With the recession still upon us, sometimes an event can change everything. Empty hotels are suddenly showing no occupancy; suddenly getting a seat at the bar in your favorite restaurant is in doubt. The game is almost here, and the place is suddenly hopping.

Although the Super Bowl is officially in Miami, those of us in the know understand that Fort Lauderdale is closer and more convenient to Sun Life Stadium where the game will be played. With plenty of upscale hotel space and restaurants, less traffic and a true resort feel, Fort Lauderdale is the perfect place to spend the week before the big game.

The NFL has booked the entire Westin Beach Resort , the newly renovated 433-room hotel which was formerly the Sheridan Yankee Trader. The Westin Beach Resort will serve as the NFLs temporary offices. The Broward County convention center will serve as the Super Bowl media center for roughly 4,000 media personel. The Harbor Beach Marriot is the temporary home of the Indianapolis Colts and their families. In anticipation of the game, Fort Lauderdale has added 3,200 rooms in the past few years. The W hotel: booked. Riverside Hotel: booked. There are rooms available at the Hilton starting at $499/night. Rooms are available at the Ritz Carleton starting at $2,495/night. You can expect those to be gone shortly.

Events
Thursday Feb 4, 2010

Event: EA Sports Madden Bowl
Entertainment: The annual Madden Bowl Party where celebrities and
Venue: The Clevelander Hotel
Time: 9pm – 4am
Cost (per person): Invite Only

Event: Eden Roc Super Bowl Party
Host: Jimmie Johnson and Nick Lachey
Entertainment: Live performances by Snoop Dogg and Paul Oakenfold (Penthouse Event)
Venue: The Eden Roc Renaissance
Time: 9pm – 2am
Cost (per person):
General Admission: $450 (Main Event Only)
VIP: $750 (Main Event Access, VIP Areas, Penthouse Event)

Friday Feb 5, 2010

Event: Leather and Laces Super Bowl Party
Host: Kim Kardashian, Roselyn Sanchez and Holly Madison
Entertainment: Various renowned DJs; Visual entertainment and excitement provided by the performers of Cirque USA; Sports Memorabilia Silent Auction. Includes Open Premium Bar! VIP includes Sushi and H’orderves.
Venue: The Paris Studio Theatre
Time: 9pm – Late
Cost (per person):
General Admission: $350
VIP: $750
4 Top Table: $4,500
6 Top Table: $6,000
8 Top Table: $8,500
Cabana for 12: $12,500

Event: VIVID – Tootsies Cabaret Super Bowl Party
Host: The Ladies from Vivid Entertainment: Savanna Samson, AJ Bailey, Sunny Leone and Monique Alexander.
Entertainment: Visual entertainment and excitement provided by the 250+ entertainers from Tootsie’s Cabaret; All guests will receive a SWAG bag with VIVID special gifts.
Venue: Tootsie’s Cabaret
Time: 10pm – Late
General Admission: $450

Event: ESPN Super Bowl Party
Entertainment: Ne-Yo and Keri Hilson will headline and entertain at this year’s exclusive ESPN Super Bowl Bash!
Venue: The Fontainebleau Hotel
Time: 10pm – Late
Cost (per person): $1,000

Saturday Feb 6, 2010

Event: Taste of the NFL
Host: The premier food and wine tasting extravaganza featuring a top chef from each of the 32 NFL cities, paired with an alumni or current player from each team. Attendees are able to sample specialty foods, meet the chefs and get photos and autographs from host players and special celebrity guests.
Entertainment: Live Entertainment provided by the Grammy-Nominated Canadian alternative rock band Barenaked Ladies; An incredible Silent Auction featuring hundreds of sports and entertainment items.
Venue: Fort Lauderdale Convention Center
Time: 7pm – Late
General Admission: $ 755
VIP Admission: $ 950

Event: Playboy Super Bowl Party
Host: Playboy
Entertainment: Live performances as well as Entertainment brought to you by lots of lovely Playmates!
Venue: The Sagamore Hotel (Poolside)
Time: 9pm – 4am
Cost (per person): $2,250

Sunday Feb 7, 2010

Event: Super Sunday Brunch
Host: Coach Jimmy Johnson and Joe Rose
Description: Join local sports radio talk show host and Miami Dolphins radio analyst Joe Rose as he emcees a pre-game chalk talk with former Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys and University of Miami Hurricanes head football coach Jimmy Johnson. Includes brunch, beverages and a silent auction of sports memorabilia.
Entertainment: Visual entertainment and fun provided by the Dolphin Cheerleaders!
Venue: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ballroom
Time: 11am – 1pm
Cost (per person): $250