Peter McMahon on the Art of Feeling Welcome at Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Meet Peter McMahon, the new Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Fontainebleau Miami Beach, whose approach to luxury starts with how a guest feels. After more than three decades in hospitality, he values the thoughtful service that makes someone feel understood and gives them a reason to return. An Oklahoma State University graduate in Hotel and Restaurant Administration, McMahon began his career in 1992 and was named Hyatt’s General Manager of the Year in 2008. Most recently, he led Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, following leadership roles at properties including Carmel Valley Ranch and Hyatt Regency Atlanta.
At Fontainebleau, McMahon steps into a history that has helped shape Miami Beach itself. Opened in 1954 and designed by Morris Lapidus, the resort became synonymous with oceanfront glamour, welcoming Frank Sinatra and appearing in the James Bond film Goldfinger. Today, it has more than 1,500 rooms and suites, with restaurants including Hakkasan and Prime 54. Guests can spend their days by the pools or at Lapis Spa before exploring the resort’s nightlife. McMahon now oversees its daily operations and strategic direction, with a focus on developing his team and ensuring that service evolves alongside continued investment in the property.
What excites McMahon about Miami is the energy of a city that keeps him challenged. He welcomes its high expectations and sees earning guests’ loyalty as an ongoing responsibility, even at a hotel with Fontainebleau’s established reputation. The opportunity to help shape its future offers a fresh sense of possibility after decades in the business. In his conversation with Miami Living, McMahon discusses what meaningful luxury looks like today and how he hopes to build on the experiences guests already know and love.
Miami Living (ML): You’ve led some of the most respected luxury properties in the industry. What was it about Fontainebleau Miami Beach that made this opportunity feel like the right next chapter for you?
Peter McMahon: Fontainebleau Miami Beach is one of those rare hotels that transcends hospitality. It is an icon. I have been fortunate throughout my career to lead some incredible properties and complex resorts, and I was attracted to the opportunity to be part of the next chapter of a property with this much history and relevance.
I was excited by the opportunity to build on what has made it extraordinary for more than 70 years while ensuring it continues to define what a Miami Beach resort can be. There is significant investment underway across the resort, and I saw an opportunity to bring my experience to an already extraordinary property while continuing to evolve it for the next generation of guests. After more than 30 years in hospitality, that felt like a very exciting next chapter for me.
ML: Luxury travelers are constantly redefining what they expect from a hotel stay. What do you believe today’s guests value most, and how do you plan to elevate that experience at Fontainebleau Miami Beach?
Peter McMahon: Luxury today is about how a guest feels. Beautiful rooms, great restaurants and amenities are expected at this level. What guests remember is how they were treated, whether we anticipated what they needed and whether their experience felt personal. Fontainebleau Miami Beach already has an incredible collection of experiences, from our restaurants and nightlife to the spa, pools and beach.
We are also making substantial investments throughout the resort. Those investments give us an opportunity to think holistically about the guest journey and how our spaces, experiences and service all work together from arrival through departure. Our focus is making sure the service experience evolves right alongside the physical product. We want the experience to feel intuitive and effortless, while still having the energy and sense of discovery that are uniquely Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Ultimately, our goal is simple: every guest should leave feeling that Fontainebleau Miami Beach delivered something they could not have experienced anywhere else.
ML: Miami is one of the world’s most competitive hospitality markets. What do you think makes the city such a unique destination, and how does Fontainebleau stand out within that landscape?
Peter McMahon: Miami has become a truly global destination. You have the beach and weather, but you also have an extraordinary mix of culture, food, entertainment, art, fashion and major international events. There are very few destinations that can offer all of that in one place. Fontainebleau Miami Beach has a particularly unique position because it has been part of the fabric of Miami Beach for more than 70 years.
There is tremendous history here and the hotel continues to evolve. For generations, Fontainebleau Miami Beach has been a place where Miami culture, hospitality, dining and entertainment intersect. We offer a luxury resort experience, world-class dining, nightlife, entertainment, wellness and an incredible beachfront location all within one destination.
ML: You’ve worked in destinations across the U.S. and the Caribbean. What excites you most about living and working in Miami, both professionally and personally?
Peter McMahon: Professionally, I love the energy of Miami. It is competitive, international and constantly changing, which makes it an exciting place to be in the hospitality business. The expectations are high, and I enjoy that. It also means continuing to evolve and move forward. Guests have extraordinary choices here, so we must continually earn their attention and loyalty.