Pelican Grand Beach Resort, a Noble House Resort

Pelican Grand Beach Resort, a Noble House Resort Overview

You know what struck me first about the Pelican Grand? It’s actually right on the sand – and I mean *right* on it, not like those places that claim beachfront but you’ve got to walk through three parking lots to see water. This old-school beauty sits on A1A where Fort Lauderdale still feels more like a beach town than Miami’s flashy cousin, which honestly is exactly what you want.

The building itself has this vintage Florida charm that somehow doesn’t feel dated – think 1950s elegance that someone actually bothered to maintain properly. The lobby’s got these soaring ceilings and you can literally hear the waves from the front desk, which is pretty amazing when you consider how many “oceanfront” hotels muffle that sound completely. I mean, the whole point of staying on the beach is the beach, right? What really gets me is how they’ve managed to keep that intimate resort feel even though they’re sitting in the middle of everything. You’re walking distance to Las Olas Boulevard if you want the scene, but the hotel itself feels like you’ve escaped somewhere more exclusive. The staff actually remembers your name after day two, which doesn’t happen much anymore at places this size.

The rooms – well, they’ve clearly put money into keeping them fresh without going overboard on trendy stuff that’ll look ridiculous in five years. Most have those big sliding doors that open right onto views of the Atlantic, and honestly, watching the sunrise from bed never gets old. The pool area is where they really shine though. It’s this lazy river situation that winds around, but it’s not some crazy water park thing – more like what a grown-up lazy river should be. Perfect for floating around with a drink when the ocean’s too choppy, which happens more than you’d think in winter months.

Here’s something I really appreciate: parking is actually included and easy, which anyone who’s tried to navigate South Florida hotels knows is basically a miracle. Plus they’re far enough north of the cruise ship chaos that you don’t get those massive tour groups taking over everything, but close enough that you can still hit Federal Highway for great Cuban food or drive down to Hollywood Beach Broadwalk if you’re feeling ambitious.

The restaurant situation is solid – not groundbreaking, but they do this Sunday brunch that’s actually worth planning around, and their beachside service doesn’t make you feel like you’re being gouged just because they can. Room service arrives hot, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how many places mess that up.

Look, it’s not the newest or flashiest place on the strip, and if you’re looking for nightclub vibes or Instagram infinity pools, this probably isn’t your spot. But if you want to actually relax somewhere that feels like Florida used to feel – where you can walk barefoot from your room to the beach and the biggest decision of your day is whether to read by the pool or the ocean – then this place gets it right. That 8.4 rating makes total sense once you’re there.