Four Seasons Las Vegas: Deluxe Desert Digs
Written: Oct 04 '05 (Updated Oct 25 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It is the very best property on The Strip!
Cons: Really nothing, except for the suite upsell. See review.
The Bottom Line: For the discerning traveler, The Four Seasons, Las Vegas is the only place to stay while visiting Vegas.
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| ruby950's Full Review: Four Seasons Las Vegas |
Having stayed at The Four Seasons four times, I can honestly recommend this hotel, not only for its' high level of service, but for its' perfect location.......far away from the maddening crowds! Sometimes selecting a hotel can be a crap shoot, but The Four Seasons Las Vegas comes up all aces in my book!
Location~
The Four Seasons is currently the luxury anchor to The Las Vegas strip. The guest rooms sit atop of the well known Mandalay Bay Resort, and occupy floors 35-39. Views can be spectacular of the city, strip, mountains, or airport. The drive from the hotel to other points of interest such as Caesar's Palace, Bellagio, or the fashion mall will take about 10 minutes or more with traffic. One could walk to closer hotels such as the MGM Grand, but there are always plenty of taxi's or the complimentary use of a house car for your convenience.
If you enjoy mingling with the crowds on the strip, or the "garbage flyers" that are tossed about the main street, this may not be the hotel for you. Its' entrance is pristine and full of tropical (yes in the dessert) foliage, without a piece of trash in sight. The last time I walked "The Strip," I felt the need to bathe.
If it is action that you want, all you need to do is to take the private elevator to the casino of Mandalay Bay, where it is "Viva Las Vegas" 24 hours a day. I enjoyed the private key card access door that allows Four Season's guests to enter Mandalay Bay's public areas. The best part of the access door is that Mandalay Bay guests have no privileges to The Four Seasons access doors! Not only is this system a nice security guard, it also prevents the wrong kind of tourists to ramble through the Four Seasons Halls. Of course, one can always enter through the front entrance of the hotel. To find the front doors of the hotel is just a bit confusing. One way takes you to The Mandalay Bay and the other way takes you to the Four Seasons. Just follow the attractive signs and you will soon be at your own private oasis!
The Lobby~
Most five star hotels have lobbies to talk about. The Four Season's Vegas does not disappoint. The lobby literally gleams with shiny wood and immaculate stone flooring. Center stage is a huge floral arrangement that was spectacular. The aroma of the multitude of casa blanca lilies greets the visitor when entering the lobby, and provided a special serenity to the area. The Concierge desk, which is usually manned by at least three staff members, is visible from the main lobby. A few steps past the floral display is a large lounge area and the main reception desk. I would describe the lobby lounge as upscale modern in the sparse but comfortable decor.
Turn left from the main lobby and you will see a beautiful long and very wide hallway that takes you to the elevator banks and to the pool and spa areas. The Four Seasons has spared no expense in decor. The amount of money spent in built in cabinetry is quite apparent. This is a beautiful and important looking hallway. Within this hallway is the sundry shop which offers most things a needy traveler might need. Of course, all purchases can be charged to one's room. The gift shop sells upscale women's men's, and children apparel, along with jewelry and accessories.
More flowers greet you prior to your ascent to your room. The lounge area outside of the elevators is beautiful and the floral arrangement just as special as the lobby flowers. All of this elegance creates an anticipation for your Four Seasons quarters awaiting you!
Reception~
The reception at The Four Seasons begins with the opening of your car doors by the personable porters. We were "welcomed back" even though my husband was having an audible fit over his non-working cell phone at that moment. Next were the delightful doormen who always seem "at the ready" to aid and greet you in some way. I have yet to find a line at the reception desk. This is somewhat unusual in Vegas. I, for one, don't appreciate a snake line to wait in when arriving anywhere. A line of any kind at a hotel makes me think that either the hotel is understaffed or do not care about the comfort of their guests.
During this last visit, we were left to wait about 30 seconds while a guest was getting change, and two receptionists were speaking on the phone with guests. The staff member that greeted us, apologized profusely for the wait! We were asked if we wanted any cold water, and then swiftly proceeded through the arrival process. We were given an upgrade 'just because" and asked if we wanted a suite for an additional price. This is the only con I have ever had during my stays here. Don't dangle the possibility of the "suite upgrade" for money to me. Just give me the darn suite as a courtesy! Though the agent was extremely professional, it did remind me a bit of things that go on at cell phone shops or used car dealers. We were in our room within 5 minutes of our arrival. Our luggage followed in about two minutes.
Guest Rooms~
There are 426 guest rooms including 86 suites. During my visits I have enjoyed a one bedroom suite, a two bedroom suite, and deluxe rooms. All were spacious, comfortable, and tastefully decorated with wonderful views. I understand that there are "specialty" suites, but I guess that I am not special, as I have not been treated to one of those!
As with all Four Seasons Hotels, the Las Vegas rooms feel more like private guest quarters in a lovely home, than a hotel room. Deluxe rooms are 550 sq. feet. The one bedroom suites are 1,100 sq. ft, and the 2 bedroom suites are about 1,650 sq. ft.
Room decor varies in color. Our last room during the Labor Day holiday was done in warm dessert tones of gold, sand beige, and salmon. My favorite part of the room was the architecturally pleasing ceiling and floor moldings. There was a wonderful wall canopy and of pleated fabric that hung from floor to ceiling behind our upholstered headboard. Coordinating triple hung window coverings framed the floor to ceiling windows. Though the windows do not open, the Four Seasons have cleverly engineered a fresh air vent at the base of the windows. Nice touch if you like hot dessert air.
The bedspread was beige brocade and the comfy lounge chair and ottoman were done in the same fabric. Even at The Four Seasons, I get rid of the bedspread within five minutes of my arrival. This one was beautiful, but off it went. The observant housekeeper left a note at turn down stating that she has removed the spread for the duration of our stay. It was replaced with a lovely cream down duvet. Perfect! The bed was as comfy as one would expect at a Four Seasons, and it was outfitted with plenty of down pillows and a down featherbed. The sheeting looked just like Frette, with the golden stitched border, The label, however, said that the sheets were "made expressly" for The Four Seasons.
A wonderful wood armoire housed the CD player, television, and several large drawers. Matching nightside tables with crystal lamps flanked the beautiful bed. The deluxe room had two smallish closets with deluxe wooden and satin hangers and a set of shelves within the closets. The shelves stored extra pillows, blankets, the iron and ironing board, two sets of slippers, shoe care equipment, clothes brush, and best of all.......lavender linen water! The suites have walk-in closets. A lovely built in wet bar completed this elegant room. The suites wet bar is located in the living room and is much larger than that of the deluxe room.
The bathrooms are always a highlight for me in any hotel. The deluxe room and suite bathrooms appear very similar. I believe that one of our suite bathrooms may have had a double vanity. Our deluxe bath only had one sink. Suites offer a powder room with shower in the living room area. During my last visit, as the husband had a much deserved nap following a 14 hour drive, I spent two hours in the sumptuous bathroom. The deep soaking tub encased in marble was just what I needed after our road trip. The bath amenities were all by L'Occitane, a lovely French brand that is highly aromatic, moisturizing, and refreshing. A bubble bath in this bathroom is special, indeed! An elegant and handy touch to the tub is the brass tub tray that can be positioned to hold your personal bath items or even reading material. A separate glass enclosed shower provides plenty of hot water. Of course, the toilet has its own little room for privacy. The marble vanity is spacious enough for all of your beauty paraphernalia and comes with a wall hung brass magnifying mirror. A beautifully framed mirror graces the wall, and is surrounded by golden wall sconces. Another nice touch to the room are built in glass shelves for added storage space. A rattan chair and two fluffy bathrobes round out this bathroom retreat!
Service~
It is hard to beat the level of service offered at any Four Seasons Hotel. The Concierge and Reservation staff at this Las Vegas property really have gone out of their way to help us enjoy our stay. Three years ago, my husband planned a surprise birthday party for me here. He flew in family and friends for this "special" birthday. I am the party planner in this family, so the poor guy needed help to pull this event together. The concierge staff were given free reign to make my birthday weekend memorable. The living room of our two bedroom suites was filled with balloons and ribbons of all colors. It was a sight to behold! The hotel's talented florist created bouquets for all rooms. Attached to each arrangement were thoughtful notes. They really made my husband look like a star! The real fun began after the discovery of the multiple bottles of Dom Periogne were uncorked. Yes, the concierge staff got the job done, and did it with style. Of course, they made all of the dinner and golf reservations, and had all of the documents waiting for my husband. One of their best arrangements was entry to the House of Blue's private club, The Foundation Room, for our entire party. My husband knew that I would want to dance my birthday away, but not with all of the twenty somethings down on the strip. There was quite a vibe within the club that night. Even better than dancing was the opportunity to see a live concert from their media room, without fighting the paying crowds below. We arrived late, but it sure was fun! The competence of the concierge staff didn't stop there, arrangements were made for limousines to and from the airport, and we were given priority use of the house cars throughout this party weekend. Truly some of the best service I have ever experienced.
Dining~
The Four Seasons has two main dining options, The Verandah and Charlie Palmer Steak. The Verandah is described as "informal dining" for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is true, one is welcome to wear their workout gear for breakfast, but don't be fooled by the word "informal." This restaurant is not your average informal coffee shop. It is a comfortable and serene room that is very attractive with a certain Mediterranean feel. One can dine inside or outside on the large terrace, overlooking the tropical gardens of the pool. I particularly liked the long and lovely moss green curtains that separates the room from the outdoors, and allows the dessert sunshine inside. From what I could see, there are no windows or doors just the elegant curtains. The Mediterranean feel is continued with the parquet flooring and cane furniture. It truly is a great room......just what a dessert oasis dining room should be. Having only experienced breakfasts on our visits to the hotel, I cannot speak to the luncheon and dinner menus. Breakfasts have always been delicious. On my last visit, there was a saturday brunch set out that looked fabulous. I noticed a darling display of cooked to order donuts, which is a clever twist at brunch. There was a selection of toppings and icings provided. I inquired about the pricing of the brunch, and I believe it was $35.00. It was probably worth it, as it was quite a spread. I opted for a small plate of chicken and apple sausage which was about $6.00.
One of the reasons one stays or eats at The Four Season's is for their high level of service. The restaurant's service was particularly courteous. Their table linens were white. After noticing that both my husband and myself were wearing black, the last visit (and probably all past visits) they quickly replaced our white napkin with a black one. How thoughtful!
The other restaurant is Charlie Palmer Steak. You might recognize the name Charlie Palmer, as he is world renowned for his other eateries, especially Aurole in NYC and Las Vegas. It is a great looking room with a club like ambiance. There is a certain Spanish feel to this spacious restaurant with the ochre stucco walls and grand archways. The restaurant has been voted "best steakhouse in Vegas" and I don't doubt it. I have not had the pleasure of dining here, but cocktails in the lounge are great! The lounge is the perfect place to meet for a drink. The atmosphere is lively and the comfort level high with leather sofas and chairs.
Fitness Facilities~
I have found that most Four Seasons Hotels have top notch fitness facilities, and this one does not disappoint. There are two separate rooms, one for cardio and another for free weights, along with beautiful men's and women's locker rooms. With all of the eating and drinking I usually do in Vegas, I make the effort to use the facilities at least once a day. You can work out with a view of the pool area, listen to music, or watch television while you burn off your chips and salsa from the Border Grill.
The service is so attentive here, I almost expected the staff to sweat for me! If you are looking the least bit thirsty, a cold bottle of water is brought to your equipment station. Starting to sweat? A chilled towel magically appears. Need a sugar fix? Fresh fruit is always available. The fitness facility is state-of-the-art, all the way. The 21 cardio machines, all with their own personal televisions, have always been enough for the guests, and the room has never appeared too crowded for comfort.
The Spa~
Believe it or not, I am not a spa type of girl. That being said, I have not experienced the plentiful pampering services of The Spa at The Four Seasons. Each time I visit, I do step into the spa entrance to take in the beautiful aromas that one notices while passing by. Fragranced candles are burning and smiling attendants are ready to greet you and check your treatment reservation. There is a myriad of personal treatment products to purchase and charge to your guest room. I always find something for my private pampering.
I have no doubt that the spa experience at The Four Seasons is one of the best. The treatment offerings are certainly tempting with titles such as: The Royal Rub, Champagne Mud Wrap, French Body Polish, and Bali Sea and Flower Ritual. There are massages for couples and a special massage for expecting mothers. It is a full service spa.
The Pool~
The pool may seem small to those accustomed to larger hotel properties on the strip. I think it is perfect in size, as I don't enjoy being in the same space with hundreds of other people. The lounge chairs are as comfortable as you will find anywhere with their cushy thick chair pads. I always judge a hotel by the comfort they provide for their guests at the pool. The Four Seasons leaves no detail undone for my comfort zones! A lively young pool attendant is quick to greet you and find you a chair in the beautifully landscaped pool location of your choice. Full sun or the shade of beautiful arbor areas ....the choice is yours. He or she will set you up with a special fitted lounge towel that always stays in place. Of course extra towels for drying off are provided and neatly folded on your chair. The next time you are at some Hyatt or all inclusive "signing" for your towels, remember that The Four Seasons always trusts their guests.
The minute we got comfortable, a large pitcher of water with lemon slices and two glasses of ice were brought to our lounge table. A few minutes later, chilled cucumber slices were offered. It wasn't too long before we were spritzed with a chilled Evian mist, and offered a frosty face cloth. Later in the day, the complimentary fruit was passed around. What would be next? Might they do the sunning for me? Of course, if you are just too comfy to get up for lunch, one can order cocktails and light meals without missing a ray of sun. There are also two whirlpools and a kids only wading pool to round out a day of sunshine. All of this service, the serenity of the piped in music, and the comfort of my chaise, made for one of the best poolside experiences this side of The Four Seasons Nevis! Now, if you want a bigger pool with more enhancements, just walk out the gated doors and head to the wave pool at Mandalay Bay. Once again, the Four Seasons guest has privileges there.
The Four Seasons Vegas: Who Is It For?~
If you love to gamble but not on your vacation lodging, The Four Seasons is for you. The gambling is only an elevator ride away. If you are like me, you want to know who you are sleeping with and who is roaming below your bedroom. The Bellagio is beautiful, but I just do not like the crowds there. The cab lines at Bellagio are really just too much, as well. Caesar's is legendary and the Forum Shops make for great shopping, but again, the throngs of people just make maneuvering through your hotel a chore. The Four Seasons generally has higher priced rooms than the other hotel properties. However, along with the higher price, are higher levels of service and larger rooms. We have paid various rates over the years. Our last visit was $300 a night, but it included a $50 hotel credit as part of the Oasis Package. My husband stayed at New York, New York, one week after our Four Seasons stay. It was quite a let down. He also thought that I would never be happy at NY NY. I am sure that he is right. The Four Seasons is the best bet for me!
Hotel Contact Information:
3960 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
Nevada U.S.A. 89119
Phone: 1 (702) 632-5000
Fax: 1 (702) 632-5195
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ruby950
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Deborah
Location: Chicago
Reviews written: 30
Trusted by: 200 members
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