No visit to Miami Beach is complete without at least a side trip to this monument to excess. Since its construction in 1954, the Fontainebleau has been the crown jewel of Millionaire's Row on Miami Beach. Nothing about this hotel is small scale -- from chandeliers the size of minivans to the three buildings housing over 1,200 rooms and 60 suites, the only thing missing from this hotel is moderation.
The Fontainebleau Hilton is perfect for the tourist that likes all his entertainment needs met in one place. Looking for a swim to get out of the hot Miami sun? A highlight of the twenty acre property is the stunning pool, with its very own waterfall and grotto, plus three whirlpools. The variety of restaurants on the premises allows one to choose between steak, tapas, sushi, and more to satiate that raging appetite built up from all that swimming. Max out the cheating snake of an ex-husband's credit card in the shopping gallery, home to a breathtaking variety of shops. After all that daytime activity, take in a night of old fashioned glitz and glamour (sprinkled with substantial surrealism and incredible kitsch) at Club Tropigala's floor show and cabaret, housing their own original floor show and numerous national and international stars including Willy Chirino, Albita and Tito Puente. There's nothing else like it in this crazy town - a little Havana, a little Vegas. You'll even find plenty of typical vacation activities on the seven lighted tennis courts and in the spa. You may never need to leave the premises...especially if you know how to make your own fun.
With a history as colorful as any hotel in the world, the Fontainebleau has been home to movie stars and gangsters; it has been visited by every American president since Eisenhower. Films shot on location include Goldfinger, Scarface, and The Bodyguard. One movie missing from this list is Married to the Mob -- the tale goes that the hotel didn't want to be associated with depictions of the Sicilian brotherhood, so film makers used the Eden Roc down the street instead. Ironic considering that Frank Sinatra and his reputed mafia buddies had the run of the joint for many years.
The hotel is currently undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation to update guest rooms and corridors, develop a new dining room, and add a kiddie room and recreation center. They'll also be tearing down the famous trompe l'oeil mural of the hotel on the south side of the building (you know -- the one you thought you could drive through) as part of the renovations, so hurry and get a look at it before it's gone.
--Jennifer Osorio |
