Is the Fontainebleau hotel too far north on Miami beach?

August 19, 2008 8:17 AM

Is the Fontainebleau hotel too far north on Miami beach?

My fiancee and I are planning our first vacation in Miami. Since I'm in the travel industry, I have a great deal at the Fontainebleau (set to re-open in October), but I'm concerned it may be too far from restaurants, bars, shops, etc in South Beach.

We won't be club hopping every night, but we will want to go out for a bagel, a lunch, dinner, etc. It looks like the only businesses near the Fontainebleau are other hotels, so I picture us having to drive to the city or South Beach once or twice a day.

Any opinions on this will be helpful. Is driving and parking in the area a challenge? Is the beach at the Fontainebleau as nice as South Beach? Any other factors to consider?

posted by kdern to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

Hope the refurbishment kept Lapidus's vision intact while improving the tiny, damp rooms.

The Fonts actual location isn't conducive to glamorous perambulating; it's definitely a cab ride to the best stuff on Ocean Drive. Parking between 5th and 22nd ('South Beach') is a challenge at the best of times, and absolutely miserable during prime touristing hours. I'd suggest doing South Beach (or Coco Grove or Bal Harbor) in selected chunks of time, bringing a light bag with swim wear or a change of shirts as needed. That way you're free from back and forth.

People watching is the area's prime sport, followed by eating yourself senseless. Lincoln Road on Sunday morning, with its chi-chi flea market, is really fun too.
posted by Haruspex at 8:50 AM on August 19, 2008

There's nothing interesting from Fontainbleau until below 24th street. The walk a little harsh under the sun so you either want to take a bus down Collins Ave (they are regular, fast, cheap and air conditioned) or take a cab. Things don't get interesting until at least 18th street.
posted by furtive at 9:13 AM on August 19, 2008

You'll have to cab every night you go out as you'll be going from 18th (Skybar, Mynt etc...) to 14th (Mansion, Ink etc...) all the way down to South Pointe (Prive, Nikki Beach etc...)

If the money you save on that is worth the cab rate/hassle, then by all means.
posted by stratastar at 10:18 AM on August 19, 2008

Cabs are easy and plentiful and the best bet for an evening in South Beach, in my limited experience.

Also, confirm the re-opening date. One conference scheduled to be there had to move to Ft. Lauderdale because it wasn't reopening in time (despite repeated assurances it would).
posted by gingerbeer at 12:50 PM on August 19, 2008

Can anyone give me an idea of what a taxi would cost from the Fontainebleau to Lincoln Road?
posted by kdern at 1:00 PM on August 19, 2008

In 1968, during the Republican convention, I was a night bellmen (19 years old at the time) at the Fountainbleau, which hosted many of the convention events. I would give my eyeteeth to spend a night there now (although I know it is no longer the same hotel)...

Experiences in 1968... Watching the Today show film from the lobby during the convention. Seeing John Wayne at the convention events. Delivering a tray of liquor to Ralph Abernathy's suite (he was there with the poor people's march) and getting a 5 cent tip from Wilt Chamberlain.

And, watching Rory Calhoun leave with a different hooker every single night during the summer.

Go to the Fountainbleau...it has history!
posted by HuronBob at 2:44 PM on August 19, 2008

Fontainebleu to Lincoln would be around...8 bucks for two? I rarely cab in Miami when I'm there..so I'm guesstimating based upon antiquated rates from years past...gah
posted by stratastar at 3:15 PM on August 19, 2008