W Fort Lauderdale — Hotel in Fort Lauderdale

My recent stay at the W Fort Lauderdale for a weekend staycation was nothing short of appalling, and as someone who has been a repeat guest at this hotel, I’m deeply disappointed by how far it has fallen. This is no longer the luxurious W Hotel that once made it a relaxing getaway. The service, cleanliness, and overall experience were not just bad—they were utterly unacceptable for a hotel of this caliber.

To begin, Saturday morning started with a horrifying discovery: blood splatter on the duvet cover from a previous guest. This is not only disgusting but a serious health hazard that clearly violates basic hygiene protocols. Finding blood from another guest on my bed was beyond comprehension. I called the front desk and asked to speak to a manager -- I was told the manager was “too busy”. Too busy for a guest reporting an unsanitary and hazardous condition? What kind of hotel is this? I had to reiterate several times that I had slept in a bed with someone else’s blood on it, and still, I never heard back from the manager, Daniel, despite being told he would call. Instead, a lower-level housekeeping manager called. We were moved to another room, but the delay and lack of concern was inexcusable.

The horrors continued at Steak 954 for brunch. Although the restaurant was virtually empty, my girlfriend and I were told we would need to wait 10-15 minutes to be seated. Once seated, we were ignored for over 15 minutes—no water, no greeting, no acknowledgment. After waiting long enough, we walked out. The hostess’s response when we told her why we were leaving? A simple, “Okay.” No attempt to make things right, no apology. The entire experience was of a staff and management team that couldn’t careless about their guests. We ended up at El Vez, where the bartenders, were professional, attentive, and genuinely embarrassed when they heard about our experience. It’s sad when the bar staff at a different restaurant on the property cares more about guests.

When checking out, I was asked how my stay was. After responding that it was terrible, the front desk agent didn’t even bother to ask why. Don’t ask how a guest’s stay was if you’re not prepared to listen or take action. Additionally, I had forgotten a shirt in the previous room after being moved due to the blood incident, it took 45 minutes for the staff to retrieve

Now, let’s talk about the decrepit state of the property itself. It’s clear this hotel has been neglected and is falling apart at the seams. The lobby’s HVAC vents had visible mold, which is a clear health risk and signals how little attention is paid to maintenance. The rooms are dated and tired, showing significant wear and tear that should have been addressed long ago. The walls in the corridors have been poorly patched up, making the place look shabby and far from the standard of a luxury hotel. It’s embarrassing to compare this property to nearby options like the Ritz-Carlton, which maintains its elegance and service levels. The W Fort Lauderdale, on the other hand, has become a shadow of its former self, looking and feeling more like a neglected high-end resort.

The real kicker? Just a month ago, I stayed at the W in New York City, and the difference was night and day. The NYC location was everything the W brand should be: professional, clean, and luxurious. It’s clear that the W Fort Lauderdale is not living up to the W standard anymore, and it’s an utter disgrace that it bears the same name. Frankly, I’d have received better service at a Holiday Inn, and it’s tragic to see a property once held in such high regard become such a disappointment.

As someone who has worked with the Related Group, the developer that once owned this asset, it’s even more disheartening to see how far this hotel has fallen from grace. The W Fort Lauderdale is no longer worth the time, money, or consideration. Save yourself the headache and book elsewhere—anywhere but here.

Overall, this was a horrendous experience. I won’t be returning, and I certainly won’t recommend this hotel to anyone...

Wow this trip seriously injured me with the potential UNFORTUNATELY to kill me!! EVERYONE PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU NEVER BRING CASH TO PAY FOR THE VALET EVEN IF IT IS APPROVED BEFORE AS IT WAS BY RAUL WHOM WAS A GREAT HOST EVERYTIME PRIOR UNTIL NOW -YOU WILL GET YOUR CAR TEMPORARY STOLEN FOR SEVERAL HRS EVEN IF YOU GOT FULL PAYMENT VIA CASH AND HAVE ALREADY JUST PAID FOR THE ROOM CHECKOUT OF ABOUT $1500 CASH FOR THE 3 DAYS WHICH WAS ACCEPTED AS I WAS GIVING THEM FOR THE PARKING AND THEY DIDNT WANT IT, SO CONFUSING.!! So here we start after this important disclaimer. My Marriot Bonvoy card had about almost $300 left so I used for the day my Cashapp account $398 to pay for my first day which I thought might just work however UNFORTUNATELY (BASED ON THIS FULL TRIP THAT WAS THE POLITE CONCLUSION) I stayed almost 4 days paying the rest of the days in cash USD that Raul approved - which any business should as its is king and it cant encounter later attempt of fraud on debit or credit avoiding escalated phone call and resulting more work to get done. So the next 3 days went always as planned and it typically is always that...So I paid Raul in cash on departure and when I left I request valet to keep the car there as I went down the beach to eat. Also to note, I posted on day 1 recognizing the team Im acquainted throughout the years. So, finally to articulate the checkout and departure with everyone's is important. Also remember that pay for the rooms was also accomplished. SO now im asking what to do because I need my car to get home,work,son to school? I was advised then to wait for Raul at 8am the following day to discuss the issue. They said I cant wait in the lobby or outside now at about midnight and to walk around until 8am! So I do as told in a daze now thinking okay I will come back in a hr or so and they will reconsider or something. It start pouring down rain as Im walking So I seeked shelter inside of big brush of trees right by the beach wall 2 block away now and there is a bum in the bushes who COULD HAVE KILLED ME, I CUT OPEN MY TOE BLEEDING BAD AND ITS NOW EXPOSED TO RAIN AND PUDDLE WATER! AFTER THE RAIN IM SOAKING WET, I COME BACK TO THE W DRIPPING WET AND LIMPING - ADVISED KEISHA AND SHE DIDNT OFFER A TOWEL OR EMPATHY AT ALL! SO NOW I TALK TO THE MANAGER OF VALET AND HE RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO TAKE THE PAYMENT FINALLY BUT THAT GETTING PAID WAS AGAINST POLICY AND HE COULD GET FIRED FOR TAKING PAYMENT? AT THIS POINT ITS ABOUT 3AM AND AFTER I PAID HIM I SAID JUST BRING IT DOWN AT 8AM BECAUSE NOW I MOST DEFINITELY NEED TO SPEAK WITH RAUL - HE SAID HE CANT, I SAID I WILL PAY FOR THE HOURS AGAIN HE SAID HE CANT EXPECT USD! HE BROUGHT IT DOWN AND IT WAS SITTING AND HE SAID WHILE YOU WAIT MOVE IT OR IT WILL GET TOWED! I SAID THATS FINE I WILL PAY FOR THAT ALSO! HE SAID NO DONT SO THAT, I SAID ITS FINE! HE THEM ADVISED ME TO PARK IT ON THE SIDE... NOW ITS PARKED AND AGAIN STILL I WAS ADVISED I CANT SIT IN THE LOBBY NOR OUTSIDE AND TO WALK AROUND THE BEACH AGAIN FOR 5 HRS UNTIL RAUL IS THERE! I DID AND MY FEET GOT TRASHED, WALK ABOUT 6 MILES, MY FACE INTENSELY BURNT, TOE STILL ON AND OFF BLEEDING WHICH THE STAFF DIDNT EVEN ATTEMPY TO HELP, MY FEET ARE SWOLLEN,BRUISING AND SOAR, SWEATING PROFUSELY AND STILL WET FROM RAIN! 8AM RAUL IS THERE GIVES ME POOL KEY AS I WAIT, AND SEES THE DAMAGE ON MY BODY WHICH HE APOLOGIZED FOR AND ASK WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HANDLE THIS I SAID THE BEST YOU CAN BECAUSE I COULD. HAVE DIED, CAR RUNS ME OVER, SKIN CANCER FROM 5 HRS OF SUN DUE TO WALKING AS ADVISED ,INFECTION ON CUT TOE, I WAS FORCED TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT BECAUSE OF BEING KICKED OUT, LOST MY WORKLOAD FOR THE DAY,MY SON DUTIES,DOG FEEDING ETC. ALL HE COULD DO WAS OFFER ME HALF OFF A DAY AND STILL PAY THE OTHER HALF - I SAID SO THAT IS WHAT MY LIFE IS WORTH? I WAS LOOKING LIKE A SUN DAMAGE,LIMPING, SWEATY ZOMBIE. I DECLINED THE OFFER OF COURSE AND TOLD HIM IM SORRY BUT THIS IS WHERE ARE RELATIONSHIP ENDS, IM SAD ABOUT IT BECAUSE RAUL WAS ALL ACCOMMODATING. SO NOW I WILL BE SUING FOR INJURY AMONGST...

The hotel had mixed reviews, but I chose to stay because it was a more popular hotel but we did not have a good experience. The moment we arrived at check-in we were told that the main hotel bar and main pool would be closed. I booked through JetBlue vacations, which there was no mention of this. I called JetBlue vacations. They were unaware. They said the hotel did not tell them .Once we checked in they said the luggage would be brought up , after an hour had gone by still no luggage, my husband went down to find out what was going on. The gentleman said he apologized that there was a note on our luggage to hold. Not sure what happened there. They did offer us a hotel credit of $50. We were supposed to receive $125 in resort perk money as per JetBlue vacations when I asked at the front desk, they said they knew nothing of it. I had once again to call JetBlue vacations, which had to send a form over to the hotel The hotel then said I needed to wait 24 hours to use it and it was only good in the two restaurants and the spa I had no intention of using the spa and the one restaurant we had already eaten in on Saturday night so we missed using it. the restaurant itself overpriced and definitely overrated food wise we ordered two $88 steaks medium, which both came out basically raw sent it back to be cooked a little bit more now it came out charred on the outside potatoes vegetables everything came out lukewarm definitely would not recommend to eat there although the raw seafood towel was very good. we were with another couple at dinner Who felt the same exact way about the food. We were staying in tower one the smaller pool was in tower two definitely a six minute walk over to the other tower after you took the elevator. This Hotel you need to get off on the fourth floor then walk across very annoying Everything is spread out . called one night for towels after waiting 35 minutes. Still no towels brought to us . We had a dinner reservation so we had to leave. I mentioned it to the girl at the desk. She said I dont know what happened but you could pick them up on the way back , seriously thats your answer! As far as cleanliness. Yes, the room was clean, Lighting in the room terrible the light around the mirror above the sink so dim no magnifying mirror very hard to put on make up if you’re a woman that wears it . The real clincher for me was no hot water in the shower had the faucet in the shower turned all the way up where it should be scolding you instead it was warm water only. Balcony so skinny two people cannot be out there together. I don’t care they have two chairs. Which were old and chipped with dirty cushions The hotel it self definitely rundown the sinks in the bathrooms in the lobby chipped, the lounge chairs by the pool not that clean some had rips although they do put towels over them to hide them the pool in tower two was so filthy there was hair floating around . One woman said to me I’m getting out. It’s so disgusting. The filter must not be working. Also pool party on Saturday and Sunday at the pool not one chair to be had they have people who rent a Cabana and then keep towels on the lounge chairs for the entire day while they sit inside the cabana so other people don’t even get a chair. We actually left and went to the beach Beach chairs and guys who worked on the beach were great We met another couple staying in the hotel who told us do not buy the drinks from the W hut walk and get them from the Hilton hut next door while on the beach the drinks were so overpriced $10 plus more a drink $26 for a margarita while hilton was $17 Hotel might have the name, but that’s all it has. As far as pros for this hotel, majority of the workers were very friendly and the food in El Vez was good but thats it I definitely recommend staying somewhere else. After checking out my bill was incorrect i had a valet charge but we had no car there and my $125 credit was never given to me This was after the manager...