Before booking my room, I knew I was in for a luxurious stay. Having previously visited the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, I anticipated the elegance and comfort I could experience, with a price to match.

For a king-size room on a Wednesday night in April, it’s $856.25, including taxes and fees. April falls during Miami’s peak tourism season, when visitors flock to the city in search of warm weather before the hottest, rainiest months of summer arrive.

Over the past seven decades, the hotel has earned a reputation as a resort for celebrities, politicians and wealthy travelers, hosting guests such as Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, John F. Kennedy, Elvis Presley and Judy Garland.

Designed by architect Morris Lapidus, the hotel’s distinctive curved silhouette has become one of Miami Beach’s most recognizable landmarks and a defining example of the city’s signature “MiMo” (Miami Modern) architecture.

However, at almost $900 for a single night, I wondered if the resort’s legendary status would translate into a memorable stay, or if I was simply paying for the name and glamorous reputation.