Fontainebleau Las Vegas Review: Is the Strip's Newest Luxury Resort Worth It?
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The Fontainebleau is the newest big luxury resort on the Las Vegas Strip, sitting at the north end after years of delays. It brings a six-acre pool deck, more than 30 restaurants, one of the best gyms and spas in the city, and a MICHELIN Key to show for it. I booked through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and landed a suite upgrade, and if you want a fresh, modern property with real amenities, it is worth a serious look, with the north-end location as the main trade-off.
If you follow Las Vegas at all, you know the Fontainebleau has a long story. The tower stood unfinished for years, changed hands more than once, and became something of a running joke on the north end of the Strip. When it finally opened at the end of 2023, the question everyone asked was simple: is it actually any good?
I went to find out, and the short answer is yes. This is an impressive resort, and it feels new in a way that matters, because so much of the Strip is a couple of decades old now. In this review I will cover how I booked it, the location, the rooms and my suite upgrade, the enormous pool complex, the dining, and the spa and gym.
Booking the Fontainebleau Las Vegas
The way I booked the Fontainebleau is the same approach I recommend to a lot of clients: American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts. Booking through FHR got me a suite upgrade at check-in, and depending on the property and rate it can also include daily breakfast for two, a property credit, noon check-in when available, and guaranteed 4 PM checkout. At a brand-new resort where cash rates are already high, those perks add meaningful value.
Because the Fontainebleau is independent rather than part of a big hotel chain, there is no major transferable-points hotel program to earn or redeem here. You are generally looking at cash or FHR rates, which makes the FHR benefits especially useful, since they effectively soften a premium rate with extras you would otherwise pay for. My advice is to compare the standard rate against the FHR rate and weigh the perks.
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Location
The Fontainebleau sits at the north end of the Strip, near the convention center and across from Circus Circus and the Sahara. This is the quieter end, away from the dense cluster of megaresorts in the middle. If you are here for conventions or you prefer a calmer stretch, that location works in your favor.
The trade-off is walking distance to the center of the action. You are a longer stroll or a quick rideshare from the busiest core around the Bellagio and Caesars. The Las Vegas Monorail has a stop nearby, which helps, but I would plan on rideshares if you want to bounce around the whole Strip in an evening.
From the airport it is a straightforward drive up Las Vegas Boulevard or the parallel routes. The north end has been building momentum for a while, and having a brand-new luxury anchor here gives the neighborhood a real lift.
Lobby and Check-In
Walking in, the lobby reads as a luxury hotel first and a casino second, which I appreciated. The design leans modern and polished rather than themed or kitschy, with clean lines and plenty of light. It sets a different tone from the older, busier casino entrances further down the Strip.
Check-in was smooth, and this is where my FHR suite upgrade was handled. The staff confirmed the perks tied to the booking and got me up to the room quickly. For a property this large, the arrival felt calmer and more organized than I expected.
The Room
The Fontainebleau is a 67-story tower with more than 3,600 rooms and suites, so it is a big property, but the rooms themselves feel current and well designed. Everything is new, which shows in the finishes, the tech, and the bathrooms. After years of staying in older Strip towers, walking into a fresh room here was a nice change.
I was upgraded to a suite at check-in through FHR, which is exactly the kind of perk that makes the program worth using at a property like this. The extra space, the seating area, and the views made the stay feel like more than just a room. The larger Fleur de Lis suites and penthouses climb all the way up into serious square footage with butler service, but even a standard suite upgrade felt generous.
I had a nice view down the Strip!
Design-wise the whole resort leans modern and polished. If you have grown tired of the older properties on the Strip, the newness alone is a strong reason to try it. The room was easily one of the more comfortable I have had in Vegas. It was pretty dead in terms of visitors during my visit, but things should be busier now that the property has had time after opening.
Pools and Amenities
The pool deck is one of the Fontainebleau's headline features. The Oasis Pool Deck spans about six acres with several distinct pool areas, so you can pick a vibe rather than being stuck with one crowded scene. There are calmer spots and livelier ones, and cabanas if you want to settle in for the day.
Poolside dining and bars keep you fed and watered without having to go far, with French Mediterranean touches at the food and drink outlets scattered across the deck. On a hot Vegas afternoon, a six-acre spread with multiple pools gives you room to breathe that older, smaller pool decks cannot match.
Two other amenities stand out even by Strip standards. The Lapis Spa and Wellness facility is enormous and has been recognized among the best casino hotel spas anywhere, and the fitness center is one of the strongest I have seen in Vegas. So many hotels treat the gym as an afterthought, but here it is a proper facility. Between the spa, the gym, and the pool deck, this resort is built for people who want to actually use it.
Food and Drink
The Fontainebleau went big on food. The resort is home to a large lineup of restaurants and a dozen or so bars, covering everything from an American steakhouse with Japanese wagyu to Mexican, wood-fired, and Asian-inspired kitchens. The variety is real, and the MICHELIN Guide has recognized the property, which tells you the culinary program is being taken seriously.
What I liked is that you can stay busy for several days without repeating a meal or leaving the building. Whether you want a blowout steak dinner or something more casual, there is a room for it here. The breadth of options is one of the reasons this works well for a longer stay rather than just an overnight.
As with any resort of this size, prices at the marquee restaurants run high, so it pays to mix a special dinner or two with more relaxed options. But the sheer range means you are never short of choices, which is exactly what you want on a multi-night trip.
I made use of my FHR credit at the resort’s Promenade Food Hall, which had expensive, but delicious options available. With $100, I tried Bar Ito, which had fabulous sushi.
Service
Service matched the luxury billing better than I expected from a first-year property. Staff were attentive at check-in, at the pool, and around the restaurants, and requests were handled quickly. For a resort this large and this new, the team had things running smoothly.
Little touches, like the FHR perks being applied without any back-and-forth, made the stay feel considered. That level of service is part of what justifies the premium here, and it is a reason I would send clients this way for a special trip.
Who Should Stay Here
- You want the newest luxury resort on the Strip
- You'll book through Amex FHR for perks
- You value a huge pool deck, top spa, and gym
- You're staying several nights and want variety
- You want to be in the dead center of the action
- You want to earn or redeem hotel points
- You're watching every dollar on a budget trip
- You only need a quick overnight in a central spot
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Fontainebleau Las Vegas open?
It opened in December 2023 after many years of delays and ownership changes. That makes it the newest large luxury resort on the Las Vegas Strip, which is a big part of its appeal.
Where is the Fontainebleau located on the Strip?
It sits at the north end of the Strip, near the Las Vegas Convention Center and across from Circus Circus and the Sahara. This is a quieter stretch, a rideshare or longer walk from the busy center.
How big is the Fontainebleau pool area?
The Oasis Pool Deck spans about six acres with several distinct pool areas, bars, and cabanas. It is one of the largest and best-designed pool complexes on the Strip.
How do I get a suite upgrade at the Fontainebleau?
I booked through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and was upgraded to a suite at check-in. FHR bookings can also include breakfast, a property credit, and guaranteed 4 PM checkout, subject to availability.
Does the Fontainebleau have a good spa and gym?
Yes. The Lapis Spa and Wellness facility is among the best casino hotel spas anywhere, and the fitness center is one of the strongest on the Strip. Both are standout amenities compared with older properties.
Is the Fontainebleau good for a longer stay?
It is well suited to it. With more than 30 restaurants, a huge pool deck, a top spa, and a serious gym, there is enough on property to fill several days without repeating yourself.
Bottom Line
After all the years of waiting, the Fontainebleau turned out to be one of the more exciting additions to Las Vegas in a long time. It feels new in a way older towers cannot fake, and the amenities, especially the pool deck, spa, and gym, back up the luxury billing. For the right traveler, it is an easy recommendation.
Booking through Fine Hotels + Resorts is how I would approach it, since the suite upgrade and extra perks can make a premium rate feel a lot more reasonable. If you want me to compare rates, line up the FHR benefits, and get you into the right room, that is exactly what I do, so reach out and let me handle the details.