Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel Celebrates Grand Opening
Omni Hotels & Resorts announces the grand opening of Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel, the brand’s third flagship in Florida, introducing a new benchmark for sophisticated coastal luxury and elevated hospitality in Broward County.
Ascending 29 stories above the Intracoastal Waterway, the new hotel offers magnificent panoramic views from nearly every level, expertly blending refined elegance with the relaxed coastal charm of South Florida through a modern lens. The landmark waterfront property features 801 elegantly appointed guest rooms, over 120,000 square feet of versatile meeting and event space, and six distinct dining venues. The hotel is further enhanced by an expansive pool deck with sweeping city and ocean vistas, a full-service Mokara Spa, and a suite of amenities designed to inspire leisure and business travelers, as well as local guests.
Offering unmatched access to the Convention Center and the Port Everglades Cruise Terminal, the hotel is minutes from pristine beaches and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel’s opening elevates Broward County’s ability to host world-class meetings and events, establishing the destination as a premier choice for business and leisure travel. This waterfront landmark was established through a strategic partnership between Omni Hotels & Resorts, Broward County, and Visit Lauderdale.
A Design Tribute to Florida’s Natural Landscapes
The hotel’s design is a sophisticated tribute to Florida’s stunning landscapes, brought to life by developer Matthews Southwest, Nunzio Marc DeSantis Architects in collaboration with Stantec (architect of record) and Balfour Beatty (design builder), with interiors curated by EoA Group.
At the heart of the hotel’s design is the story of the “Barefoot Mailmen”, 19th-century couriers who walked a 136-mile route from Palm Beach to Miami, crossing beaches, marshes, and waterways to connect Florida’s remote coastal communities. Motivated by the goal of cultivating authentic connections, the design promotes a welcoming atmosphere that fosters social interaction. The hotel’s design story starts immediately upon arrival, guiding guests along a symbolic route from land through the Everglades to the shoreline, offering an immersive experience through intentionally designed spaces. The journey begins in the lobby, envisioned as a haven for gathering, and culminates at the Ibis Sky Lounge on the 29th floor. Inspired by the White Ibis, the rooftop lounge offers nearly 360-degree spectacular views of the city and ocean.
Beyond this thoughtful design narrative, the spirit of the Gold Coast is reflected in the materiality and palette. The hotel showcases organic materials and layered textures, complemented by lush greenery, serene natural hues, water-inspired motifs, a variety of warm woods, and artful references to the region’s vibrant flora, fauna, and landscapes. Soaring, light-filled atria, custom ripple-effect glass installations, and a curated collection of works by South Florida artists further honor the locale, creating a dialogue between an enduring sense of place and coastal sophistication.
Elevated Gold Coast Accommodations
he hotel features 801 guest rooms, including 82 expansive suites, that balance modern refinement with coastal elegance. The design incorporates calming earth, sand, and sea tones, offering tranquil retreats deeply connected to the destination, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows with expansive views. Located on the 27th and 28th floors, the two newly unveiled Presidential Suites are the crowning achievements of the collection. Each spanning more than 3,000 square feet, these two-bedroom suites boast large private balconies with panoramic views of the ocean and city skyline.
Broward County’s World-Class Meetings & Events Destination
Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel is designed to cultivate connection in any setting, seamlessly transitioning from grand-scale conventions to intimate gatherings throughout the property. As Greater Fort Lauderdale’s newest premier hub for distinguished happenings, the hotel offers over 120,000 square feet of versatile, state-of-the-art function space. The centerpiece is the 30,000-square-foot Waterway Ballroom, complemented by a sprawling outdoor terrace boasting panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Further enhancing the offering are the 15,000-square-foot Port Everglades Ballroom, 47 individual spaces, 27 intimate breakout rooms, and outdoor terraces spread across three levels.
The hotel and the adjacent Broward County Convention Center, the largest convention facility in the Southeast U.S., with over 1.2 million square feet of total space and six acres of outdoor waterfront plaza, form an unrivaled events destination, accommodating every occasion from elegant weddings and milestone celebrations to the region’s most prominent conventions and trade shows.
Culinary Excellence Honoring South Florida
Under the leadership of Executive Chef Cristian Mosquera, a Le Cordon Bleu-trained Fort Lauderdale native, the hotel’s culinary program is a masterclass in regional storytelling. Drawing on his Colombian heritage and a steadfast commitment to local sourcing, Chef Mosquera delivers menus that honor South Florida’s bounty with global flair and Southern-inspired authenticity.
The gastronomic journey begins on the ground floor with Reef 76 Kitchen & Bar, the property’s signature restaurant showcasing refined coastal cuisine infused with bold Caribbean notes, and Fair Ketch, a dynamic social hub featuring a state-of-the-art Topgolf Swing Suite. Within the lobby, guests can retreat to Hidden Key Bar & Lounge or enjoy artisanal coffee and gourmet provisions at Leeward Market. For those seeking a more secluded atmosphere, Tide Coastal Kitchen offers a vibrant, poolside gathering spot reserved exclusively for hotel guests.
The experience reaches its pinnacle at Ibis Sky Lounge, the highest bar in Fort Lauderdale. Perched on the 29th floor, this adults-only (21+) sanctuary offers a nearly 360-degree panorama of the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the city skyline, providing an unrivaled vantage point for sunset cocktails. Adding an air of intrigue to the experience, guests may discover a “secret menu,” an ever-evolving selection of off-menu creations available only for those in the know. The hotel’s culinary portfolio will continue to evolve in 2026 with the debut of a signature Italian chophouse that reimagines steakhouse classics.
A Coastal Wellness Sanctuary
Inspired by Florida’s natural springs and marine heritage, the 8,500-square-foot Mokara Spa offers a tranquil escape. Featuring eight treatment rooms, a signature Hammam for traditional steam rituals, a steam room, a courtyard with an intimate plunge pool, and a relaxation lounge, the spa provides a comprehensive menu of personalized massages, glow-boosting facials, body treatments, and salon services. Beyond traditional therapies, a rotating schedule of wellness activities, including yoga, Pilates, sound healing meditation, and group fitness classes, promotes mindfulness and movement throughout the day.
Adjacent to the spa, the hotel’s wellness journey continues in a state-of-the-art fitness center. Just beyond the resort-style pool deck, one of the largest in Greater Fort Lauderdale, there are private cabanas and an event lawn with views of the Intracoastal and ocean.
Say Goodnight to Hunger Program
During the grand opening, Omni Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Feeding America through its Say Goodnight to Hunger program, collected and matched donations that directly benefit local food banks, providing meals to families in need across South Florida. Since opening, Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel has provided over 16,000 meals to families in Broward County.
Back to News & Publications