Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa

My friend and I are thinking of staying here at the end of July and wanted opnions on whether this was a good choice or not. We are looking for a hotel with a beautiful pool and beach for some much needed R%26amp;R. Is it in a decent area? How bad is the construction in the area? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance.

Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa

Check post on this hotel in the Ft Laud forums..much info, and family got a rate (off season) of under $100 a nite per room (beach hotel only)

The Diplomat has two major sections, The Westin Diplomat Beachfront Hotel %26amp; spa and the Diplomat Country Club Spa, tennis golf and Yacht Club. They are connected via a shuttle.

Lots of construction. Trump Tower very close, the Westin 2 bed 2 bath + Condotel residences are still being build. Safety concerns mainly deal with the construction areas....and traffic, although it will not be too heavy in July or Aug.

BUT it will be hot, with bright sun. Bring sun protection. Bring beach shoes. Or pick up at the Wal Mart around the corner on Hallandale BEach Blvd.

Hotels Beach has plenty of sand as replenished recently....(but watch for hurricanes...suck the sand right out).

Nikki Beach (club) S/B open, its in the Diplomats section called the Landings, as is Adventure tours ($$$$)....find same probably for less on the b%26#39;walk area.

Taverna Opa* (next to Billys Stone Crab) is excellent....just past the Hollywood Beach Blvd underpass.. B%26#39;Walk being redone...but lots of places that don%26#39;t kill the pocketbook.....most tomatoe pies (16 inch) with a pitcher is atill $13.99.......soft ice cream cones are $1.25 unless you go to the Hagen Daz stand.

Want a Paddle Ball Game? Drive early in the AM to the beach front parking on Garfield. Go to side of building....Wally will set you up with loaner stuff.....too old?.....players there up to in their 80s. BUT go early, or it will be too hot....also Bocce, and a live band usually is playing in the sand pavillion.

* a chain http://www.giorgiosgrill.com/

Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa

KenK, Thanks for all the great information. I was really hoping to stay at a place that wasn%26#39;t near construction. I know this isn%26#39;t your field of expertise but I was wondering if you knew anything about Key Biscayne and more specifically the Sonesta and construction in that area. Thanks again for all your help!

It appears that both the East %26amp; West sides of Florida near the beach (and some away from the beach) is full of construction.

My cousins family lives on Key Biscayne. I sent an e mail. (But I know there was some construction....not as heavy, I don%26#39;t think.

When we went to Estero (N of Naples) in March, most of the areas had high rise beach construction, and new homes more inland. Traffic was horrible...but we only observed from Naples to Ft Meyers.

Also, construction abounds all along A1A from almost Cocoa Beach S through Miami. I don%26#39;t know where they are going to get all the buyers for (IMO) these high priced condos and homes (many 55 %26amp; older).

Maybe the baby boomers???

If I recieve a reply from cousin, I%26#39;ll post about Biscayne.

Thanks!

I don%26#39;t think the construction by the Diplomat nor on Key Biscayne will effect you having a nice vacation. I had tons of people just stay at both the Diplomat Country Club and Beach for my bridal shower a few weeks ago and EVERYONE raved about how nice they both were. Service, Staff, Facilities etc.

I would be much more concerned about the weather not the construction.

Haven%26#39;t heard anything ...sorry

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