Cocobelle Resort, Fort Lauderdale

No specials here, but the fact is that the Cocobelle Resort on Vistamar Street in Fort Lauderdale doesn't need to put on any specials to attract guests. If I was asked to describe the hotel, I'd say that the Cocobelle was the ubiquitous innocent girl next door - Beautiful, low maintenance, low profile, always welcomes you with a smile, and doesn't give you reason to complain. We're still talking about hotels. I think...

Anyway, you take a look yourself, and then consider the pros and cons. $119 average nightly rates with a choice of 16 rooms, studios and 1-bedroom suites, located 2 blocks and 5 minutes off the beach. In-room amenities include 1 King bed or 2 queens, coffee maker, microwave and a small refrigirator, full bathroom with hairdryers, cable TV with VCD/DVD player, and air-conditioning.

Free parking, free wireless internet and free local calls and cell phones available upon request. There's a neat tropical pool area with a large heated swimming pool. The poolside area has lounge chairs and a shaded table and chairs. Laundry facilities on-site, iron & ironing board available upon request, and you get beach towels when you check-in. No pets, no smoking and no spring break type college kids allowed. Some of the 1st floor units have their own private sitting area in the back.

In a nutshell, the Cocobelle ofers a cheap, homely and convinient lodgings to enjoy Fort Lauderdale vacations, and you have nothing to worry about when it comes to value for money. The hotel has been listed as the 'Best Bargain' in the United States by TripAdvisor in their 2008 travelers Choice listings, and it ranks 1st out of 140 Fort Lauderdale hotels listed in TripAdvisor.

Info: 2831 Vistamar Street Fort Lauderdale Florida 33304; (954) 561-5660; www.thecocobellehotel.com/