Hey Bic, I live in the Ft. Laud area. The Canucks, and other "snowbirds" pretty much start in Nov. and stay around until Easter. Or St. Patricks Day.
Delray Beach is straight up I-95 about 35-40 minutes. Boca area is also very close. Just north of Pompano Beach. Kinda the 1/2 way point between Palm Beach and Lauderdale. There is a multitude of hotels in the immediate area. Boca Raton, and Delray Beach proper, may be more expensive than Pompano or Deerfield Beach which are within 5 miles of Delray.The closer you get to Palm Beach, the higher the rates.
If you are renting a car, Deerfield Beach is worth looking around for hotel deals.
The weather is great in late Feb. usually the time of year I get yelled at by our "Northern Frontier" members.

If you have any other questions let me know, I can do a little recon for you.
Take care.
tw