Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas Review

Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas Review

A few months back I responded to a Hampton Inn Twitter post and received a free Hilton “Be Our Guest” certificate that allowed me a free night at any Hilton property as long as a base level room was available.  Unfortunately the expiration date was only a few months out and I had no international trips planned.  Instead, I decided to try the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas over President’s Day Weekend for a night.

Originally opened in 2009 as the Mandarin Oriental, in 2018 the hotel and residences re-flagged as a Waldorf Astoria.  Previously I had visited the property for the SkyBar and the spa.

The room rates during my stay were roughly $400 + $51 resort fee.  For my free stay, I still had to pay the $51 resort fee.  As a Hilton Diamond I received a $25 resort credit.

Location

The Waldorf Astoria is part of the CityCenter complex (along with Aria, Vdara, Veer Lofts and the Crystals mall).  The property itself doesn’t have a casino but you are a short walk from Aria.

There is a CVS a two minute walk from the entrance.

Check In

I did check in through my app around 1:00pm and was assigned a room.  I read it to mean that the room was ready, so I headed over to the property.

Currently the first floor lobby is under construction so you have to enter through the hotel’s conference center across from the normal entrance.  You take an elevator up to the 3rd floor, walk through the conference center, and then take another elevator to the main lobby on the 23rd floor.

The sky lobby is bright and luxurious.  The only seating is typically used for the Tea Lounge but it is closed on Monday and Tuesday so I was able to spend some time there after I had to check out of my room.

Unfortunately when I arrived to check in my room wasn’t ready and was told it would be 4pm before I could check in.  I asked about upgrades as a Diamond but was told the only upgrade available was the Strip view room I had already been given.  No suites.  I have read that this property is extremely stingy with upgrades.

I stored my luggage and headed down to the Cosmopolitan which is a 10 minute walk.

I received a text at 4pm that my room was ready and I retuned to the property.  I was assigned room 1911 on the 19th floor.  The hotel is floors 3-23 with guest rooms on floors 4-7 and 9-22.  The levels above the lobby are all residences.

Room

I took the elevators down to the 19th floor (none of the guest room elevators go to the first floor so you always have to take two elevators to your room).  The property does not actually have that many rooms; I would estimate about 20 rooms per floor; unlike many Vegas properties that have halls that seem to go on forever.

My room was located close to the elevator but I didn’t notice any sound issues.

As you enter the room, immediately to the right is a dressing area.  It is a narrow hall that has built in storage including a valet closet where you can put things to be picked or having items delivered without being disturbed.  A locked door in the hall allows staff to access the valet closet.

Continuing into the room; the bathroom is on the right with a glass corner wall where the free standing tub sits.  A large sliding panel closes off the bathroom but there is no way to entirely close off the glass portion for privacy.

A king bed sits against one wall facing a wall mounted TV and mini bar.  Behind the bed is a feature wall that has a hanging pearl design lit from below.  All lights and curtains are controlled by panels on either side of the bed.  The bed was extremely comfortable with luxury bedding.

Additionally there is a couch and desk with two chairs in front of the floor to ceiling windows; one panel of which is a mirror.

The views are great all the way down the strip.  There is both a sheer curtain and black out curtain controlled by a panel by the bed; though even with both closed some light leaks in.

Looking back towards the bathroom, there is a wood panel that can close off the views into the bathroom.

Bathroom

In addition to the soaking tub, the bathroom has a double sink vanity under a lighted mirror.

The toilet is behind a frosted glass door, as is a the shower.

The shower has both a wall mounted head as well as a hand held shower, though the controls didn’t work properly and it was hard to switch between the two.

The bath products are L’Occitane; though it is their hotel/spa line which, in my opinion, isn’t as high quality as what you would buy direct.

Pool & Gym

The pool, gym and spa are located on the 8th floor.  I believe the pool is built on the top of a parking structure, though with the walled area you wouldn’t know it except from looking down from a high floor.

There are two rectangular pools in addition to a hot tub and smaller circular pool.  It is a good enough pool area but didn’t have a luxurious wow factor.

They gym is just off the pool and offers standard equipment.  There are locker rooms that have steam rooms as well.  The spa is only accessible with a treatment or a $75 day pass ($100 if not a hotel guest).

Restaurant

During my visit, the only restaurants open were the SkyBar (evenings) or Zen Kitchen.  I decided to use my $25 credit for breakfast at Zen Kitchen on the 3rd floor.

I ordered a breakfast burrito with vegan chorizo ($24) and a glass of orange juice ($7).  The breakfast was quite good.

At check out, the agent removed the entire breakfast bill (including tip) instead of just applying the $25 credit which was nice (and saved me $14).

Overall

The rooms are small but feel high end; I’d say higher than any casino hotel with the exception of Wynn.  The service was very good, minus the issue with no real upgrades for elites and poor communication regarding my room being ready when it wasn’t.  I was a bit surprised to be charged a resort fee on a free stay.

I don’t think I would return to the Waldorf Astoria but only because there are so many deals to be had in Vegas especially in the casino hotel properties that want you to come and gamble.  Perhaps for someone that only comes to Vegas one time and isn’t into gambling might find value in the Waldorf Astoria.  I am glad I got to finally try it out but I don’t have a need to return.

Have you stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas?  If you are considering a stay, what draws you to the property?

3 thoughts on “Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas Review”

  1. Spent about 15 nights here over the last two years. I enjoy staying here because of the location and lack of casino but it’s extremely dated and the rooms show the rough condition (especially near the entry). It doesn’t look like much has been updated since this was the Mandarin Oriental.

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