Trip report

Question

I don’t see much action on this forum, so I’m going to add a trip report!

My husband and I were in Lauderdale by the sea from Sunday, May 4 through Friday, May 9. We flew in from Columbus, Ohio on a nonstop flight on Southwest. A lot of confusing messaging from the airline, first we got the message that our flight would be late by about an hour, but it ended up boarding and taking off almost on time.

The flight was not full however the airport was very busy when we got there. Uber rides were about twice what we usually pay because of the demand Friday evening. But we did take an Uber to the Plunge Beach resort where we stayed. Check-in was quick and we went to our fifth floor room in the beach tower with a direct ocean view. Yes the rooms are looking a little worn and it looks like there will be some refreshing this summer, which is good. But the room and the bed were comfortable and clean and I had no complaints.

We made the quick walk over to Publix and got groceries that first night. Monday the weather was not great, it was cloudy and drizzled rain all day. The water at the beach was a bit murky from the rain and storms at sea. But it was still good to be outside in the warmth and near the ocean.

That first night we just ate at the beach bar at the resort because it was raining on and off. We shared a hamburger and a grilled fish sandwich and it was very good!

Tuesday the weather was much improved and the water was nicer. Another beautiful day at the beach. we hit up the taco craft taqueria for dinner and it was good as usual. This time we knew well enough that the nachos were a meal within itself lol we had the nachos and then I had a salad and my husband just had one taco. The rest of the week the weather continued to be beautiful and the water got clearer and clearer as each day went on.

You could see some seaweed floating in the water and they went by with tractors every morning and scooped up whatever was on the beach. But it definitely was not enough to impact our enjoyment of the beach. I have seen it in the past where the water is just full of the seaweed and it’s piled high on the beach and you really couldn’t use the beach, but it is not at that point at all yet.

We also ate at even Keel fish shack. Fish and chips and a fish sandwich. I think their fish and chips are the best in town.

Our last night we ate at the Village Grill, they have a big fried fish, shrimp, and scallop platter that my husband really liked.

On this trip, we also had breakfast at the octopus restaurant at plunge, the bean and barnacle coffee shop at plunge and first watch.

We enjoyed all our meals and had no complaints!

We flew back Friday late afternoon on another nonstop Southwest flight. This one was full, but uneventful.

So overall, a very relaxing, good vacation to Lauderdale by the sea.

Answer

Thank you for sharing your detailed trip report from Lauderdale-By-The-Sea! It sounds like you had a very relaxing and enjoyable stay despite some initial rain and seaweed concerns.

Here’s a summary and highlights from your experience that could be useful for other travelers:

Flight and Transportation: Southwest offered a mostly on-time flight from Columbus, Ohio. The airport was busy, and Uber prices were higher than usual due to demand, but getting to your hotel, the Plunge Beach Resort, was straightforward.
Accommodation: Plunge Beach Resort in the beach tower provided a direct ocean view on the fifth floor. Rooms were comfortable, clean, and reasonably maintained, though some refreshing is expected this summer. Check-in was quick and hassle-free.
Local Grocery and Essentials: Publix nearby allowed for easy grocery pickup on arrival night. A convenient option if you want to prepare simple meals at the resort.
Weather and Beach Conditions: Early in the week, weather was cloudy with some rain, affecting water clarity, but improved for the rest of your stay. Seaweed was present but managed by daily cleanups, allowing for enjoyable beach time.

Dining highlights:

Resort Dining: The beach bar at the resort served good casual meals, including burgers and grilled fish sandwiches.
Taco Craft Taqueria: Excellent for Mexican cuisine; the nachos were very filling.
Even Keel Fish Shack: Notable for fish and chips and fish sandwiches, reportedly the best in town.
Village Grill: Great fried seafood platters, including fish, shrimp, and scallops.
Breakfast Options: Octopus Restaurant (at Plunge), Bean and Barnacle Coffee Shop, and First Watch provided satisfying morning meals and coffee.

Overall Impressions:

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is a peaceful, walkable beach town ideal for a relaxed vacation.
The local restaurants offer a variety of good options without needing to venture far from your accommodation.
Daily beach maintenance keeps the sand and water enjoyable, and minor seaweed presence doesn’t significantly impact the experience in early May.
The trip offered a mix of convenience, comfort, and accessible dining, making it suitable for couples or families looking for a low-stress vacation.

In summary, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea delivered a very positive and stress-free vacation experience with nice accommodations, good local dining, and pleasant beach conditions, making it a recommended destination for a relaxing Florida getaway.

Trip report

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