Fontainebleau

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach was originally built in the 1950s. In 2008, the hotel underwent a billion-dollar renovation and emerged with a classic-contemporary look and fabulous collection of art. Contemporary art prints can be found throughout, though the most prized art possessions are the layer cake chandeliers in the lobby made by Chinese activist and artist Ai Wei Wei. This bright, open space has classic features, like a white marbled floor with black bowties and gold-painted columns, that blend with modern decor elements like colored LED floor lights and stylish furniture.

It's no surprise that Miami Beach's largest hotel has a buzzing environment, whether it's guests grabbing a drink, shopping, dining, or relaxing at the beach and several pools. Weekend pool parties at the adults-only Arkadia Day Club and the popular LIV nightclub draw young crowd of couples and families, though transient business travelers are also common. For a glimpse at some of the hotel's more famous times, guests can walk along the corridor by the departure area, which has framed black-and-white photos of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. Or, they can book the La Ciel Suite, which they might recognize from the Whitney Houston movie, "The Bodyguard."

Oceanfront Fontainebleau Miami Beach is located in the northern Mid-Beach area, which offers a quieter, more upscale setting than party-centric South Beach. Although, it still provides beautiful beaches, great dining, and easy access to Miami Beach’s hotspots. Restaurants nearby include Nobu, Cecconi’s, and Matador Room at Miami Beach Edition. South Beach is just a 10-minute drive straight down Collins Avenue, while the historic Art Deco district on Ocean Drive, Downtown Miami, the Wynwood Arts District are all around a 15-minute drive away, depending on traffic. Miami International Airport is also 15 minutes away by car. Pricey valet parking is available on-site, or there’s a public parking lot a five-minute walk north of the hotel.

Fontainebleau’s 1,504 rooms and suites are simple but sleek, and spread across four towers. Neutral and gray color palettes paired with contemporary art prints keep rooms feeling sophisticated and stylish, while marble bathrooms add a touch of luxury. Thick, plush robes, comfy hotel mattresses, bath products in a custom Histoires de Parfums scent, and rainfall showerheads come standard, as do iHome docking systems and flat-screen TVs. Guests will need a credit card on file to access the room’s stocked, sensor-activated minibar, meaning no outside beverage storage is available. Additionally, rooms lack kettles and coffeemakers.

Entry-level Deluxe Bay View rooms start off with either a king- or two queen-size beds and views over downtown Miami or the Biscayne Bay, while the similarly laid out Ocean View rooms face the Atlantic. Both room types have balcony upgrades. Junior Suites add sitting areas with sleeper sofas. Over in the Tresor tower, Junior Suites come with microwaves, wet bars, and mini-fridges as a part of the small kitchenettes. One-bedroom Oceanfront Suites have corner locations, plus gorgeous ocean views (though some may overlook the industrial rooftops of the hotel’s lower floors).

This hotel is located on a beautiful stretch of Miami Beach's Mid-Beach. Guests have semi-direct access to the beach via the hotel's pool area, though there is a wooden boardwalk that runs between the property and the beach. Guests can expect soft sand, free beach loungers and towels, and full service. Cabanas, umbrellas, and padded daybeds are available for additional fees.

Across the entire property, the Fontainebleau has a whopping 11 pools, including small dipping pools for kids and a large main pool area. The Glow Bar keeps drinks flowing and techno music sets the mood at the abstract bowtie-shaped main pool, while kids are drawn to the waterslide and mushroom fountain at the Family Pool. The adults-only Arkadia Day Club has pool parties on weekends and features DJs, champagne showers, free (though not guaranteed) entry, and a small bar and pool of its own. For an upgraded poolside experience at any of the pools, there are several styles of daybeds and cabanas available for an extra fee. Pools at the Sorrento and Tresor towers offer a quieter and more secluded vibe.

Restaurants here offer a range of environments and cuisines, including pool and beach menus from the health-conscious cafe, and three restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs. Michael Mina is behind the hotel’s StripSteak steakhouse (which also has a great wine and cigar menu) and the more laid-back Pizza and Burgers, while Scott Conant’s Scarpetta has a delicious Italian menu with pastas made in-house. A modern take on Chinese cuisine is available at Chef Loo’s Hakkasan. The poolside La Cote has beautiful ocean views, and the main restaurant, Vida, is an American Brasserie open for all three meals. There are also a coffee shop with homemade pastries and gelato, a sushi spot, and 24-hour room service.

The hotel’s well-liked Bleau Bar is in the lobby. During the day, this space is pretty unassuming, but at night the floors light up blue and the lobby columns turn pink, giving the bar more of a lounge feel. Hakkasan, Scarpetta, and Stripsteak also have bars where guests can try crafted cocktails.

What Other Features are Available at Fontainebleau Miami Beach?

An array of facilities includes a trendy nightclub, impressive spa, and meeting space.

One of the hotel’s most famous features is LIV nightclub, a trendy spot that draws celebrities, well-known DJs, and those looking to be seen. An upscale dress code is enforced and VIP table service is available. Unfortunately, being a guest does not guarantee entry or waive the entrance fee. The hotel also uses the club space as a performance venue for its Bleaulive concert series, which has a history of hosting famous musicians such as Elvis and the Backstreet Boys.

With over 40,000 square feet of water journeys, treatment rooms, a hammam, and comprehensive boutique, it’s easy to see why Lapis Spa is popular with travelers. Guests who book any of the spa’s numerous treatments can utilize the mineral pools, jetted showers, rainfall massage rooms, eucalyptus steam baths, and heated marble chaise loungers -- to name a few of the amenities. Additionally, at over 6,000 square feet, the gym is big, and it provides daily fitness classes, state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, free weights and weight machines, and recumbent bikes.

Valet parking, rollaway beds, and mini-fridges will all incur an extra fee per day. Non-aggressive pets under 50 pounds are welcome with a non-refundable flat fee, and the hotel even has an Astroturf dog park on-site. Enterprise and luxury car rental desks, and several boutiques selling everything from luxury brands to toothpaste are also on-site.

The resort fee runs about average and includes beach chairs and towels, access to one fitness class per day, property-wide Wi-Fi, and use of the hotel’s Refresh Lounge. This area has showers and changing rooms for guests who arrive early or depart late.