Las Vegas textures

Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Las Vegas is larger than life — witness the Aria Resort & Casino pictured above. With over four thousand rooms and suites, many highly regarded restaurants, and quite affordable room rates, Aria is one of the newest properties in Las Vegas and well suited for those who want to live big.

But if you prefer boutique, there are also FANtastic choices available in Las Vegas. My favorite is the Mandarin Oriental, part of City Center in the center of the strip. A casino-free and smoking-free hotel, it's less than 400 rooms — 392 to be exact. While big by Mandarin Oriental standards, this is truly petite by Vegas standards.

We're staying at the MO Las Vegas for my weekend at #VirtuosoWeek. I love my Cityscape room. On the 18th floor, it has an interesting view of Aria and Monte Carlo and even a peak at New York, New York and its roller coaster to the left. Elegant and tastefully decorated, my clients enjoy FAN Club amenities (even better than Virtuoso amenities) throughout their stay: American breakfast for two daily, a $100 F&B or Spa credit, and a room upgrade if available upon check-in.

The other boutique choice in Las Vegas is the Four Seasons Las Vegas. Located at the south end of the strip, the Four Seasons sits atop one tower of the Mandalay Bay. It is an oasis of serenity in the midst of the madness of Vegas, but just steps from the casino and the wave pool at Mandalay Bay (and FS guests have access). Contact me for complete information on available Preferred Partner amenities at the Four Seasons and Virtuoso amenities at Aria.

copyright  (c)  2016 by David Ourisman LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas | Vegas serenity

one of the pools at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

Here in Las Vegas for Virtuoso Travel Week, Claire and I are spending Saturday and Sunday nights at the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas. There's a lot to love about this hotel. Located center-strip, right in City Center with its entrance off Las Vegas Boulevard, it's a quiet, serene, and elegant haven of sanity in the midst of the madness that is Las Vegas.

With the best room product in Las Vegas (unless you go for some of the ultra-expensive specialty suites the city is known for), the Mandarin Oriental is a great choice if you appreciate contemporary elegance. The first WOW moment hits you the moment you stop off the elevator at the 23rd floor lobby and see the facing wall with almost sculptural qualities (pictured to the left). Rooms have a lot of space. Our 20th floor bedroom (room 2008) faces south down the strip, with a direct view of New York, New York with its skyline, roller coaster, and the Statue of Liberty. There is a large dressing room area, bathroom with dual vanities, huge soaking tub, a great shower, and separate WC. The spa is fabulous (we both enjoyed treatments last year) and the $100 Virtuoso or FAN Club spa credit will go about half-way to getting you a wonderful experience. Quite worth it at $100 off!

The Cosmopolitan is right next door to the Mandarin Oriental, and we had a site inspection last evening. One room was held out of the inventory for travel consultants to tour during Travel Week, a Terrace Studio. A large room (about 600 sq. ft.) with contemporary furnishings, it is set up as a Junior Suite. The bedroom area is by the outdoor terrace (the room we were shown had a killer view of the Bellagio fountain), separated by a low wall from the larger living room area of the Studio. There is also a kitchenette, but ask the hotel to clear out the minibar if you want to use the small fridge (as the minibar has "touch it and you pay for it" technology). The bathroom was full featured with dual vanities, jacuzzi tub, large step-in shower, and WC. The Cosmo appeals to a young crowd, and offers a loud, pulsing vibe that will appeal to many Vegas visitors. (My 25-year old daughter tells me it's her favorite place in Las Vegas).

Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.