The Drift Hotel
3005 Alhambra St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304-4307
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US$113
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About
#4 of 13 small hotels in Fort Lauderdale
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
See why so many travellers make The Drift Hotel their small hotel of choice when visiting Fort Lauderdale. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a quaint setting with an array of amenities designed for travellers like you.
Close to some of Fort Lauderdale's most popular landmarks, such as First Presbyterian Church (1.6 mi) and Las Olas Boulevard (1.8 mi), The Drift Hotel is a great destination for tourists.
Rooms at The Drift Hotel provide a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and air conditioning, and guests can stay connected with free wifi.
In addition, while staying at The Drift Hotel guests have access to outdoor furniture and express check-in and check-out. Need a place to park? Free parking is available at The Drift Hotel.
While visiting Fort Lauderdale, you may want to try some hotpot at one of the nearby restaurants, such as YOLO.
Plus, during your trip, don't forget to check out a military museum, such as Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum.
At The Drift Hotel, your comfort and satisfaction come first, and they look forward to welcoming you to Fort Lauderdale.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Vending machine
Diving
Snorkelling
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Express check-in / check-out
Wifi
Windsurfing
Fishing
Sun loungers / beach chairs
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Room features
Air conditioning
Private bathrooms
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Centrally Located
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
81Good for walkers
Grade: 81 out of 100
27Restaurantswithin 0.3 miles
10Attractionswithin 0.3 miles
3005 Alhambra St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304-4307
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355Reviews18Q+A57Room tips
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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I reserved a 'book now, pay later' room for 5/6/23 via Expedia. On 5/3 my bank started calling and texting me to ask about a suspicious transaction because The Drift charged my card 3 days before I was supposed to check in (and 36 hours before the free cancellation deadline). I told the bank it was OK because I didn't want my account to be frozen and to wait for a replacement card. Stupid me. My plans had changed, so I cancelled the reservation via Expedia on 5/3, more than 24 hours ahead of the deadline. I assumed The Drift would refund the money immediately. I have called multiple times, left a voicemail, and sent messages via the website contact form AND to both email addresses listed on the site. When I called again yesterday, the voice mailbox was full. I was prompted to leave an SMS message with my phone number. STILL NO CALLBACK OR REFUND. I have contacted the office at least a dozen times since I made the reservation (once to see if they would accept a debit card or if they needed a credit card for the security hold). Only once did someone answer, and he didn't sound very confident about the information he gave me. AVOID THIS PLACE or go in with extremely low expectations. My reservation was for last night. I cancelled in plenty of time. I should never have been charged for the stay, and I certainly should have been refunded by now.…
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
I urge everyone to avoid this hotel at all costs!! I’m not one to usually complain, but I had to leave a review here sharing my terrible experience at this “hotel”. From the dirty, dysfunctional room, to unhelpful service from the front staff. I would have GLADLY paid more and stayed at a better hotel. The location of the hotel is convenient, being close to stores and the beach, but that was about the only positive thing I could mention. First of all, this is more of a Motel, not a Hotel, there is no overnight concierge, the rooms are very basic, no amenities, and its a very small building. I booked a King Bed Suite here and the room looked nothing like the photos on the website. The ambience of the room was terrible and felt like I was staying in a prison cell. There was a bed without a headboard. And two battered old night tables that looked like the were picked up off the street. No chair, or dressing table like the website showed. The floors were FILTHY. Your socks and feet get dirty within minutes of stepping in that room. You cannot walk barefoot in that room unless you want the soles of your feet looking black. My biggest issue was the fan not working in the bathroom. After using the toilet or taking a shower, there was no way to ventilate the bathroom, so you were stuck with dealing with the steam and smells that circulated your bedroom. You can’t open the windows or doors because of bugs, and the door lead directly to the outdoors. The noise was terrible, there are people sitting in the courtyard late at night yelling and chatting, and you could literally hear everything. Also this motel is situated right infant of a construction site, so be prepared to hear lots of construction sounds. The Service: We immediately mentioned all of our issues to the guy at the front desk when we checked in at 10pm. He told us that all the other rooms were booked and there was nothing he could do. He told us to speak to the manager in the morning, so that we could potentially get a discount. So we did. The manager was even worse. He said the we should have left last night if the room bothered us so much. And gaslighted me and told me I was lying about the dirty floors, and played dumb about the non-working fan. He said there was no way we could get a discount or any sort of reimbursement. One of the worst hotel experiences I’ve ever had. I strongly discourage anyone from staying here. You promise you can find better options than this.…
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Immediately leave if the room does not meet the expectations it was advertised as
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Beware of this place as it has become a dangerous place to stay. Vagrants and drug users using the hotels small courtyard to smoke crack and intimidate guests. This use to be a great little boutique hotel convinient,safe and quite peaceful to stay at. Unfortunately that has all changed. We had several encounters with transients and vagrants inside the hotel itself, unfortunately management does very little to nothing to control it. Please take to heart what I'm saying go somewhere else this place can be dangerous .
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Avoid this location specially if traveling with children or women. It's become a welfare hotel....
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
The good : Great Great Great location only actually on the beach could have been better, The staff was nice for the two interactions . They did provide beach towels and beach chairs. The not so good: Our bathroom had ants and one shower door the other was replaced with a soap scummed and rusting shower curtain and a broken non existing towel rack which means there was nowhere to hang towels. No cups or glasses in the room and the only ice they had was ice trays in the office when it was open no breakfast options at all. Corners were dusty and cobwebbed. Since it was paid for and a weekend trip we sanitized and raided and airfreshenered. Oh yeah and caught covid 19.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
4 Helpful votes
Helpful
If parking is full, you don't get parking. I called to go back to the hotel and all spaces were taken and they said that " I don't know what to tell you. You need to find parking somewhere else." I just went ahead an booked a night somewhere else because I couldn't park. If you stay here and you find parking, leave your car there. Otherwise, you may be one of those unlucky ones and be out in the streets with no parking.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
HORRIBLE! Room smelled horrible. Vending machines been operable. Cigarette butts littering the front porch of the room. Shower door broken and leaking onto the floor. I asked for a room change and they said it'll be a few minutes. It never happened and they refuse refund my money for the night. I will never return.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
This hotel is dirty and smells very bad. We went to spend the 4th of July but we couldn't stay because of such a bad smell and so much dirt. Horrible customer service. On top of that the hotel does NOT want to refund us the $1700 we paid for the 5 nights. I am in the process of opening a small claim because they did NOT provide the service we paid for. Do not choose this hotel, you will not have a good time with your family.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: everything is bad at this hotel
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
Because it will Cost you. I stayed at The Drift hotel in May and to say in all my travel for business and leisure this by far was the absolute worst. The hotel watched on camera as person climbed through a window, somehow left unlocked by staff. First, if you check in late the code to unlock the gate is on the answering machine, your room keep us then stuck to the office door with your full name on the envelope. That’s the first sign I should have known something was wrong. The rooms are musty, dated. The beds have large dips in them and you get 1 pillow, 1 towel and 1 hand towel in your room. There are no working ice machines, the air conditioners sound like engines and there is massive construction 30 feet away that they do not warn you about. Parking is maybe 6 spots, this is if no SUVs and maybe 4 first come first serve. After that you need to find street parking. The safety of this hotel is ZERO. You will stay here at your own risk. The second say at the hotel I walked to the front desk to get towels. There was a man in the office that was clearly on something. The man was attempting to check in with a fake credit card and fake Id. Instead of calling police they allowed the man to sleep in the courtyard on the stair cases as the staff took pictures of him. After the man woke up he began to wander the property. I spoke to management and said to them something was up. About 2 hours later I left to the beach. Upon return not 3 hours gone I returned to my room to find almost everything gone. Passport, car keys, work computers, dirty underwear, 80% of the clothes I brought, jewelry and more. I will attach the police report to the photos. Once this was discovered I ran to the front desk where they have a very extensive security system to where I was greeted by a young lady whom had no idea how to even watch the cameras back and was onsite alone. We attempted to call the manger whom told us “he will not be coming back to assist because it’s Mother’s Day and he already left” at that point we already called the police. I said to the young lady I know exactly who it was and Informed her what had transpired with the man earlier. She then told me “no no I watched him leave and he had nothing with him” she told me this, another guest and the police. After the crime scene unit had to dust the entire room for prints I was moved to another room (the one I actually booked). I was then texted by the “general manager” whom apologized and told me they would submit to insurance once I had a police report to get my belongings replaced. The next morning I went to the office to speak to the manager (the one who wouldn’t come back also the one who allowed the man to stay in property) he was watching the cameras and found all the footage we needed. You can clearly watch this man leave our window with pillow cases full of things while wearing my back pack, at the same time you can watch the lobby camera and see the same front desk girl watching him leave with everything. The thief then goes into the lobby and has a conversation with her as she hands him the bags he left in the office! It had now been 2 months and the hotel has completely ignored my messages, emails, and texts. Let me remind you this man has my address, House keys, passport, car keys and the same hotel General Manger whom said he would replace these things finally reached out to have the front desk person call me and ask to “make a deal” Make a deal as soon as it was noted his staff watched it happen. I told the desk no deal I’m out almost $5k. I was then told well the there is nothing we can do because it will also be a loss to us. After now 2 full months, no one will give me the name of the Manager, The General Manager or the Principal Owner. I now have to take time off of work to file a small claims case against the hotel to be able to replace everything including putting a block in my social. I understand this is a “value” motel but I beg anyone traveling to not stay here as you are not safe at all. The police went door to door telling people to check their windows and guess what? None of the lower level windows were locked. You all can decide what that looks like however, use your judgment. Why wouldn’t I submit to my insurance? Why are all the windows lower level unlocked? Why would the front desk agent watch the theft happen? Imagine if I were a single female who had just run back to my room to check something and a drugged out man was in my room. I hesitated so long in posting this as I’d hope the hotel would do the right thing but it’s clear to me now they don’t care about the safety of anyone whom stays at that resort. I do hope to update this if the hotel can at least call me, email me maybe replace my belongings after the clear negligence of staff. Oh and one more thing. The cleaning staff knew he stole a laundry basket to help him carry the things off property. And yet no one said anything. I will attach the police report and case file so that you can see nothing I’ve told is a lie. And I challenge the hotel to dispute this.…
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
5 Helpful votes
Helpful
+1
The location is perfect, less than 5 minutes to the beach, close to restaurants, shops and everything else. The room was old, the a/c was making lots of noise so I needed to turn it off at night so I can sleep. They have towels and all the amenities in the room, they also supply with beach towels, chairs and umbrellas for the beech, its first come first serve, but there is plenty. They supposed to clean the rooms but they forgot to do it one night, so we used the dirty ones for that day. Parking is free but very limited, so don't come late or you will need to pay somewhere else to park. Even with all the small discrepancies, I still recommend this hotel and I will definitely stay here again.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Get room upstairs
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
The staff were friendly. The room was clean & it included a mini fridge. The location is perfect, as you’re just a block or two from the beach. And, the water taxi is just around the corner. I read all the reviews prior to booking and took a chance because of the location. It was a very nice, quiet stay. We didn’t have a car because once we took a Lyft to the hotel we were able to walk everywhere. But parking didn’t seem to be an issue. Parking is pricey around town. Take the water taxi one day, it’s super fun! It took us to Hollywood Margaritaville. We’d stay here again.
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
US$85 - US$170 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesFloridaBroward CountyFort LauderdaleCentral Beach
NUMBER OF ROOMS
25
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Claim Your ListingTHE DRIFT HOTEL - Updated 2023 Reviews (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Drift Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Drift Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Escapology Fort Lauderdale (0.2 miles), Loveyoga954 (0.06 miles), and Beach Cigar and Hookah Lounge (0.2 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Drift Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and facilities for disabled guests.
Which room amenities are available at The Drift Hotel?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What are some restaurants close to The Drift Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Tinta- Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach, Lona Cocina Tequileria, and La Fuga.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The Drift Hotel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Are there any historical sites close to The Drift Hotel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting History Fort Lauderdale (2.6 miles) and Old Dillard Art and Cultural Museum (3.1 miles).
Is The Drift Hotel accessible?
Yes, it offers facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.