The last time I was in Miami, I was doing street reporting for Glamour and we stayed at a luxury hotel with a per diem and were encouraged to hit the bars every night to recruit men and women to feature in street reporting features. This past visit was even better than that.
I was in Miami to attend the massive iHeartRadio pool party with VISITFLORIDA, and conveniently enough, they put all of us up at the Fontainebleau, which not only was the host for the party but also one of the most historic properties in town. Win and win!
With the number or resorts and bungalows, hotels and villas that dot the Florida coast, it sure is nice to be able to drink and have fun and then walk back to your room without needing to call a cab. (Safety first!)
The hotel first opened in 1954 and is one of the most stylish properties in town, having won a number of architecture awards over the past 60 years.
I couldn’t get enough of the lobby, which featured a handful of ornate chandeliers and bow tie-designed tiles.
The rooms are beautiful in color—mimicking the pulsing ocean just outside the curtained windows—and layout. Plus, I can’t say I’ve ever stayed anywhere where each room has an en-suite iMac!
Not to mention, there’s the pop culture ties to the hotel. Goldfinger, Scarface, The Bodyguard, and many other movies and TV shows filmed scenes using the Fontainebleau’s interiors and exteriors.
AND aside from the amazing pool scene, it offers direct access to the ocean.
We didn’t even leave the property once from lunch on Saturday until we headed to the airport on Sunday night. We had cocktails at Bleau Bar, dinner at Gotham Steak and then lunch at La Cote, and spent the after hours at one of the on-site clubs, Liv.
In a complete stroke of luck, Michel—one of my only European friends I didn’t get to see on my recent tour of the continent—emailed SVV by chance four days before our trip, saying he was living in Miami and looking to relocate to San Francisco. So we coaxed him and his girlfriend over to the Fontainebleau to spend all day Sunday on the beach with us. (As such, two weeks later, SVV is still peeling like an onion.)
I think we’ve been sufficiently spoiled, and I’m completely OK with that. Though I fear I’ll never be able to return to Miami and not stay at the Fontainebleau now that I know what Florida heaven is truly like!
Sounds like you had a blast. Love that room. (And the mojito!)
Mojitos are the key to life’s happiness, didn’t you know? 😉
What a great hotel…I couldn’t ask for more!
I love that shot of SVV overlooking the ocean! Was that your balcony? I kept meaning to venture up to a higher floor to try to find a view like that but um…. the ocean was very distracting! Love the shot of us in the water!
Yes, this was our balcony view! Despite it being quite a trek from the lobby, it was a really nice tower to be in.
I also love that pic of you guys in the water!! I could use some Miami Beach right now…
Maybe we should plan girls’ weekend part II in Miami…
Ooo very nice. I love the way the hallways are painted, it gives a very cool look to the place as you are searching for your room.
We need more weekends like this!!! I’m jonesing to get back to the Fontainebleau and Miami. Such a great time!
Nashville next, then Orlando in 2014 for WWoHP?!? 😉
What a gorgeous hotel! We were actually going to stay there, but it seemed a little too far away from the action for us. Gosh, Miami is the best!!!
And I’m opposite in that I would prefer to be away from the action! I don’t like the chaos of the South Beach area (though the Pool Party made for a pretty crazy scene nonetheless). That said, I think it’s fun to try out different areas (and last time I stayed at the Raleigh and LOVED it).
This place is GORGEOUS.
Now… if I can only convince them to host me for Ultra… *cough*
this makes me miss florida….le sigh
I’m not really a big fan of Florida, but this does look fun!
It’s always nice when historical properties keep up in terms of style and comfort. Looks like the Fontainbleau has managed to do that perfectly – I love all the chandeliers!
gorgeous hotel!! Would SO love to stay there if I ever end up in Miami. When Iived in Vegas, they were set to open up one here, sadly it never happened.
LOL i salivated when i saw the mojito. God bless Miami
hot weather entails the mint leaves drink!
that FL water looks amazing. glad you had a blast!
Wow, what a beautiful hotel and iMacs in every room?! Impressive. I’ve been through Miami several times on the way to other places or for a quick overnight stay prior to a cruise, but surprisingly have never stayed there as a destination. Will have to check that place out.
Awesome Hotel.Right from the rooms to lobby & lounge. Everything world class. Amazing view of the ocean from the room & the i-Mac in every room is just wow. Will definitely check this hotel on my visit to Miami.