My family and I discovered Hollywood Beach while we were visiting Fort Lauderdale back in 2010. We had been to many beaches around the country, but instantly fell in love with this one for its island, tropical, and laid-back vibes. We have been returning 1-3 times a year ever since. We weren’t “return vacationers” before this, as we used to always go somewhere new for every trip. This beach changed us. It has changed a lot over the years, but we are still in love! ❤️

We have stayed at 7 different hotels in our 24ish visits (we’ve lost count🤪). I’ll give you my insights on the best places to stay, eat, and play!😁

No matter where you stay, know that the closer you are to the Margaritaville Resort, the better. All of the restaurants, shops, and live music are in that area. (Unless of course you are looking for quiet- then stay as far as you can from Margaritaville!🤪)

Where to stay:

NOTE: If we had unlimited money, I would stay at Margaritaville Resort. It’s a beautiful, but very expensive, and we’ve never been able to justify the cost when we don’t stay at the hotel that much.

1. The Diane Hotel– absolutely my favorite! It’s right on the beach with every room having a beautiful view of the ocean. Rooms are all updated and classy. They are in the center of everything and very close to Margaritaville. They have a fridge, microwave, and coffee pot. You can also request a cooktop. There are just two problems with this location: it’s expensive and can tend to be noisy as Nick’s Bar and Grill is right next door and has music until around 2 am every night. We actually like the music, but if you’re looking for quiet- this isn’t it! Watch for specials, and be sure to check Priceline. The rates vary greatly, and we’ve gotten it as cheap as $150 a night, but it can be as expensive as $300+ a night.

2. The Costa Hollywood– this is a timeshare/ condo that gets rented out. This is my 2nd favorite because they have an AMAZING rooftop pool and hot tub. This one also can be pricey, but you can find deals on Priceline. Be aware that they charge a resort fee of around $200 not included in the Priceline rate. We learned that on our first stay. They are still close to the beach, but not right on it like the Diane making it my 2nd choice. You’ll have a short walk depending on your room location as this is a rather large property. Most rooms have full kitchens plus washer and dryers. There are cafes and party stores onsite which are convenient and surprisingly reasonable for a resort. This is a great option for families and groups. We stayed once with 7 adults and 2 kids in a large unit, and it was much cheaper than getting two rooms somewhere else. Not all rooms face the ocean here. I prefer the Diane because you can lay by the beach right outside of your room. The Costa does not have the same views from the room or closeness to the beach. It is also VERY expensive to park a car here -$47 a night when we stayed. (If you Uber from the airport, this isn’t an issue).

3. Hollywood Beachside Boutique Suites– we have stayed here most often because of their incredible rates and great location. They also have a pool and offer extended checkouts. We are actually here right now, as I write this. We are staying until 3 pm instead of the 11 am checkout for an extra $35 since our flight doesn’t leave until 4:40 pm. Their parking is very reasonable at $12 a night. They also give you 1 beach chair and 1 beach towel per person per day for no charge—-However, beware! They have a wide variety of rooms, and many are starting to get rundown since we first started staying here 15 years ago. They have slowly bought out different old apartment buildings on the whole street, and each room/building is very unique. We are currently staying in the “shell house”, made of coquina, which is our favorite, and is just steps from the beach. We paid only $571 including tax for 4 nights. This is actually more than we normally pay, but we are in their peak season and near Christmas (December 19-23rd). In comparison, the Costa was around $1100, the Diane was $1,200 and Margaritaville was $1,600. We always feel if we stay in the cheaper hotel, it is like we get our food for free!😆 If you are addicted to travel like we are and like to travel OFTEN, this is a great deal! If you’re going for that once-in-a-lifetime, incredible, memorable vacation, I would choose one of the other options!!

Some of the other reasonable options we’ve stayed at have changed hands or gone out of business —Beach Inn (now the DelMar) and Villa Europa (now Hollywood Sunrises). Here are some that are still open, and I would stay at again if there was a good deal:

Caribbean Resort Suites– very small rooms, but a full kitchen, a pool right outside of your door, and a great location. Their sister property is Caribbean Resort by the Ocean

Sea Downs– currently being renovated. Beautiful property, right on the beach with a great view, but pricey and very far from Margaritaville. Very quiet if that’s what you’re looking for.

Another great option is the Marriott. It’s rather far away from Margaritaville, but has an ocean view pool, rocking chairs out front by the beach, and a great restaurant. However, this one is always about the same price as Margaritaville, and I would recommend choosing Margaritaville over the Marriott for about the same price.

Where to Eat

There are SO many choices in Hollywood Beach!! Many restaurants have come and gone over the past 15 years. But here are our favorites:

Opa Taverna– a Greek restaurant, with incredible water views and entertainment. They have belly dancers who perform on the tables, and they welcome you to join them. You also get to crush your own chickpeas for hummus. It’s on the pricey side, but makes for a fun night out. We had the dinner for 2 (but easily feeds 3 adults) with lamb, beef, pork, chicken, sausage, rice, and potatoes. It also came with the fresh hummus and bread ($75).

Nicks Bar & Grill– open until 4 am, and has live music every night until 1:00 am or later from a local legend named Cliff, who loves to interact with his audience. Cliff sings there every night and has been there as long as we’ve been going. I love their burgers, fries, ($15.99) and especially LOVE their Conch Fritters ($19.99 for 6)! Also, a great ocean view.

Señor Frogs– this is brand new, so we had to try it, and we were very impressed! We had eaten at Senor Frogs before in Mexico, but had to try this location. Their fajita trio was absolutely delicious and PLENTY of food for the 2 of us to share ($28). We also loved their mountain of nachos! This has a great ocean view.

Giorgio’s– my FAVORITE breakfast place. I always get the eggs, potatoes, bread, and pastry ($13). It’s on the inter coastal water with beautiful views. They also have a delicious bakery and deli where you can buy to go items that are very reasonably priced.

Rocco’s Pizza– the perfect place to eat during the bandshell live music. Their pizza is NY style and AMAZING! A large is big, and with 2 toppings is $30. You can eat there, but they also have a walk-up carry out window too.

Land Shark Bar & Grill- overlooks the bandshell and the ocean. Amazing views and another great place to eat during the nightly live music. This is part of Margaritaville, but open to the public. They have very good food, but is on the pricey side.

Margaritaville Restaurant– also in Margaritaville, but open to the public. Very cool atmosphere and Jimmy Buffet music. Food is delicious, but pricey.

5 o’clock somewhere– very cool place to eat. They have corn hole, fire pits, and some of the tables are in the sand. You can rent water sports from here and catch the water taxi here too. You get 10% off with your water taxi ticket. Our favorite food here is the Yucca fries.

Florios – Italian restaurant- you can eat outside with an ocean view. They have great pizza, and our favorite food here is their garlic knots.

Cafe Club– a trendy place with very classy and healthy food. It’s very high quality, but is pricey. Consider sharing as the portions are large.

What to Do

Live music– Our FAVORITE part of Hollywood Beach is the live music. Every Wednesday through Sunday from 7-9 pm, there’s an amazing FREE concert at the bandshell. These are excellent cover bands hired by Margaritaville. Friday and Saturday nights are usually the best bands. These concerts have become very popular and crowded. There’s dancing in front of the stage, and it’s a very fun atmosphere. Bring your own chairs or get there early to get a bench seat. We bring our free beach chairs from the hotel. You can also watch from Rocco’s Pizza or Land Shark Bar & Grill. Arrive early though if you want a seat in one of those. After that’s over, you can hear more music around 9:30-1:00 am -ish at Nicks Bar & Grill.

Water Taxi – this is our second favorite thing to do after the live music, and we always take one day of our trip on the water taxi. For $38 an adult, you get a day pass on the water taxi. It picks you up at the 5 O’clock Somewhere Bar & Grill right across from the Margaritaville resort. You can hop off and on these boats all day. It goes to Fort Lauderdale and Pompano. You get to see Millionaires Row —all of the celebrity mansions. You also see cruise ships, sunsets, a working port, and if you’re lucky- a dolphin or manatee. It’s a narrated tour, and it’s also fun just to take the whole tour without even getting off. We usually get off at stop 7 to walk around Fort Lauderdale. The whole tour takes several hours (at least 5-6 hours from Hollywood and back). They have an app to download to track the boats and see when they will be arriving at each stop. The boats run frequently except the one to pick you up from Hollywood and the one to take you back. They only pick up from Hollywood on even hours: 10, 12, 2, 4, 6, and 8. They only take you back to Hollywood on odd hours: 9, 11, 1, 3, 5, 7. It takes an hour to get from Hollywood to the transfer spot. From the transfer spot you can take a down bound boat- stops 3, 2, and 1 (very cool Venice type ride) or an upbound boat – stops 5-11. Stop 6 is Fort Lauderdale beach and stop 7 is Fort Lauderdale shops and restaurants. One of the stops has a transfer to Pompano which is new, and we haven’t done yet. Be sure to show your water taxi ticket for a discount at many places.

They do have bathrooms on most of the boats. You are allowed to bring coolers on the boats with your own drinks and snacks, but they also sell drinks on the boat too as it can get warm and you will want water.

You can buy tickets online and use the digital tickets on your phone. Just be sure your phone battery can last all day. 🤪

Rent bikes– there are many places to rent bikes, and it’s fun to rent the Surrey bikes. They are around $30 for an hour. The Broadwalk has a dedicated bike lane. The bike lane is no joke! Be sure to look both ways before crossing!!

Walk the Broadwalk– the broadwalk is 2.5 miles long. It’s called a “broad”walk, like a “board” walk with no “boards”. It is directly on the beach and lined with shops, condos, cafes, and restaurants. With the exception of Senor Frogs, there aren’t chain restaurants, so there’s so much to try and explore! The majority of the restaurants and shops are closest to Margaritaville. The further you get from Margaritaville, the more quiet it is, and it’s primarily condos, apartments, and lodging. The Broadwalk also offers playgrounds, public restrooms, frequent benches, a water play area, and workout equipment.

Anne Kolb Nature Park– it’s just a short drive or uber ride away (5 minutes). They have nature walks, lookout points, boat rides, and kayaking. We have visited here many times and enjoy it. We have also ridden bikes to it from the hotel before.

Kayaking– you can kayak at the Anne Kolb Nature Park, but a little further away, is Johnson State Park, which I prefer for kayaking. They have a cool restaurant and lots to do. We actually saw 2 manatees once.

Jungle Cruise in Fort Lauderdale– a 20 minute drive or uber ride away, this makes for a fun evening! It’s a boat ride, dinner, and a Polynesian show. We really enjoyed it. We’ve only done it once, and I can’t find my pictures, but I highly recommend it! It’s $75 per adult, but that includes your dinner, boat ride, and show.

The ocean sunrises– check out the sunrise time while you’re there, and set your alarm! The sunrises are incredible!! They are worth getting up for and then taking an afternoon nap on the beach!

Laying on the beach- of course, just hearing the waves and having your toes in the sand is a little slice of heaven! Sometimes when we’re here that’s all I want to do!!🤣🤣

You can rent lounge chairs and canopies right on the beach. Prices vary depending on how many chairs you want and where you get them- anywhere from $50-$150 for the whole day.

Additional notes– It’s easy to uber from the airport to Hollywood Beach. The price ranges from $15-$50 depending on demand. If you’re willing to wait it out, you can save money. Follow the exit signs in the airport to “Ride Sharing”. It’s well marked from the exit.

Publix– has great food- especially their fresh baked bread for sandwiches. You can uber to Publix on Sheridan Street to save on food costs and cook meals at your condo!

BE CAREFUL! You might fall in love with this beach!!!🤣