First announced in 2005, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened with a splash in late 2023, welcoming VIPs to an invitation-only surprise performance by Justin Timberlake. After years of fits and starts, the property changed hands among different development groups several times, but it has certainly been worth the wait.
The 67-story hotel is the tallest occupiable building in Nevada, boasting more than 3,000 rooms and offering sweeping views of the Las Vegas Strip, the technological marvel of the Sphere and the mountains in the distance. A sister property to the venerable Fontainebleau Miami Beach, the Vegas version maintains a separate identity in design and vibe. Unencumbered by the forced thematic details that sometimes detract from adult experiences at other resorts, the Fontainebleau is free to focus on the elements that make for a great guest experience.
(And it’s certainly nice to visit a casino that still has that “new car” smell!)
Little touches are referential and reverential to the sister property in Florida. There are bow ties worked into design elements around the property — a nod to the architect of the original Fontainebleau, Morris Lapidus, and his signature neckwear. Towering floral displays and an engaging art program make the property worth a visit, whether or not you’re staying, gambling or eating there. Conveniently located on the north tip of the Strip, it’s an easy walk to the heart of the action, and ride-sharing services and nearby public transportation (like the Monorail or “Deuce” bus) offer short, inexpensive trips to Old Vegas downtown or the airport.
While the Fontainebleau is a fine place to gamble — with a 150,000-square-foot casino area filled with more than a thousand slot machines, plus table games and a modern sports betting area — management pays at least as much attention to curating the resort experience. The six-acre pool deck offers seven different pool options, and the luxurious Lapis Spa & Wellness center features a menu of globally inspired pampering services.
Another way the Fontainebleau seeks to stand out is through an exemplary culinary program. There are more than 30 dining options within the resort, ranging from elevated food court spots in the Promenade above the lobby to fine dining kitchens helmed by award-winning chefs and restaurateurs from around the world.
Among Fontainebleau’s newest and buzziest restaurants is Chyna Club, a Cantonese concept from the brilliant creative mind of Hakkasan and Wagamama founder Alan Yau. Steeped in the cuisine of Yau’s Hong Kong birthplace, Chyna Club is designed to look like a supper club featuring an intriguing mash-up of Asian and art deco design elements.
Four distinct dining areas offer choices of experiences — seating at opulent banquettes, a cozy tea room decorated in sleek copper and porcelain, a clubby library, or a conservatory where ceiling panels display peaceful clouds and stars sweeping across the sky above the velvet and leather seating. An energetic soundtrack plays at an appropriate volume in the background to remind diners that they are in Sin City, not the Forbidden City.
As at many Cantonese restaurants, Chyna Club’s signature entrée is Peking duck, and the dish has quickly become so popular that preordering is recommended. If you fail to plan ahead, the crispy duck salad is a convenient alternative to sample the succulent duck meat and shatteringly crisp skin as part of a salad served with herbaceous microgreens and an umami-rich soya sesame mirin dressing.
Diving deeper into the menu, it’s apparent that Yau and Michelin-starred executive chef Richard Chen are not afraid to explore outside of more traditional cuisine with selections of regional Chinese specialties presented with modernist twists. Jasmine tea smoked ribs feature Iberico pork that falls off the bone with just a gentle tug and showcases a delicate wisp of jasmine smoke and a bite of Tabasco. A scallop shumai appetizer is served with an assortment of dipping sauces and a healthy dollop of caviar.
Club carbonara is another Alan Yau classic from his Hakkasan restaurant group, and it’s beloved with good reason. House-made Inaniwa udon noodles are topped with sea urchin, a perfectly runny 65-degree organic poached egg, and “wind-dried” pork cheek to create a delightful luxurious take on the Neapolitan classic.
While it’s difficult to save room for dessert after sampling your way through the dim sum menu, don’t miss out on exotic offerings like mango pudding, a hot red bean soup with ginger-sesame mochi balls, and an almond tofu revelation with the delicate consistency of a custardy flan.
For a meal featuring impeccable service, innovative explorations of Cantonese cuisine served in an atmosphere of timeless elegance, and what many diners are calling the best Peking duck in Las Vegas, make plans to visit the Fontainebleau for an unforgettable dinner at Chyna Club.
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