If you thought Fort Lauderdale was a boozy beach resort for American students, it’s time to take a fresh look.

Dave Coombs

The seaside city in Southern Florida has had a complete makeover since its notorious Fort Liquordale heyday.

It has transformed itself into a glittering beach destination that is stylish, relaxed and yet amazingly affordable.

Fort Lauderdale’s airport is less than 10 minutes drive from the beach and hotels. So you can be lying on a sun lounger within an hour of touching down.

When it comes to accommodation, why not take the opportunity to indulge in a luxurious, yet great value, treat?

Of course you can find bargain basement motels around town if enjoying the beach and bars for minimum cost is your thing.

But the price of a stylish four-star room in a ritzy establishment costs from a mere £50 per night, so you can lead the high life without the sky-high price tag.

Alongside the spotless sandy beach you’ll find the upscale St Regis Resort, the luxurious Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and, from October, a brand new addition to the trendy W Hotel chain.

All of them offer a feast of pampering amenities and are a short stroll along the seafront from the bars and great-value restaurants.

If you’re really looking to get away from it, head a few blocks back from the beach to the –tranquil Intracoastal Waterway.

There you’ll discover the newly renovated Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club. And when Americans say renovated, they actually mean ripped apart and completely redesigned in an over-the-top luxury style.

This swanky retreat now features a chic pool deck complete with roaming Poolside Ambassadors, who dish out refreshing Eucalyptus towels and spritz you with cooling Evian, completely free of charge.

After a day spent lazing by the pool, it’s oh so easy to book a table at the nearby China Grill restaurant (chinagrillmgt.com) and simply carry on enjoying what the hotel has to offer.

And even if you don’t stay at the Grande, do set an evening aside during your stay in Fort Lauderdale to sample the culinary delights of this Asian-inspired waterfront restaurant.

Wasabi mashed potato, lobster pancakes and Peking duck salad are all dramatically presented and are just a tiny taste of the flavour adventure in store here.

With the credit crunch taking hold in the UK, any trip to the US is a great opportunity to hit the shops and take advantage of the amazing prices – in some cases up to half what you’d pay back in Britain.

If you can drag yourself away from the beach or the hotel pool for a few hours, head to Las Olas Boulevard in the heart of the city for a promenade along this leafy, historic street.

Las Olas has always been Fort Lauderdale’s most charming street, from its fashion boutiques and art galleries, to its world-class restaurants and pavement cafés.

Plus it’s just a short taxi ride or drive to The Galleria –(galleriamall-fl.com), a charming mall with shops such as Macy’s, Apple, L’Occitane, Victoria’s Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch and Banana Republic.

When you’re all shopped out, take a fun airboat ride at the nearby Sawgrass Recreation Park (evergladestours.com).

Experienced guides whisk you around the Everglades on high-speed airboats and do their best to give you a close-encounter photo opportunity with the local alligator population.

Fort Lauderdale really is a little slice of sunshine paradise that’s enjoying a new lease of life, and certainly worth discovering for yourself.

Rooms at the Fort Lauderdale Grande cost from £55 per night on a room-only basis during the summer months. To book visit www.fortlauderdalegrande.com

For more information on Greater Fort Lauderdale visit www.sunny.org

Zoom flies twice weekly from Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale (Thursday & Sunday) with fares starting from £299 return including taxes.

Premium class is available from an additional £79 each way. To book visit www.flyzoom.com

Business lounge passes at Gatwick cost £18.50. (gatwickairport.com)

Swim among tropical fish and explore the nearby coral reefs on a glass-bottom boat tour (seaxp.com).

Sample locally-caught seafood and fresh Mediterranean-American cuisine at the beachside Casablanca Café (casablancacafeonline.com).

Visit a CVS Drugstore and marvel at the low prices and beauty products we don’t get in the UK.

Take a water taxi tour of the Intracoastal Waterway to see the incredible Millionaire Row (watertaxi.com).

Dine at classy Johnny V on Los Olas Boulevard (johnnyvlasolas.com) followed by cocktails at Blue Martini (bluemartinilounge.com).