The Grand Resort and Spa

I have stayed at this property multiple times over the last ten years or so. This last visit will be my last time. I'll start with the positives. The location is still great being near the beach. Overall, the property staff are very focused on keeping the grounds clean and are all courteous. The spa is great and Robert is a fantastic masseur. On to the negatives. I booked four nights in early November and got a rate of $260 per night. A few weeks ago, I learned that I could extend my stay an extra night with no work conflicts. I called the hotel and asked if I could add one additional night to my stay in a room that wouldn't require moving. They told me that for the fourth night, I would need to pay $450! I don't understand why as a repeat customer and someone who had already booked four nights, they couldn't just honor the rate I was offered initially. Well they couldn't/didn't. Fine. I was supposed to check out Monday, 1/8 so on Sunday I inquired if I could arrange a late check-out. I was told no because someone was checking into my room later on Sunday. What? I am staying through to Monday. Well after researching, the front desk attendant said it appeared I was checking out Sunday. I blew a bit of a gasket, there, and then he realized no, I am staying one extra night. BUT, I needed to check out, first, and then check back in......for the same room! And had I not gone to the front desk to ask about a late checkout Monday, how would I have known that I needed to do this? No one told me at check-in. This place is far from a grand resort. Breakfast is ridiculous. For $450 per night, you can literally stay at the Hilton or Conrad and have a full-service 4-star hotel with all the amenities that goes with it. I am gluten intolerant and the only options at their breakfast is a hardboiled egg, a banana, or a yogurt. I might as well have breakfast at 7-Eleven. When I checked in, no one offered to help shlep my bags two building away on the second floor. The only reason people should stay here is if the only important factor in choosing your accommodations is to be naked and sit in a hot tub. The gyms they advertise as being on site have had the same equipment for decades.

The place itself is cool and if you want to be left alone and just relax in peace you can absolutely do that. The staff is super nice, attentive and do not get in your way while relaxing or make you feel uncomfortable. Its clothing optional on the first floor and it's super lax and open. They have multiple pools and hot tubs to choose from and lil -paths to walk. Its 4 resort combines into one now so there is a lot to see while you walk around and options as far as where to hang or relax and be social. Happy hour is cool and kind of cliquey. While the location has no say so on who visits I will say as a person of color it's not the most diverse or welcoming to black and brown people. I went with a friend who has gone before and even they were taken a back by how uncomfortable we were made to feel at times. This is anything the resort did so much as just the type of guests who were there. This isn't not dig at the resort they were totally nice, respectful and welcoming. That was my first time visiting FTL and while I enjoyed my personal time at the resort I have no desire to return back to that kind of setting or crowd. If you are dark complexion and cool with being ignored or passive aggressively talked about you will enjoy this place. I did meet some nice people while there but go figure they were all from the NYC area. Would I recommend this place to other people, no. While the idea is cool the lack of diversity and the kind of crowd that attracts inadvertently made it clear this resort isn't for everyone. I enjoyed my time there but I walked away feeling like its a place that doesn't really cater or advertise to people of color. Its uber white and comes with everything that entails with. This is just my personal experience and the interpretation I walked away with.The resort itself was cool and I was in the pool as much as possible but I guess the make up of guests didn't make for the best experience while there. So be mindful it can give you very much high school cafeteria tea at times.

It’s still a decent gay resort but definitely not The Grand we used to know and LOVE! Apparently some Israeli group (same as Worthington next door) bought it and who knows if it will stay gay or not. They STILL have no hot breakfast which they’ve promised for months would return. The WiFi is still horrible. I can’t ever connect from my room and even out by the pool get disconnected often. Workout room is old and rusty equipment. The pool heater hasn’t worked for about two years so I won’t use it. They lost their liquor license (same as Worthington) when new owners took over and currently don’t have one so we had to get alcohol elsewhere and bring it in. Happy hour no longer happens at The Grand. They used to have chicken wings and veggies but now it moved to the Worthington and the only food is bags of chips. They used to have discounts if you booked your next stay before leaving but no longer. Several guests said they screwed up their reservations. Their web site still mentions discounts available but staff told me they aren’t honoring them any longer. Staff is very friendly (those who still remain) but overall not impressed any longer. Sorry!

So what to say. I will start with the pros and then the few cons I have. So the resort is quite friendly and comfortable, and all but one staff person was friendly. The place is down the road from The Bonnet Estate which is a must experience place for anyone. It’s also extremely close to a lot and mostly within walking distance as well as being walking distance to the beach. Nudity is allowed everywhere except the staircases or the few balconies they are facing the parking lots; sadly this was suite 3 where I was. But I did get the best view of the hot tub area where some beautiful men were much of the time. The pool is heated which makes the Florida heat somehow seem less scorching. And I think it is a salted water pool as I did not have any eye burning, etc. The only con I have is the firmness of the beds. I have a bad vertebrae that likes to swell up. Overall I am so pleased with mine and my partner’s experience here. I hope to be back sometime.

5 Stars to Robert (masseurs) and Paula (manicurist) in the spa. Both of Robert and Paula a friendly, professional and take the time to make sure you get the best service possible. So if you need any spa service, I would definitely recommend checking them out. You don't have to be staying at the Grand to use the spa. 4 Starts to the Grand.... I know they were just sold, so I expected some issues, but over the years (especially since covid) they have lost the "Grand Resort" feeling. All the staff is very friendly and helpful, but you need to ask for basic things. Since covid they stopped daily room service, if you need new towels, tissue, toilet paper you need to going to the office and ask for more. Kitchen trash bin full? You need to take the bag out and and leave it on the balcony. Sadly, it sits there 1 to 1-1/2 days before it gets picked it up. They also stopped with the little things that set them apart from others...play relaxing music and burn incense throughout the property. They also change their policy on reservations... you have to pay the full amount of the reservation up front. I normally reserve the room a year in advance for 10-12 days.... who wants to layout that much money in advance? Not me! I really miss the smaller personal touch Grand Resort as opposed to the new Corporate owned/operated Grand Resort

Overall the whole experience was amazing! I called Saturday Afternoon front desk was extremely helpful with what I was looking for ! I checked in Sunday to polite and quick service. They combined another resort and its now a huge private gay haven! VERY close to the beach. Three pools Three hot tubs towels sunscreen lotion water snacks fruit breakfast all provided. Two Gyms, clothing optional 💜. I checked out and was allowed to stay and hang they hold bags and provide a shower and changing area if you need! My room was clean spacious and close to office . There are many different areas to explore and honestly you wouldn’t have to leave the resort if you stock the refrigerator. Wilton manors is a 10-15min uber away. The main strip on Atlantic is full of people & places to eat and there’s a CVS close by. Its a 7-9min walk to sebastion beach(gayest) the resort had chairs you can take and large towels! I can’t say enough good things about the staff and resort highly recommended! THANK YOU

Gabriel is the best!!!! I'm so grateful!!!! He went above and beyond for us, this guy should be manager the way he handled things. For the way he handled things we would definitely visit again. The hotel was clean and conveniently located around shopping plaza for fast food and not too far anything really....right in the heart of Fort Lauderdale ❤