W Las Vegas

Absolutely loved our 3 day, 2 night stay at the W. Though the hotel does not have the same eclectic, sleek modern feel of the A, Im looking forward to coming back at a later date, when they finish their transformation from the Delano. We booked through Amex and got $300 credit as this is a Hotel Collection property, which enables us for 12pm check in, $100 F&B credit (which to my surprise was for all MGM properties), room upgrade and 4pm check out when available. Lots of self parking and close walk to the W lobby. I did the mobile check in beforehand and was disappointed with a low room floor (room 911). We re-checked in at 1pm at the front desk and they upgraded us to a corner suite (room 37916). I was disappointed I could not get my Platinum Marriott benefits and these did not count towards Marriott qualifying nights, but hey- I got the $300 credit for the stay. The elevator area was so dark, it strained my eyes. The elevators are old and sometimes they skipped floors (like other passengers pressed their floor and the elevator did not stop for their floor and just kept going). Definitely none of the mood lighting you’d get from most W hotel elevators. Our room was beautiful, we had views of the strip and their airport. All the rooms here are suites, with 1.5 baths and a separate living area. I absolutely love rooms with a couch. I really liked the wet bar area and ice vending was just down the hall. However, do bring your own Keurig pods as coffee is NOT free!! There was definitely wear and tear in the room due to age. Our bathroom light in the main toilet room would sometimes not stay on and we would have to switch it on and off for a few times for the light to stay in. Water temperature and pressure was great! Wi-fi was fast and stable, we streamed so many music videos without issues. Lots of outlets for easy access to charging. We loved the pool area! You can bring your own floats and pump it at their compressed air area (or you can buy for an arm and leg). There is also a wave pool, where they have hosted surfing contests and a beach area. There was only 1 small hot tube we saw and it is very small and crowded. I did not like the gym, however. It was so dark, so cramped with outdated equipment. The second day, I just did cardio in our spacey living room. We used our $100 credit at ORLA by Michael Mina. Food was just ok. The pan fried cheese was a little disappointing- they extinguished the fire before the cheese got really hot and actually did not fry. There was still so much brandy on the skillet. But the cocktails and service was great! Highly recommend the $5 bread, spreads and pickles (but not sure why it wasn’t complementary in the first place). We saw the MJ One show, probably my favorite Cirque du Soleil show hands down. I loved that it was just downstairs and the theater was not too big so you can see everything from almost every seat. We also checked out the Shark Reef Aquarium, $29 pp. Absolutely the highlight of our trip. So much to see and learn! Some final thoughts and recommendations: - Don’t settle for your first room you are assigned to. You might luck out for an upgrade. - Bring Keurig cups and floats! Also bring your own water bottles- you can fill up water at the gym and pool area. - Get off the strip to eat! We went to the Arts District one night and ate at Esther’s Kitchen. One of my best food experiences ever with locals, car wait to write my Yelp review. We also went for lunch at Lotus of Siam, completely life changing! - Bring your own seltzers, chill it at the sink in your rooms bar area. - If you run out of alcohol, there is a liquor store just across the street from the Mandalay Bay. Walk tho the lobby of the Mandalay Bay, and cross the street. We also picked up McDonald’s there one day for breakfast and coffee. - Don’t expect the W experience. This property has its own flair!

Just wanted to share my experience at the W Las Vegas, formerly the Delano. I am an MGM Rewards Member (Pearl) as well as a Marriot Bonvoy (Platinum Elite). I had a room offer for a mostly comped room at the W from MGM Rewards, however I chose to use my Bonvoy points for the room, expecting to receive some of my Platinum Elite benefits, now especially since the re branding to an actual Marriott property. Please take my advice if you are considering doing this... Don't. My two favorite Platinum Elite benefits are Upgraded Rooms and Late Checkout. While I didn't expect to get an upgrade to a suite I at least thought Id get a room with a better view or something. I did not, my room viewed the parking lot on one of the lowest floors. This wasn't a very busy weekend in Vegas either. The room was very nice though, as anyone who has stayed there knows. The employees were nice and the atmosphere was good. I received an email from Marriott a couple days before, that quote said use your Bonvoy Platinum Elite Benefits on your stay at the W Las Vegas. The email stated "Late Checkout up to 4:00pm Guaranteed". When I requested a 2:00pm Checkout on Sunday I was told no. I presented the front desk agent with the email stating my late checkout was Guaranteed. Her response was "Oh, I don't know why they would send that, I will tell my manager about it. I asked if she wanted a copy and she said no (which essentially told me she didn't care nor was she going to talk to the manager about it). The W Las Vegas has great rooms and all you could want in a Vegas hotel, but the complete dis regard for any of your Bonvoy benefits is very disappointing. It really makes me rethink my loyalty to Bonvoy/Amex especially with the $650 annual fee.

We have stayed at this hotel several times, as The Hotel, Delano and now the W. I always love the convenience of the rooms with the sitting area and second bathroom. The rooms are typically quiet and accommodating. I didn't see much change since it has become the W. I do miss the Della's kitchen for breakfast and the inspiring words of wisdom written on the foyer mirror. Just small things, but they are missed! Staff from all areas were very helpful and quick with request. Shout out to Felicia at the Pool, she was our server and made my birthday special. She was exceptional! Thanks for another great time in Vegas! Don't miss The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere!

W Hotel is basically a quieter wing of Mandalay Bay. I reserved a suite that had a separate sitting area and a second restroom (!). The view faces Allegiant stadium so nothing much to note there. It is relatively calm over in the W section but only a short walk through the casino to Mandalay and all of its amenities like numerous restaurants and the pool. It would be a 5 star review but they charge so many fees in addition to the base rate. Resort fee is $50, almost $69 once taxes are added. If you have a car it’s smoother $20-30/day to park.

Do not go if expecting W standard. I booked thinking was a W Hotel experience, but W pool was closed even though sunny/80 degrees & Mandalay Bay’s wave pool was open, where they make you pay for lounger with umbrella, and “free chairs” there packed like sardines, no umbrella nor tables in the back full of families. Also, you must walk very far distance from W to Mandalay Bay pool. No security at pool and definitely not luxury W experience at all. Save your money and go elsewhere.