Fontainebleu Miami Beach
4441 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, Florida 33140 USA
A stylish spot for all the hip cats in Miami Beach, the Fontainebleu is everything you want your Vegas-hotel-away-from-Vegas to be. In fact, it’s hard to find a spot at this luxuriant beachside resort that isn’t happening, except maybe the spa, which is designed to be nice and quiet. Honestly, I made friends in the bathroom, that’s how “social” this place is.
From the poolside cabanas (with mini fridges!) to the Liv nightclub (recently voted by Reuters as one of the Top 10 nightclubs in the WORLD), there is something going on in nearly every nook and cranny of this modernized bastion of old world glamour.
What I loved: The attention to detail (they even stamp the ashtrays every five minutes!), the blown-glass light fixtures, the long luxuriant hallways where you can practice walking in the mile-high heels you’ll need to even stroll through the lobby, the poolside restaurant, and the breathtaking views. I also thought the focus in the lobby on the huge circular bar rather than the check-in, made the entire lobby feel like a party you’d just arrived to rather than a waiting area, which I liked. Social glamour wins over utilitarian service every time in my book.
What I hated: The money spent on the rest of the hotel must have been saved in the bathroom design stage. Going from a sexy, opulent room to a minimalist bathroom with no counter space and no division between shower and the rest of the bathroom, is a little disconcerting. And after a few days, making sure you look at least as good as a Kardashian before crossing the lobby gets a little tiresome.
What I have no clue about: I didn’t eat at any of the restaurants while I was at the Fontainebleu, preferring to sample local fare while there. However, I did nibble on room service and a breakfast buffet. For the record the chorizo was unreal, but like this guy, I was less than impressed with the late-night pizza. But it sounds like the desserts are delicious!
Who should go: Want to live like a Miami socialite for a few days? This is the hotel to do it. Get to know the bouncers, nibble at fresh fruit by the pool, hit the spa and make sure you bring your dancing shoes and hit LIV (you can’t book ahead, so make sure you look sharp!) This is not the place to relax and get away but it IS the place to eat, drink and be merry. You should also take the time to learn a bit about the history of this jewel of the “American Riviera”.
Save your pennies because a stay at the Fontainebleu isn’t cheap. Fortunately, you only have to stay a few days to be completely saturated with fun, sun, nightlife and glamour and if you book at the right time, you might just find special rights! Facebook Twitter
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 6:41AM 
