Luxury apt with Bay View at Miami Beach

During my real estate conference stay at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, I loved how convenient everything was. The hotel had what I needed inside, and other options were only steps away, so moving between sessions and time with friends or networking never felt rushed. There were plenty of good food choices, fun bars, and inviting places to hang out around the property. It had a lively but still upscale atmosphere, and the whole trip felt seamless and stress-free. A fantastic place to stay for a conference or event.

Fontainebleau was perfectly placed for seeing what Miami Beach has to offer. The pools were great and fairly clean, with a couple heated for early morning dips. The main pool has two bars, a welcome break from the sun, and there were plenty of parasols. The beach is directly across the road, about a two-minute walk away. The room was only okay. My girlfriend and I had a deluxe room in the tresor tower. The slow elevators were our biggest frustration. Our fridge was warm, and the faucets were corroded. Apparently many rooms lack basic things like coffee makers or stoves unless you book a deluxe suite. I didn't expect that from a resort known for its film history and connections to VIP musicians. Our suite was just below the penthouse, and surprisingly quiet. Room service was okay, though I've had much better attention to detail at a Hilton. Restaurants were very pricey, so be prepared. I'd recommend it for the location and beach access, though you may find better options given the issues above.

Sunrise was spectacular, and the boardwalk stretches for miles, making for a lovely walk. The hotel's prime beach location is excellent, the grounds are immaculate, and the staff were attentive and accommodating. The price felt appropriate for what was provided. My room had a comfortable bed, very soft pillows, a mini-bar refrigerator, and a working refrigerator, plus a two-burner stove, plates, silverware, and cups. The bathroom was clean and maintained, with the predictable, appropriate fit and finish for this hotel chain. The pool was extremely warm and welcoming; pool staff were on top of things and provided great service. Beachside staff were just as attentive, with lots of chair, lounger, and daybed options. Primo's, a local deli, is a short walk to the right of the hotel when facing the beach, and the food is very good.

The beach and pool teams were excellent: attentive and professional, with cabanas available. It was expensive, but the service was great. The center bar had good energy and solid cocktails, and the hotel's coffee shop was one of the best parts of the property. On weekends, the atmosphere changes a lot with the LIV nightclub scene. Expect a party crowd dressed for it, which may or may not suit you. My stay also had some major service problems. I paid for an ocean view and got only a partial view. After check-in, I was told the room wasn't ready, which I understood, but the wait stretched to nearly two hours past official check-in. I kept hearing that they were still cleaning it. Once we got in, it didn't feel properly cleaned or up to standard for the price. Housekeeping during the stay was inconsistent and seemed rushed. The rooms also feel outdated for a property of this caliber. This was unfortunately one of my worst guest-service experiences. If I could avoid dealing with front desk guest services, and the rooms were updated and cleaner, I would consider returning. For this price, the service and room condition need to improve.