I stayed at a luxury hotel in Las Vegas with no casino or pool parties — and didn't miss them at all. Take a look around.
I recently spent a night at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, located centrally on the Strip.
The luxury hotel has no casino, only a handful of on-site restaurants, and a quiet pool scene.
Even without all the action of a big resort, I felt like a high roller and loved the peaceful vibe.
This month, I planned to pass through Las Vegas for one night. I wanted to make the most of my time with a stay in a luxury hotel on the Strip.
Since I was traveling with my husband and toddler, and was nearly nine months pregnant, I wanted to stay somewhere with a relaxed vibe, but still close to the action.
I decided on the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, a non-gaming hotel located centrally on the Strip between Aria and Park MGM. It has no casino and just a handful of venues on-site.
When I arrived, I walked into a small room that was really just an elevator bank instead of a grand hotel entrance.
A hotel representative told Insider that it's "undergoing a complete lobby refresh," to be completed later this spring. It "will include a relocation of the 23rd-floor front desk to the ground floor, expanded spaces, new furniture, artwork and wall coverings," they added.
To get to the current lobby on the 23rd floor, I had to walk through a few hallways. It felt starkly different from casino hotels. Apart from the absence of a loud, bright gaming floor, it was devoid of crowds or rowdy guests.
And at casino hotels I've stayed in, check-in meant waiting in long lines. But at the Waldorf, there was no one ahead of me.
Instead of navigating past a confusing scene of slot machines to find the elevators to my room, I just had to walk down another simple hallway.
I stayed in a one-bedroom city view suite for my stay. According to the hotel's website, it starts at $700 per night. I thought this was comparable to suites I've seen listed at other Las Vegas casino resorts.
Source: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
Insider received a reduced media rate for the stay.
My room also still made me feel like a high roller even without a casino below, with a spacious living room, separate bedroom, and spa-like bathroom.
Outside of my room and the lobby, the hotel had a few on-site venues to explore. I went to the pool deck first.
Located on the 8th floor, there are two slim but sleek pools, one for families and one for adults.
There was also a hot tub and a small cold plunge pool.
Plush loungers lined the pools alongside cabanas for rent, and I thought the deck had a quiet, peaceful feel. Soft music played in the background, but unlike other Vegas resorts, there was no loud DJ or raucous pool-party vibes.
When we arrived at the pool, we couldn't find two empty chairs together in the shade. But a kind staff member allowed us to use one of the cabanas that typically requires a reservation, but wasn't in use.
Next to the pool area was a relaxed restaurant; you could have food and drinks served either to a table in the cafe, or direct to your lounger.
I chose the latter.
The pool restaurant was just one of a few on-site venues for dining or drinking. The main restaurant, Zen Kitchen, on the third floor, was open for all meals. I had breakfast here before checking out.
Attached to Zen Kitchen was a grab-and-go counter for coffee and pastries.
Back on the 23rd floor, afternoon tea was served in a chic lounge. I didn't get the chance to try anything, but thought the views from this space were impressive.
Next to the lobby was SkyBar, an upscale lounge and bar area, but it was closed for a private event during my stay.
Outside of the pool deck and those restaurants, other on-site offerings included a spa, salon, and fitness center.
While the Waldorf lacked the dozens of restaurants, celebrity entertainment, shopping malls, or sprawling pool complexes of big casino resorts, I didn't mind. I thought this made it feel approachable and intimate.
Plus, all of that was right next door whenever we wanted it. And when we were done, I loved being able to get away from all the noise and crowds.
If you like to have gambling or nightclubs steps from your hotel room, you might be disappointed by the Waldorf Astoria. But for me, it was just what I needed, and I'll gladly return.
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