Fort Lauderdale\u2019s Pier Sixty-Six has reemerged with a renewed sense of wow.<\/p>\n
Pier Sixty-Six <\/p>\n
For generations, Pier Sixty-Six<\/a> has stood as both a landmark and a memory bank for Fort Lauderdale<\/a>. Once its now-iconic spire-crowned tower and revolving Pier Top lounge were completed in 1965, the hotel became the city\u2019s \u201csocial harbor,\u201d hosting everyone from Frank Sinatra to Liza Minnelli while anchoring decades of waterfront celebrations.<\/p>\n Today, following a years-long redevelopment that gained momentum after Hurricane Irma in 2017 and culminated with a 2025 return, the property has reemerged with a renewed sense of wow, honoring its legacy while shaping a new standard for South Florida hospitality.<\/p>\n The property respects its history but has its eye on the future.<\/p>\n Pier Sixty-Six <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a history here that resonates deeply with locals,\u201d says Colm O\u2019Callaghan, vice president and managing director of the property. \u201cEverybody I meet seems to have a story connected with Pier Sixty-Six.\u201d<\/p>\n That connection runs very deep, from the rotating 17th-floor Pier Top lounge, where diners watched the waters of the \u201cVenice of America\u201d slowly drift beneath them, to Pelican Landing, a dockside hangout that welcomed boaters pulling up from the Intracoastal. The challenge, as O\u2019Callaghan and director of marketing Marc Geller describe it, was not simply to restore what once existed, but to evolve it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to pay homage and respect the history,\u201d Geller says, \u201cbut also ensure we\u2019re putting a very modern, new interpretive spin on the property.\u201d<\/p>\n Guests love the feel of the renovated rooms.<\/p>\n Pier Sixty-Six The New Social Harbor<\/p>\n The result is a waterfront destination that meshes hotel, residences, marina and lifestyle offerings into one cohesive experience. The numbers signal its ambition: 325 guest rooms, 88 private residences, 12 restaurants and bars, and a members club across a 32-acre campus that evokes a luxurious waterfront village.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hotel can be many things to different people,\u201d O\u2019Callaghan says. \u201cFamilies can enjoy the pools and activities, while couples might gravitate to Pier Top for drinks or a refined dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n That culinary lineup is central to the experience. Signature restaurant Calusso<\/a> draws inspiration from the French and Italian rivieras, while Sotogrande<\/a> explores Southern Spain and the Eastern Mediterranean. Garni Caf\u00e9<\/a> delivers an elevated brunch scene, and the Nectar Room supplies the adults-only pool area with a steady flow of cocktails and visiting mixology talent.<\/p>\n Positive guest feedback has centered on the accommodations and overall experience. \u201cPeople love the rooms, the design, the bathrooms,\u201d Geller says. \u201cBut beyond that, it\u2019s the dining, the spa, the programming.\u201d<\/p>\n That programming continues to shape the property. Poolside activations like the monthly Paradiso series, visiting cocktail residencies \u2014 recent takeovers have come from notable New York bars \u2014 and curated dining and wine experiences create reasons to return. At Pier Top, the emphasis has shifted toward atmosphere, pairing panoramic views with live entertainment, DJs and evolving concepts like themed high teas and potential candlelit concerts.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about bringing back the magic and mystery,\u201d Geller says, \u201cbut doing it in a way that feels fresh.\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s a real sense of surprise around the property.<\/p>\n Pier Sixty-Six Balancing Nostalgia and Innovation<\/p>\n At Pelican Landing, slated to reopen later this year, that balance comes into focus. Once a no-frills staple perched at the edge of the marina, the new version will nod to its roots while refining the experience.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s meant to feel casual [and] approachable \u2014 a South Florida fish shack spirit,\u201d O\u2019Callaghan says.<\/p>\n Menu items will echo the original, updated just enough to meet modern expectations without losing their soul. That philosophy extends across the property and informs its relationship with the local community, many of whom experienced the hotel through proms, weddings and milestone events over the decades.<\/p>\n \u201cIt allows us to reconnect with locals,\u201d O\u2019Callaghan says. \u201cThere\u2019s a sense of pride when they come back and see what it\u2019s become.\u201d<\/p>\n Geller adds, \u201cYou see it when people walk into the lobby \u2014 the scale, the views. There\u2019s a real sense of surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n Zenova Spa & Wellness is one of the most talked-about amenities.<\/p>\n Pier Sixty-Six A Destination Within a Destination<\/p>\n Beyond its hotel offerings, Pier Sixty-Six is evolving into a lifestyle ecosystem. Residents live alongside guests, while the marina, one of the largest superyacht facilities on the Eastern Seaboard, continues to anchor the property\u2019s identity. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing a lot of yachting clientele who live here or come in for weekends,\u201d O\u2019Callaghan says. \u201cThey dock, dine and experience the resort all in one place.\u201d<\/p>\n Recent additions, including large-scale sculptures from a globally significant private collection, introduce a new layer of cultural offerings across the grounds. Wellness is also expanding, with Zenova Spa & Wellness<\/a> (which features the Southeast\u2019s first aufguss-inspired sauna and the region\u2019s first snow room) and upcoming initiatives designed to deepen the resort\u2019s appeal as a place to reset.<\/p>\n As Fort Lauderdale continues its ascent as a global destination, Pier Sixty-Six is positioning itself at the center of that evolution. \u201cWe see ourselves as part of that growth,\u201d O\u2019Callaghan says. \u201cHelping to establish Fort Lauderdale as a true luxury destination<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Geller notes the distinction: \u201cThere\u2019s really nothing else like this in the market.\u201d<\/p>\n Future phases remain under wraps, but the direction is clear. \u201cWe\u2019re just scratching the surface of what\u2019s possible,\u201d O\u2019Callaghan says.<\/p>\n MORE FROM FORBESForbesThe Ultimate Travel Guide For The 2026 World CupBy Forbes Travel Guide<\/a>Forbes12 Marathons Worth Traveling For In 2026By Jennifer Kester<\/a>ForbesForbes Travel Guide\u2019s 2026 Star Award Winners\u2014Including The World\u2019s First Five-Star CruiseBy Jennifer Kester<\/a>ForbesFirst Look: Anantara To Open First U.S. Hotel In MiamiBy Jennifer Kester<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Fort Lauderdale\u2019s Pier Sixty-Six has reemerged with a renewed sense of wow. 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