Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a 67-story behemoth in blue steel and glass, has seen many lives over its 23 years of development and even sat empty for a decade while hands switched and funding wavered. But Las Vegas will now open its newest gaming resort attraction on December 13 and welcome guests to a 25-acre spread on the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip that will also serve as the tallest occupied building on the Strip – as well as the state.
Since Sitting on the former site of the El Rancho Hotel, a spot that saw proposed projects, such as a 40-story hotel designed in the shape of cowboy boots, come and go, work on the 67-story Fontainebleau Las Vegas began in earnest in 2007. America was in mid real estate frenzy and the new property was able to set an opening date set for October 2009. However, when the project went bankrupt during the Great Recession of 2008, construction was halted. So for years, the project was inactive and the building’s bones cast an ominous shadow of dreams and doom on the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard.
In 2010, Carl Icahn bought the project out of bankruptcy, although he never restarted construction. Then, in 2017, The Witkoff Group bought the building and changed its name to The Drew. The project was rebranded and aligned as a Marriott in 2018, but the momentum did not last long as the coronavirus epidemic moved the state into complete shutdown and forced the suspension of construction once again. Finally the property was sold back to Fontainebleau Development and Koch Real Estate Investments for an undisclosed sum in 2021. According to some estimates, the project cost $3.7 billion, and, in a strange full circle of fate, has returned to its original Fontainebleau vision.
Connecting The Past: Fontainebleau Vegas
Seamlessly connecting the past, present, and future, the new Fontainebleau Las Vegas is the first western expansion for the 1950s Miami brand. The resort’s 3,644 rooms and suites present an aura of timeless elegance. Guest accommodations were created by David Collins Studio (think: Mandarin Oriental Msheireb Downtown Doha in Qatar, Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, Harrods, Beverly Wilshire, Corinthia London, Connaught Bar, Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel, and The London hotels in New York and West Hollywood, among others).
Mercury glass mirrors and brass accents complement a color scheme of blue, silver, and coral pink water tones. Case goods and other hard surfaces are characterized by silver-grey wood veneer, silver-leaf accents, iridescent shagreen inlaid surfaces, and Arabescato marble, while unique brass bowtie-shaped drawer knobs pay homage to Fontainebleau’s past. Additionally, the rooms have unique carpeting with an art-deco linear pattern in dove-grey and blue tones that serves as a geometric base for the many curvy furniture choices that lie on top of it.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas: A Fount of Amenities
Resort amenities will include a 96,500-square-foot luxury boutique retail district; a six-acre pool district, 550,000-square-feet of customizable, indoor-outdoor meeting space; 150,000 square-feet of gaming space; and the forthcoming LIV and LIV Beach experiences.
A 14,000-square-foot fitness center and 55,000-square-foot Lapis Spa designed by Milan-based Lissoni & Partners. Lapis Spa (also anchoring the Miami Beach property, will redefine wellness with an approach that emphasizes personalization and community. Specifically the spa offers a full spectrum of wellness-enhancing facilities, including 44 treatment rooms; a purifying salt cave; a healing infrared sauna and invigorating event sauna; rejuvenating lounge areas; men’s and women’s hydrotherapy lounges as well as a co-ed sensory room with communal healing waters; and 11 luxurious suites offering exclusive spa experiences.
Dining à la Fontainebleau
As for culinary culture, the Fountainebleau Las Vegas will not disappoint. Its 36 food and beverage venues include such names as Chef Gabriela Cámara, Restaurateur David Grutman, Restaurateur David Rodolitz, Restaurateur Alan Yau, Chef Evan Funke, and Chef Josh Capon bringing together industry-leading restaurants from the United States, Mexico, and beyond to make their debut on the Strip.
Café Cuto
A contemporary take on the classic European coffee bar, Cafe Cuto will blend old-world charm with modern sophistication. This upscale coffee shop will invite guests to savor specialty coffees while engaging with knowledgeable baristas in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Guests at the Fountainbleau Las Vegas will be able to pair high-quality brew with a selection of pastries and sandwiches for takeaway or indulge in intimate coffee tasting experiences.
Moreover the café’s design will feature elegant European marble accents, and its menu impresses with inventive signature drinks, including options to add spirits. With house-rolled newspapers, Italian classical music, and the opportunity to enjoy traditional Italian “Caffè Corretto,” Café Cuto will bring a piece of Italian café culture to Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
Chez Bon Bon
An exuberant and cheerful start to the day, Chez Bon Bon will celebrate the little joys of life the French way, offering an array of freshly baked pastries, delightful handmade confections, and convenient “grab and go” options like sandwiches and wraps. The intimate yet airy design, complemented by classic patisserie-inspired details, will invite guests to browse and indulge, while fizzy French pop music sets an upbeat tone. Undoubtedly a signature coffee blend crafted with top-tier espresso machines and a crepe station will add a touch of French inspiration and food theater to this delightful grab-and-go patisserie.
Chyna Club
From the creative mind of Hakkasan and Wagamama founder Alan Yau comes Chyna Club, serving eclectic Chinese cuisine. Set within a cozy, clubby atmosphere, Chyna Club will take guests on a journey for the senses in a setting that is designed to inspire and wonder.
Cantina Contramar
Cantina Contramar, opening in 2024, unites for the first time in the United States three of the most recognized and celebrated women in the Mexican culinary and creative communities: Chef Gabriela Cámara, award-winning architect Frida Escobedo, and Tequila Casa Dragones founder and the first maestra tequilera, Bertha González Nieves.
Embodying Chef Cámara’s 25 years of delivering unparalleled food, beverage, and atmosphere to local and international guests alike, Cantina Contramar’s menu in the Fountainebleau Las Vegas will offer Cámara’s signature seafood dishes, where excellence is found in simplicity, alongside new items which showcase the wide range and quality of Mexican cuisines and beverages. Cantina Contramar will include a Casa Dragones Tasting Room within the restaurant. Across every moment, bite, and sip, guests will enjoy an authentic Mexican experience and familiar service culture that makes each meal a celebration.
Don’s Prime
A Fontainebleau Las Vegas original, this stylish, softly lit steakhouse will evoke mid-century glamour. Drawing inspiration from Fontainebleau’s legacy and the elegant restaurants of the 1950s, Don’s Prime will feature classics with a twist, plus trolley carts and tableside service that create culinary-fueled excitement in a highly refined atmosphere. The restaurant will boast a Prime steak program that includes exclusive partnerships with proprietary beef programs in the U.S., as well as hand-selected Japanese and American Wagyu. With pre-Prohibition cocktails and an extensive collection of prestigious wine labels rounding out the experience, Don’s Prime will be perfect for intimate, celebratory meals.
Ito
Whenever this refined omakase restaurant, led by chefs Masa Ito and Kevin Kim, will offer an inventive interpretation of traditional sushi in an awe-inspiring setting on the 63rd floor of Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The restaurant will feature 12 seats and sweeping views of the Strip and surrounding city. Ito’s Las Vegas outpost will mark the second location, preceded by the New York City location that opened in 2022 in partnership with VCR Group.
Komodo
Thereafter Komodo at Fontainebleau Las Vegas marks the restaurant concept’s third edition following Miami, FL, and Dallas, TX. Connecting the flair of Las Vegas with the energy and regional flavors of Southeast Asia, guests can expect a high energy – and highly memorable – dining experience replete with signature Peking duck, rotating specials, a full sushi bar, and bespoke cocktails. Bathed in ambient, golden light, Komodo transports patrons to a one-of-a-kind getaway – right from the heart of the Fontainebleau.
KYU
The Asian-inspired restaurant will serve American barbeque staples with preparation influenced by the Japanese discipline of “yakiniku,” a wood-fired grilling technique. The KYU experience centers around an open kitchen permitting views of the chefs as they prepare umami-rich meats, smoke-roasted fish, innovative vegetable preparations and signature desserts. At KYU, dishes pair well with carefully curated music selections and ambient lighting setting the stage for incredible moments worth sharing. The restaurant will follow the original location in Miami and sister locations in New York City and Mexico City.
La Côte: Fontainebleau Vegas
Breezy and upscale, evoking the posh resorts of the French Riviera, La Côte will be a beautiful evolution of its original Fontainebleau Miami Beach location. Opening Spring 2024 on the Fontainebleau Las Vegas pool deck, La Côte will boast a vibrant, international menu with hints of Mediterranean flavors. The beverage program will reflect the sunny and fresh al fresco atmosphere, featuring a selection of fine wines with a focus on Rosé and French favorites, refreshing cocktails, and mocktails.
La Fontaine
An elegant, daytime fine-dining destination specializing in French cuisine, La Fontaine offers elevated classic brunch dishes in an exquisite setting that beckons you to dress your best. The restaurant’s modern sophistication is reflected in its design, featuring glass chandeliers, soft pastel decor, and luxurious finishes. Guests can enjoy market-fresh cuisine, a signature grand tea service, and a curated wine program, all accompanied by light indie music. La Fontaine also offers wine tastings and pairing lessons, ensuring an exquisite and entertaining dining experience.
Mother Wolf
Evan Funke, chef of L.A.’s beloved Mother Wolf, Funke, and Felix, will bring his rich and soulful Italian cooking to Las Vegas with the opening of Mother Wolf. A steward of Italian cooking traditions and culture, Chef Funke’s arrival at the Fontainebleau marks his monumental debut on the Las Vegas Strip.
Papi Steak
David Grutman’s Papi Steak at Fontainebleau Las Vegas – the restaurant’s second edition after Miami, FL – fuses Golden Era Hollywood swagger with David “Papi” Einhorn’s modern day spectacle to create an entirely fresh steakhouse experience. Patrons can expect a unique immersion that blends elevated brasserie dining, eye-catching design, extraordinary entertainment, and extensive beverage options in a high energy environment. It’s the ultimate in a hedonistic night out.
The Tavern: Fontainebleau Vegas
Adjacent to the casino floor, The Tavern is an energetic and upscale bar and restaurant paired with the Fontainebleau Las Vegas sportsbook. Moreover the menu will defy all expectations for bar food, offering American classics with fresh California flavor alongside sushi.
Subsequently Hand-crafted cocktails making playful nods to famous sports references, a wide selection of draft beers, a robust wine offering, and unexpected service touches will thoroughly elevate the comfortable spot to watch a game together.
Vida: Fontainebleau Vegas
An evolution of the original restaurant inside Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Vida is an energetic American bistro featuring a wide variety of dynamic fare throughout a well-appointed dining and bar area. Offering breakfast and lunch seven days a week, the menu will feature classic brunch favorites and signature dishes, alongside classic cocktails, including mimosas and Bloody Marys.
Washing Potato: Fontainebleau Vegas
From Restaurateur Alan Yau comes Washing Potato, a whimsical dining destination that provides a journey through the delicate and intricate traditions of dim sum. The abstract, modern architecture of the dining room serves as the “stage” for each guest’s meal, as they indulge in thoughtful bites that promise to ignite the imagination.
In addition to its outstanding restaurant lineup, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will be home to a formidable collection of original, owned-and-operated bars.
Finally, Bookings are now open and as opening excitement levels off, rack rates for rooms at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas should hover around $300 per night.
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