Planning a trip to Las Vegas always promises to be a fun endeavor prompting so many decisions…what shows can I see? who has the hottest restaurant? where’s my sequined dress? and where will I stay?
When I go to Las Vegas, I know I’m in for some high-energy fun and excitement, crowds of people, and all the intensity the strip has to offer. However, after an evening out in Sin City, I want to retreat to a peaceful and serene environment where I can relax and regain my sanity. For one of many reasons, this is why I chose to stay at a “non-gaming” hotel {hotels that do not have casinos} while in Las Vegas.
Some people may not be familiar with the fact that there are non-gaming hotels on the strip, but there are indeed a handful of hotels on or near the strip that offer non-gaming accommodations…and one of my go-to choices is The Four Seasons Las Vegas.
The Property
The property is located on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. However, you won’t find a neon sign or flashing lights leading you to the Four Seasons hotel because the lobby is discretely situated adjacent to the Mandalay Bay hotel and their rooms occupy the top 5 floors of the Mandalay Bay building…in essence, creating a hotel within a hotel. Yet once you enter the Four Seasons resort, you are completely unaware of the fact that these two resorts are commingled in any way {well, except for the “secret door” ~ I’ll tell you more about that shortly}.
By Las Vegas standards, the Four Seasons hotel is a very intimate property with only 424 rooms, whereas most other hotels on the strip have literally thousands of rooms. I find this a very appealing aspect of the property as it allows the guests to receive very personalized attention; and yet, the property offers all the amenities of its larger counterparts such as in-house restaurants, indoor/outdoor bar, a Forbes Five Star Spa, fitness center, private pool, all with the added perk of direct access to Mandalay Bay’s amenities.
The hotel lobby is sophisticated yet stylish in design with a combination of a soothing color palate and elegant wood paneling, inlaid marbled flooring, and cozy seating areas. The hotel showcases engaging pieces of artwork from glass sculptures, hand-woven blankets, local photography, even “Knight” a Poodle sculpture made from Crayons, to the canvas art scattered throughout the hotel and located in the rooms. I found the artwork, made from different mediums and materials, to be very captivating and inspiring as I moved about the hotel.
Check-In
Have you ever checked into one of those enormous Las Vegas hotels on the strip? If you have, then you’ve experienced the chaos of the crowds, standing in roped-off lines waiting your turn, and the impersonal service provided by the staff.
At the Four Seasons, the check-in process is a pleasure from the moment of arrival. I am always ushered directly to the front desk with no wait, where I am greeted by a friendly staff member. The process is quick and pleasant and establishes an enjoyable beginning to my trip. Once you’re checked in, the express elevator whisks you past the Mandalay Bay floors and quickly delivers you to the top 5 floors of the hotel.
Guest Rooms
The guest rooms at the Four Seasons are located on floors 35-39 of the Mandalay Bay hotel which ensures a great view from any room. There are a variety of categories ranging from Superior/Deluxe/Strip and Allegiant Stadium Views starting at 500 square feet, Strip and Stadium View Studios and One-Bedrooms ranging from 810 square feet to 1,100 square feet, to Specialty Suites up to 3,400 square feet {see here for room descriptions}.
The sophisticated design of the hotel extends to the guest rooms as well which has a subtle Art Deco influence that feels stylish and modern with geometric design elements and pops of colors in the artwork, pillows, and furniture reflecting the glamour for which Las Vegas is known. As you enter the rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows draw your attention to the expansive views outside whether it’s the several mile iconic hotel strip view or the sweeping views of the mountains and desert landscape.
Because this hotel is located at the south end of the strip, I believe it offers a unique vantage view of the Las Vegas strip. Tip: if you are looking for a strip view room, confirm that you want the Las Vegas hotel strip view, as well as a room on the outer edge of the building which will also offer a better point of view. Some strip view rooms face the opposite side of the hotel away from the neon lights but are still considered a strip view because the view follows Las Vegas Blvd. I only mentioned this so one would not be disappointed if they are looking for the iconic hotel strip view, which in my opinion is worth the effort at this location.
The rooms all offer residential-style comfort with oversized artwork, comfortable beds, nice-sized closets, cotton robes, and slippers. The spacious marbled bathrooms with showers and tubs, as well as large, well-lit mirrors make it comfortable for two people to get ready at the same time; complimentary in-room coffee makers and water bottles are provided, along with mini-bars and snacks {at cost}. The hotel is also pet friendly up to 25lbs with an associated pet fee. Although the rooms are very nice, in Las Vegas rooms often need a refresh to keep up with their counterparts and it is my understanding that the guest rooms will be refreshed in the near future which will only make a future stay here that much more desirable.
I stayed in room 36113, which I highly recommend, a strip-view one-bedroom suite that offers a separate living room and bedroom. As you enter the room, there is a sizeable foyer flanked with a large, colorful piece of art hanging over a credenza offering a spot to place your belongings. A separate powder room is off of the foyer which is always a nice, added feature. As I continued into the living area, my eyes were drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the impressive strip view which turns into an exhilarating sight of bright lights in the evening hours. The generously sized living room offers a sofa and two chairs, as well as a writing desk and large flat screen TV and coffee/minibar station. I always enjoy having a separate room for those mornings I wake up early and want to make myself a cup of coffee and get a little work done.
The bedroom is also quite comfortable with a king-sized bed, two chairs with a leather ottoman along with another TV, and a large dressing area with his and hers closet space. The marbled bathroom offered plenty of space for two people, yet having two bathrooms was even better for more space and privacy when getting ready for a night out on the town. This one-bedroom suite would be a nice room for friends traveling together or a small family because of the separate spaces with a pullout sofabed and the two bathrooms.
The hotel also offers a nice selection of Specialty Suites for those seeking a little more decadence, traveling with family or friends, or possibly small corporate events. The suites vary from approximately 1,500 square feet up to 3,400 square feet and offer opulent amenities such as panoramic views, spacious living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms with walk-in closets and some with kitchenettes for those lavish private parties you can throw in your swanky suite. As I toured these suites, I could imagine the Rat Pack mingling about in their fashionable suits with cocktails in hand, laughing at someone’s most recent antic…the suites truly seem to transport you the glamorous “heyday” of Las Vegas.
Dining
Press: Located in the Lobby, is a convenient spot for picking up a quick cup of coffee and a pastry in the morning, a pick-me-up during the day, or an evening cocktail along with happy hour specials. Press offers light bites and libations with lobby seating or outdoor patio seating.
Veranda: Enjoy Breakfast and Lunch at this American cuisine restaurant serving both inside and outside on the patio poolside. There is a nice variety to the menu and the food is fresh and tasty. The restaurant is well-known as one of Las Vegas’s best places to go for a power breakfast meeting and I can attest to this as I overheard a lot of business chatter and great minds at work.
Other dining options include the Pool Bar and in-room dining. At the time of this print, the main dinner dining room {formerly Charlie Palmer Steakhouse} was closed and in transition for a new restaurant to replace it, this should be coming soon. However, there are no shortages of dining options as Mandalay Bay offers a variety of restaurants, only a short elevator ride away.
Mandalay Bay Connection
All Mandalay Bay amenities are available to Four Seasons guests. When you are ready to walk into the Las Vegas craziness, the FS elevator offers a Casino {C} button. Pressing that button drops you off in a vestibule area and once you open the “secret door”, you are transported to the main level of the Mandalay Bay hotel where the casino, shops, restaurants, and more are available to you…warning, prepare yourself for the instantaneous energy and sound level shift in the environment. Be sure to note where the very discrete, secret door is located {it’s all very 007} for when you are ready to return back to the serenity of the Four Seasons hotel. A convenient aspect of this reciprocity program is that the shops and restaurants at Mandalay Bay will allow you to charge to your hotel room.
Spa
When it’s time for some self-pampering, visit the Four Seasons Forbes Five Star Rated Spa. The zen-like Spa lobby, inspired by the desert environment, greets you with an oversized counter with three live-edge Walnut accent pieces hanging on the wall behind the reception desk. The full-service spa offers services ranging from a variety of massages, facials, cupping therapy to a full Nail Bar {see treatments here}. The Spa lobby also showcases products used in their treatments, along with some quality clothing products and other amenities such as the resort’s exclusive candle scent, Desert Sage that you can purchase as a treat to bring home with you.
The Spa has 12 treatment rooms, including two couples suites. Be sure to arrive early for your treatment to take advantage of the Eucalyptus steam rooms and then relax in the candlelit co-ed Zen lounge where you can sink yourself into a plush chair, wrap yourself in a blanket and sip a cup of tea while waiting for your treatment to begin…this pre and/or post ritual is as much a part of the experience as the treatment itself.
Pool
This pool is a gem. I enjoy the relaxing and intimate atmosphere it offers and knowing that I won’t be fighting insane crowds to obtain a lounge chair, or fighting for the attention of an attendant. When I arrived on my first day after driving for hours on end, all I wanted to do was go to the pool and decompress. I was preparing myself for the possibility that I may not find a chair mid-afternoon, and yet when I arrived, I was immediately able to settle into a lounge chair and an attendant quickly came up to take my drink order. It was a pleasant experience. I have never had an unpleasant experience here as there seems to be a fair ratio of chairs to guests. For those seeking a little more privacy or shade, there are eight private pool cabanas that offer the ultimate in relaxation and pampering and are available for a daily rental fee.
The Pool Bar serves up a delicious assortment of dishes made fresh such as their house-made tortilla chips, tacos…and is there anything more decadent than snacking on some frozen grapes on a hot day while hanging out poolside? Pair any of the dishes with your favorite libation and it makes for a perfect pool day…and if you’re lucky, you might just happen to look up and see the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over as I did! That was an unexpected surprise.
The beauty of being a Four Seasons guest is that, if or when you are ready for a little more pool action, all hotel guests have full access through a connecting gate to Mandalay Bay Beach which houses a Lazy River, three swimming pools, and a real sand beach. It’s the best of both worlds. The use of facilities is not reciprocal to Mandalay Bay guests.
Activities
There are far too many activities in Las Vegas to name here but here are a few highlights:
The Strip:
Just walking the Strip is an activity of its own, it can be sensory overload but fun and exciting all at once. Take time to step into the different hotels to see some of the whimsical themes, luxurious stores, exhibits, and incredible restaurants. Tip: Wear comfortable shoes!
Drop a few coins. You are in Las Vegas, give your luck a go and see how you do.
Take a ride on the High Roller Ferris Wheel, the Fly Linq Zipline, or visit the IceBar {see here for options}.
Take in a show. Catch one of your favorite performers or a headlining show at one of the hotels. The Cirque du Soleil shows have been some of my favorites {see here for options}. Catch a sporting event at Allegiant Stadium {home of the Las Vegas Raiders} or a Vegas Golden Knights hockey game at T-Mobile Arena.
Visit The Neon Museum. I love this place, it’s basically a graveyard for the old neon signs from back in the day. Many of them have been restored and you will see them placed around town. I paid for a private photoshoot many years ago, {here} is a link to that post.
Surrounding Area:
With as much as is there is do within the four-mile radius of the Strip, it’s easy to forget that the surrounding area offers some pretty spectacular choices as well. Hike at Red Rock Canyon, take a helicopter tour of the Strip, Red Rock Canyon or Grand Canyon. Feel the need for speed? Head over to Exotics Racing and drive one of the exotic cars around one of the fastest and safest tracks in Las Vegas. Visit the Seven Magic Mountains, Ugo Rondinone’s large-scale site-specific public art installation.
Summary
The Four Seasons Las Vegas offers its guests the unique experience of being an intimate, non-gaming, non-smoking hotel with all the desired amenities that you would expect from a luxury resort; yet, there is the added bonus of having immediate private access to a large gaming casino resort offering all the conveniences you could want.
However, what really sets this hotel apart from the others in Las Vegas is the friendly and personalized attention given by the staff to its guests. The “happy you’re here” and “anticipate your need before you do” mentality. I felt that here. And if you think I’m being trite about that comment, I cannot say it better than Simon Sinek {an author and inspirational speaker on leadership} did in his Ted Talk {link here}. Simon is talking about Noah, a Four Seasons employee who is still with the hotel, enjoying his job and making his guests happy, including me…and the pleasure was all mine!
Four Seasons Las Vegas
3960 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
702.632.5000