Hotel Review

Revel in the magic of this intimate waterfront hideaway.

BY SHANE LUITJENS

FT. LAUDERDALE, fl
111 N Birch Rd - 954-467-9639 - www.pillarshotel.com

Just steps from Ft. Lauderdale’s beachfront hustle and bustle, The Pillars enjoys a unique waterfront spot along the calmer Intracoastal Waterway, where guests will find luxurious lounging and the occasional passing yacht.

The city’s only member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, The Pillars sports an intimate 22 guest rooms on two floors. Built as a home in 1939, it was converted to a B&B during the tourist boom of the ’50s before getting a high-end overhaul and expansion in 1999.

Subtlety reigns supreme (it’s easy to miss from the street) as you pass by the small courtyard drive’s collection of leafy trees and blooming bouquets en route to the entrance hall, boasting a gorgeous spiral staircase. You may be slightly surprised by the staircase’s leopard-print-patterned steps, as well as a similarly decorated chandelier hanging above. These eccentric touches—installed during the renovation orchestrated by local designer Zeke Fernandez—add an exceptional bit of fun to the otherwise subdued British Colonial décor.

The rooms are spacious, and some have original hardwood floors. Beds are incredibly soft, and amenities include free Wifi and in-room DVD players, but you won’t find iPod docks here. The bathrooms are not the spa-like sanctuaries one might expect given the luxury tastes of the rest of the hotel. (But if you really want to feel like you’re at a spa, just book an in-room treatment.)

And who needs a Jacuzzi bath when there’s a pool and access to waterfront cabanas and seating just steps away? The hotel also boasts a private dock if you want to hop on an Intracoastal water taxi for a daytime shopping or dining escapade.

Magnificent meals can also be had on the premises, whipped up by The Pillars’ own chef Fabio Mattos. The elite dinner experience is only open to guests and selected Pillars Club members in the community. The fare is international, and the wine list is extensive. Breakfast and lunch are also available daily.

Whether eating, lounging in a cabana or cruising the waterway, The Pillars is an ideal place to lay your head while experiencing Florida’s incredible shore. Even the people on the passing yachts have nothing on you.