By: Merilee Kern, MBA
Along Fort Lauderdale’s storied coastline, where high-rise hotels and bustling beach traffic dominate much of the shoreline, Pelican Grand Beach Resort offers something increasingly rare: a sense of calm, character, and continuity with Florida’s coastal past. Part of the Noble House Hotels & Resorts portfolio, the oceanfront boutique property blends refined seaside elegance with an atmosphere that feels intentionally unhurried, inviting guests to settle into the rhythm of the Atlantic rather than race past it.
From the moment guests arrive, Pelican Grand distinguishes itself not through spectacle but through a thoughtfully layered experience that prioritizes location, comfort, and genuine hospitality. Direct beach access places the sand just steps from the lobby, eliminating the barriers that often separate travelers from the very shoreline they seek. General Manager TJ Pierri explains that this immediacy is central to the resort’s appeal. “Pelican Grand Beach Resort is one of the few hotels in Fort Lauderdale that offers direct access to a private beach, ensuring a more exclusive and serene beach experience,” he says. “Guests can step directly onto the sand from the hotel, providing a unique and convenient beachfront experience without needing to cross any streets or use shuttles.”
This seamless connection to the ocean shapes the entire stay. Sunrises unfold from private balconies, waves provide a constant soundtrack, and the property’s pace feels deliberately slower than its surroundings. The resort’s design reinforces that sensibility, drawing inspiration from Old Florida grandeur with wide verandas, rocking chairs, and architectural details that evoke a nostalgic coastal era while remaining polished and contemporary.
With 144 guest rooms and suites overlooking both city and sea, accommodations are designed to feel relaxed rather than overstated. Soft coastal hues, beach chic furnishings, and locally inspired artwork create spaces that encourage guests to linger rather than simply pass through. At the pinnacle of the property, the Sky Suite penthouse elevates the experience to a new level. Occupying the twelfth floor, the suite features Fort Lauderdale’s most enormous outdoor balcony, spanning 1,100 square feet and outfitted with a rooftop shower, sunbathing area, and a Microsilk Tub with Chromotherapy and Light Therapy. Inside, a lush living area, dining space, marble steam shower, exclusive elevator access, and fully stocked Nespresso and wet bar amenities complete a private retreat that feels both indulgent and intimate.
Amenities across the property reinforce Pelican Grand’s position as a destination unto itself. The resort is home to Fort Lauderdale’s only lazy river, a feature that has become a signature attraction for families and leisure travelers alike. Adjacent to it, an oceanfront pool offers uninterrupted Atlantic views, while beachside service ensures that relaxation never requires leaving one’s lounger. Pierri notes that these offerings are intentionally layered to serve a broad spectrum of guests. “The ideal target clientele for Pelican Grand Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale encompasses a diverse range of guests, including families, couples, and solo leisure travelers, as well as wellness seekers, residents, meeting and event planners, and wedding planners,” he says.
Dining plays a central role in the resort’s identity, particularly at OCEAN2000, the on-site oceanfront restaurant that has become a destination in its own right. With menus built around fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant pairs refined cuisine with one of the most dramatic dining settings in the city. Guests may dine on the terrace or directly on the dunes, with the sound and sight of the Atlantic enhancing every meal. Pierri emphasizes that the culinary program is rooted in a sense of place. “Overall, the food and beverage program at Pelican Grand Beach Resort stands out for its dedication to fresh, locally sourced ingredients, its creative and seasonal approach to menu design, and exceptional oceanfront dining ambiance,” he says. “These elements combine to create a culinary experience that is both sophisticated and deeply connected to the local environment.”
For a playful counterpoint to fine dining, The Emporium offers a nostalgic experience that delights guests of all ages. The old-fashioned ice cream parlor serves ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and coffee treats, adding a whimsical, retro layer to the property. Pierri describes it as “a delightful and nostalgic amenity that offers a variety of ice cream flavors, gelato, sorbet, and coffee treats, adding a playful and retro touch to the resort.”
Wellness is another cornerstone of the Pelican Grand experience. Located on the eleventh floor, PURE Spa offers a Scandinavian-inspired escape with panoramic ocean views. The elevated setting, combined with a curated menu of treatments, allows guests to reset both their bodies and minds above the shoreline. “The resort also features a rooftop spa that offers a range of wellness and relaxation services,” Pierri says. “The resort’s emphasis on wellness and the tranquil spa environment provides a rejuvenating experience that complements the beachside relaxation offered by the resort.”
Seasonal programming further enhances the guest experience. From beach yoga and live music to specialty dining events and multi-course culinary experiences, the resort maintains an active calendar that encourages engagement without overwhelming the stay. Guests can explore current offerings through the Pelican Beach Calendar, which highlights events throughout the year.
Behind the scenes, technology supports convenience and personalization without intruding on the resort’s classic atmosphere. Pierri explains that strategic integrations have improved both guest satisfaction and operational efficiency. “By integrating various technological advancements, Pelican Grand Beach Resort has been able to elevate the guest experience, offering greater convenience, personalization, and satisfaction while also improving operational efficiency and sustainability,” he says, citing smart room controls, guest messaging services, digital concierge access, and in-room streaming options.
Sustainability initiatives are also woven into daily operations. The resort has implemented energy and water conservation measures, reduced single-use plastic, and prioritized sustainable ingredient sourcing across its food and beverage program. These efforts are outlined in the property’s Pelican Beach Eco Efforts, which guests can access online.
Pelican Grand’s sense of place extends beyond the present moment into its history. Few guests realize that until 2024, the property site consisted of four small motels. One of them, Pelican Beach Motel, inspired the resort’s name. Even the surrounding infrastructure carries traces of that evolution. “The frontage road in front of the resort actually used to be A1A,” Pierri explains. “Due to the construction of the resort and development in the area, A1A had to be moved westward to where it is today.”
Despite the setting, amenities, and design, Pierri believes the resort’s actual distinction lies with its people. “From the front desk to housekeeping, from the kitchen to the concierge, each staff member embodies a commitment to hospitality that transforms a stay into a cherished memory,” he says. “Their genuine care, attention to detail, and passion for service ensure that every guest feels welcomed and valued, making the Pelican Grand Beach Resort not just a beautiful place to stay, but a truly extraordinary destination.”
That sentiment resonates strongly after time spent on the property. While the ocean views and luxury touches are undeniable, it is the warmth of the staff and the intentional pacing of the experience that linger most. Pelican Grand Beach Resort succeeds not by competing with the scale or flash of larger resorts, but by offering something increasingly valuable: an authentic, elegant, and emotionally grounded seaside retreat that invites guests to return again and again.
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Merilee Kern, MBA, is an internationally regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends, as well as noteworthy industry change-makers, movers, shakers, and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations, and events. As Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee is a prolific business, lifestyle, travel, dining,g and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker. She keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace, seeking new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / Twitter www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern / Facebook www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.
