More about Fontainebleau Tower
Buyer Beware – Stay away from the Fontainebleau Hotel.
by TripAdvisor Member Sami21
Buyer Beware – Stay away from the Fontainebleau Hotel.
The Fontainebleau is calling itself a 4 star resort hotel but in reality it is NOT. We paid a premium for what we thought was beautiful resort on an ocean front property. Our mini vacation turned out to be a nightmare at this so called resort. What is not mentioned on any travel sites or the hotel’s web site is that Florida residents get a discount in all Fontainebleau rooms which they take full advantage of, in droves. Locals swarm in on weekends like locusts and pack 6, 8 or more people to a room to which the hotel management is amazingly unresponsive to. What is represented as a luxury resort with private pool and beach area is, in reality, an overcrowded jamboree of discount seeking locals (including teenagers and a young 20s crowd that would otherwise be knocking holes in the walls of a local Motel 6) utilizing all the towels, chairs, umbrellas (and anything else that isn’t bolted down). What this means to you is the feeling that you are in a very crowded, noisy, and cheap hotel that provides sub-par service (regardless of the European accented and well groomed hotel front desk clerks).
Starting with our registration process, the front desk refused to believe that we had upgraded our room to the newly built Tower even though we showed him an email confirmation and receiving verbal confirmation from our travel service, they kept us waiting for 1 ½ hours before we could get to our room. After all of that, we had to take our own bags to our room after the clerk proclaimed, unembarrassed, that our wait would be even longer if we wanted a bell hop to carry our luggage. Can you believe that ?!
On our second day we went to the pool but could not even enjoy it because it was so overcrowded with people along with their left over food, empty drinking cups, straws, water bottles, and the fruit garnishes from their cups, everyone clearly ignored the “no drinking or eating” in the pool sign. Most of these people were probably the friends and family of guest who over pack the hotel rooms. For two days we could not use the pool or beach because of the over crowding (the beach because there were no chairs or umbrellas to be had, no towels on one of those days too). After speaking to the Tower manager, we received a couple of chairs but had to lay out on the lawn under a coconut tree near some maintenance equipment and a storage bin (no vacancy by the pool either).
We overhead and spoke to other guests who were complaining about the hotel management. Our 4 day luxury get-away at Fontainebleau was nothing short of stunningly horrible….the dog feces in the hotel corridor was representative of how the hotel is operated. We regret our choice of this hotel and strongly encourage you to look at one of the many other beautiful, better managed, true resorts in the area.
To conclude and repeat, this hotel is not a 4 star hotel regardless of what the hotel itself or travel websites proclaim it to be. I would say perhaps a 2 at best only because the rooms were clean and relatively new or renovated. This doesn’t make up for the premium rates charged (to unsuspecting out of state people), very poor service, over abundant discount seeking locals, and just poor management at this hotel.
Read before you decide to stay at the hotel
by A TripAdvisor Member
word of advice, when making a reservation at the fontainbleu hotel make sure to ask for the persons name and all their information.... i rented a room for mothers day this year and when i got there with all our luggage AND my mother they had cancelled our reservation, other than the fact that they were rude, unhelpful, and downright insulting they did not offer to try and make up in any way or form THEIR mistake. I even took my online confirmation with me... but that wasnt enough. So much for my mothers day gift!!! their staff or at least the lady that attended me was unproffesional, and not to mention VERY unhelpful! On top of that, there was another man next to me also very disturbed saying that he had spent alot of money in this hotel and that his children have been all day without being able to get into the pool because they didnt have 1 towel to give them during the whole day, obviously this is a reoccuring problem that the hotel and staff are having.
Great place, staff does not want to be there
by TripAdvisor Member wantmoretravel
I had a lot of concerns about coming, but when I got to my room, most of them went away. Our Tower room was amazing. I reserved an ocean view room; I got a room with a huge balcony near the the other side of the hotel, but had a view of the ocean and the rest of the resort and Collins Ave. It was perfect and we spent most of our time on the balcony.
Nobody who works there really seems to want to work there. I thought the waiters were treated like dogs by the management, and that might be one reason (plus the 15% tip already included). If you plan to go out to restaurants, you will enjoy this place. Although the food was incredible.
When we were there, they were hosting a conference- The Hooters Swimsuit contestants. You really get a mixed bag here because there were also a lot of families and couples and retirees who live all of the time in the Tower.
We might go back, but I would prefer a place that likes to dote on its clients.
Nothing but aggravation!
by A TripAdvisor Member
This is the WORST run hotel I have EVER been too. First of all the stress starts when we have to wait up to 3 hours in the street just waiting to pull into the hotel. Then we had to wait another hour for the valet service to park our car. Once in the hotel after we waited in a 30 minute line to check in we were told "Sorry unable to check in due to the computers down". So here we sit for another 2 hours waiting for them to come back on. Then back in a long line again after they come on to check in. So half the day was wasted for us and we could not use the facilities as there was no where to lock up our belongings. Once in the "average, nothing special room" we found NO towels, and the mini bar empty. It took another 2 hours to get towels which is unheard of.
They shut the lasy river pool and water slides down early with no reason. The pool areas are VERY crowded. Bring BUG SPRAY as the bugs eat you alive.
The Bleau View restaurant is VERY GOOD, however the service is at a snails pace!
There is a lot of walking to get outside to the beach and pool area. The elevators are SLOW and always packed.
Ask for comps and upgrades and you will get them. Insist on them for all the aggravation. I got two free breakfasts, room with balcony which was partial ocean view, the other view was looking at the roofs air conditioners, reduced room rate and late check out. If you don't speak up you won't get anything.
I would NEVER stay here again due to the LONG lines from the highway getting in to the parking lot and the computers always going down. I heard this happens a lot. Hotel looked nice but I have been to better.
Maybe if you don't go on a holiday weekend it wouldn't be so bad. We even checked out a day early because we had had enough STRESS.
Beds are very old and look like they came from the Holiday Inn. No pillow tops here. Rooms are very sparse in decorations. Parking is $23.00 a day which is high.
Good Luck if you go and pack PLENTY of PATIENCE with you because you are goind to need it!
Horrible
by A TripAdvisor Member
This is not a resosrt-instead the service/experience is what you would expect at a budget motel. We waited over one hour for towels at the pool, over 25 minutes for valet to bring our car, the staff was unresponsive, and at times rude. The walls are paper thin and you can hear everything. We are awoken at 4:30 a.m. by the sound of the cleaning staff communicating by walkie talkies. The room also reeked of smoke, a little air freshener would have gone a long way. Don't waste your money or time.
Buyer Beware !! Do not stay here !!
by A TripAdvisor Member
This mismanaged, over-crowded hotel should be ashamed of the “luxury resort” misrepresentations that are made. I suffered through 4 days of what is, in reality, a motor lodge attracting droves of locals who swarm in on weekends like locusts and pack 6 and more to a room (Florida residents are offered discounted rates, we paid a premium). The private pool and beach area is actually an overcrowded jamboree utilizing all the towels, chairs, umbrellas and anything else that isn’t bolted down. We could not use the beach for two consecutive days because there were no umbrellas, chairs or towels.
Beautiful new tower - no longer a Hilton
by A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed in one of the Fountainebleau's new tower rooms over the weekend and loved it. The hotel was purchased by Turnberry (same company that owns Turnberry Isle Resort in Aventura) and changed management in May 2005, so it is no longer a Hilton.
Our tower room was large with a wet bar, microwave and mini fridge. It was furnished with a pillow-top king bed with tons of feather pillows, and a double-size sleeper sofa -- perfect for us and our 6 YO. The balcony from our 34th floor room looked north so the views were of the ocean and intracoastal -- the night views were fabulous. The older part of the property is in need of a LOT of TLC (to say the least), but we did not spend a lot of time there. All of the staff we encountered throughout the property were very accommodating. Our child LOVED the kids program and the staff there was particularly friendly.
After reading the reviews of the older building, I was VERY relieved to have been assigned a tower room. A note from managment said they are doing major renovations on the entire property that will transform it into an entertainment destination by 2008.
Not worth the money
by A TripAdvisor Member
My husband, my two kids (11 and 13) and I went there for the weekend. The check inn was fine, we got the room earlier at 1:00 PM. We stayed at the new tower, the studio is new with new furntures but he coffe maker was very dirty, with old coffee. After checking in we went to the pool, it was so crowded, they did not have any chairs available for us to sit and no towels. Can you imagine that at 1:30 PM there were no more towels and chairs for the guests to use by the pool? This is not acceptable. We decided to go to the beach, and guess what? Same thing, no chairs, no towels and no umbrellas available. We decided then to rent a waverunner, guess what? They told us we had to wait for 3 hours to get one. How could we stay at the beach for 3 hours to wait for a waverunner, without a chair, an umbrella or towels? We did not stay. We then went to the 7 th floor pool of the new tower, where it was less crowded. At night, we decided to go to the pool, but did not stay either, because we were disgusted with all the dirty plates, cups and towels from the day that the hotel staff did not pick up. It was far from what my family and I were expecting from a hotel this price, very crowded, dirty and not pleasant at all. If after you read the reviews you decide to stay, at least stay at the new tower, although you will have to walk more to get to the restaurant but at least you will have access to the 7th floor pool which is cleaner and less crowded. I would not stay there again as I expect much more of a hotel if you are paying USD 269 a night for a studio, plus tax it came up to USD 303. You will also have to pay for parking, which is USD 24 a day. So, a night stay at the studio at the new tower, costed us USD 327 a night. I guess you can find a much better hotel for this price. Good luck. SB.
Photos
Hotel Hilton Fontainebleau, Miami
Forum Posts
Anybody?
by Lunita
Hi;
Im going to a Tango Fstival that is going to happen in Miami beach from may 27 thru june 4th.
I have never been there.I would strongly apreciate any recomendation on Lodging and things to do during the day.
Im not taking the tango lessons at day but Im joining the social activities at night (milongas)
The festival is going to run in the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort, so the accomodation has to be near there as I think at this moment all is taken at this place.
Every thought about the area would be greatly apreciated as well. Is it safe for me to be around by my self for instance?
Any tango lover interested in joining?
Well, I think thats it so far, I plan on going for the closing of the festival next weekend. Just anything let me know.
Thank you very much in adavance!
RE: Anybody?
by pulgaron
Hay Lunita, I hope you already have reservations! This weekend Miami beach will be an expensive mad house.
Near the Fountainbleau, walking distance, beach side hotels are as follows:
Four Points Hotel by Sheraton
Best Western Beach Resort
and Days Inn are all north of 43rd street, on the beach side.
Fairfield Inn Suites
Ramada Beach Resort Miami Beach
and Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach, are next closest, between 39 and 42 street, again beach side.
Beach Castel Hotel, Ocean Spray Beach Hotel, and Circa 39 Hotel, are across the street from the beach, are older and of course less desirable hotels, and also less busy, and cheaper.
If you do not mind taking the bus, I would recoment The Clay Hotel and Youth Hostel. It is near Lincoln Road Mall, in a very active part of South Beach. But at a bus ride from the FBlu. Enjoy your tango, but do not forget the South Beach Clubs. Try Taberna Oppa for dinner. It is fun. Also walk up and down Ocean Drive in the evening for gud people watching.
Write if you have questions or need me to make any calls to the hotels. Be happy to help.
Armando.
RE: RE: Anybody?
by Lunita
thank you! Your responce was really helpul Im actually staying at the days inn this weekend.
If theres any other recomendation, let me know.
regards,
L
