If you’ve spent any time in Las Vegas lately, you know the north end of the Strip has been having a moment. For years, it was a bit of a “no man’s land” unless you were heading to a specific convention or lost on your way to downtown. But with the opening of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the skyline has a shiny new blue crown jewel.
As a family, we usually stick to our tried-and-true favorites. However, when I heard they were converting their massive pool deck into a winter wonderland—complete with an ice rink—I knew I had to drag my husband and my two daughters (ages 10 and 8) out to see if the hype was real.
Is it a magical winter escape or just a cold way to spend a lot of money? Put on your thickest socks, because we’re diving into everything you need to know about “Oasis on Ice.”
The Arrival: A Hotel Like No Other
I’ll be honest: I’m not sure we would have made it to the Fontainebleau unless we had a specific activity on the books. It’s a bit of a “trek” depending on where you’re staying. But the moment we pulled up, my jaw hit the floor.
The Fontainebleau is absolutely gorgeous and, frankly, unlike your typical Las Vegas hotel. It doesn’t have that smoky, dimly lit, labyrinthine feel of the older resorts. It’s airy, incredibly modern, and dripping in high-end elegance. It felt like we had stepped into a luxury resort in Miami that accidentally got teleported to the desert. My husband loved the architecture, and the kids were just mesmerized by the sheer scale of the place.
According to Travel + Leisure, the design of the Fontainebleau emphasizes a vertical “sculptural” elegance that differentiates it from the sprawling horizontal layouts of classic Vegas properties. This definitely rings true the moment you walk through the doors.
The Set-Up: From Vegas Poolside to Ice Side
The hotel converted their enormous pool deck into a seasonal ice skating rink. In theory, this is brilliant. In practice, the first thing you’ll notice is that the rink itself is… well, it’s small.
Don’t come here expecting to practice your Olympic triple axels. It’s a cozy, boutique-style rink. However, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in atmosphere. The views of the surrounding Strip from the pool deck are spectacular.
The “Great Vegas Wait” of 2025 (A Cautionary Tale)
Here is where I need to get real with you. We are planners. We bought our tickets ahead of time, thinking we’d breeze through the entrance like VIPs.
Spoiler alert: We did not.
Despite having a reserved time slot, we had to wait 45 minutes just to be let onto the ice. I’m not entirely sure why the bottleneck happened, but it made a lot of people in line very, very annoyed. My husband started doing that “dad pacing” thing, and I was busy trying to entertain two kids who were slowly losing their holiday spirit.
Pro Tip: If you go, bring your patience. Pack it in your suitcase. Even with a reservation, the “Vegas time” rules seem to apply here. Expect a wait, and maybe have a snack or a drink beforehand so you aren’t “hangry” while standing in line.
The No-Bag Policy: A Logistical Nightmare
If you take one thing away from this blog post, let it be this: There are no lockers.
I repeat: NO LOCKERS.
They do not allow you to skate while wearing a purse or a backpack. I had my “mom bag” full of snacks, wet wipes, and life’s essentials, and I was told I couldn’t bring it on the ice. Since we didn’t have a room at the hotel, I was stuck.
I ended up having to stuff my phone, car keys, and lip balm into my husband’s pockets until he looked like he was smuggling several small rodents. Plan ahead: pack light, use your pockets, or leave the bags in the car. It’s a major oversight for a family-friendly activity, but now that you know, you can outsmart the system.
The Vegas Skating Experience
Once we actually got onto the ice, the annoyance started to melt away (pun intended).
First off, the skates were in great shape. There’s nothing worse than renting skates that feel like they were previously owned by a medieval executioner, but these were comfortable and sharp.
For my daughters, the highlight was the “skate helpers.” They have plenty of those cute little plastic seals/walkers that kids can push around. My 10 and 8-year-olds are decent skaters, but having that extra bit of stability made them feel much more confident.
It was super, super crowded, but the staff did a great job of keeping people moving. One thing I really appreciated? They didn’t rush us off the ice the second our time was up. In a city where everything is timed to the second to maximize profit, it was nice to feel like we could actually enjoy the moment once we finally got out there.
Winter Cabanas and S’mores
While we were skating, I couldn’t help but eye the cabanas. During the summer, these are probably the height of luxury lounging, but for the winter, they’ve been converted into “winter cabanas.”
Each one had a private fire pit where families were roasting marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate. It looked incredibly cozy and very clean. If you have a larger group or want to splurge, this is definitely the way to go. It turns a “skating trip” into a full-blown “holiday event.”
According to Forbes Travel Guide, the integration of luxury amenities into seasonal programming is a hallmark of five-star service, and the Fontainebleau definitely hits the mark here.
Is the Fontainebleau a Ghost Town?
One thing we noticed while walking through the resort was that it wasn’t busy at all. This was a stark contrast to the chaos of the ice rink. The casino floor was quiet, and the hallways were serene.
I actually really loved this. It felt exclusive and calm. I truly hope it stays in business for a long time because the Strip needs this kind of high-end, sophisticated alternative to the neon-soaked madness of mid-Strip. It’s a beautiful property that deserves the foot traffic.
Vegas Dining Post-Skate
After burning all those calories trying not to fall on our faces, we were starving. The Fontainebleau’s restaurant collection is top-tier. I highly recommend making a reservation at one of their spots for dinner after you skate.
Whether you’re looking for high-end steaks or elevated casual dining, they have it. We found the service at the restaurants to be much more organized than the rink check-in process. It’s the perfect way to end the evening and reward yourself for surviving the 45-minute wait.
The Verdict: Is it Worth It?
Would I do it again? Probably. Was I super annoyed by the wait? Yes. Did my kids have fun? Absolutely.
At the end of the day, the memories of my daughters laughing on the ice and the stunning backdrop of the Fontainebleau made it a win. It’s a “once-a-season” kind of activity.
Quick Tips for Your Visit:
- Buy tickets ahead of time: It won’t save you from the line, but it guarantees you a spot.
- Dress in layers: It’s Vegas, so it might be 60 degrees or 40 degrees, and the ice adds a chill.
- Ditch the bags: No lockers means you need to be a minimalist for the day.
- Bring your patience: Expect a wait, even with a reservation.
- Make a dinner reservation: Use the “trek” to the north end of the Strip as an excuse to eat at one of their world-class restaurants.
The ice skating scene in Las Vegas is not competitive, with the Cosmopolitan’s “Ice Rink” closed down. However, as noted by Eater Las Vegas, the Fontainebleau’s culinary and social offerings are quickly making it a formidable rival for those looking for a more “adult” or “polished” holiday experience.
If you’re looking for a beautiful, clean, and “gram-worthy” holiday activity, the Fontainebleau is a great choice. Just go in with your eyes open regarding the wait times and the bag policy, and you’ll have a blast!
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About the Author: Ginger Graham
Ginger Graham is a travel enthusiast, foodie, and a mom of two who believes that life is better with a passport in one hand and a local snack in the other. Based in Southern California, Ginger explores the hidden gems of Las Vegas and beyond, sharing the honest, “non-filtered” reality of traveling with a family. When she isn’t skating on pool decks or hunting for the perfect donut, she’s documenting her adventures for Culinary Passages.
