The author stayed as an invited guest of Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort. All opinions are the author’s own, and Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort had no input in any part of this review.
Having grown up in South Florida, I’ve visited the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida, numerous times over the years. The iconic resort has been a local landmark for nearly 70 years, but its massive footprint and predominantly white interiors made it feel somewhat cold and lacking in personality.
That recently changed after the property completed a major renovation in May 2026 and became Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort.
I was invited to experience the newly renovated resort for a hosted stay with my family in August 2026. After a few days enjoying the pools and beach, trying several restaurants, and seeing what’s changed, I came away feeling like the Diplomat has grown up in a very good way.
Here’s what my experience was like.
Booking Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort
Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort can be a surprisingly good value for a beachfront resort in South Florida. During my summer visit, cash rates started around $269 per night, while Hilton Honors award nights started at 66,000 points.
Rates fluctuate significantly throughout the year, especially during South Florida’s busy winter season. However, with 1,000 guest rooms and 96 suites, there’s a lot of inventory here, and I found both cash and award rates pretty reasonable for a resort of this caliber.
When rooms are around $250, it’s better to pay cash than use Hilton Honors points or a Free Night Reward certificate. But if winter rates are pushing $600 or $700 and standard awards are still available, redeeming points or a certificate can offer excellent value.
The hotel charges a $59 nightly resort fee, plus tax, which includes Wi-Fi, a daily 1-hour kayak or paddleboard rental, a 1-hour bicycle rental, 1 beach lounger per registered guest, a group fitness class, resort activities and yard games, and 10% off pool cabanas. Beach umbrellas aren’t included. The resort fee is waived for award stays.
There is no self-parking option, and valet costs $45 to $75 per night with unlimited in-and-out privileges. If you plan to stay at the resort all weekend without leaving, consider a ride-share from the nearby Fort Lauderdale (FLL) or Miami (MIA) airports instead.
A Central Location Between Miami and Fort Lauderdale
One of the Diplomat’s biggest advantages is its location. The resort sits directly on Hollywood Beach, almost perfectly positioned between Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach are about 20 minutes away without traffic, while Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA) airports are roughly 15 and 30 minutes away, respectively. Aventura and Bal Harbour are also nearby.
I’ve always liked Hollywood Beach because it feels much more local than Miami Beach or Fort Lauderdale Beach. You still get a true South Florida beachfront vacation without necessarily paying the eye-watering rates of many beachfront hotels farther south.
For me, the Diplomat’s central location offers the best of both worlds. You can spend your entire stay at the resort or use it as a base to explore Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and other parts of South Florida.
A Renovation That Was More Than Cosmetic
Having visited the resort numerous times over the years, I noticed the difference as soon as I walked through the doors.
Previously, I found it clean and spacious, but all the white and neutral tones throughout its large, open spaces made it feel like one big blank canvas with little distinct personality. The redesigned lobby incorporates live trees and greenery, warm wood tones, sculptures, and pops of color, making the enormous space feel even more inviting and upscale.
It still very much feels like a sprawling South Florida resort rather than an intimate boutique hotel, but there’s now much more personality to match its size. The renovated guest rooms aren’t ultramodern or flashy, either. Instead, they’re bright, comfortable, and polished, with neutral colors and a contemporary look.
My Oceanfront Suite Was Massive
For my hosted stay, the resort upgraded my family to a King Ocean View Suite with a balcony, along with a connecting room with 2 queen beds for my twin daughters. The suite would have cost around $600 per night during my stay in mid-August.
The suite was large, with a separate living room, foyer, king bedroom, and an enormous balcony stretching across the room with unobstructed Atlantic Ocean views.
The bathroom had a separate bathtub and shower, while the connecting room gave my daughters plenty of space.
Since the suite was an upgrade, I also toured a standard king room, which is more representative of what guests redeeming Hilton Honors points can expect. It faced west, offering beautiful Intracoastal Waterway views, and included 1 king bed, a corner loveseat, a wall-mounted TV, a seating area, and a minifridge. The bathroom had a separate bathtub and shower.
Both room types had neutral creams, whites, and beige tones that felt clean and relaxed without trying to be overly modern.
Pools Were the Star of the Resort
The Diplomat sits directly on the beach, but during my August stay, the expansive pool complex was the star of the show. It stretches across much of the resort’s beachfront, with plenty of loungers, umbrellas, and cabanas.
The pool was packed during our stay, so we rented a cabana one day to have our own space. If you want something even quieter, the newly opened Verandah Social Club sits above the main pool and feels almost like a resort within the resort. Access starts around $95 per person for a lounger and umbrella. There’s a private pool, hot tub, and bar, plus daybeds and cabanas available to rent.
The main pool had plenty of floats and toys for kids, though it lacked waterslides or fancy water features. The beach is just steps away, and guests get complimentary beach chairs, though umbrellas cost extra.
Seasonal sargassum had washed ashore during my visit, so the beach wasn’t nearly as clear or turquoise as it can be. As a South Florida local, I know the water is typically much clearer during winter, though that didn’t stop plenty of guests from swimming.
Dining Was a Welcome Surprise
I wasn’t expecting the food to be one of the highlights of my stay, but nearly everything we ate was excellent.
Each morning, we had breakfast at Palmea Kitchen, which offered a large buffet and made-to-order omelets with plenty of toppings. I was surprised to find individual crème brûlées — my favorite dessert and definitely not something I expected at breakfast.
Breakfast costs $42 per person, although as a Hilton Honors Gold elite member, I received a daily food-and-beverage credit of $30 for up to 2 guests. For something quicker, The Press and The Canteen offers coffee, pastries, bagels, juice, and other grab-and-go items.
The biggest dining surprise was Diplomat Prime, the resort’s steakhouse. I’m a foodie, but steakhouses usually aren’t my first choice since I’d rather eat somewhere more chef-driven with a creative menu. My steak here was outstanding. I enjoyed dinner enough that I told my wife I’d happily return to the Diplomat just for a date night at Prime.
We also ate lunch and dinner at Playa Beach Bar & Grill, the beachfront restaurant next to the pool. The hostess recommended the poke bowl for lunch, and I’m glad she did — it was fresh, filling, and delicious.
Overall, I was surprised by how good the food was on the property. I would gladly return even if I wasn’t staying overnight.
My Daughter Loved the Kids Club
Located near the beach, the kids club had spacious indoor rooms filled with toys, games, and drawing and play areas. Staff members were always friendly, and I noticed them cleaning and tidying everything between groups of kids — something I appreciated as a parent.
My 4-year-old daughter loved it and regularly asked to go back. The club offers paid drop-off rates of $30 per hour per child for ages 4 to 12 if parents want some time to themselves. I stayed with her during our visits, which parents are welcome to do for as long as they’d like.
There were also outdoor activities: an oversized Connect 4, a dunk-tank-style water game, and a beach setup stocked with sand toys. Between the kids club, beach, and pool complex, there was plenty to keep my daughters entertained even without the over-the-top attractions of a dedicated family resort.
An Impressive 2-Level Fitness Center
The resort’s full-service spa is located directly beside its 2-level fitness center. I didn’t book a treatment, but the spa looked fresh and polished following the renovation.
I used the gym one morning and was impressed by the amount of equipment, including around a dozen Peloton bikes, cardio machines, and free weights spread across both levels. Surrounded by glass with cool lighting throughout, it had considerably more personality than a typical hotel gym.
Final Thoughts
Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort feels like a more grown-up version of the property I remember. It’s still a huge beachfront resort, but the renovation has given it considerably more character and a more polished, sophisticated feel.
It’s one of the better options for a South Florida beach vacation without necessarily spending a fortune. You get an excellent pool, direct beach access, surprisingly good restaurants, and a central location between Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
For my family, the Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort made for an easy South Florida staycation, with plenty of dining and activities to keep us from feeling the need to leave. Considering how much there is to see and do in the area, it says a lot about what the property offers on its own.