Friday, May 10, 2019

Day 330-“Plunge In” at Lauderdale By the Sea- A Convenient way to Relax or Find an Adventure Anytime of the Year


 Lauderdale By The Sea (LBTS) is a gem of a place where you can get away from Pittsburgh and not break the piggy bank. Since my discovery, I have repeated my excursions in every season because it’s a place with the perfect cocktail of small town and adventure. The Plunge Beach Hotel with its artistic flair, location and amenities, makes it convenient to  “plunge into” some relaxation and fun at this destination


You will not find a wall of skyscraper hotels at LBTS

Reflection
LBTS  is an affordable getaway located just 7 miles north of Fort Lauderdale and south of Pompano Beach. It  stretches approximately 2.5 miles and runs from the ocean about .5 miles to the inter-coastal boundary. It is a perfect mature playground where you can relax, eat well, and  snorkel or dive on it’s off  shore coral reefs  and a  nearby ship wreck (SS Copenhagen). The town square invites you to rest in a rainbow colored Adirondack chair and is lined with charming restaurants that do not disappoint the taste buds (see Day 290, Day 292).
  
 LBTS keeps me coming back 

From Pittsburgh there are a variety of reasonable flights to Fort Lauderdale.  Spirit Airways has (2.5 hr) flights from Pittsburgh and with some planning, I have found them under $100 each way. An added bonus is that you don’t need to rent a car to enjoy this quaint area because restaurants are within walking distance. A quick 30 min Uber or Lyft  ride from the airport will bring you to the roar of the ocean and sand beneath your feet.
Plunge location and beach service eases  enjoyment


I am a repeat visitor to LBTS because it’s like traveling to the beach in your childhood memories (see live web cam here). It has a small town charm.  You will not find a wall of  towering hotels like so many other beaches because this town has a four story or less hotel rule. Although there are a variety of reasonably priced  establishments  along  El Mar Drive (directly on the beach) or on Ocean Drive (adjacent to the beach), I continue to gravitate to the  Plunge Beach Hotel.

Comfort heightens relaxation when you fly to the beach

Comfort heightens the relaxation experience when you fly to a beach excursion. I no longer want to drag chairs, drive to the beach or sit in the sand.  At the Plunge friendly staff daily provide towels and set up your comfortable chairs and umbrella. There is a poolside bar and restaurant that serves more than burgers. The Plunge offers guest bikes which eases exploration of the area. This place makes it easy for you to  kick back and have fun.  (There is a resort fee of $35.00 +tax a day.)

Plunge Bungalow  rooms have mini kitchenette

No one enjoys crowds at the beach. The Plunge  is located  at the end of El Mar Drive adjacent to  condos which makes it very private.  The rooms are spacious and  their Bunglow rooms have mini kitchens making it easy to have breakfast and lunch in the room. The Plunge has an artistic flair which reminds me of my stays at one of the W Hotels or the Hard Rock Hotels.


The convenience of LBTS and the Plunge Beach Hotel  keep me coming back to “plunge in”  at  any season. It’s a great get away from Pittsburgh to relax and, with  LBTS’s off shore coral reefs, it’s a place that you can plan an  above and below ocean adventure.

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