A storied 1950s era Miami Beach resort with Frank Sinatra and James Bond lore, the Fontainebleau leans into retro charm. From the lobby’s monumental chandeliers and original bowtie marble floors to the best nightlife in town, a grand poolscape and multiple restaurants, a stay here transports travelers to a more glamorous time.
Location 8/10
Situated about a mile north of South Beach, the Fontainebleau spans 20-acres of Mid Beach oceanfront splendor as a destination unto itself. A 15- or 20-minute drive will get you to the nearby neighborhoods of the Design District, Midtown Miami, Wynwood and Little River.
Design 9/10
With its curvilinear façade, there’s no resort in Miami Beach that cuts a more iconic silhouette. Designed by renowned MiMo architect Morris Lapidus, the Fontainebleau oozes glamour from the moment you set foot on the lobby’s original bowtie marble floors and gaze up at three massive cascading chandeliers, a new addition by contemporary artist Ai Weiwei. The lobby is anchored by the sunken Bleau Bar, a buzzing gathering place by day and night. You can almost see Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack strolling by as he once did in the property’s heyday.
Amenities & Hospitality 8/10
The Fontainebleau is a well-oiled machine with a professional and hospitable staff. However, the sheer size of the hotel (there are more than 1,500 rooms) and, therefore, mass of guests, can sometimes result in a feeling of being overcrowded. It’s not unusual to have to wait in line for check-in, at the spa or for lounge chairs at the beach and wonder where your drink is after ordering it poolside.
“We wanted 24-hour room service. We wanted direct-dial telephones. We wanted to stay on the road forever.”
Joan Didion, ‘The Whilte Album,’ 1979
Nevertheless, the facilities are truly impressive with a massive poolscape featuring an enormous freeform pool and 10 other smaller pools lined with luxurious cabanas and standard lounge chairs.
Lapis Spa—while amenity-laden with cutting edge treatments and talented practitioners—can especially feel like a cattle call and its pool and locker room facilities are a little worse for wear.
The resort is also home to LIV, one of the hottest nightclubs in Miami for over a decade, hosting big name talent every week, from David Guetta to Lil Wayne. Staying at the hotel by no means guarantees entrance, but you can secure your spot with tickets or bottle service.
Rooms 8/10
Guest rooms are spacious and contemporary with mid-century modern touches in shades of blue reflecting the ocean with pops of coral pink. Beds are outrageously comfortable, like sinking into a cloud. The oversized marble bathrooms feature impressive rainfall showers and I’m especially fond of their invigorating proprietary bath products.
With a wide range of room types, your experience will vary greatly depending on which of the four towers you book, with some better-suited for conference-goers (Versailles), families (Sorrento or Tresor) or party people (Chateau). Still, an ocean-facing room in the original curvilinear Chateau building is hard to beat for that feeling that you’re on set in James Bond’s Golden Eye.
Food & Beverage 8/10
With nine dining venues, including three signature restaurants, the Fontainebleau is a foodie funhouse. It’s anchored by London transplant Hakkasan for haute Chinese, Prime 54 steakhouse, and Mirabella, an Italian restaurant by chef Michael White. With classic raw bar, antipasti, pasta and secondi options, Mirabella shines with creative dishes, like the blue crab and shrimp gnocchetti with Calabrian chili, as well as especially satisfying meatballs to share.
Breakfast is served daily at Vida with both buffet and a la carte options, like eggs benedict and buttermilk pancakes. There are also grab-and-go options at multiple venues. Poolside La Côte, overlooking the ocean, is especially fun at lunchtime with its Saint Tropez party vibes.
For pre-dinner cocktails or a nightcap, don’t skip a visit to Bleau Bar for a sense of occasion amidst the hubbub. And, of course, if nightclubs are your thing, a trip to Miami is not complete without hitting LIV.
Value 8/10
Rates from about $345 year round. Book
The Bottom Line
The Fontainebleau is pure fantasy and will always hold a special place in my heart.
Contact
4441 Collins Avenue; 800-548-8886; fontainebleau.com/miamibeach
