LAS VEGAS — After 18 years of waiting, Las Vegas’ newest resort, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, has opened its doors.
Boasting 3,644 luxury rooms and suites, it’s the city’s first new property to open since June 2021.
The dazzling casino at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
It was all the way back in 2005 when Fontainebleau Development President & CEO Jeffrey Soffer first unveiled plans for the Las Vegas property. Following the economic downturn in the U.S. after the Great Recession, Soffer sold the property in 2010. Then, more than a decade later, Soffer repurchased the property, and brought the hotel to completion once and for all.
Travelweek had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the resort on the very first day it was open.
As the clock struck midnight to ring in Dec. 15, Fontainebleau Las Vegas swung open its doors to welcome the public for the first time. The lineup of folks eagerly waiting to get in was around the corner. With nighttime temperatures dipping to single digits, the gentleman at the front of the line was wearing a heated jacket to help him make it through the wait.
Starting at 6:30 p.m. the night before, a private event was held to celebrate the grand opening. Surprise performances were given by Keith Urban, Justin Timberlake and Canada’s very own Paul Anka, who sang an original rendition of his iconic song ‘My Way.’ Celebrities including Tom Brady, Mark Wahlberg, Cher, Kim Kardashian and Tyga were in attendance to help mark the occasion.
In the high limit salon, a first rolling of the dice ceremony signified the official opening to the public.
Set on nearly 25 acres, Fontainebleau Las Vegas is “a unique property that’s meant to have a distinct personality amongst Vegas resorts that’s best described as 1950’s Old Hollywood glam,” explained Alyce Bonnar, PR representative for Fontainebleau.
The 67-storey luxury resort and casino by Fontainebleau Development cost US$3.7 billion to build and is located adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center District West Hall. It also has 550,000 square feet of customizable meeting and convention space.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas is aiming to revolutionize the city’s culinary landscape with a world-class dining and bar collection. It features 36 restaurants, 30 of which are open now with the other six opening in the next year. Fontainebleau originals onsite include Don’s Prime, Nowhere, Azul, Collins and Bleau Bar, the centerpiece of the 150,000-square-foot casino. Other dining highlights include Groot Hospitality’s Papi Steak and Komodo, Chef Evan Funke’s Mother Wolf and Asian-inspired hotspot KYU.
The property has a chic fitness centre that was already crowded with gym goers on the first day. It will also have an outdoor pool that will open in March.
Fontainebleau’s first hotel is in Miami Beach and the company has a 70-year history. To learn more, visit FontainebleauLasVegas.com.
