Frommer's Review
Big changes are in store for what was once the quintessential Miami Beach hotel. Also designed by the late and legendary Morris Lapidus, who oversaw an expansion in 2000, this grand monolith symbolizes old Miami decadence, especially with the debut of the hotel's all suite tower, which they appropriately bill as "a taller, thinner, sexier version of our old self." Since its opening in 1954, the Fontainebleau has hosted presidents, pageants, and movie productions, including the James Bond thriller Goldfinger. This is where all the greats, including Sinatra and his pals, performed in their prime, and to pay homage to the Rat Pack, the hotel has redone its lobby bar to reflect the era of swagger, attitude, raffish cool, and panache, featuring large, bordering on tacky, but still swell silhouettes of Frank, Sammy, Dino, Joey, and Peter, and the live music of The Pack, a really good Rat Pack cover band. Drinks are named after all the greats, but the best one is Dino's Martini -- a classic, unfettered stiff one. Club Tropigala is reminiscent of Ricky Ricardo's Tropicana and features a Las Vegas-style floor show with dozens of performers and two orchestras. The old rooms, which were luxurious and decorated in various styles from 1950s to ultramodern are receiving a face lift and will be just like every other luxury hotel room -- flatscreen TVs, plush bedding and, well, you get the idea. Adding to the Fontainebleau's opulence is the 7,000-square-foot Cookie's World water park; the water slide and river-raft ride bring a bit of Disney to Deco-land, which, along with supervised children's activities, is catered toward (though not reserved for) the little ones. At press time, the hotel's owner, Jeffrey Soffer, was planning a major reworking of the resort beginning in March 2006. He plans to bring celebrity chefs, big name musical headliners, and other Vegas-style entertainment options. Rates will increase, too -- up to 70%. He also plans to gut the hotel's main building and strip the walls, and to get rid of Cookie's World and turn it into a 40,000 square foot spa. Ultimately, Soffer wants the hotel to return to its glory days, albeit in 21st-century style. We think it's a great idea as long as the hotel doesn't turn into a clone of all the other resorts out there today.
Facilities: 4 restaurants; 3 cocktail lounges; 2 large outdoor pools; 7 lit tennis courts (under construction during 2006 renovations); state-of-the-art health club; 3 whirlpool baths; watersports equipment/rentals; children's programs; game rooms; concierge; tour desk; car-rental desk; business center; shopping arcade; salon; room service; in-room massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning.
Dining & Entertainment:
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
