Spending 5 Days at Fontainebleau Miami Beach is the easiest way to do South Beach without overcomplicating it. The resort is massive, the food is amazing, and you’re in one of the best locations in Miami Beach. You can go full glam. You can go relaxed. You can do both in the same day.
Here’s exactly how I’d do five days.
If you’re still deciding whether to stay here, see my full review of Fontainebleau Miami Beach before you book.
If you’re flying in, I always compare flights on Skyscanner so I can land early enough to actually enjoy day one instead of wasting it in transit.
Fly into Miami International Airport.
A few quick tips that will save you money and stress:
When you land, check Uber prices before booking.
If it’s over $60, wait a few minutes. Surge pricing usually drops.
Don’t request your ride until you physically have your luggage.
Always double-check the license plate before getting in.
It’s about 20–25 minutes to the resort depending on traffic.
If you prefer having your own car (especially if you plan to explore beyond South Beach), renting a car makes this much easier — you can browse options with Discover Cars and compare pricing before you land.
If you already know you want the Fontainebleau experience (and you should), you can check current availability and rates here and plan ahead — especially if your dates are flexible.
Official check-in is typically 4pm, but they’ll often accommodate early arrivals if your room is ready. If it’s not, store your bags and start enjoying the property instead of hovering around the front desk.
Grab lunch, walk the grounds, and just look around for a minute. The place is big, polished, and very “we’re in Miami now.” The arrival feeling is my favorite part — everything is new and exciting.
You really don’t need to leave the property tonight.
Hakkasan – Upscale Chinese. Dim sum, crispy duck, great cocktails (so I’m told). A great choice!
Prime 54 – If you’re in steak mode, this is it. I like this so much that I usually come here even if we aren’t staying at the hotel.
Arcadia Grill – Burgers, casual energy, good for a low-key first night.
Unpack. Eat well. You’re officially in vacation mode.
Start with pastries and coffee at Chez Bon Bon inside the resort — yes, the croissant is worth it — then make your way to the pool and beach. Fontainebleau has multiple pools, plenty of loungers, and direct beach access, so it’s easy to settle in without planning much.
The pool scene has energy but it’s not chaotic. You can people-watch, read a book, float for a bit, wander down to the ocean, and come back again whenever you feel like it. Hydrate, reapply sunscreen, and call that a productive day.
Two good options:
Stay on property at La Cote for Mediterranean-style lunch with an ocean view.
Or head to Naked Taco on Ocean Drive. It can get crowded, but the cowboy steak taco is excellent and the fried doughnuts are elite. If you leave without ordering those doughnuts, that’s on you.
Walk over to Lincoln Road for shopping and dinner. It’s lively with plenty of choices for shopping and dinner.
Highly recommend:
Mister 01 – The coffee pizza sounds strange. It is insanely good. Trust me.
Salt & Straw – Their ice cream flavors are unique in the best way.
Most spots don’t require reservations, which makes this night easy. You can wander, decide, and eat without stress.
Pastries at Chez Bon Bon. Pool. Beach. No notes.
This is where 5 Days at Fontainebleau Miami Beach really shines — you’re not rushing around the city. You’re enjoying the property you’re paying for.
Head to Taquiza if you want something casual, consistently good, and authentic.
If you want more details before you go, learn more in my post about Taquiza Miami North Beach. It’ll help you know exactly what to order.
Dinner at Barton G. The Restaurant.
It’s expensive, dramatic, and very extra — but that’s kind of the point. The presentations are huge, the portions are big, and half the fun is watching other tables’ food come out.
If you go, order the Dollar Dollar Bill Y’all dessert. It’s completely unnecessary and absolutely over the top, which is exactly why you should get it.
If you want a wild breakfast situation, go to Bacon Bitch.
The food is good. The music is loud. The energy is aggressive. It’s not calm — but it’s entertaining.
If that’s not your thing, stay at the resort and keep your morning peaceful. There is no wrong choice here.
Spend the day enjoying South Beach:
Walk the boardwalk
Rent bikes and ride to the pier
Stop for photos along Ocean Drive
Pop into little shops
This is your classic Miami afternoon.
If you want to book a guided bike tour or another activity instead of doing it solo, you can browse South Beach tours here to see what fits your timing.
Circle back to:
Hakkasan
Prime 54
Mirabella
Or just stay poolside with drinks. No pressure.
By this point in your 5 Days at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, you know your routine. The pastry order is locked in. The pool chair strategy is set. No need to reinvent anything now.
If you want something off-property before you leave, stop at Rosetta Bakery for pastries and coffee.
It’s quick, reliable, and a solid final Miami carb moment.
Head to the airport and leave extra time for traffic. Miami can surprise you.
Flight home. Slight sadness. Immediate urge to rebook.
Staying at Fontainebleau makes this itinerary easy because:
You don’t have to leave the resort for great dinners.
The pool and beach situation is strong.
You’re close enough to Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive.
It balances luxury with classic South Beach energy.
You can dress up for Hakkasan and be barefoot at the pool a few hours later. You can go big at Barton G one night and eat a burger the next.
That’s why 5 Days at Fontainebleau Miami Beach feels balanced instead of exhausting.
If you’re planning a shorter trip, check out my One Day in Miami guide to adjust this into a tighter schedule.
And if you’re ready to plan your own 5 Days at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, you can find hotels near South Beach here to compare options and start locking things in.
Your Knoxville Airport survival guide, from someone who’s flown through TYS 100+ times is now up on my blog🛫
Parking, TSA wait times, where to grab food before your flight, rental cars, all of it, from someone who actually knows this airport. No guessing, no googling at the last minute.
TYS is small, easy to navigate, and honestly one of the less stressful airports I’ve been through. You just need to know a few things going in.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗
Hundreds of motorcycles. Tweed suits. Tennessee roads.🏍️
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a global charity event, classic and vintage bikes, dressed-up riders, raising money for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. The bikes are stunning. The outfits are even better.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗 | @gentlemansride
Went in for Italian. Left thinking about pasta for three days straight.🍝
Osteria Stella in Knoxville is THE date night spot, pink door, moody lighting, and a radiatori con broccoli pesto that I would genuinely go back for alone. The lasagna comes out as its own perfect slice with crispy edges all around. The focaccia with garlic confit disappeared before anyone admitted to eating it.
Make a reservation. Order the pasta. Thank me later.
Full review linked in bio. 🔗
I walked down what looked like a regular hillside entrance and came out into a room that could almost fit a football stadium. 🪨 Tuckaleechee Caverns is the highest-rated cavern in the Eastern US and until you’re standing inside it, that’s just a fact. When you’re actually there, it feels earned.
Stalagmites 24 feet tall. A 210-foot underground waterfall. Formations that took 20 to 30 million years to build. A family that still runs the whole thing.
Bring a jacket. Wear good shoes. Don’t Google how it was discovered before you go hearing it on the tour is so much better.
#townsend #visittennessee #travel #travelling #travelvlog
If you’ve only ever seen the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge side of the Smokies, Townsend is going to feel like a completely different state. 🌲 No neon signs. No traffic. No crowds fighting for the same overlook.
🥾 Middle Prong Trail | River views, small waterfalls & fresh air the whole way. Hike as little or as much as you want.
⛰️ Tuckaleechee Caverns | Start underground with massive cave rooms, waterfalls & guided tours. Go early, beat the rush.
🍕 Peaceful Side Social | Made-from-scratch food, craft beer & mountain views. Fair warning: you’ll stay longer than planned.
🚗 Scenic Drive to Tremont | Slow down. Stop. Take it in. The drive itself is part of the experience.
Summer swap? Ditch the hike for River Rat Tubing — same vibe, more splash.
Townsend calls itself the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. After one full day there, I completely understood why. Entire itinerary linked in bio.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
