The Fontainebleu Resort on Miami Beach is one of the area's oldest, fanciest, and biggest hotels. It opened in 1954 on 22 acres of oceanfront property. My parents came here on their honeymoon in 1958 and were so impressed they named their first pet after it!

It used to be the hangout for famous movie stars like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. Back in it's heyday, it was THE place to stay. It was known as the crown jewel of Miami Beach. Then it got out of fashion and began to go downhill until Hilton bought it back to life in the '80s.

It is a huge hotel with classic South Beach style. The lobby is expansive and exquisitely decorated with crystal chandeliers and beautiful staircases. The lower level has a little shopping center with a beauty shop, too.

The pool area is just awesome, and very relaxing. The main pool is very big, and decorated with a very tropical theme; there is even a rock waterfall by the main pool. There is another pool on the seventh floor rooftop!

For accommodations, they offer one- and two-bedroom suites and a penthouse with an awesome view! The shape of the hotel is curved so that every room has a great ocean view.

The hotel is right on the beach, so it's a quick walk to the sand and ocean water.

This is a very nice hotel!

It is currently undergoing a huge renovation project that will complete in 2008.

The Fountainebleau Hilton is a large resort with over 1,200 rooms and suites in 3 buildings over 20 acres. I got a group rate of $169 per night for a business function, which they honored after my business concluded.

This Hilton is famous for the celebrities and dignitaries that have stayed or performed here, and the movies that have been filmed here over the past 50 years. The common areas are kind of dated...they are preserving the historical glory of the resort.

The Fountainebleau Hilton Resort has very nice grounds. They have 2 large pools, one for kids that has water park-like waterfalls and slides, and a river you can ride around in a tube. Outside the kids pool, there are poolside cabanas for rent (full day $92, half day $59). The other pool has rock formations that create neat waterfalls. There are lighted tennis courts nearby.

In the lobby and in the lower level of the resort, there are shops in case you forgot anything, or want to shop for gifts or souvenirs.

We stayed in a standard room that was done in soft greens and dark woods. If you are a member of their customer loyalty program, you have access to "The Towers" and access to a private lounge with free continental breakfast, evening snacks, and incredible views of the resort grounds and the beach.

The resort has about ten restaurants and lounges that have something for everyone. In the lobby are the Bleau View restaurant (dress code), a large lobby bar, a quiet lounge called Stephen's Lounge, and the Club Tropigala where you can have dinner and drinks during the Las Vegas style floorshows. In the lower level, there is the Kamon Sushi bar, and Trop-Art Cafe...my favorite in the resort. It has a varied casual menu and breakfast buffet (you can't live on free continental breakfast) and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

By the pool there is the Lagoon Saloon under the waterfalls, and at poolside, there is Coconut Willies the poolside bar, and Beach Broiler, the poolside snack and sandwich restaurant. Not far from the pool is an excellent outdoor Tapas restaurant and bar called Tapas Under the Trees.

The resort has all the facilities and services you would expect such as an ATM, Barber Shop, Beauty Salon, Car Rental, Florist, Currency Exchange, Safety Deposit Box, safes in the rooms, and a lot more.

The Fontainebleau Hilton Resort is located at 4441 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. To get there from Miami International Airport, take 112 East to 195 East, and when 195 East splits, take Arthur Godfrey Road to Indian Creek Drive, turn left and the resort is two blocks North on the right. From Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach airports to the north, take I-95 South to 195 East (exit 7), and follow directions to Miami airport.

Although I have never stayed here (more money than I've got) before I have attended several functions in several of their suites and I can attest the accomodations are stictly first class. This resort is located on 20 acres and consists of three buildings with 1,206 rooms.

It is truly 'the crown jewel of Miami Beach' and when I make my first million this will be the first place I will want to stay. It is definitely a destination unto itself and I guess if I paid the price of a suite, I would never leave either and have my meals delivered via room service.