Looking for an honest Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas review?
I’ll just say it upfront: the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is my favorite hotel I’ve ever stayed at in Vegas, and it’s not a gambling hotel. There’s no casino floor at all. We loved it so much that we barely wanted to leave the hotel and explore the rest of the Strip, which says a lot for a city that’s built around hotel-hopping and entertainment.
In this Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas review, I’m breaking down our junior suite and king room, the incredible housekeeping, the food at Zen Kitchen, Peacock Alley, and Hard Shake, the spa, the location, and who this hotel is really for. Here’s everything you need to know before you book!
Short on Time?
Waldorf Astoria Vegas is definitely on the higher end, price wise. Hotel rates jump around a lot depending on the weekend and what’s happening on the Strip, so it’s worth checking Expedia early and locking in a rate you’re happy with. Their price match takes the guesswork out of it, and flexible cancellation means you’re not stuck if your plans change.
Best Things to Do Near Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
One of the best parts about staying at the Waldorf is that you’re right in the center of the Strip, so so many of the big Vegas experiences are just a short walk or tram ride away. Even if you plan to spend most of your trip relaxing at the hotel (which you might!). It’s worth adding a couple of these to your itinerary.
- O by Cirque du Soleil – The iconic water show at Bellagio, an easy tram ride away from the hotel
- Bellagio Fountains & Conservatory – Free, gorgeous, and right up the street. The fountains are especially pretty at night
- High Roller Observation Wheel – Incredible views of the Strip, perfect at sunset
- Grand Canyon Day Tour – One of the most iconic day trips from Vegas, if you want to get out into the desert
Since you’re so centrally located, you also don’t have to plan around long Uber rides or brutal walks in the Vegas heat to get to any of these, which makes it a lot easier to be spontaneous.
Arrival & Check-In
Check-in at the Waldorf was just really sweet. We showed up a little earlier than the standard check-in time, and they let us check in early without any fuss, which is such a nice way to start a Vegas trip. The staff was warm and attentive, and you can tell right away that service is a big priority here.
The lobby is now on the ground floor (it used to be up on the 23rd floor before the renovation), so getting from the car to the front desk is quick and easy. It also feels calm and quiet, with none of the slot machine noise you’d normally walk through to check in at most Strip hotels.
What Makes Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas Different?
The Waldorf isn’t trying to compete with the giant casino resorts on the Strip, and that’s exactly why I love it. It’s a quieter hotel that feels luxurious and completely different from the rest of Vegas. Here’s what really sets it apart.
The Hotel Doesn’t Have a Casino & No Smoke Policy
The Waldorf is a non-gaming hotel, which means there’s no casino floor anywhere on the property. That also means no cigarette smoke drifting through the lobby and hallways, which is honestly such a breath of fresh air (literally!) in Vegas.
If you want to gamble, you can easily walk over to Aria or Cosmopolitan which are just footsteps away. But I can’t stress enough how nice it is to come back to a hotel that smells clean and feels calm after a night out on the Strip.
Freshly Renovated
The Waldorf recently went through a multimillion-dollar, property-wide renovation that included a full redesign of the guest rooms and suites. As part of that, the lobby moved down to the ground floor, and the 23rd floor was transformed into Peacock Alley and Hard Shake, both designed by Rockwell Group.
You can really feel it when you walk in. Nothing feels dated or worn down.
A Hotel You Won’t Want to Leave
This is the biggest thing that made Waldorf stand out for me. We liked it so much that we didn’t even want to go out and explore the rest of the Strip on this trip! We just wanted to hang out in our room, have a spa day, enjoy a nice dinner, and go up for cocktails.
So if your idea of a Vegas vacation is less about bouncing between casinos and more about relaxing and being taken care of, the Waldorf is the perfect hotel for you.
Rooms at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas (Our Stay)
We stayed in two rooms during our trip, a junior suite and a king room, and both were absolutely incredible. When we first walked in, we literally gasped at how beautiful the interior was. There are lots of Asian-inspired design elements throughout, and the whole space just feels calm and peaceful.
Waldorf Junior Suite
The junior suite was a total dream. It had plenty of space to spread out and relax, and the design felt elegant without being over the top. You’ll actually want to spend time in this room because it’s more than just a place to sleep between nights out.
If you’re celebrating something special or planning to spend a lot of time in your room (which I’d totally recommend here), the junior suite is worth the splurge.
King Room
The king room was just as beautiful, just a bit more compact than the suite. It had the same calming design, the same thoughtful touches, and the same clean, fresh feel.
I recommend booking a standard king room if you’re trying to keep costs down a little bit, even though the Waldorf is a splurge in and of itself. Trust me, if you book a standard king room, you’re still going to have an amazing Waldorf experience.
The “Good Night” Button
This is one of my favorite little luxuries in the fancier hotels on this trip. With the click of a button, you can say “good night” to the whole room, and it automatically closes all the blinds and turns off every light without you having to get up.
Some luxury hotels also give you an in-room iPad to control everything, and the Waldorf doesn’t have one. But that was totally fine! The good night button handles the most important part.
The Bathroom & Soaking Tub
The bathroom has a beautiful soaking tub, and they even give you bath salts, so you don’t have to run to somewhere like Lush to have a great bath. Plush bathrobes and slippers are waiting for you, too, which made it so easy to lounge around in total comfort. This was perfect after a long day of walking the Strip or a long spa day!
The Room Service Cubby
This was such a cool detail. There’s a little cubby built into the room, so when you order room service, staff can drop it off there instead of knocking on your door and coming in.
You just open the cubby from inside your room and grab your food. It’s perfect if you’re in your robe, just out of the bath, or simply don’t want to be disturbed.
Are the Rooms Really the Cleanest on the Strip?
I’d read in plenty of Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas reviews that the hotel has some of the cleanest rooms on the Strip. I saw an influencer go around a bunch of Vegas hotels with a black light, and she said the Waldorf came out as the cleanest, basically.
I didn’t do my own black light test, but from our stay, I believe it. The rooms smelled clean, looked spotless, and housekeeping was in there constantly (more on that next!).
Housekeeping That Goes Above and Beyond
The housekeeping at the Waldorf Astoria Vegas was on another level. We didn’t have our Do Not Disturb sign on, so literally every time we left the room, we’d come back to find everything tidied up. Our phone cables were all neatly organized, and they even gave us a little Waldorf clip so the cords weren’t just strewn about.
My friend had left all her hair tools and makeup scattered across the bathroom vanity, and when we came back, everything was neatly arranged on a little mat. One time, we tossed our robes on the bed and stepped out for literally 10 minutes, and when we came back, they were already folded and put away!
We were so, so grateful for the housekeeping team, and they really made the whole experience feel special.
That said, they do come in quite a bit. If you’re someone who doesn’t love having staff in your room often, just make sure to keep your Do Not Disturb sign on.
Dining & Bars
The Waldorf has a small but really strong lineup of dining options, so you never actually have to leave the hotel to eat well. Breakfast at Zen Kitchen and cocktails with a view at Hard Shake ended up being some of our favorite moments of the whole trip. Here’s how each spot stacked up, in my opinion.
Zen Kitchen (Breakfast)
Breakfast at Zen Kitchen was amazing. The yogurt I had was one of the most refreshing yogurts I’ve ever had, with real vanilla bean in it. The omelette was huge, and I loved their fresh-squeezed juices.
We all enjoyed the eggs Benedict, and I went with the eggs Florentine, which was so good. Breakfast here is super hearty, too. We were full all the way until dinner time!
Peacock Alley (Dinner & Afternoon Tea)
Peacock Alley is up on the 23rd floor, and it’s the Waldorf’s newly renovated tea lounge and bar. We came here for mocktails and a really nice dinner. I had the salmon, which was kind of meh, but the steak frites is definitely what you need to get. The steak was cooked to perfection, the sauce was amazing, and the crème brûlée was awesome.
We didn’t get to try the afternoon tea because we weren’t there on the right days. Tea is served Wednesday through Sunday with seatings at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm, so plan ahead and book a reservation. It comes with little sandwiches and pastries, it’s really cute, and it’s not that crazy per person, which is perfect for a birthday or girls’ trip experience.
Hard Shake (Sushi, Cocktails & Sunset Views)
Hard Shake was one of the highlights of our stay. It’s also on the 23rd floor, with a gorgeous view of the Las Vegas Strip, and it’s the perfect place to go for sunset. We had sushi, mocktails, and a really good bread pudding dessert.
The shrimp appetizer was incredible. It’s the Honey Shrimp, topped with an onion crisp and little butterfly garnishes, and it was definitely the coolest thing I’ve ever eaten. Sitting up there with that view, we definitely felt like rich millionaires.
Just note that Hard Shake opens in the evening and isn’t open every night, so check the hours before you go.
Pool Café
The Pool Café serves food and drinks right on the eighth-floor pool deck, with waiter service to your lounge. It’s a nice option if you want a light lunch without leaving the pool. Keep in mind it’s seasonal, so it may be closed if you’re visiting in the cooler months.
The Pool
The Waldorf’s pool deck is up on the eighth floor, with two lap pools, two hot tubs, a plunge pool, and private cabanas, all with views of the Strip. It’s a calm, low-key setup, so don’t expect a DJ or a dayclub crowd here. This is more of a read-a-book-and-sip-something kind of pool.
If you want the big party pool scene, you can always head over to a dayclub at a nearby hotel. But if you’re looking for a peaceful afternoon in the sun away from the chaos of the Strip, this is exactly what you want. The pool, café, and cabanas operate seasonally, so check the hours if you’re visiting in the cooler months.
The Spa & Fitness Center
The spa and gym are both on the eighth floor, right down the hall from the pool. We had a full spa day during our stay, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was still one of the most relaxing parts of the trip.
The Spa
The Waldorf’s spa has a beautiful view, and we really enjoyed our time there. The heated chairs are gorgeous, the Jacuzzi pool is nice, and you can still get a good sweat in the steam room.
I will say, though, the spa itself doesn’t have that many amenities compared to some of the bigger spas on the Strip. The dry sauna wasn’t working when we were there, and neither was the experiential shower (the one with a variety of cold showers), which was kind of a bummer.
Still, between the view and the heated chairs, it was a really lovely way to spend an afternoon.
Gym & Fitness Center
The fitness center has Technogym cardio and strength equipment, TVs at each cardio machine, and chilled towels, water, and fresh fruit. There’s also a yoga studio with fitness classes overlooking the pool deck and the city. It’s a great option if you want to keep up your routine while you’re in town.
Location: Right in the Middle of the Strip
The location of the Waldorf is absolutely unbeatable. You’re right in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, in the CityCenter area next to Aria and The Shops at Crystals. Unlike staying on the far north end (like we did at Resorts World Las Vegas), you don’t have to plan your whole day around Ubers.
The Tram to Bellagio
You’re just a short walk from the free ARIA Express tram, which you can catch on level 4 of The Shops at Crystals. It stops at Bellagio, Vdara, Park MGM, and Aria, so getting to the Bellagio fountains or a show at O is super easy.
It’s such a nice perk, especially in the summer when walking anywhere on the Strip in the heat feels brutal.
The Shops at Crystals & Miracle Mile
The Shops at Crystals is basically right at your doorstep, with tons of high-end luxury stores if you want to do some window shopping (or real shopping!). If you want something a little more affordable, you can walk over to the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, which has a great mix of stores and casual restaurants.
Having both so close by makes it really easy to fill an afternoon without hopping in a car.
Casinos Within Walking Distance
Even though the Waldorf doesn’t have a casino of its own, you’re never far from one. Aria and Cosmopolitan are both about a 10-minute walk, and Park MGM, Planet Hollywood, and Bellagio are all close by, too.
So you get the best of both worlds. You can gamble, see the lights, and soak up that classic Vegas energy, then come back to a quiet, smoke-free hotel to unwind.
How Much Does It Cost?
The Waldorf is definitely a splurge, and rates can swing a lot depending on the weekend, holidays, and big events on the Strip. A king room is the more affordable way in, while the junior suite is worth it if you’re celebrating or plan to spend a lot of time in your room.
On top of the room rate, there’s a nightly resort fee, listed at $55 per night plus tax, which covers Wi-Fi, fitness classes, and house car service nearby. Valet parking is extra, too, so factor both into your budget before you book.
Considering the service, the rooms, and the location, I honestly think it’s worth every penny if you’re looking for a luxurious Vegas experience.
What to Watch Out For
Nothing here was a dealbreaker for us, but a few things would’ve been nice to know going in:
- Housekeeping comes in a lot. It’s amazing service, but if you don’t love the staff in your room often, keep your Do Not Disturb sign on.
- Some spa features may be out of order. The dry sauna and experiential shower weren’t working during our stay, so don’t expect a huge list of spa amenities.
- Check the hours before you go. Afternoon tea is only from Wednesday through Sunday, and Hard Shake and the Pool Café aren’t open every day, so plan ahead and make reservations.
- There’s no casino. If gambling is a big part of your trip, you’ll need to walk over to Aria or Cosmopolitan.
- Factor in the resort fee and parking. They add up on top of an already luxury-level room rate.
Who Is This Hotel For?
The Waldorf isn’t for every Vegas traveler, but for the right person, it’s a dream. Here’s who I think will love it the most:
Great for:
- Travelers who want a quiet, smoke-free luxury escape in the middle of the Strip
- Couples, birthdays, girls’ trips, and anyone celebrating something special
- People who plan to spend a lot of time at the hotel with spa days, nice dinners, and sunset cocktails
- Anyone who wants top-tier, attentive service and spotless rooms
- Travelers who want a central location close to the tram, Crystals, and Miracle Mile
Maybe skip if:
- You want to gamble without ever leaving your hotel
- You’re looking for a party scene, a dayclub pool, or nightlife on property
- You’re on a tight budget. See this list of affordable hotels on the Las Vegas Strip!
- You prefer staff not to come into your room often
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas Review: Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas or the Four Seasons Las Vegas?
Both are quiet, non-gaming luxury hotels, so it really comes down to location. The Four Seasons sits on the far south end of the Strip inside the Mandalay Bay complex, while the Waldorf is right in the middle of the action. If you want to walk to Bellagio, Aria, and Crystals easily, I’d pick the Waldorf.
Which hotel is better, Bellagio Las Vegas or Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas?
It depends on the kind of trip you want. Bellagio gives you the classic Vegas experience with the famous fountains, a big casino floor, and lots of energy. The Waldorf is calmer, smoke-free, and much more personal, with service that felt a level above anything else I’ve experienced on the Strip.
What was Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas before?
The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas was originally the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, which opened in 2009. It was rebranded as a Waldorf Astoria in 2018 and is now part of Hilton. Since then, it has gone through a multimillion-dollar renovation, including new rooms and the redesigned 23rd floor.
How much is afternoon tea at Peacock Alley?
When we looked, afternoon tea at Peacock Alley was around $65 per person, which isn’t that crazy for the experience. It’s served Wednesday through Sunday with seatings at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Prices and menus change seasonally, so double-check before booking.
Final Thoughts: Is Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas Worth It?
To wrap up this Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas review: yes, it’s absolutely worth it, and it’s hands down my favorite hotel in Vegas right now. I honestly haven’t had a better hotel experience anywhere in America yet. It was beautiful, it was relaxing, I felt rested, and I felt so taken care of from check-in to checkout.
If you can swing the rate, treat yourself, and I can’t wait to stay here again if I ever get the chance!
About the Author
Sasha is the founder of Little Happy Travels, a blog with tips and inspiration for combining work + travel and living the digital nomad lifestyle. As a business coach and remote worker, she’s spent the last few years traveling the world while helping others do the same. Follow for guides, tips, and personal stories on working from anywhere!
