Beach Club.
Here guests can stay in modern suites – studio, one or two-bedroom apartments with full kitchens directly on the Atlantic Ocean. It is steps away from the beach, with two sparkling blue swimming pools surrounded by gently swaying palm trees.
The property is located in the heart of this charming sea village where restaurants, bars, and shops are nearby.
The Windjammer also caters to snorkelers and divers who can swim to the nearby Florida coral reef, a place where lobsters hide out during Florida’s lobster season.
Windjammer Resort & Beach Club Address: 4244 El Mar Dr, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308
Driftwood Beach Club
This iconic accommodation will tickle your fancy with its signature retro blue outside décor. Revisit the past while enjoying the updated guest suites, heated pool, private beach, and friendly vibe.
Coffee get-togethers and karaoke sing-alongs keep guests coming back for more at this popular tropical Lauderdale-by-the-Sea hangout.
Driftwood Beach Club Address: 4417 El Mar Dr, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308
Beachside Village Resort
This luxurious resort will command your attention with its magnificent furnishings, intimate outdoor areas, lovely pool, and cabanas just a short distance from the beach.
The charming New England-style coastal inn includes a rooftop deck and a range of rooms – from hotel suites to guest houses – available for your next plunge into total tropical splendor and self-indulging relaxation.
Beachside Village Resort Address: 4564 N Ocean Dr, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308
High Noon Beach Resort
You won’t want to rise until noon at this charming intimate oceanfront resort, with newly renovated apartments and hotel rooms.
It’s another lush property that feels miles away from the outside world, and it’s perfectly suited for those who want to escape from it all.
You can sit by the pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and find serenity under palms swaying in a gentle breeze. Listen to the waves as you drift off into the next world.
A gathering place for families and couples, the property is owned by the Novak family. They also own the adjoining motels, the Nautilus, and the Sea Foam.
High Noon Beach Resort Address: 4424 El Mar Dr, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308
Beach Vacation Rentals, Pompano Beach
Owner Elaine Fitzgerald is not only a premier innkeeper but also one of the driving forces in the redevelopment of Pompano Beach, transforming it into one of Florida’s up-and-coming destinations.
Fitzgerald acquired five separate properties under her Beach Vacation Rentals business. Fitzgerald’s forte is her discriminating taste and eye for quaint and charming properties that she has personally updated.
All of the Beach Vacation Rental properties have everything a traveler could need. They have full kitchens, beautifully appointed rooms, private bedrooms, and immaculate interiors.
They are even tucked into quiet neighborhoods near the beach. Her properties include Cottages by the Ocean and the Yacht & Beach Club Condo.
All are impeccably kept and perfect for your next Pompano Beach getaway.
- Cottages By The Ocean Address: 3309 SE 3rd Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
- Yacht & Beach Club Condo Address: 140 NE 28 Avenue #207, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
While in Pompano Beach, Don’t Miss Shipwreck Park
Just off the coast of Pompano Beach, an underwater Shipwreck Park was created and opened to divers in July 2016 after the sinking of Lady Luck, a 324-foot tanker vessel.
The ship was sunk one mile offshore and has become a significant dive attraction. It features the captain’s deck, 20 staterooms, and an engine room to explore, plus underwater artwork by artist Dennis MacDonald.
The underwater cultural arts park has become a significant marine life attraction to reduce the pressure on natural coral reefs.
Learn more on the Shipwreck Park Pompano website.
Things to Do in Ft. Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, and Pompano Beach
- Take a drive around Ft. Lauderdale’s North Beach neighborhood and admire the iconic retro hotels and inns.
- Tour the Bonnet House and Gardens.
- Visit the historic Stranahan House.
- Have lunch at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Blvd.
- Take a Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise.
- Check out Ft. Lauderdale’s Swap Shop for an eclectic flea/farmer’s market experience.
- Walk the downtown Lauderdale-by-the-Sea pier.
- Dine at the iconic Cap’s Place Restaurant in Lighthouse Point.
- Lunch at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea’s Village Grille.
- Admire the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse from the Hillsboro Inlet Park.
- Visit and eat pizza at Pompano Beach’s Phil’s Heavenly Pizza.
Delray Beach
Crane’s Beach House Boutique Hotel & Luxury Villas
Crane’s Beach House is a luxurious resort with 28 distinctive suites and four luxury villas. The stunning, sleek, contemporary island-style guest villas are just the beginning of an adventure in paradise as a tropical garden oasis surrounds it.
Full kitchens, flat-screen TVs, and ultra-modern amenities make this getaway a gem. The Key West-inspired inn provides a perfect vacation spot for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or an escape from the mundane.
Combining the old and new – with a new $1.2 million facelift, guests will feel like they have traveled far away, but are just minutes away from the seaside village of Delray Beach.
Grab a bike, head to the wide Atlantic beach, and let the surf melt away your worries. You’ll quickly discover why this is on our list for lodging on Florida’s East Coast.
Return with sand between your toes, and then enjoy a cocktail under the Tiki hut next to the pool listening to the sound of the waterfall. Luxury is the key word here, in furnishings, amenities, and service with staff attending to every need.
Delray Beach Pineapple Grove Arts District
Enjoy the vibrant Atlantic Avenue area a few blocks away, welcoming visitors with fabulous restaurants, .boutiques, and the artsy Pineapple Grove Arts District.
When you return to Crane’s at the end of the day, you’ll sleep well in comfy beds after enjoying the quiet atmosphere with a glass of wine under the stars or on your private patio.
Crane’s Beach House Boutique Hotel & Luxury Villas Address: 82 Gleason St, Delray Beach, FL 33483
Some fun things to do in Delray Beach FL:
- Bike to Delray Beach
- Walk around Atlantic Avenue and the Pineapple District
- Visit the Old Colony Hotel
- Play pinball at the Silverball Pinball Museum
- Take photos at the Green Cay & Wakodahatchee Wetlands
- Dine at the Old Lime Tree Inn in Lantana.
- Stroll around Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.
A Visit to Indialantic, Melbourne, and Cocoa Beach
Tuckaway Shores Resort, Indialantic
Driving further north, towards Melbourne on Florida’s Space Coast, you’ll find Indialantic’s Tuckaway Shores Resort. Here, enjoy a comfy, authentic, and memorable experience for those who desire “old” Florida charm.
Reminiscent of the 1960s, but updated for comfort, individual units have been tastefully decorated and include spacious rooms, full kitchens, and Atlantic Ocean waterfront views. Put this on your list for lodging on Florida’s East Coast.
Place your toes in the sand and enjoy the miles of stunning world-class beach that will quickly transport you into a “no worry zone.”
If you need pool time, there’s a large pool that is ideal for families with kids. You might even enjoy an evening barbecue with the Green Egg grill available to guests.
While there, enjoy the charm of Indialantic, an old beach town and a rare find in Florida with a locally owned specialty grocery, good restaurants, and beach shops.
Need more ideas? Tuckaway Shore’s innkeeper, Jacqui McPhillips, and her staff provide pleasant, friendly service and expert insider tips for enjoying the area.
Tuckaway Shores Resort Address: 1441 S Miramar Ave, Indialantic, FL 32903
Things to Do in Indiatlantic and Melbourne Beach
- Take a nighttime turtle walk with the Sea Turtle Conservation Society
- Check out Honest John’s Fish Camp
- Visit San Sebastian Inlet State Park
- Stroll around the Melbourne Beach Barrier Island Sanctuary for sea turtle exhibits
- Shop for groceries at the Melbourne Beach Market
- Walk around historic downtown Melbourne
- Take a kayak ride through the Brevard Zoo
Things to Do in Cocoa Beach
Beach Place Guest Houses
Situated directly on the Atlantic Ocean in historic Cocoa Beach, Beach Place Guest Houses provides “boutique” accommodations with a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a great option for lodging on Florida’s East Coast.
Sea grapes line the courtyards with outdoor sculptures and colorful artwork as you overlook the ocean blue.
Wooden decks provide the perfect perch for the seascape equipped with chairs, hammocks, and fire pits for a relaxing visit. Comfortable accommodations make this a relaxing retreat with full kitchens, comfortable beds, and spacious rooms.
During the evening, enjoy the starry night while the sea turtles climb onto the beaches to lay their eggs before heading back into the ocean.
Rise early morning for a walk on the beach, where you may discover the tracks and nests of mother turtles entrusting nature to send hatching baby turtles back to the sea.
And for anyone looking for a surfing beach, this is the place to catch a wave and hang ten.
Beach Place Guest Houses Address: 1445 S Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Things to Do in Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach Pier
- Take an early morning walk on the beach
- Visit the Cocoa Beach pier
- Stop at the world-famous Ron Jon’s Surf Shop
- Take a kayak tour through the Amazon mangrove tunnels with Cocoa Beach Kayaking
- Ride the waves with surf lessons from SoBe Surf
- Enjoy a delicious seafood dinner at Jazzy’s or tacos at Taco City, a surfer hangout
- Grab a coffee at Juice & Java
- Shop at Cocoa Village
If you enjoyed this article featuring lodging on Florida’s East Coast and have other recommendations, feel free to let us know in the comments below.
Looking for more authentic Florida fun?
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