Known as America’s Venice for its extensive canal system, Fort Lauderdale is a must-see destination in South Florida. However, Club Wyndham owners might find themselves in a bit of a pinch. There’s no Fort Lauderdale Wyndham Resort, at least not directly. However, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Here’s how to turn that Club Wyndham membership into a fabulous South Florida Vacation.
No Fort Lauderdale Wyndham Resort?! What About…
We know what you’re probably thinking: “Wait, but there are loads of Fort Lauderdale Wyndham Resorts”, which is true! There’s Wyndham Palm Aire, Royal Vista, and Sea Gardens, to name a few. But saying these are Fort Lauderdale Wyndham resorts is a bit misleading. These resorts are near Fort Lauderdale, but not in the city. They’re actually all in Pompano Beach.
Accounting for Counties
Fort Lauderdale is part of the larger Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area, though you won’t hear it referred to that way outside official documents. South Florida, as it’s commonly called, is divided into three counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Each county is home to one of the region’s major cities: Miami (Miami-Dade), West Palm Beach (Palm Beach), and Fort Lauderdale (Broward).
Like any major city, there’s a distinction between the city center and the outlying communities. You might hear someone refer to a community like Dania Beach or Sunrise as being part of Fort Lauderdale, which is technically accurate. But some areas have a more distinct identity, like Pompano Beach. Calling Pompano Beach part of Fort Lauderdale is kind of like calling Brooklyn part of Manhattan. They’re closely related, but distinct entities.
Presenting Pompano Beach, FL
Despite all of this, Pompano Beach is still a fantastic place to visit. This major city offers many of the same benefits as a trip to Fort Lauderdale. There’s easy access to the beach, beautiful weather, and plenty of shops and dining. It also offers a few unique perks.
Pompano Beach is quieter than Fort Lauderdale. Not by a lot, as South Florida is the most densely populated part of the state, but enough to be noticeable. Traffic is a bit lighter, beaches are less crowded, and it’s generally easier to get into restaurants.
The city has a lot to offer within its limits. Pompano is home to a fantastic fishing pier where you can catch the pompano fish that give the town its name, as well as an undersea park you can only explore by scuba diving. There’s also world-class golf, casinos, public parks, and plenty of family-friendly attractions.
If you’re interested in Palm Beach County’s attractions, Pompano Beach is a fantastic place to visit. Boca Raton is right next door, and the rest of Palm Beach County is just a day trip away. So if you want to visit West Palm Beach, Jupiter, or any of the other destinations north of you, Pompano is an excellent home base.
Wyndham Resorts Near Fort Lauderdale
If you’re set on using your Club Wyndham membership to stay at a Fort Lauderdale Wyndham resort, there are still some great options. These resorts are all roughly 30 minutes out from Downtown Fort Lauderdale, so you’ll need to arrange for transportation to and from the city. Plus, each of these resorts offers its own charm and benefits that you won’t find in Fort Lauderdale proper.
Club Wyndham Palm-Aire: Golf and Games
South Florida has some fantastic golf courses, thanks to the sunny weather and relatively flat terrain. Palm Aire is one of the region’s more storied country clubs, hosting numerous tournaments and attracting the likes of Frank Sinatra and Jerry Lewis. Club Wyndham Palm Aire captures some of that silver age luxury, offering spacious villas within walking distance of the greens.
If you like sports, this Fort Lauderdale Wyndham Resort is a fantastic place to visit. In addition to golf (both traditional and miniature), guests can enjoy pickleball, basketball, beach volleyball, tennis, and shuffleboard. Nearby, there’s fishing, horseback riding, and the whole gamut of water sports.
If you prefer your games to have higher stakes, the nearby Isle Casino features slots, blackjack, roulette, craps, and over forty live poker tables. Remember to play responsibly!
Club Wyndham Royal Vista and Santa Barbara: More Sea, Less Stress
Oceanfront property is a hot commodity in South Florida, so it’s harder to find a truly beachfront hotel than you’d think. Many resorts in Fort Lauderdale aren’t so much on the beach as they are across the street from the beach. The ability to step directly from suites to shore is coveted, and Club Wyndham Royal Vista offers just that.
Royal Vista offers easy access to the beach from the resort, along with cabana and beach chair rentals. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, an on-site tiki bar, and live entertainment.
Across the street from the Royal Vista is Club Wyndham Santa Barbara. This Fort Lauderdale Wyndham Resort faces the Intracoastal Waterway and Lake Santa Barbara. The Intracoastal is the main artery of South Florida’s extensive canal system, and is frequented by ships big and small. You can even charter a yacht at the marina next door.
The villas at both resorts are spacious, featuring king beds, living rooms, and full kitchens. So take a moment to unwind and bask in the oversized bath, because this isn’t just your accommodation. It’s your home away from home.
Fort Lauderdale Wyndham Resort Alternatives
While Pompano Beach, FL, is a fantastic destination, it’s not Fort Lauderdale. You’re still a distance from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) Airport, the cruise port, and popular attractions. Fortunately, Club Wyndham is one of the most flexible vacation ownership programs out there. By using a vacation exchange service like RCI or Interval International, you can exchange your Club Wyndham points for a stay at one of these other resorts.
Marriott’s BeachPlace Towers: In the Center of the Action
When people talk about going to the beach in Fort Lauderdale, they usually mean going along A1A. This is the main stretch of prime, beachfront road. The focal point of A1A, aside from the beach itself, is unquestionably Beach Place. This outdoor mall offers shops, dining, and live entertainment, but it’s also a practical hub. It’s where you go for a quick snack, to refill on sunscreen, or to relax and drink colorful cocktails out of fishbowls.
Located just behind Beach Place, Marriott’s BeachPlace Towers rise above the shore like a golden monolith. This resort features an outdoor pool overlooking the water, with an adjacent bar and whirlpool. The pool is a wonderful escape from the crowded beach below. It’s clean, it’s cool, and it offers spectacular views.
Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort: Colorful, Retro Vibes
Also on A1A, the Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is a few miles from the chaotic energy of Beach Place. This resort is just a short walk from historic Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, offering a very different vibe than its neighbor. Compared to the tropical urbanism of Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a candy-coated, mid-century modern paradise that highlights local shopping and dining.
The Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort embodies this commitment to small-town vibes. This boutique hotel is quaint and retro. There’s no chic restaurant, but an independent sub and gyro shack. There’s no valet parking, but a parking lot surrounded by palm trees. But this resort makes up for its size with a commitment to quality. The suites here are spacious, with king beds, and a kitchenette with a stove in deluxe rooms. The resort offers room service, which is a rarity even at major hotels now.
No Fort Lauderdale Wyndham Resort? No Problem
Pompano Beach, FL, isn’t Fort Lauderdale. But does that even matter? In most cases, probably not. The Club Wyndham options in Pompano are fantastic, and Pompano Beach is a gorgeous destination of its own. In fact, there are only a few situations where a stay in Fort Lauderdale proper is demonstrably better.
- You’ve Got a Time-Sensitive Obligation: 30 minutes isn’t much, but it can add up. The convenience of being right next to something is very appealing, and one of the big draws of most timeshares.
- You Don’t Have a Car: While there is intercity rail in South Florida, only Miami has a robust public transportation infrastructure. In Fort Lauderdale, your options are limited to buses and shuttles. Walking isn’t recommended either: outside pedestrian-designated areas, South Florida is built for cars. Downtown Fort Lauderdale, particularly A1A and Las Olas, is relatively walkable. However, you’ll want to splurge for a rental car or budget for rideshares.
- You’re Taking a Cruise: Fort Lauderdale is home to Port Everglades, the fifth-largest cruise port in the world. Major cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, and even Disney, operate out of this port, making Fort Lauderdale a common stopover for those embarking on (or returning from) a Caribbean cruise.
- You’re Using Fort Lauderdale as a Travel Stop: In addition to its cruise port, Fort Lauderdale is home to an international airport (FLL) and an intercity rail station for Brightline. This means that it’s very easy to get from Fort Lauderdale to other major destinations.
Still, if you really need to stay in Fort Lauderdale, don’t want to use a vacation exchange, and still want to take advantage of your Club Wyndham membership to do so, you’ve got a last-ditch option.
The Last Resort: A Fort Lauderdale Wyndham Resort That Isn’t a Timeshare
If you’re a Club Wyndham member, you’re likely also a Wyndham Rewards member. If you use your timeshare regularly, you’ve likely accumulated a decent number of Wyndham Rewards points. Possibly even more if you’re using a Wyndham Rewards credit card. Now’s the time to break them out.
Wyndham is the largest hotel company in the world, so there are actually a lot of Fort Lauderdale Wyndham resorts. They’re just not timeshares. They’re things like Days Inns and La Quintas, or boutique hotels that don’t offer timeshare accommodations. If you’ve gotten used to the luxuries of a timeshare villa, going back to a regular hotel room can be a shock.
Still, you can use your accumulated Wyndham Rewards points to book free or discounted rooms at these Fort Lauderdale Wyndham Resorts. Rooms range from 15,000 to 30,000 Wyndham Rewards points a night. You can also pay a fifth of the point amount per night for a discounted rate.
While it’s possible to convert Club Wyndham points to Wyndham Rewards points, we don’t recommend it. First, point conversion is only available for points purchased directly from Wyndham, so if you bought on resale, those points are ineligible.
If you are eligible for point conversion, the exchange rate isn’t fantastic. It’s roughly 10:4, with some bonuses if you’re a Wyndham VIP. Point Conversion is meant to help you get some value out of the points you’re unable to use during a year.
Your best bet? Either pick one of the fabulous Wyndham timeshares in Pompano Beach, or if you absolutely must be in Fort Lauderdale proper, use a vacation exchange, or pay out of pocket and use your points for something else. Like, for instance, a cruise! I mean, if you were going to be in Fort Lauderdale anyway, why not?
Make Vacation Memories with TimesharesOnly
Wyndham Rewards points can get you a stay at a La Quinta, but you deserve something better: more room, better amenities, and the luxuries you’d expect from home. A timeshare can make that happen, but you don’t need to own a timeshare to stay at one. In fact, there are hundreds of timeshare owners looking to rent out their weeks and vacation points right now!
Want to learn more? Check out our marketplace, where you’ll find ads for timeshare rentals and resales across the world. Whether you’re looking to stay in Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, or even the French Countryside, there’s a timeshare out there for you. So why settle for the run-of-the-mill? Browse our marketplace today!
Sell Your Timeshare With Us!
Have lifestyle changes left you unable to use your timeshare? We can help. Sign up for our marketplace and post an ad for your timeshare. Once you get a buyer, our preferred brokerage, Fidelity Real Estate, can help you through the sale process. Want to know more? Email us at [email protected], or call us at 1-855-291-6327. We’re looking forward to helping you!
