Hotel Review: Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

Las Vegas offers an infinite choice of nice hotels and resorts and makes it hard to choose. However for me there is only one real luxury hotel on the strip: The Mandarin Oriental. A and I recently stayed there for 12 full nights, after having visited the city and the hotel before and – again – loved the experience.

From Sin City to Zen City

We arrived in Las Vegas on a sunny afternoon after a very long flight and couldn’t wait to arrive at one of our favourite hotels. The Mandarin Oriental is nestled in Las Vegas stylish CityCenter, at the heart of the Strip. The valet team is friendly and very efficient, so that we found ourselves at the Lobby in the 23rd floor just minutes after leaving the car.

The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas has a premium mid-Strip location

One of the first things that stroke me positively when entering the Lobby was the lovely room fragrance. Usually I’m not a big fan of scents, as especially in Vegas they can feel exaggerated. The second thing I noticed was the amazing view of the Strip, as the reception is located high in the sky in front of huge floor to ceiling windows. The Mandarin Oriental has no casino and the atmosphere feels calm and zen, not to be compared with the ‘typical’ Vegas experience.

At check-in we were greeted by a nice front desk agent with cold towels and tea. Check-in was quick and smooth, exactly what we wished for after a long haul flight. The team explained everything we needed to know before escorting us to our Strip View Room located on one of the higher floors of the hotel.

Room with a view

The room felt luxurious, chic and very spacious. Apart from the king size bed there was a small seating area in front of the window as well as a fully equipped work desk. I loved the fact that the wardrobe wasn’t in the bedroom but located in a separate area next to the entrance which almost felt like a walk-in closet. I needed some extra hangers which were promptly delivered. There also is a small valet closet in case the attendants need to deliver something while you don’t want to be disturbed which I found to be a nice idea.

The Strip View Room has – as you’d expect – great views but also a fantastic bathroom. (Photo by Mandarin Oriental)

When it comes to the bathroom the Mandarin definitely sets new standards. From the stylish bathtub to the rain shower and luxurious amenities it definitely has the wow factor. I especially loved the hairdryer and I even bought the very same at home after coming back from our trip. My hair has never looked better since.

Who wouldn’t love waking up to this view?

The absolute highlight of the room though is the amazing view of the Las Vegas Strip. There is nothing better than opening the automatic blinds while lying in bed and taking in the vista.

Healthy choices and delicious drinks

We had breakfast included in our room rate and it didn’t disappoint. In fact I think it is one of the best breafkasts in Vegas as you get to choose not only American and Asian, but also European options normally not found often in Nevada. We could choose between the MOzen bistro, located on the 3rd floor of the hotel or the pool bar. Both options were good although I preferred the calm atmosphere of the bistro. What I particularly loved were the many healthy options – from fresh fruit to the best steel-cut oatmeal or egg white frittata.

A refreshing Pineapple Mojito and plenty of sunscreen on a sunny afternoon

Apart from the bistro the hotel also offers a luxurious french gourmet restaurant (which we unfortunately didn’t try) and one of the best bar experiences in Las Vegas (which we loved). I also loved the pool food and drinks – a mix of comforting options and green choices combined with the most refreshing cocktails. Prices are rather high compared to other Vegas locations, but worth every dollar.

Mandarin Pool and Spa: Relax and unwind

The pool is one of my favourites in the city. It feels almost like a boutique experience compared to most of Las Vegas’ resorts. The vibe is casual and the service is very friendly, although my impression was that the staff wasn’t at the top of their game when the area became a bit more crowded. It very much depended on the team and manager on duty, which was little bit of a contrast compared to the hotel’s best-in-class service in other areas. However, the comfortable loungers, great pool menu and chill out tunes made up for it. The team also walked by with small frozen smoothies which was a nice touch.
The only thing you should be aware  of is, that on weekends there are groups which rent the pool cabanas while not being guests of the hotel. But the noise is nothing compared to the usual Las Vegas pool parties. All in all the pool area for me is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the ever sunny Las Vegas weather.

Nice lounge area at the pool deck

Plenty of water is a must when in Vegas – it’s the desert after all!

We also tested the Spa and booked a signature massage. I loved the atmosphere of the Spa which is quite big and extends over two floors of the hotel. The treatment was OK although I found it kind of strange that they took A and me to two seperate areas and we couldn’t spend time at the Spa together at all, even if we booked the treatment as a couple. Considering this is ‘Vegas’ made it extra-awkward but the treatment as well as Spa facilities are a good break from the hectic of the Strip.

Service taken to a new level

The best thing about the Mandarin experience is always their perfect service. For me that really differentiates true 5* from nominal 5*. It is the only hotel in Las Vegas where we were constantly greeted by name. From the valet team to the bartender – everyone was so attentive and friendly.

A sweet welcome to our fabulous Strip View Room

They also offered a great concierge service which we mainly used via mobile messaging. From VIP admission to Calvin Harris to restaurant or bar reservations and Spa bookings – the team took care about just everything while being fast, friendly and attentive. If our location of choice was booked out they would come up with a new suggestion instead – A and I both agreed that this was one of the best service levels we’ve ever experienced at a hotel.

Passport & Palmtree conclusion

The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas is the perfect hideaway in the middle of the thrilling city. If you are looking for a contrast to the huge casino resorts on the Strip but still like to be centrally located this is the perfect hotel. Especially if you are travelling as a couple, this should be your home away from home while in Vegas.

You should check out my Las Vegas guide for grown-ups too!