4525 El Mar Dr, Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida, United States | (618) 248-8274
Beach right across the street and one block from Pelican Square
Charming rooms with hacienda-inspired design and full kitchens
All rooms have patios or balconies for outdoor dining
Heated outdoor pool in lovely courtyard
Free beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas
Barbecue area and on-site laundry facilities
Free Wi-Fi and parking
Guest Courtesy room with TV for early arrivals and late departures
Owners live on-site and are available around the clock
No on-site meal service
No housekeeping on Sunday or major holidays
Parking is limited to one space per room
The two-and-a-half-pearl Blue Seas Courtyard is a special boutique hotel with just 12 rooms. Situated across the street from quiet Lauderdale-by-the-Sea's beautiful beach, a short walk leads to cafes, shops, entertainment, the pier, and even a grocery store. Modeled after a Mexican hacienda, rooms are charming, bright, and artsy, and have full kitchens plus balconies or patios. The outdoor pool is heated and situated in a lovely courtyard filled with lush tropical plants and colorful pottery. Guests get free Wi-Fi and use of beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas. Travelers can compare rates with the Windjammer Resort, a nearby mid-range apartment-style option, though rooms at the Blue Seas are far more fun.
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Scene
Charming boutique hotel modeled after a Mexican hacienda
This charming boutique hotel has a style all its
own. Built in 1946, it’s modeled after a Mexican hacienda, with
many special design features such as a terra-cotta roof, solid plaster walls, hand-blown
glass exterior lighting from Mexico, and a brick parking lot and walkway. The
owners, Marc and Cristie, have been at the hotel since 1971 and live on-site. Guests
immediately know the place is different when they approach the lovely entrance,
lined with a three-tiered fountain, terra-cotta pots, a cushioned hanging swing,
colorful tile art on the wall, and potted plants. Cristie is the primary
designer and artist, and she has a special touch that creates a warm,
welcoming, and interesting environment. The hotel appeals to all types of
travelers, and the clientele varies throughout the year. In winter, guests tend
to be older and stay longer. In the spring and fall, middle-aged and younger
couples arrive for short stays, and in summer, vacationing families are the norm. Regardless of the season, the property has a decidedly mellow yet cheerful atmosphere.
Location
Across the street from the beach and within walking distance to most everything
The hotel is located on a block of small hotels in the resort town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, about a 20-minute drive north of Fort Lauderdale. The nearby Municipal Park just behind the property hass a playground, tennis, and basketball. It's across the street from the beach and just a five-minute walk from Pelican Square, a beachfront collection of restaurants, cafes, bars, entertainment, shopping, and Anglin's Pier for fishing. A Publix grocery store and shopping center is less than 10 minutes away on foot, and guests can borrow a cart from the hotel to transport their groceries if they walk (alternatively, it's a two-minute drive). Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and the Port Everglades cruise terminal are both about a 30-minute drive south of the hotel. Miami Beach will take an hour to reach by car.
Rooms
Suites and efficiencies with Mexican-inspired decor and full kitchens
First things first: Every room here is a winner and comes loaded with plenty of inviting charm. They consist of two one-bedroom suites and 10 efficiency apartments. Decor is unique and fun, modeled after a Mexican-style hacienda. Decorative features include Spanish tile floors, and wrought iron, wood, and lace accents. Tiffany-style lighting goes nicely with sunny yellow and orange walls that are hand painted with pepper, flower, and sun motifs. Decorative pillows carry cheerful messages such as "smile" and "happiness." All units have full kitchens and dining areas, plus balconies or terraces with tables and chairs for outdoor meals. Each room offers either a king-size or two twin-size beds in the living area, as well as comfy seating near the bed. The hotel uses 300-plus-thread-count linens and memory foam mattress pads, and makes beds feel cozy along with white chenille bedspreads and cotton blankets. All rooms come with 32-inch flat-screen TVs with cable, as well as free Wi-Fi and work desks. There's air-conditioning in all units as well as ceiling fans. Bathrooms feature decorative Spanish tile, showers or shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and organic toiletries in large eco-friendly bottles. Half the rooms face the swimming pool courtyard, three face the beach, and three look onto an interior courtyard. Keep in mind that there is no housekeeping on Sundays or holidays.
Features
Outdoor heated pool in lovely courtyard, nearby beach, Guest Courtesy room
The free-form outdoor heated pool is small, but it's located in a lovely courtyard with a brick deck and lush tropical landscaping. Lounge chairs and umbrellas surround it, encouraging poolside relaxing. Hand-painted Talavera pottery, pottery animals, and a fountain add color and a sense of whimsy. This space is typically guests' favorite gathering spot. The beautiful beach is also popular. To get there, guests just need to walk south about 100 steps to El Prado Park, the town's largest beach entrance. Despite its popularity, the beach is quiet, peaceful, and beautiful. The hotel provides free beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas. The hotel has on-site laundry facilities as well as a barbecue area, but there is not restaurant or meal service of any kind. For early arrivals or late departures, there's a free Guest Courtesy Room with a restroom, TV, and computer station. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and parking is limited to on space per room.
