Cook’s Motel

Cook’s Motel is a small, family-owned motel at 9300 Front Beach Road, on the inland stretch of the road near the Thomas Drive intersection. With about 30 rooms, it is an old-style independent motel on a stretch where most neighbors now fly national brands. ZooWorld is about a five minute walk, Coconut Creek Family Fun Park and Ripley’s Believe It or Not are a little farther, and the Gulf beaches are roughly a mile south.

Room types are simple: queen rooms and double rooms with two beds, sized for couples up to families of four or five. Some rooms have kitchenettes or full kitchens, which helps on a longer stay, and several rooms have been renovated. All rooms have air conditioning and LED TVs with cable, and Wi-Fi is free and fast.

The motel has an outdoor pool, and parking is free and uncovered right outside the rooms, so unloading coolers and beach chairs is easy. The front desk is staffed around the clock and housekeeping is daily. Pets are not allowed. Check-in is at 3 pm and checkout is at 10:30 am, a little earlier than at the chain hotels nearby.

The location puts guests in the heart of the family attractions on Front Beach Road and Thomas Drive, from the zoo and go-kart tracks to mini golf and the Thomas Drive restaurants and bars. Pier Park is about 15 minutes west by car, and St. Andrews State Park is a short drive east. Guest reviews regularly single out the staff for friendly, helpful service, and they describe the rooms as clean and good value, while noting that the building shows its age.

Cook’s Motel suits budget travelers, families and fishing groups who want a plain, clean room with a pool and do not need a brand name or a Gulf view. Families with young children will appreciate being able to walk to the zoo.