With far fewer crowds than South Beach and just as much charm as Key West, the quaint beach town of Hollywood is our new favorite weekend destination. From one of the most famous burgers in Florida to water sports and chic accommodations, here’s everything you need to know.
How to Spend a Dreamy Weekend in Hollywood, Florida
•
Published Jul 12, 2019
Courtesy of the Diplomat Beach Resort
Stay
Fresh off a $100 million renovation, the Diplomat Beach Resort and its eight restaurants are sure to please even the most discerning travelers. There’s the chic Diplomat Prime steakhouse, plus an outpost of celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s Point Royal, a coastal American restaurant complete with seafood towers and “ugly burgers” (Zakarian’s own specialty made with a double patty, cheese, pickles and remoulade). But maybe one of the best reasons to stay here is the fact that the hotel offers two sun-drenched pools with numerous cabanas and direct (and private) beach access. Oh, and there’s also a world-class spa facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Guests seeking budget-friendly options should look into the redesigned Hollywood Beach Marriott or the Beachwalk Resort, which is located a short drive away in neighboring Hallandale.
Nathalie Duhaime/Getty Images
See And Do
The cute broadwalk (nope, not a typo—in Hollywood it’s called the broadwalk, not boardwalk) features all the seaside charm you’d expect: dive bars, boutiques and lots of sand for enjoying a day by the ocean. You’ll also want to take a trip to the Anne Kolb Nature Center, where you can kayak, canoe and hike.
Sticking around for a while? Peruse the Yellow Green Farmers Market, which ranks as South Florida’s largest with more than 300 booths stocked with the region’s freshest fruits and veggies. If you’re staying at the Diplomat, consider a water sports reservation (paddleboarding, snorkeling), a beachside yoga class or an afternoon at the spa. (A champagne manicure and gold collagen face mask sound really good right about now.)
Courtesy of Monkitail
Eat
Yes, you can get a serious meal outside Miami—by a celeb chef, no less. Besides Zakarian, Hollywood is also home to chef Michael Schulson’s award-winning izakaya, Monkitail. (Try the ten-plate chef’s tasting with dessert and make sure to order the spicy tuna rice crackers.)
Whatever you do, you must devour a burger at Le Tub, Hollywood’s legendary waterfront burger joint. (The hamburgers were voted the best by GQ and made an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show.) Other worthwhile dining experiences: tacos and margaritas at Taco Beach Shack, sunset cocktails at Terrazas and Japanese cuisine at Kuro. If you’re looking for a good old bagel brunch, check out Sage Deli and get yourself a nova platter.
