Fortune House Hotel Suites

Fortune House is a tall property painted in white and salmon with a slight-retro look. Palm trees decorate the streets out front, while inside the wood-paneled lobby, floral arrangements add a touch of elegance. A cluster of armless brown chairs on an orange geometric-print rug are set in front of the reception desk. Guests, a mix of couples, families, and business travelers, can dine at Madison’s, the on-site restaurant serving contemporary and Latin cuisine in a warm space decorated in oranges and browns. For guests who want to do their own cooking, there’s an outdoor barbecue area by the pool with a grill, a sink, and a patio table with chairs under a ceiling fan attached to the wooden canopy. Leafy plants and palms frame the area, and lounge chairs offer a space to relax or enjoy a drink from the pool bar. As the hotel offers daily, weekly, and monthly rates, some of the guests are long term. 

Fortune House is across the street from the Four Seasons Hotel Miami, in a horseshoe of hotels overlooking the water in the southern section of downtown Miami. The hotel is in Brickell, the Financial District, and there are some restaurants as well as two parks within walking distance. It’s less than a five-minute walk to the nearest Metromover station, putting the American Airlines Arena (home of the Miami Heat) within a 20-minute ride on public transportation. There aren’t any beaches in the immediate vicinity, and its about a 20-minute drive to South Beach. It’s around a 20-minute drive to Miami International Airport, depending on traffic. Expect to pay a daily fee to park at the hotel, which is common in Miami. 

Fortune House has individually owned one- and two-bedroom condos with various furniture and decor, but the units we looked at had sleek white kitchens with stainless steel appliances and sparing use of rugs and framed artwork in the living rooms. All rooms have balconies, and some offer bay views. Rooms are equipped with washer/dryer units and full kitchens furnished with microwaves, ovens, dishwashers, and coffeemakers. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations with rainfall showerheads. Flat-screen TVs are installed in both the bedrooms and the living rooms. Some of the bathrooms we saw were a bit dated with older countertops, and guests complain that Wi-Fi is spotty in some of the rooms. 

Fortune House has a heated outdoor pool with a whirlpool, a pool bar, barbecue area, and lounge chairs. There’s also a large fitness center with a wide assortment of fitness machines as well as a sauna. Madison's, the restaurant and bar serving contemporary and Latin cuisine, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But breakfast isn't included in the room rate. For business travelers, the property offers a conference room as well as other services including faxing and printing capabilities. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.