Fontainebleau Miami Beach

Character and identity

A 1,504-room behemoth on Collins Avenue, the Fontainebleau is the Morris Lapidus-designed 1954 landmark that essentially invented Miami Modern, and the property still trades on that pedigree. Expect a crisp contemporary refresh layered over mid-century bones, an oceanfront pool deck built around Lapidus' signature bow-tie shape, and a relentlessly social atmosphere across Bleau Bar, Glow Bar, La Cote and LIV, one of the city's loudest nightclubs. The 40,000-square-foot Lapis spa anchors the daytime, with elaborate wet areas, while shopping, multiple pools and beachfront cabanas mean the property functions as a self-contained resort.

Who's it for

Bottom line

Scale and scene are the whole proposition: this is a 1,500-room resort city built for pool days, cocktails and nightlife, not quiet luxury. Book it if you want Miami at full volume and plan to barely leave the property. Splurge on an oceanfront category for the view, and target shoulder-season midweek rates to dodge the loudest convention and bachelorette weekends.