When you think of Greater Fort Lauderdale a number of things might come to mind: Cruise ships? Spring Break? Near Miami?

While all the above might have been truthful at some point, it's safe to say the southern Floridian destination has been on a mission to re-invent itself and is now so much more than the above.

Thanks to a monumental investment in the area, high-rise buildings line the white sandy, spacious beaches, internationally renowned hotels are on every corner and you are spoilt for choice when it comes to fine dining.

For a while Fort Lauderdale was cast in the shadow of neighbouring Miami. While Miami is still rightly pulling in visitors of its own accord, Fort Lauderdale is no longer missing out on the benefits of tourism. In fact, it's being heralded as a more laidback alternative, while remaining only a 40-minute drive away for those who can't resist visiting the Magic City.

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"It's like Miami but in a different way," a restaurant manager tells me when I visit in August, adding that she thinks part of the increasing visitor number can also be attributed to the rise in popularity of 'Tier 2 destinations' - those that are not the best-known but still have so much to offer. Think Formentera instead of Ibiza.

In the 1970s and 80s, Fort Lauderdale was synonymous with college students descending on the beach and engaging in things students wanting to blow off some steam do best. This soon changed. Back in 1992, a New York Times article reported that local authorities and businesses were keen to attract a different kind of clientele to the area, moving away from the Spring Break crowd. While thousands of college students still head down to the Sunshine State over those specific weeks in March/April, it's in smaller numbers thanks to slowly adopted new rules and regulations like some hotels operating a 21 or over policy when it comes to even booking rooms or the prohibition of alcohol on the beach.

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Along with the enforcement of new rules to tweak its brand as a luxe destination, money has been poured into the city too. Over the past couple of decades, there has been a significant spike in investment in real estate and hospitality in the area, leading business magazine Forbes to declare that "Fort Lauderdale is booming" earlier this year.

The added investment coupled with the pervading sunny weather, which you can bank on for the majority of the year, means it's really not surprising that it's now reaping the benefits of tourism.

This is evident by its hotel offering. Over the last five years, there's been a net gain of 2,068 hotel rooms and, in 2018 alone, hotels have held occupancy and rates above both the Florida and USA average, according to the tourist board. The endless renovations and hotel openings show no sign of slowing down now either. A 23-story Four Seasons resort, slated for opening in 2020, was announced in April, as well as two more Hilton resorts: Tru and Home2 Suites. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is also currently undergoing a $1.5 billion property expansion which will include a hotel.

But there's also existing luxury offerings, which are well worth making your home away from home. Here's our guide on how to get the best out of your Fort Lauderdale trip.

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Where to stay

The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale

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The pool area of the Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale

The iconic Ritz-Carlton is situated directly facing Fort Lauderdale beach. The hotel is designed like the ships that can be seen from the bedrooms, for example there is a pool, six levels up, which faces straight out onto the open ocean. There's also wonderfully indulgent spa treatments like 'Intuitive Ocean' which lasts for 110 minutes and involves sea salt scrubs, a wrap and warm marine mud ( $279 (£215).

The waterfront restaurant, Burlock Coast, has also recently been upgraded along with the hotel and is decorated in a prohibition-era theme and even comes with its own specialist rum room. The VIP club allows guests access to a complimentary club lounge, serving drinks and food from breakfast through to 'dessert' closing at 10pm, and looks out onto the InterCoastal Waterways.

Rooms start at £485 in January 2019.

The Diplomat Beach Resort

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Hotel rooms in The Diplomat

A few miles down the coast is The Diplomat, based in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area of Hollywood Beach, which underwent a $100 million renovation before re-opening in 2017. The hotel fuses Wes Anderson-style Hollywood glamour with a modern resort feel through its decor - i.e lots of palm trees and pink but plenty of beechwood - and is home to to 1,000 rooms and suites, 10 restaurants (including the must-visit Japanese dining experience Monkitail), two outdoor swimming pools, a private beach, state of the art gym, tranquil spa, conference centre and two gift shops.

With all this, it bears more resemblance to the type of reclusive luxury resort you're more likely to find in the Caribbean rather than one a stone's throw away from the famed Hollywood Beach. However, this isn't a bad thing, you can imagine you're worlds away from the hustle and bustle either in one of the poolside cabanas or through pampering yourself with a Diplomat Signature Facial in the spa, but at the same time you're also free to explore all that Greater Fort Lauderdale has to offer.

Rooms start at £329 in January 2019.

What to do

Go paddle boarding in Hugh Taylor Birch Park

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Such is the diverse nature of the area that minutes away from the beach, smack bang in the middle of Fort Lauderdale city, there's a state park. Rent either a paddle board or kayak and glide across the freshwater lagoon, peering into the back gardens of locals and looking out for the local wildlife. The green surroundings against the backdrop of high-rise buildings under the 30 degree heat make for a really relaxing and impressive activity location.

Search for 'gators on an Everglades Airboat at Sawgrass Recreation Park

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A must do if you're in southern Florida. Sawgrass Recreation Park, around 40 minutes from Fort Lauderdale beach, offers 30-minute Florida Everglades tours. An expert guide steers the airboat through the tall reeds (at a faster pace that you'd imagine) and takes you to areas where alligators are typically found in the area. When one's spotted, the boat slows down allowing you to truly absorb the captivating reptiles in their natural habitat as they glide slowly past by your boat to get a glimpse of you too.

Take a ride to Las Olas Boulevard in the Water Taxi

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The IntraCoastal Waterways

The taxi cruises along the Intracoastal Waterways, where there's really no better place to get a feel of the area. 'Millionaire's Row', as it's nicknamed, is part of a system of man-made canals which has earned the city the nickname of America's Venice. The row is lined with mansions (typically-priced between $30-$40 million) with yachts parked outside. The building work and renovation is omnipresent and most of the houses don't actually look lived in as they're usually an owner's secondary residence.

A 40-minute ride takes you to the vibrant Las Olas Boulevard which is abuzz with boutiques, interesting art galleries and incredible food (more on that, later).

Take a tour around Bonnet House Museum and Gardens

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Just a road away from the beach is the historical art haven Bonnet House. Designed in 1920 by Chicago-born artist Frederic Clay Bartless, the building is an art deco lover's dream. It's filled with decadent antique pieces and a stunning art collection featuring Picasso and post-impressionist painter Georges Seurat as well as works by the talented Bartless himself. The open-plan style house is situated on beautiful grounds which feature five different eco-systems.

Stroll through Downtown Hollywood to see the Mural Project

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Fabio Onrack’s mural

It's not just Miami that boasts a vibrant art scene, the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project, located in Florida's Hollywood, is an outdoor multi-block make-shift gallery. The art is found on the walls of local cafes, bars, shops and galleries and features works by internationally-renowned artists. The aim of the project is to showcase the existing cultural thread of Hollywood, while encouraging more art-related businesses and partnerships into the area.

Where to eat and drink

It's not just real estate and hotels which have seen investment to match the luxe nature of the area as more and more fine dining restaurants and bars have also opened in recent years. Here's some of our favourites:

Kuro

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Michael Pisarri

Though it's location might be surprising - it's found in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - all you'll be paying attention to is the mouthwatering modern Japanese menu, which is the brainchild of former Nobu chef Alex Becker. We loved the tuna crispy rice, waygu yakitori and the seabass miso.

Beach House Pompano

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A casual and relaxed dining experience with an added bonus of ocean views is offered at the Beach House. The beach is further up the coast, in between Fort Lauderdale beaches and the Palm Beaches, and is directly in front of the restaurant so you can take a dip in the sea before or after lunch. The restaurant offers incredibly fresh fish (we loved the scallops) small plates, steaks, sushi and cocktails aplenty - the frozen strawberry daiquiris are divine.

Louie Bossi's

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Situated on Las Olas Boulevard is local favourite Louie Bossi's, taking the name of the New York Italian chef behind it. Think more-ish arancini, fresh pasta dishes and extensive pizza options (the margaritas are also a must-try). We'd advise booking ahead as the eatery was pretty much full from the moment we arrived until we left.

Good Spirits Fifth & Fed

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Another recently opened venture, in the downtown area of Fort Lauderdale, is Good Spirits Fifth & Fed which first welcomed customers earlier this year. It serves delicious (and appropriately on trend) poke bowls which are great for daytime dining, but if you visited in the evening there's a substantial cocktail and sushi menu too.

Olivia's Restaurant & Bar

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Another new opening is Olivia's, which is found in the CIRC hotel in downtown Hollywood. The Italian-influenced menu includes offerings from the restaurant's very own Mozzarella Bar - the burrata is delicious - and choice of more than 800 bottles of wine from its wine wall.

GG's Waterfront Bar & Grill

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Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterways is GG's, which has waterfront views for you to marvel at the yachts, sailing boats and waterside homes while you enjoy locally sourced fish and fresh seafood as well as sides like their amazing homemade hummus.. Their cocktails are also a treat, we loved the 'GG's Spritz', a fusion of gin, prosecco, aperol and lavender. If you're visiting in the evening, we'd recommend booking a table in the outdoor lounge and arriving before its dark to catch the picturesque sunset over the water.

Now, where did we put our passports?

British Airways fly directly from London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale, return flights start at £360 in January 2019.

Visit the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB website at www.sunny.org.