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Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas – Location and Booking
My inaugural trip to Las Vegas needed a hotel that was central, walkable, luxurious, and ideally not attached to a casino. I wanted a calm retreat after spending time on the Strip. That made the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas (WA) the obvious choice. Part of the Hilton portfolio, the property is located within the CityCenter complex, right in the heart of the Strip, next to the Crystals shopping center and surrounded by major casinos and entertainment venues. The hotel originally opened in 2009 as the Mandarin Oriental and transitioned to the Waldorf Astoria brand in 2018. The Asian-inspired elegance is still visible throughout.
For this stay, I used a combination of two Hilton Free Night Certificates (FNC) and 85,000 Hilton points per night for two additional nights. The cash rate for my stay exceeded $2,200 USD plus resort fees, so redeeming points and certificates offered exceptional value. A huge bonus with award bookings at Hilton properties in Las Vegas is that the resort fee is waived, saving me $45 USD per person per day. Each of my FNCs ended up being worth over $550 USD, which more than covered the annual fees on the credit cards that earned those certificates.
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas – First Impressions and Check-in
Walking into the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas immediately reminded me that this property was once the Mandarin Oriental. The understated elegance, serene atmosphere, and refined design elements add a level of sophistication not often found in Vegas hotels.
Entrance and Check-in
Check-in was smooth and professional. As a Hilton Diamond member, I was greeted warmly and informed that my 500 sq ft city-view room had been upgraded by one level to a Strip View Room. I had hoped to “suite talk” my way into something larger, but I already knew from other reviews that both the Waldorf and Conrad brands tend to be strict about upgrades, even for top-tier elites. It’s a good reminder always to book the room you genuinely want, not the one you hope to be upgraded into.
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas – Vegas Strip View Room
Stepping off the elevator, I immediately noticed design details from the Mandarin Oriental era artwork, wall textures, and carpeting that give the property a unique aesthetic among Vegas resorts.
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas – Hallway
Inside the room, to the left of the entrance, there was ample closet space with multiple drawers, hangers, and the usual amenities like an ironing board and iron. A master light switch by the entry made it easy to set the tone for the space.
Vegas Strip View Room – Double Bed
Continuing into the room, I found a work desk with a leather rolling chair, ideal for catching up on emails. The main bedroom had two twin beds with firm, comfortable mattresses. Additional amenities included a coffee maker, a stocked minibar, and a full-length mirror.
In-room snack bar
in-room mini bar
The bathroom was one of the standout features with a gorgeous ivory-coloured deep soaking tub with complimentary Epsom salts, double vanity sinks and a spacious stand-up shower.
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas – Bathroom
One of my favourite touches was the Diamond welcome amenity, a beautiful three-tier snack tray with nuts, a lemon meringue, fresh fruit, a bottle of sparkling water, and a handwritten note. It felt personal and thoughtful.
The view? This is where the experience took a minor hit. Although the room was marketed as a “Strip View Room,” my view was more like a “half Strip, half rooftop parking lot” view. I could see Park MGM, MGM Grand, and New York New York, but the immediate foreground wasn’t the most glamorous. That said, the room itself was immaculate, thoughtfully designed, and extremely comfortable. Waldorf properties excel at attention to detail, and this room was no exception.
View from the room
Breakfast, Tea Lounge and Sky Bar
Breakfast is served at Zen Kitchen on the 3rd floor. As a Diamond member, I received two $25 vouchers that could be used for any food and beverage on the property, not just breakfast. A pleasant surprise was that the credit applied toward tax and tip, unlike my experience at the Conrad Nashville, where credits applied only to food.
Breakfast at Zen Kitchen
Because the restaurant gets busy during peak morning hours, it’s best to call 15–20 minutes ahead to put your name on the waitlist. They don’t take reservations. During my stay, I sampled several menu items that tasted excellent and were beautifully presented, which was a great start to each morning.
Zen Kitchen Menu
Waldorf Astoria Signature Salad
Zen Kitchen – Steak and Eggs
Located on the 23rd floor, the Tea Lounge and Sky Bar share the same space. During the day, the Tea Lounge offers traditional afternoon tea with views overlooking the Strip. After the last tea seating at 4 p.m., the space transitions into the Sky Bar, serving cocktails and appetizers into the evening.
Tea Lounge – takeaway counter
I used my Hilton Aspire $200 resort credit for drinks and appetizers at the Sky Bar. It felt like a great way to enjoy the credit while taking in the sophisticated ambiance.
Business Center, Spa, and the House Car
The Waldorf Spa gives access to the sauna, steam room, and relaxation areas. Hotel guests pay $75 to use the facility; however, if you book a spa package, the $75 facility fee is waived. You can also stack the Diamond $50 daily food and beverage credit toward spa treatments. A mandatory 20% gratuity is added to any service.
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas – Outdoor Pool
The Business Center is located on the 3rd floor and offers a quiet, functional space for getting work done.
Business Center
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas Gym
For those with the Hilton Aspire Card, this is one of the best ways to maximize the semi-annual $200 resort credit. Stacking it with the daily Diamond credits can give you $250 off a spa treatment.
The hotel offers a complimentary House Car service for trips within two miles of the Strip, on a first-come, first-served basis. Although I didn’t use it, thanks to the extremely central location, I think it’s a great amenity for guests looking to explore nearby spots.
One of the features I appreciated most is that the Waldorf does not have a casino. This drastically reduces noise and crowds, giving the property a boutique-luxury feel amid the chaos of Las Vegas. For anyone who prefers serenity with easy access to gaming areas, this setup is ideal.
Takeaway
The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is a sophisticated, centrally located property that delivers a luxury experience without the chaos of a casino attached. The staff, especially Bryan, Diana, and Patrick from the concierge desk, made my first Vegas trip memorable with great recommendations and even helped secure a last-minute show booking.
Would I stay again? Absolutely. The location alone makes it an excellent home base for exploring Vegas. Where the hotel loses a couple of points is in limited elite upgrades (Hilton’s “one level up” policy is especially noticeable at luxury brands), and in the underwhelming Strip View Room, which overlooked a rooftop parking lot rather than the Strip itself. Finally, the standard $25 Diamond food and beverage credit, which doesn’t go very far at a Waldorf in the U.S.
Still, the overall experience was excellent. The rooms are beautiful, the amenities are top-tier, and the tranquillity is a refreshing contrast to the busy Strip outside. With the right points strategy, especially using free night certificates, award bookings to waive resort fees, and the Hilton Aspire resort credits, the value becomes exceptional.
Safe Travels ✈️
