On January 8, 2015, BusinessInsider.com posted an article by Lauren Browning and Asta Thrastardottir titled “Best Hotel in Every State.” In that article, the authors listed the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Las Vegas as the best hotel in Nevada. It just so happened that my husband had booked us a weekend there to celebrate Valentine’s Day, so I decided to use our stay as a chance to do a review of this five star luxury hotel that has made it onto multiple “best hotel” lists.

The hotel: The Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is a LEED certified luxury hotel located on the Las Vegas Strip in City Center. With no casino and only 392 rooms and suites, it is considerably smaller and quieter than most other hotels on The Strip. The property includes all the amenities one would expect at such an establishment (multiple pools, restaurants, a bar, banquet facilities, and rooms with a view). It also has a tea lounge and a five star spa.

What I liked about it:
*The sense of serenity that descends on you the moment you walk through the doors.
*The impeccable, but not stuffy, service of the staff (at all levels)
*The details (complimentary water bottles at turn-down service, the generous, complimentary bath salts, the valet closet that keeps staff from needing to interrupt guests’ privacy, etc)
*The chic modern decor
*The electronic controls allowing you to automate your preferences for music, black-out curtains, television and lighting
*The Spa, which has so many luxurious amenities I didn’t know where to start
*The coffee/espresso bar offering real espresso drinks and fresh pastries each morning
*The food and service at Mozen Bistro. (We didn’t have a chance to try the award-winning French restaurant, Twist.)
*The giant soaking tub arranged with a movable wall that allows you to privately view the city lights from your bath
*The mesmerizing views of the strip from The Mandarin Bar on the 23rd floor
*The fact that excellent shopping is only a short walk across the Sky Bridge to Crystals

The stuff I wasn’t crazy about:
*In-room wifi fee (although this is common at hotels at this star level)
*The commode area of the bathrooms could be more private (translucent door with no frame).
*Guests must take elevators to the lobby on the 23rd floor where they then take another set of elevators up or down to their room. I know this adds to the security of the guest rooms, but it is tiresome all the same.
*An environmentally conscious hotel (situated in a desert) with no recycling program for all those water bottles

My thoughts overall: I thoroughly enjoyed our three night stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. The staff and accommodations made us feel like royalty. Now that I’ve stayed here, I won’t be able to stay anywhere else in Vegas.