Las Vegas is home to some of the most iconic luxury hotels in the world, and during our recent trip we had the chance to experience the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas. Known as Hilton’s top luxury brand, this non-gaming, non-smoking boutique property sits right in the heart of the Strip—steps away from Park MGM, ARIA, and The Cosmopolitan.
We booked our stay through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR), which included perks like early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and a $100 property credit. On paper, it sounded like the perfect Vegas luxury stay. But was it really worth it? Let’s dive into our full review.
Location & First Impressions
The Waldorf Astoria occupies floors 3–22 of the tower (with residences above) and feels tucked away compared to busier casinos. Its central location is excellent—you’re within walking distance of T-Mobile Arena, The Shops at Crystals, and multiple resorts.
One unique perk is the house car service: a complimentary ride (BMW or Tesla, depending on availability) within two miles of the Strip. It’s first-come, first-serve and only drop-off (no pickups), but it’s a great way to avoid an Uber for short trips.
Room Tour – King Bedroom with Strip View
We booked a King Room with Strip View on the 17th floor. The room felt modern yet slightly aged in design, with a few unique features worth noting:
- Lounge area with a comfortable sofa and a work desk (though the chair was a bit awkward).
- Mini-bar & Nespresso (thankfully not a Keurig) with overpriced snacks—$8 Coca-Cola, anyone?
- Bed & tech upgrades: bouncy mattress, wireless charging dock, and USB-C outlets.
- Bathroom: dual sinks, soaking tub (narrow for two), walk-in shower, and luxury bath amenities by Acqua di Parma.
- Closet: spacious with a valet closet—a pass-through cabinet for room service or laundry pickup, something we rarely see in hotels.
- Slippers & robes: some of the best we’ve had—thick, soft, and perfect for lounging.
The Strip view was decent but not jaw-dropping. Overall, the room was nice, but not quite at the “wow” level we expected from Waldorf.
Amenities – Pools, Gym & Spa
The Waldorf Astoria offers a solid set of amenities, though on a smaller scale compared to mega-resorts:
- Pool area: several heated pools, cabanas, and even an adults-only section. The pool bar was closed during our stay (winter season).
- Fitness center: compact but equipped with advanced TechnoGym machines, free water, cold towels, and headphones.
- Spa & Nail Bar: a unique feature. We rarely see luxury hotels with an on-site nail salon, which can be a nice use of FHR credits if you’d rather skip dining.
Dining – Zen Kitchen & Bars
This is where our experience fell short. The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas only has one restaurant, Zen Kitchen, plus two bars (Peacock Alley & SkyBar).
- Dinner at Zen Kitchen: We used our $100 Amex FHR credit here along with an extra $50 Hilton Diamond benefit. Unfortunately, the food was underwhelming. Portions were small, sushi looked tired, and the Wagyu fried rice felt overpriced at $20+. The espresso martini was decent, but the mocktail tasted like it had alcohol (and left us red-faced!).
- Breakfast at Zen Kitchen: Included as part of FHR ($30 per person credit). The croissant was served cold, the breakfast sandwich was okay, but nothing memorable. Service felt rushed, and the dining space was cramped with a 15-minute wait and no proper lounge area.
If you stay here, we recommend skipping Zen Kitchen and using your credits at SkyBar (with Strip views) or the spa instead.
Amex FHR Benefits Recap
Here’s how the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts perks worked out for our stay:
- 12 PM early check-in → Room was ready at 11:50 AM ✅
- Room upgrade (when available) → Not available ❌
- Daily breakfast for two ($60 value) → Used at Zen Kitchen, just okay
- Guaranteed 4 PM late checkout → Approved ✅
- $100 experience credit → Used at Zen Kitchen (would recommend spa/bar instead)
- Complimentary Wi-Fi → Speeds at 75 Mbps, solid ✅
Plus, as a Hilton Diamond member, we received an extra $50 food & beverage credit, bringing our total dining credit to $150.
Overall Impressions
Our stay at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas had its highlights—great location, comfortable rooms, and useful Amex FHR perks. However, the dining experience was a major letdown, especially given Waldorf’s reputation as a five-star brand.
Pros:
- Excellent central location on the Strip
- Boutique feel (non-smoking, non-gaming)
- Spacious rooms with updated amenities
- House car service within 2 miles
- Great slippers & robes (seriously!)
Cons:
- No room upgrade despite FHR booking
- Zen Kitchen food was disappointing
- Breakfast felt rushed & basic for a five-star property
- Limited dining options compared to other Vegas resorts
👉 Verdict: If you book through Amex FHR, the perks make it a decent value. But unless you’re looking for a quiet, casino-free stay, we think you’ll find more excitement—and better dining—at other Vegas luxury hotels like Crockfords or The Cosmopolitan.
Final Thoughts
For our first Waldorf Astoria stay, this Las Vegas property didn’t quite live up to the hype. While the hotel itself is elegant, the overall experience was just okay. If you do stay here, we suggest using your credits at the bar or spa instead of the restaurant.
We’ll be reviewing other Vegas luxury hotels like The Cosmopolitan, Bellagio, Conrad, and Crockfords, so stay tuned for comparisons!
If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas and want more insights, check out our full video review on our Youtube Channel
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas review with Amex FHR perks. See our full room tour, amenities, dining, and honest verdict on this non-gaming Strip luxury hotel.
