Fontainebleau Las Vegas: Complete Hotel Review & Tour

Hotel Overview

Key Facts

• Cost: $3.7 billion development
• Rooms: 3,500 guest rooms and suites
• Height: 67 floors, approximately 750 feet tall
• Distinction: Tallest hotel in Nevada (not just Las Vegas Strip)
• Location: North end of Las Vegas Strip, across from Circus Circus
• Neighbors: Hilton Resorts World, Hilton Vacation Club tower
• Opening: Recently opened after lengthy development (plans announced in 2010)

Design Theme

• Circular and cylindrical shapes throughout
• Modern, shiny, clean aesthetic
• High ceilings
• Minimal Vegas "smoky, musty smell"

Casino & Lobby

Main Casino Floor

• Massive casino space
• Classic Vegas slots (Wheel of Fortune, etc.)
• Sports book
• Centerpiece: Huge glass chandelier set above central bar area
• Not particularly busy during visit
• Less crowded than other Vegas casinos

Unique Art Installation

• Interactive wave-activated art piece at entrance
• Features: oceans, marble, stainless steel motors, software computer
• Currently visualizing tide off Honolulu, Hawaii coast
• Responds to hand movements

Lobby & Check-In

• Grand entrance with:
  • Large Cadillac balancing on its nose in water feature
  • Big grand statues
  • Automatic doors
• Check-in located opposite side from Circus Circus entrance
• Wait time: ~20 minutes
• Early check-in: Allowed 2.5 hours before official time with no extra charge
• Different entrances: Car arrival vs. foot traffic have different optimal doors

Guest Rooms

Room Tour - Floor 34 (Room 3407)

Room Configuration

• Two queen beds
• Approximately 55-65 inch TV
• Can be adjoining rooms for larger groups
• Floor 34 = halfway up the tower

Room Features

• Floor-to-ceiling mirror
• Huge wardrobe with safe
• Pool/spa attire provided
• Laundry service available
• One robe initially visible (second found on bathroom door)
• Luggage storage space
• No iron or ironing board (steamer provided instead)

Technology & Controls

• Extensive button panel for:
  • Lighting (on/off, medium, low)
  • Service calls
  • Privacy indicator light
  • Curtain/drape controls with stop function (better than Resorts World)
• Power outlets on both sides of bed
• USB and USB-C connections
• Traditional power outlets throughout

Minibar

• Not priced in room
• Estimated costs based on similar hotels:
  • Chips/crisps: ~$15
  • Fiji water: ~$15
  • Red Bull: ~$15
  • Premium spirits: Tito's gin and others
  • Soft drinks and beers
• Recommendation: Don't touch anything
• Refrigerated area for personal drinks

Furniture & Workspace

• Four cube drawers
• Large work desk area
• Ice bucket and glasses
• Two chairs with round table
• Bedside table with notepad and pen
• Phone

Decor

• Nice artwork
• Unique spiked dulled-out mirror above bed
• Modern, clean aesthetic

Views

• Direction: Westward across Vegas Strip
• Visible: Resorts World, Circus Circus, Hilton Vacation Club, Stratosphere (slightly off-view)
• Sunset potential: Good sunset views behind western mountains
• Strip view: Clear view down Las Vegas Boulevard toward Encore and Treasure Island

Cleanliness

• Overall: Very clean, modern, smells good
• Dust test: Minimal dust on surfaces (cleaner than Resorts World)
• Hallway scuffs: Some marks on white doors from luggage

Pillows

• Quality complaint: Very soft, like "lying on deflated bouncy castle"
• Can be scrunched into hand
• Minimal support

Bathroom

Shower

• Huge shower (fits 5-6 people)
• Good water pressure
• Nice and warm immediately
• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash provided

Toilet

• Separate door for privacy
• Allows others to use bathroom simultaneously

Vanity Area

• Massive vanity (practically two sinks in one)
• Body lotion provided
• Vanity set
• Shower cap
• Face cloths
• Soap
• Tissues
• Shaving/makeup mirror
• New York-style large mirror (sparkling clean)

Bathtub

• Huge tub (fits two people)
• Very deep (2-3 feet)
• Quite wide
• Single tap (hot/cold, on/off)

Decor

• Circular blue mirror/art piece on wall
• Sets off bathroom nicely

Overall Assessment

• "One of the more impressive bathrooms in Vegas"

Hotel Amenities Map

Floor 1: Casino, check-in, high-end shops, bars/lounges, rideshare pickup, parking entrance/exit Floor 2: High-end shops, spa, fitness center, Hall of Excellence museum Floor 3: Pool deck access (rooms 319, 321 closest to Oasis pool) Floors 4 & 6: Theatre, ballrooms, meeting/conference rooms Floor 67: Members-only/special tier access, Japanese restaurant (12 seats)

Elevator System

Smart Design

• Eight elevators per section
• Each section covers ~20-25 floors
• Floors 25-51 in one block
• Room key required to select floor
• Quick service, minimal wait times
• Dark, modern elevator design

Shopping

Store Selection

• 30-40 different stores
• High-end brands: Gucci, Bottega Veneta
• Very upscale overall
• May be too high-end for average Vegas visitor

Pool Deck (Floor 3)

Security & Rules

• Bag check before entry
• Food/drinks policy: Not allowed, but guard suggested being discreet if bringing
• Better to just not bring outside food/drink

Pool Areas

Main Pool (Oasis)

• Large central area
• Circular bar under "Vegas's tallest building"
• Reserved beds (different color) - paid section
• Water temperature: Nice, not freezing
• Very busy on Tuesday visit
• No available free beds during visit

Legacy 21+ Pool

• Adults-only private pool area
• Located behind screen in main pool area
• Pretty busy
• Trade-off: avoid children but potentially rowdy adults

Pool Deck Amenities

• Casino on pool deck (table games, no slot machines)
• Multiple bars
• FB Slims - bar with food and seating
• Drink prices: $41 for one Diet Coke and two alco-pops (plus $10 tip = $50 total)

Pool Issues Noted

• Cleanliness concern: Gross substance (possibly vomit) gathered in corner, not filtering away
• People sitting inches from it
• Very windy during visit (45°C/110°F weather)
• Hot sandy air blowing
• Beds pushed close together (tight spacing)

Nightclub/Day Club

• "Live" or "Live Beach" venue
• Status during visit: Closed (weekday, possibly too hot?)

Dining Options

Food Hall/Food Court

Six Food Options:

1. Capones - burgers
2. Miami Slice - pizza
3. Roadside Sliders
4. Burrito bar (appears to be raw fish/sushi focused)
5. Bagels
6. Ice cream and shakes

Other Amenities:

• Comfortable seating overlooking casino floor
• Regular alcohol bar for cocktails and beverages
• Surprisingly affordable for high-end hotel

Pricing Examples:

• Buffalo Billy burger, truffle fries, Diet Coke: $42 (including 18% tip - $6)
• Overnight oats with peanut butter and fruit: $22 (before tip)
• Burgers: $16-17

Overall Assessment:

• Initially appeared very high-end
• Actually "down and dirty" food at reasonable Vegas prices
• No recognizable chain brands (no Popeyes, Chick-fil-A)
• More "punter-friendly" than expected

Bars & Lounges

• Collins - cocktail bar (closed during visit), piano bar with chill vibes, center bar, lounges throughout
• 7 total bars and lounges throughout hotel

Restaurants

• 13 restaurants total
• Mostly high-end
• 67th floor: Japanese restaurant with only 12 seats, extortionate pricing, highest lookout in Nevada

Entertainment & Attractions

Hall of Excellence Museum (Floor 2)

• Admission: $35
• Created by Tom Brady and Jim Gray
• Entertainment and sports memorabilia
• Artifacts from:
  • Michael Jordan
  • Muhammad Ali
  • Kobe Bryant
  • Oprah Winfrey
  • The Beatles
• "One-of-a-kind experience where the extraordinary is felt, not just displayed"

Theatre

• Located on floors 4 and 6

Comparison to Other Properties

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

• Original property
• Classic Miami seafront hotel
• Not as nice as Las Vegas location

vs. Resorts World Las Vegas

• Similar quietness issues
• Similar north Strip location challenges
• Fontainebleau cleaner than Resorts World
• Better curtain controls than Resorts World

Pricing & Value

Room Rate

• Paid: $90 + room tax for one night (weekday)
• Booked through third-party website
• Regular rates: Can reach $250-300/night
• Amazing deal for what's offered

Overall Costs During Stay

• Room: $90 + tax
• Food hall meal: $42 (burger, fries, drink with tip)
• Pool drinks: $50 (3 drinks with tip)
• Casino: $225 profit (2 spins at roulette)

Business & Viability Concerns

Traffic Issues:

• Very quiet throughout hotel
• Minimal lines anywhere (except 20-minute check-in)
• Casino notably less busy than competitors
• North Strip struggling to attract visitors

Investment Concerns:

• Massive investment ($3.7 billion)
• Not getting expected returns
• $90 rooms probably not what owners envisioned
• Similar struggles as Resorts World
• Questions about north Strip viability
• Billionaire owners may have "bitten off more than they can chew"

Location Challenges:

• Too far from Strip action
• Need Uber/taxi for central/south Strip
• Alternative: 30-40 minute walk in 100°F+ weather
• Isolated from main Vegas attractions

Pros & Cons

PROS

✓ Brand new, shiny, clean ✓ Modern throughout ✓ No smoky casino smell ✓ Impressive bathroom ✓ Good water pressure ✓ Early check-in with no extra charge ✓ Food court reasonably priced for quality ✓ Smart elevator system ✓ Great views (halfway up tower) ✓ Excellent value at $90/night ✓ Multiple pool areas ✓ Spa and fitness center ✓ Advanced curtain controls

CONS

✗ Too far north on Strip (isolated location) ✗ Very soft, unsupportive pillows ✗ Pool beds too close together ✗ Cleanliness issue in pool corner ✗ No iron/ironing board (only steamer) ✗ Shops too high-end for average visitor ✗ Minibar extremely expensive ✗ Very windy pool deck ✗ No free pool beds available ✗ Hallway scuff marks on white doors ✗ Not capitalizing on "tallest building" status ✗ 67th floor restricted access (missed opportunity)

Missed Opportunities

1. Tallest Building Marketing: Not making enough of being Nevada's tallest hotel
2. 67th Floor Access: Should open rooftop/top floor to general public or guests (currently members-only)
3. Observation Deck: Could charge for highest lookout in Nevada
4. Visual Impact: No nearby buildings for size comparison - doesn't look tallest

Final Recommendation

Best For:

• Short stays (1-2 nights)
• Deals on third-party websites
• People who value cleanliness and modern amenities
• Those seeking high-end Vegas experience
• Weekday visits for better rates

Not Ideal For:

• Center-of-Strip action seekers
• Budget travelers (at regular rates)
• Those wanting walkable Strip access
• People needing firm pillows

Overall Verdict:

• Highly recommended for 1-2 nights, especially at discounted rates
• Beautiful, modern property living up to expectations
• Location drawback for Strip activities
• Questionable long-term viability given traffic levels
• Would need to be in center or south Strip for extended stays