Marriott Harbor Beach construction?

Question

We were literally about to book the Marriott Harbor Beach for the first week of May when we saw this "Our hotel is undergoing exciting updates. Some areas may be impacted and façade improvements could be noticeable. Periodic work may take place 9am-5pm." Last thing we want is to pay to listen to construction noise - is anyone aware of exactly what they are doing and how noisy it might be? Unsure of what to do.

Answer

Good question. Short answer: yes — there *has* been construction/renovation happening at the Marriott Harbor Beach, but the major renovation work is mostly complete as of early-2025. Whether or not you’ll hear disruptive noise during your stay in May depends a lot on where your room is, how sensitive you are to daytime noise, and exactly which parts of the property were being worked on most recently.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s been going on, what recent reports say, and some considerations to help you decide whether to keep your booking or possibly pick a different hotel.

Major Renovation Completed: The resort announced a $32 million renovation that covered *all 650 rooms*, suites, corridors, event/meeting spaces, and more.
- Guest rooms were redesigned with a coastal, nature-inspired color palette, custom mural accent walls, updated furnishings, etc.
- Meeting and ballroom spaces were refreshed (new lighting, furniture, artwork), including the Grand Ballroom and Caribbean Ballroom.
- The beachfront restaurant (Sea Level / Ocean Bar) was redone with a new color scheme, design elements, and an expanded menu.
- Recreational amenities were enhanced: they added six pickleball courts, and refreshed the pool, outdoor areas, cabanas, etc.
Contractor Timeline & Exterior Work: According to the contractor (Continental Contractors), the renovation of rooms & event spaces was finished around March 2025.
- However — there are ongoing *façade/exterior improvements*. A local city document noted that while guest-room renovation is “now complete,” “still doing work on the outside of the building.”
Guest Reports on Noise:
- Reddit users have reported hearing drilling / hammering during weekdays, roughly 9 am–5 pm.
- One guest said: during their October stay, there was a “drilling day” right outside their window, though the rest of the week the work seemed to move around.

Bottom line – risk assessment:

Because the bulk of the renovation was completed by March 2025, the most disruptive construction *inside* the resort (rooms, common areas) is likely over.
That said, exterior façade work may still be visible (and potentially audible, depending on location) during daytime hours.
If you’re sensitive to noise (especially drilling or hammering) and want to be sure your rest won’t be disturbed, there *is a non-zero chance* of hearing construction sounds in May.
If you don’t mind some daytime construction sounds, or if you plan to be out most mornings (on the beach, exploring, etc.), the risk is more manageable.

What you can do to minimize potential disruption:

Call the hotel directly before your stay and ask about construction status for *your specific dates*. They may be able to give a more precise update on whether exterior work is ongoing in May.
At check-in, request a room as far as possible from the parts of the building where exterior work is happening (if the front desk is aware of where the work continues).
Bring earplugs or white-noise options if you're concerned about daytime noise.
Ask whether the hotel offers any compensation (rate discount, resort credit, etc.) in light of the renovation — especially since they themselves disclosed the work in their booking notes.

Alternative Options:

If you decide not to stay at the Harbor Beach, you could consider other high-quality beachfront hotels in Fort Lauderdale that aren’t currently under renovation. (It’s worth checking recent reviews.)
Alternatively, depending on your flexibility, consider shifting your travel dates slightly if the hotel confirms construction will be significantly less intrusive later in the year.

Conclusion: Yes, the Marriott Harbor Beach did undergo a large renovation, but most of the interior work seems to be completed as of early 2025. The remaining exterior work could still cause daytime noise. Whether it's a deal-breaker depends on how noise-sensitive you are and how much you plan to spend time in your room during the day. If it's a concern, do the hotel-call + room-request route, or consider an alternative.