Fontainebleau Miami Beach

Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Located in Miami Beach, Florida, this iconic resort has been a prominent destination for Hollywood stars, Las Vegas performers, and Wall Street executives since its opening in 1954, with guests including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis. The hotel has been featured in numerous films and television shows, such as Goldfinger, The Birdcage, and Miami Vice, and has hosted events like the Miss Universe pageant and concerts by Elvis Presley and Tony Bennett. With its rich history and stunning architecture, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach has become a legendary landmark, attracting visitors from around the world, including Paris, New York City, and Los Angeles.

● History

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach was developed by Ben Novack and designed by Morris Lapidus, a renowned architect known for his work on Lincoln Road Mall and the Eden Roc Miami Beach. The hotel's construction was financed by Teamsters union president Jimmy Hoffa and Meyer Lansky, a notorious organized crime figure, and was built on the site of the former Firestone Tire and Rubber Company property. The hotel quickly became a popular destination for Rat Pack members, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., who performed at the hotel's La Ronde nightclub, and was also a favorite among Hollywood stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, and Clark Gable. The hotel's history is also closely tied to the Cuban Revolution, with Fidel Castro and Che Guevara often meeting at the hotel, and was also a popular spot for John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon during their presidential campaigns.

● Architecture and Design

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach was designed in the Miami Modern style, characterized by its use of stucco, glass, and steel, and features a distinctive curvilinear design, with a porte-cochère and a lobby adorned with marble and crystal chandeliers. The hotel's design was influenced by the work of Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe, and features a unique blend of Art Deco and Bauhaus styles, with fountains, pools, and gardens designed by landscape architect Robert Trent Jones. The hotel's architecture has been praised by Frank Lloyd Wright, Philip Johnson, and I.M. Pei, and has been featured in numerous architectural publications, including Architectural Digest and Metropolis.

● Amenities and Services

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach offers a wide range of amenities and services, including a private beach, pool, and spa, as well as a fitness center, tennis courts, and golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones. The hotel also features several restaurants, including Scarpetta, Hakkasan, and StripSteak, and a nightclub called LIV, which has hosted performances by DJ Tiësto, Calvin Harris, and David Guetta. Guests can also enjoy the hotel's shopping center, which features stores like Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, and a business center with meeting rooms and conference facilities, equipped with state-of-the-art technology from Microsoft and Cisco Systems.

● Entertainment and Nightlife

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach has a long history of entertainment and nightlife, with performances by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis at the hotel's La Ronde nightclub, and has also hosted concerts by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. The hotel's LIV nightclub is a popular destination for electronic dance music fans, with performances by DJ Tiësto, Calvin Harris, and David Guetta, and has been featured in numerous music videos, including those by Kanye West and Lady Gaga. The hotel has also hosted events like the Miss Universe pageant and the Latin Grammy Awards, and has been a popular spot for celebrity sightings, with guests like Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Shakira.

● Renovations and Expansions

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including a $1 billion renovation in 2008, which added new rooms, suites, and amenities, including a spa and fitness center, designed by Rockwell Group and Hirsch Bedner Associates. The hotel has also expanded its meeting and event space, with the addition of new ballrooms and conference facilities, equipped with state-of-the-art technology from Microsoft and Cisco Systems. The hotel's renovations have been recognized with numerous awards, including the AAA Five Diamond Award and the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award, and have been featured in publications like Architectural Digest and Metropolis.

● Notable Events and Guests

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach has hosted numerous notable events and guests over the years, including the Miss Universe pageant, the Latin Grammy Awards, and concerts by Elvis Presley and The Rolling Stones. The hotel has also been a popular spot for celebrity sightings, with guests like Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Shakira, and has been featured in numerous films and television shows, including Goldfinger, The Birdcage, and Miami Vice. The hotel has also hosted events like the Super Bowl and the NBA All-Star Game, and has been a popular destination for world leaders, including Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and Nelson Mandela, who have met at the hotel to discuss international relations and global politics.