Lost and Found at Blue Seas Courtyard in Fort Lauderdale by the Sea

A solo traveler's review of paradise found in south Florida.

🌅 Heavy Baggage, Lost Inspiration, and Finding My Way

To say I was lost when I arrived at the Blue Seas Courtyard in Fort Lauderdale by the Sea may be a tad dramatic, but I'm taking full artistic liberty here because in a sense I was a bit lost, indeed. Somewhere back home, I had misplaced a box of my creative inspiration and a clear perspective on life.  So yes, I needed to rediscover some things about myself and traveling to a remote, quiet, boutique hotel seemed like the perfect mood.

And palm trees were non-negotiable.

So I booked a room at Blue Seas Courtyard for a 3-night stay after doing extensive research into hotels that would provide me with a little peace and solitude. 

And it did just that. Palm trees included.

Here's what I observed, along with a few things you can expect during a visit to Blue Seas.

🛎️ Check-In: Family Vibes and Black Buttons

Upon check in, you'll likely be greeted by Gary, the Manager. He will make you feel like a family member who's just dropped in to say "hi" while rushing about to make sure that you're shown to your room within minutes. You'll also get a tour of the room and premises with his assurance that whatever you need, you will have, simply by pressing any of the black buttons strategically placed throughout the grounds.

For real? Yes. For real.

He's friendly, funny, and above all efficient. And he's got a full handle on all areas of operation, ranging from checking the pool chemicals, to replacing the grips at the bottom of the pool chairs, to filling up the air in your complimentary bicycle so you can ride around town. (And yes, he did this for me on day 1 of my stay after which I enjoyed several invigorating sea-side rides.) Gary is 100% committed to making sure your stay is both pleasurable and memorable. 

🏠 The Rooms: Where Details Shine

As for the room, it was as clean as could be. This is a Mexico-style hacienda with only 12 units, all meticulously clean and personally decorated by owners Marc and Cristie Furth, who reside in one of the units. They have owned the place since 1972 when they saved the down payment and purchased it from Marc's parents.

From there, they passionately accepted the challenge of creating this lush, colorful boutique hotel that has since been inducted into Trip Advisor's Hall of Fame (since 2011), along with other awards and certificates bestowed upon them by Booking.com and Hotels.com. Cristie has a warm and friendly demeanor and often stops to chat with guests throughout their stay.

Back to the room....

It's not just the beauty and the cleanliness that strike you, it's the attention to detail. Forgot your umbrella for those passing tropical rain showers? No problem. There's one hanging on the hat/coat rack in the corner of your room. Forgot your make up wipes? There's a separate mini-towel in a container on the bathroom sink just for washing off your make up each night. Oh, and the container it comes in can be used to store your make up items.

The bathroom also contains a full ironing board w/iron, a safe, ample hooks to hang your robe, bathing suit, towels, etc...and a shower big enough to bathe a baby elephant — not that I tried.

And unlike overpriced resorts with tiny 2-oz toiletries, you’ll find full-sized, high-quality shampoo, conditioner, and body wash stocked and ready. It’s a small touch that says a lot about the experience here.

Guests are also given access to a beach umbrella, a beach chair and two beach blankets for their stay. Since beach access is just 50 steps away, it's an easy grab and go to catch the sunrise each morning with your favorite  beverage.

Mimosas on the beach? Not unheard of. In fact, I highly recommend it.

 

🐾 Essie, the Resident Ambassador

No stay would be complete without mentioning Essie, the Blue Seas’ beloved  hurricane rescue. She’s the unofficial hostess of the courtyard — gentle, social, and always ready to stop by for a sunny poolside visit.

She’s your pet away from home — and further lends to the charm and atmosphere here.

🌴 The Neighborhood: Stroll, Sip, Repeat

The town square, adorned with Floridian colored Adirondack chairs, is merely a seaside one-block walk from your home away from home.

Another A+.

You can choose to lounge by the tropical pool, cross over to the beach, or take a short walk to restaurants, bars, and shops by Anglin's Pier in the town square. During this short stroll, you'll pass by a number of other hotels, condos, time shares and parks. Or, you can ride your bike and be there in 5 minutes.

Locals can be seen enjoying a morning run or simply walking their dogs as they chat with a friend and sip their morning coffee or Powerade. Bicyclists glide by listening to their favorite iTunes playlist and beachcombers with chairs in tow head to their proprietary place in the sand. Most of them can't resist a peek over the white fence surrounding the pool area at the Blue Seas as they pass by. The lush foliage and exquisite pottery pieces displayed throughout the pool deck most certainly warrant a nod of appreciation. There’s a sense of rhythm here — unhurried, peaceful, perfectly in sync with the coastal tide.

🪶 Reflection: When a Place Finds You

The thing is, when you reflect back on a place that you've visited, it's often a combination of things about it that form your opinion. But more than that, it's how the place made you feel and what you allowed it to show you. And the truth is, if you can't find a way to unplug and rewind here, I'm worried for you.

When I first arrived, I strode in like a Chicagoan—briskly and with the single intent of reaching my destination. My mind racing faster than my feet could keep up with. Seeing nothing around me; meaningless static taking up space in my brain instead of the waves crashing against the shoreline just a few yards away.

By trip's end, I sauntered like a beach-town Floridian— taking time to slow the roll and appreciating the beauty around me. Realizing that not every problem requires an immediate solution, and that it's ok to jump off the hamster wheel for a spell. 

I remember the exact moment I observed the sharp contrast between myself and these sun-kissed souls who were moving about with such effortless tranquility. I actually laughed out loud at my affliction. Somewhere between the palm trees and the ocean breeze, I felt the calm I’d been missing.

It was in that moment, that I was found.

Was that made possible by simply choosing the right accommodation?

Go ask my new friends at Blue Seas Courtyard. They will likely tell you they saw a different girl check out that day than the one that rushed in.

And that's well worth the price of admission.

🪞 Perfect for:

• Solo travelers seeking quiet rejuvenation

• Writers or creatives craving inspiration

• Couples who love charm over flash

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🏝️ Quick Facts

• Location: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL

• Rooms: 12 individually designed units

• Style: Mexican Hacienda meets tropical oasis

• Vibe: Peaceful, colorful, nostalgic

• Bonus: Complimentary beach gear + bikes