To preface this, I planned a surprise birthday weekend trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas for my fiancé. Due to the special occasion, we experienced an incredible perk at check in and overall, incredible service. I think they take special occasions very seriously, so make sure you call the hotel ahead of time to let them know.  One of the most important tips I ever learned working in the hospitality industry for several years was always call the hotel before you arrive.  Even if it’s just to put a “face” to the name, so to speak, it’s helpful to interact with front desk staff.  If I don’t have anything to talk about, I usually just call and pretend that I am looking for restaurant recommendations in the area and then I conveniently slip in there at the end that I’d like a high floor if possible.

Note – Since our visit, this property was purchased by Hilton Hotels and transformed to a Waldorf Astoria. No renovations have occurred yet- so room types, location and amenities are still the same.

Location: 5/5

About 20 minutes from LAS, the Mandarin is centrally located in the new development on the strip next to the Cosmopolitan, the Aria, Vdara and close to MGM and New York, New York. Ubers are approximately $25-$35 and 10 minutes from the airport.

If you like shopping, there is no better location. Personally, we love the central access to restaurants, clubs, bars and shows. We also love how modern the architecture is of all the surrounding resorts.

Rooms: 4.5/5

The dark, curving hallways are actually very zen and the doors didn’t slam when closed.  The first room we ended up in had a funky layout. It was a bit smaller than the other standard rooms but had stunning windows lining the whole wall, even in the bathroom. Literally, perfect view of the strip from the toilet.

The bed was supremely comfortable and nothing less than I expected from the Mandarin. We had a bit of an issue with the blinds, though – we were unable to open and close them and the privacy blind to the bathroom didn’t work at all. We reported the issue and it was resolved very quickly (via text, no less!) Eva from the front desk was very sweet and showed us two other room options. She was the embodiment of perfect service – so kind, loved her job and wanted to make us happy. We were upgraded to a gorgeous suite on the 5th floor with a nice view of the crystal shopping area and beyond. The suite was perfectly appointed and extremely comfortable. Both rooms we were in very very quiet which was nice in such a busy city.

Both the standard room and the suite had the same bathtub, which was the most amazing tub I have ever been in in my life. The shower pressure was wonderful as well.

The two rooms we were in were the Standard Room and the upgrade was to a Junior Suite.

Facilities: 5/5

The pool area is gorgeous and super luxurious.  They had just replaced all the cushions and furniture when we got there so everything was brand new.

The one thing I noticed was due to the location, the sun does not face the patio at all times so keep that in mind, you may need to move to stay with the sun.

The spa area was fantastic. I wish we had time to get a massage but it looked very luxurious and big.

Dining: 5/5

We ordered breakfast to the room in the morning- it was fantastic. We ordered the Croque Madame, which I highly recommend.  The room service takes a while so if you want it at a specific time, make sure you fill out the breakfast order and hang it on the door.

We also had drinks and an appetizer at the Mandarin Bar. The bar has a stellar view of the strip. Be sure to reserve a table ahead of time to get a table right in front of the windows- they definitely reserve the best tables for reservations.

Their cocktails are expensive, but worth it. We also ordered a couple appetizers and, while small, would recommend them for a light snack.

Service: 5/5

Every encounter we had with the staff (housekeeping, front desk, bellman) was amazing. They all addressed us by name and genuinely cared about us. Their texting service is amazing. I don’t like interrupting what I’m doing to call the staff all the time so texting was a great option. I probably overused it, personally.

We were offered a late checkout since we had a late flight which allowed us to enjoy the great room, hundreds of TV channels and the pool.

Overal: 4.75/5

The Mandarin was an excellent choice in Las Vegas. The luxurious experience, with no casino was an amazing retreat in the heart of a loud, exciting, neon city. We would not hesitate to return to the hotel, even now that it’s changed to a Waldorf Astoria.

Looking for restaurant recommendations in Las Vegas? Check out our recent post:  Best Restaurants in Las Vegas?