Hotel Review: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas

Travel Gadget Reviews
a sign on a wall

I stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas last month.  The property was formerly the Mandarin Oriental.  Since I was only in Vegas for one night, I decided to use my weekend Hilton certificate.  As a Hilton Diamond, I wanted to check out the benefits at this hotel.

The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is located on the strip, though the building seemed to be overshadowed by the modern, sleeker-looking Aria Resort and Casino.  In fact, I got distracted too.  Somehow, I ended up with this picture instead.

a large building with lights and a fountain
Aria Hotel © travelgadgetreviews

Getting There

The hotel does not offer self-parking.  Valet service is available at $35.00 per night (which, by the way, I think it’s over the top, just like parking in NYC).  I haven’t visited Las Vegas in years, but it seemed that the days of free self-parking on the strip are gone with the exception of a few places left.  We decided to just get a taxi from the airport ($15-$20 range with tips).

a building with trees and windows
Hotel Valet and Guest Drop-Off Area

 

Bell service attendants are ready to assist with your luggage needs.  You’d take the elevator to the Sky Lobby on the 23rd floor to check-in.  You can’t really get lost with these elevator options.  🙂

a sign with black text on it
Elevator options from the L level.

 

Check-In

We got there just a bit before the 3PM check-in time.  There was only one front-desk staff helping a guest and another at the concierge desk.  Another guest was waiting ahead of me.  Fortunately, two staff members quickly came out to assist.   The check-in clerk apologized for the wait, and let me know that the room is ready.  The room was upgraded to a “City View”.

 

a city with buildings and a blue sky
City “Strip” View

 

She also let me know that as a Hilton Diamond member, I have a $50 credit that I could use towards room service dining or breakfast dining at the hotel.  She then stepped out to point us to a different set of elevators that would take us down to the guest rooms.

 

The Room

The room is a standard room – comfortable and spacious.

a room with two beds and a chair
Room View
a group of white containers on a wood surface
Great bath amenities. The body lotion smells so good.
a white robe on a shower
Bathroom View
a bathtub in a bathroom
Bathroom View. Tub option.

 

Remnants of Mandarin Oriental is present; I see “Mandarin” on the phone display.
a black telephone on a wood surface

 

You have options if you are a coffee or a tea drinker.

a black box with white text and tea bags

 

In-room snacks are also available but they will cost you.

a shelf with different types of candy

Uniquely, nestled with the snack options is a “Lover’s Kit”.  I have to admit that this is a first.  I don’t recall ever seeing this option at any other hotels. Vegas, I guess.

 

a black box with white text and icons on it

 

Breakfast at Zen Kitchen

While most Hilton properties include complimentary breakfast for the stay, I decided to use the $50 credit (for the entire stay) at the hotel’s Zen Kitchen.

 
a waffle and fruit on a table
1 order of Golden Waffles with fruits. Beautiful presentation. Tasty too!
a plate of bacon on a table
Bacon (okay)
a bowl of soup with meat and vegetables
Wonton Noodle (ok, but not worth its  price tag of $24)

The restaurant’s decor is nice and the service is wonderful, but our bill came out be a little over $70 with gratuities.  It was fine given the $50 in hotel credit, but the price tag is excessive for breakfast.  I don’t think it was worth it.*  Maybe we were spoiled by the all-you-can-eat buffet at Aria on the first day, but the food there was great and it’s a much better value for the price (more in a separate post).

a sign on a pole

*Side note:  While Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is not listed on the Hilton’s “resort list“, the breakfast triggered the $250 resort credit if you have the Hilton Aspire card.  YMMV.

 

Overall Thoughts

The Waldorf Astoria is certainly a very fine hotel.  The room is comfortable and the service from staff is always professional.  If you like to shop, you can follow the sky bridge to get to The Shops at Crystals.  The hotel is never crowded as there isn’t a gaming facility on-site.

I’ve only ever stayed at 3 hotels in Vegas. Bally’s. Caesar’s Palace. Waldorf Astoria.  Waldorf Astoria is the best of the lot in my opinion, but given other hotel options in the area, I would be inclined to try a different hotel the next time I visit.

Maybe the Aria.

Which hotel is your favorite on the Strip and why?  Sound off below.

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4 comments
  1. Helpful tip – the parking fees at MGM hotels are waived with Pearl status. If you have Discoverist status with Hyatt (which comes with their credit card), they will match that tier to Pearl.

  2. Depends on what you like. Aria is probably the nicest from the Mlife portfolio in terms of their base room (I think that the Bellagio needs a refresh soon) and a fountain view balcony room at the Cosmo is the best view in the city, but it is pricey. The Four Seasons is really nice as well, but it’s location is kinda a bummer. The Mirage is my go-to because I like it’s location and their Tower Suites are a great value, but it is not on the same level as the resorts I listed above in terms of overall quality.

      1. Join the discussion…stayed @cosmo few times. service not very good. food overpriced and not really that good. view /w balcony is very nice. parking (i Paid) is below the hotel so that’s very good in the dessert heat!

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