Sleep in a Nautical Dream, Sip Cocktails in a Secret Speakeasy and Wake Up Steps from Fort Lauderdale’s Hottest Spots at Hyatt Centric Las Olas.

July 9th – 11th. 2025

In the center of downtown Fort Lauderdale, Hyatt Centric Las Olas delivers a boutique experience with the polish of a Four Diamond AAA property. Opened during the pandemic, this modern, design-forward hotel has quickly become a standout choice for travelers looking to enjoy both the vibrant city and the nearby coast.

Anchored in Design and Discovery

With 238 rooms and suites nestled in the sky-high Las Olas Tower, the hotel’s design draws directly from Fort Lauderdale’s rich boating culture. Expect yacht-inspired touches like teak wood finishes, ocean blue palettes, hand-painted murals by local artists and a chandelier that glimmers like sunlight refracting off water. Even the check-in desk is shaped like a boat hull, grounding you instantly in the hotel’s nautical theme.

But what truly sets the hotel apart is how the design doesn’t just reference the local vibe, it embodies it. Local artist David Lavernia’s vibrant murals add an authentic splash of color and creativity

The Perfect Launch Pad

The hotel is located at the corner of SE 1st Street and Las Olas Boulevard, just steps from some of Fort Lauderdale’s best dining, shopping, and nightlife. Guests are within walking distance of the NSU Art Museum, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, FATVillage and the popular concert venue Revolution Live!. Fort Lauderdale Beach, the airport, cruise terminals and the Brightline station are all just a short drive away, making the property ideal for both quick getaways and extended stays.

Not Your Typical Boutique

If Hyatt Centric Las Olas were a person, it would be your effortlessly cool friend, the one who knows all the best local spots and can spark a great conversation over cocktails. The moment you enter the lobby, the energy shifts. The vibe is warm, unpretentious and undeniably sociable. The staff isn’t just there to check you in, rather they’re there to connect. Expect personalized suggestions, spontaneous moments of kindness and a team that treats hospitality like a calling.

Room Nine01: The Hotel’s Best-Kept Secret

What was once the most avoided room in the hotel has been stunningly reimagined into one of Fort Lauderdale’s most captivating hidden gems…if you know where to look. Tucked discreetly away on the ninth floor, Nine01 Speakeasy is a reservations-only, 12-seat escape that turns the hotel’s biggest liability into its most alluring asset.

Originally, Room 901 was the stuff of front desk headaches. Narrower than any other room in the building by a couple of feet, it lacked both a balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows. Worse still, the only view it offered was a large, unsightly air conditioning unit pressed up against the glass, a more mechanical eyesore than urban oasis. Guests frequently stepped inside, took one look around and immediately picked up the phone to ask for a different room. After months of near-constant complaints and zero profit, hotel management came to a crossroads. It was time for a bold pivot. The idea? Transform the awkward, underperforming space into a sultry, exclusive cocktail lounge. As it turns out, that gamble paid off handsomely.

From the moment it opened, initially just three nights a week, it was an instant hit. Word spread quickly, and soon, every night was booked solid with a 30 to 50-person waitlist. Demand grew so steadily that the speakeasy expanded its hours and is now open six nights a week, from Tuesday through Sunday. Today, it’s the single most profitable room in the entire hotel. As our personal bartender Lucas playfully alluded, “Nobody liked sleeping here, but everybody loves drinking here.”

Step inside, and it’s clear why. The space oozes charm and intimacy, wrapped in a lavish 1920s Gatsby aesthetic. Think plush velvet seating, moody, amber-hued lighting and a whisper of mystery in the air. Without a single TV in sight, the energy shifts entirely toward human connection. Guests sip cocktails like “Late Check Out” and “Smoke & Mirrors” while playing cards, tic-tac-toe, or chess at their tables and have conversations drift lazily from one corner to another like jazz notes in a smoky lounge. It’s equal parts upscale parlor and cozy social salon.

But what truly elevates Nine01 is its service. Lucas, who’s been curating the room’s experience since early 2024, isn’t just a mixologist, he’s part host, part storyteller and part alchemist. His passion for craft cocktails is infectious, and he delights in creating custom drinks on the fly based on nothing more than a mood or a few flavor cues. He also brings a playful nostalgia to his creations, naming them after pop culture touchstones from childhood and cult classics alike.

Take the “Monkey’s Bunch,” for example, a silky, dessert-like drink made with banana liqueur, espresso liqueur, Tito’s vodka and just a splash of cream. It’s sweet, rich and reminiscent of a grown-up banana smoothie. Then there’s the “Legends of the Hidden Temple,” a bright, tropical concoction built with aged Florida rum, mango liqueur, pineapple and lime juices and just enough Campari and spicy bitters to keep it grounded and complex. Inspired by the beloved ‘90s kids’ game show, it’s as nostalgic as it is refreshing. Another hit is the “Hot Like Hansel,” a spicy mezcal-forward cocktail named after the fiery male model from Zoolander. It’s smoky, bold, and undeniably memorable.

And the food? Just as thoughtfully crafted. Executive Chef Greg McGowan brings culinary finesse to the speakeasy with a rotating selection of shareable plates. Standouts include Wagyu beef katsu sandos with their buttery texture and umami-packed crunch and a reawakening of oozing cheese covered macaroni that strike the perfect balance of decadence and simplicity. The Mediterranean spiced lamb lollipops are juicy and aromatic, while the garlic-seared shrimp deliver just the right bite. But the true sleeper hits are the pan-roasted Spanish octopus and for the sweet finish, the Chocolate Marquise Cake. The octopus is expertly cooked to a tender, melt-in-your-mouth finish that makes it a must-order, but again DO NOT sleep on the rich triple-chocolate threat.

It’s this blend of elevated cocktails, exceptional food, and an atmosphere dripping with charisma that transforms Nine01 from just another speakeasy into something truly unforgettable. What began as the most complained-about room in the building is now the heartbeat of Hyatt Centric’s nightlife scene.

Just steps away from entertainment venues, it’s the perfect spot for a pre-show indulgence or a late-night wind-down. And whether you’re there to celebrate something special or just in need of a little escape, Nine01 wraps you in a world that feels far removed from the everyday. It’s beyond a bar experience and a place you’ll rave about and want to return to again and again.

Each seating (5:00 PM, 7:15 PM, 9:30 PM) is a tight two-hour affair, which somehow makes it feel even more like a glamorous secret rendezvous. The $60 minimum is a small price to pay for the chance to feel like you’re dining inside a velvet-lined whisper.

A Culinary Identity That Surprises

Food is far more than an amenity here, it’s central to the Hyatt Centric identity. Under the leadership of award-winning Executive Chef Greg McGowan, Harborwood Urban Kitchen & Bar serves reimagined American classics with a global flair and reflects a commitment to local sourcing. Cornflake-crusted French toast, protein bowls, and fresh daily catches are just the beginning. The restaurant opens up to Las Olas Boulevard, making it as popular with locals as with guests. 

Upstairs, Elev8, the rooftop bar and pool deck, provides a serene “living room in the sky,” as Area Director of Sales and Marketing Catherine Bejan McClement likes to put it. Unlike the party-centric pools elsewhere in South Florida, Elev8 offers a peaceful oasis with warm water, soft music, fire pits and some of the city’s friendliest bartenders. 

Service That Stays With You

What makes the Hyatt Centric Las Olas truly memorable is its people. There’s a noticeable pride among the staff, from the front desk, servers like Direen at Harborwood to the speakeasy and the rooftop bar, that translates into meaningful, personable service.

Even the amenities show extra thought, from pet-friendly touches to a multi-million-dollar water softening system that leaves your skin and hair thanking you. It’s the little things that add up to something extraordinary.

Whether you’re seeking an urban adventure, pre-cruise retreat, or a rejuvenating staycation, or maybe just a night out, Hyatt Centric Las Olas offers an elevated experience grounded in authenticity, warmth, and bold design.