The No. 1 Reason Why ‘The Bachelor’ Contestants Stayed at This Hotel Will Make You Want to Book a Flight Right Now

You want to vacation like a contestant on The Bachelor, do you? Well then, you’re in the right place because we’ve done the research for you. As it turns out, recreating a trip to one of the show’s dreamy destinations is totally doable. And we’ve got the inside scoop on how to make it happen.

So stick around to discover all the romance, luxury, and adventure this popular U.S. destination has to offer — and why one particular hotel was chosen for the show (page 3).

The journey begins … now.

Where they vacationed: Fort Lauderdale

Sunset at Sunrise Beach in Ft.Lauderdale with palm trees and beach entry feature.
Fort Lauderdale’s sun-drenched playground set the scene. | Ddmitr/iStock/Getty Images

The Bachelor has no shortage of jaw-dropping scenery, and Arie Luyendyk Jr.’s season was no exception. While the lovely ladies of Season 22 were still stateside, they turned Fort Lauderdale into their sun-drenched playground for one drama-filled episode. And viewers couldn’t get enough.

At the start of the episode, Luyendyk said, “Fort Lauderdale is a beautiful place to fall in love.” Unfortunately for him, though, the road to finding love was anything but easy. But hey, if there’s anywhere to be optimistic, it might as well be under the South Florida sun.

Now, let’s find out how — and where — the ladies spent their time in the Sunshine State.

Next: The hotel of choice

Where they stayed: W Fort Lauderdale

newly renovated Living Room at the W Fort Lauderdale
Bachelor Nation should recognize this spot. | W Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is a well-known vacation destination, meaning there are plenty of hotels to choose from. But the producers’ choice? Well, they landed on the chic digs at the W. Combine the property’s upscale accommodations with its laid-back vibes, and it’s clear to see why the W Fort Lauderdale was the perfect choice — for just about anyone looking for a great escape.

Even if you’re traveling on a budget, you don’t have to break the bank with an over-the-top room. In fact, you can book a standard room and simply follow our guide of everything they did on the show. (Stay tuned for more on that.)

Or maybe you’re fancy, huh? In that case, you can really do it up like a contestant on The Bachelor by booking the Can Buy Me Love package. Inspired by the show, the offer starts at $4,400 and includes accommodations in the Extreme Wow Suite, dinner at the hotel’s own Steak 954 (more on that on page 7), and a private yacht charter.

Next: Find out exactly what made the property so appealing. 

The reason the hotel was chosen for the show

WET deck pool at W Fort Lauderdale
The new and improved WET pool deck | W Fort Lauderdale

From its ideal location — directly across the street from the beach — to the brand’s world-renowned reputation, the W Fort Lauderdale was primed for the picking. But there’s one overarching reason why the spot was plucked from the flock of other ocean-front abodes, and it had everything to do with the property’s recent remodel.

The hotel recently debuted its $55 million renovation, which included transformations to the Living Room (the hotel lobby) and WET, the rooftop pool deck. And of course, we’d be remiss not to mention the Extreme Wow Suite the women stayed in, which is over-the-top indulgence at its finest.

Next: Who doesn’t love a good sunset sail?

Recreate Arie’s 1-on-1 date with Chelsea

yachts in marina
Fort Lauderdale has an incredible yacht scene. | Greater Fort Lauderdale

When Arie — or the producers — wanted to plan the perfect day date (that should have been a warning sign from the beginning), he took Chelsea on a private yacht. No big deal.

While not everyone is able to swing such an extravagant rental, a boating experience at the Bahia Mar Marina is undoubtedly worth the trip. From too-good-to-be-true mega yachts to waterfront homes worth more than someone’s life, the area is simply stunning.

And if you’re not willing to spring for the luxury yacht, try a more budget-friendly trip with Gondolas West.

Next: Fixing for a trip through the swamp?

Recreate Arie’s 1-on-1 date with Tia

group on an airboat tour in the Everglades
Airboat tour | Sawgrass Recreation Park

You can’t go to Florida and not go to the Everglades. So naturally, Arie took Tia on an airboat ride at the Sawgrass Recreation Park, a perfect date for the Arkansas native — and anyone else looking for an up-close-and-personal view of the native wildlife. Find yourself on one of these tours, and you’re likely to spot some gators.

Next: Visit the rose ceremony setting. 

Get your culture on with a visit to the site of the rose ceremony

Bonnet House in Fort lauderdale
The Bonnet House sits on gorgeous grounds. | Bonnet House Museum and Gardens

There was certainly no shortage of drama at the Fort Lauderdale rose ceremony. But behind all that drama lies a stunning site: the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens.

Because the rose ceremony took place at night and the production crew made changes to the set (What would The Bachelor be without a bunch of couches for the ladies to gossip on?), the show hardly did the gorgeous property justice. But we assure you, the Bonnet House is definitely worth a visit. 

Next: For all you foodies out there

Fill up on good eats at these restaurants

bar at Steak 954
Steak 954 is located at the W Fort Lauderdale. | Starr Restaurants

Here at The Cheat Sheet, we tend to be foodies — or at least we like to think so (clearly, we don’t discriminate against the classics). That said, we’d be remiss not to mention a few of our absolute favorite spots in the area. Here are three of our top picks:

  • Blue Moon Fish Co. blends Louisiana flavors with the area’s freshest catch. This place makes for the perfect upscale dinner spot.
  • GG’s Waterfront Bar and Grill serves up a wide variety of fresh seafood and raw bar specialties. Be sure to get a table outside for a front row view of luxury yachts cruising by on the Intracoastal waterway.
  • Steak 954 is a must-visit. In fact, it was our favorite. Located at the W hotel, the boutique steakhouse is the brainchild of Stephen Starr, famed restaurateur and James Beard award-winning chef. And oh, the desserts. Don’t get us started on the desserts.

So are you ready to set sail on a Bachelor-themed getaway? Who knows? You may even find love along the way.

Editor’s note: This trip was paid for by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

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