Vegas Trip Review - Vdara
January 7th, 2012 at 9:41:38 PM
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Hello WoV readers,
As you saw from my last post, I'm back in action. Finally got my camera working so about to post some goodies. I'm going to start off with my time in the Vdara.
The Vdara is a gorgeous all-suite hotel. It is completely non-smoking and does not have a casino. It is part of the trio-complex in city center (Aria, Vdara, and the Cosmopolitan). If you think of a triangle, the Vdara is at the tip facing away from the strip. Ie, it's in the back. But that's ok, cause you have this great view of the mountains. At least I did from my room.
Below are some cool pics of my room.
This is the walk-in area, which is very functional. Hot plate for cooking, fully loaded utensils, microwave, sink, and mini-bar. ***Beware of the mini-bar. You touch you pay. It is electronically tethered***
The walk-in area comes with a nice dining area. Leather seating is super-comfy.
This leads to the living room, which has a nice flat panel TV although the cable selection is crap. Most likely cause they want you out and about gambling (odd since there is no casino in the hotel haha).
I really enjoyed the bed. It was very comfortable. Not too hard and not too soft. Definitely brand spanking new. The lights in the back that look like a hook really did nothing. Not sure why they are there. The lights to the side in front of the mirrors are really sexy. Gives the room a nice feel. There is also a big couch and chair in the room, which is not shown here. I was less impressed by it.
The bathroom was a big let down and I'll explain why after these pictures.
So I had bathroom issues. The size is average. In fact, I thought the bathroom in a renovated room at the Luxor and the MGM to feel a bit bigger. There were functional issues as well. The seating in the shower was a bit small, and shower head was a bit weak. My biggest problem was with the tub. I sat in the touch for a nice hot bath, and after I got it, it wouldn't drain. To drain the water you had to hold up the plug. There was neither a button nor string to pull. It was practically bolted down to only lift so far. I let housekeeping deal with it when I left, cause I'm not waiting to let the water drain out. Stupid design.
The Vdara is brand new, and my room still had that glue smell when you walk in. A big turn-off. Turpentine anyone? Didn't stay in the hotel long enough to make a big deal about it.
The house-keeping was very attentive. They saw me check-in, and rang my bell to see if I would need anything. Extra towels are always nice please!
The biggest pluses about the modern feel of the Vdara include the pool, spa, and security.
In no particular order:
Security first, I felt relatively safe as a guard was posted outside the elevators checking for room-keys prior to entry.
The pool was crowded with beautiful women. Sorry no pics allowed. I guess this is how the other half lives. It's a young working crowd with $$$ and hot women. You can tell by the idiots who swim with their rolex's on, or the many attractive women working on their perfect tans. The food was moderately priced. I had a trio of mini turkey burgers. Now I know many of you have heard about the poor design of the window coating. Yes it's partially true. As I was tanning in 85 degree weather, the pool area magnified by the rays from the window felt like it was in the high 90s to low 100s. But that's ok. Extra-sunscreen and rotating every 10-15minutes will do you some good. I made sure to be on a timer to avoid sunburn. Note to self, buy sunscreen at the local CVS across from the Monte Carlo, cause it's a rip-off at the pool. Sunscreen should not cost $14-$18.
The best part of my stay at the Vdara was the Spa. Please do check it out. It's pricey yes. But worth it. I had an excellent masseuse for ~130 for 55 minutes? or something like that. I was literally falling asleep through the massage, and possibly snoring a little perhaps. I was literally that relaxed. She was amazing. Complete total body massage and evenly timed. No additional requests needed. Plus there is also this "recovery cool-down area" which is at a slightly lower temperature where you lounge, listen to water drop like music, and nap. That felt nice too. Area comes with dried fruit, tea, jacuzzi, dry and wet sauna, shaving area. I have to say, the attendant in the male area of the spa was really good. Well-worth the tip. Friendly, but not too intrusive. Got me ice cold water and towels, when I was in the dry sauna. Made recommendations on restaurants and other attractions. He got me feet deodorant powder, extra towels, different sized slippers etc. Really nice guy.
Now I paid a pretty penny to stay at the Vdara. I enjoyed the pool and Spa. The room did not meet my expectations. For what I paid, it really needed to be close to perfect. No glue smell and certainly a draining tub. Electronically controlled, temperature, lights, and shades were cool. Couch and seating could have been more memorable. I did like the foot-stool/glass table (not shown in pics). Location was very convenient to the tram. Dining options were a bit limited in my humble opinion. A market cafe, which was slightly over-priced and ok coffee. Bar area in the lobby was bustling. Check-in staff were hot. Possibly ex-strippers. I support local employment. =D
Overall, I shall say go for the Spa, but I wouldn't go back for the room. It didn't leave a strong enough impression for the $$$ per night. Informed the staff and surveyers of my experience, but no response as expected.
As you saw from my last post, I'm back in action. Finally got my camera working so about to post some goodies. I'm going to start off with my time in the Vdara.
The Vdara is a gorgeous all-suite hotel. It is completely non-smoking and does not have a casino. It is part of the trio-complex in city center (Aria, Vdara, and the Cosmopolitan). If you think of a triangle, the Vdara is at the tip facing away from the strip. Ie, it's in the back. But that's ok, cause you have this great view of the mountains. At least I did from my room.
Below are some cool pics of my room.
This is the walk-in area, which is very functional. Hot plate for cooking, fully loaded utensils, microwave, sink, and mini-bar. ***Beware of the mini-bar. You touch you pay. It is electronically tethered***
The walk-in area comes with a nice dining area. Leather seating is super-comfy.
This leads to the living room, which has a nice flat panel TV although the cable selection is crap. Most likely cause they want you out and about gambling (odd since there is no casino in the hotel haha).
I really enjoyed the bed. It was very comfortable. Not too hard and not too soft. Definitely brand spanking new. The lights in the back that look like a hook really did nothing. Not sure why they are there. The lights to the side in front of the mirrors are really sexy. Gives the room a nice feel. There is also a big couch and chair in the room, which is not shown here. I was less impressed by it.
The bathroom was a big let down and I'll explain why after these pictures.
So I had bathroom issues. The size is average. In fact, I thought the bathroom in a renovated room at the Luxor and the MGM to feel a bit bigger. There were functional issues as well. The seating in the shower was a bit small, and shower head was a bit weak. My biggest problem was with the tub. I sat in the touch for a nice hot bath, and after I got it, it wouldn't drain. To drain the water you had to hold up the plug. There was neither a button nor string to pull. It was practically bolted down to only lift so far. I let housekeeping deal with it when I left, cause I'm not waiting to let the water drain out. Stupid design.
The Vdara is brand new, and my room still had that glue smell when you walk in. A big turn-off. Turpentine anyone? Didn't stay in the hotel long enough to make a big deal about it.
The house-keeping was very attentive. They saw me check-in, and rang my bell to see if I would need anything. Extra towels are always nice please!
The biggest pluses about the modern feel of the Vdara include the pool, spa, and security.
In no particular order:
Security first, I felt relatively safe as a guard was posted outside the elevators checking for room-keys prior to entry.
The pool was crowded with beautiful women. Sorry no pics allowed. I guess this is how the other half lives. It's a young working crowd with $$$ and hot women. You can tell by the idiots who swim with their rolex's on, or the many attractive women working on their perfect tans. The food was moderately priced. I had a trio of mini turkey burgers. Now I know many of you have heard about the poor design of the window coating. Yes it's partially true. As I was tanning in 85 degree weather, the pool area magnified by the rays from the window felt like it was in the high 90s to low 100s. But that's ok. Extra-sunscreen and rotating every 10-15minutes will do you some good. I made sure to be on a timer to avoid sunburn. Note to self, buy sunscreen at the local CVS across from the Monte Carlo, cause it's a rip-off at the pool. Sunscreen should not cost $14-$18.
The best part of my stay at the Vdara was the Spa. Please do check it out. It's pricey yes. But worth it. I had an excellent masseuse for ~130 for 55 minutes? or something like that. I was literally falling asleep through the massage, and possibly snoring a little perhaps. I was literally that relaxed. She was amazing. Complete total body massage and evenly timed. No additional requests needed. Plus there is also this "recovery cool-down area" which is at a slightly lower temperature where you lounge, listen to water drop like music, and nap. That felt nice too. Area comes with dried fruit, tea, jacuzzi, dry and wet sauna, shaving area. I have to say, the attendant in the male area of the spa was really good. Well-worth the tip. Friendly, but not too intrusive. Got me ice cold water and towels, when I was in the dry sauna. Made recommendations on restaurants and other attractions. He got me feet deodorant powder, extra towels, different sized slippers etc. Really nice guy.
Now I paid a pretty penny to stay at the Vdara. I enjoyed the pool and Spa. The room did not meet my expectations. For what I paid, it really needed to be close to perfect. No glue smell and certainly a draining tub. Electronically controlled, temperature, lights, and shades were cool. Couch and seating could have been more memorable. I did like the foot-stool/glass table (not shown in pics). Location was very convenient to the tram. Dining options were a bit limited in my humble opinion. A market cafe, which was slightly over-priced and ok coffee. Bar area in the lobby was bustling. Check-in staff were hot. Possibly ex-strippers. I support local employment. =D
Overall, I shall say go for the Spa, but I wouldn't go back for the room. It didn't leave a strong enough impression for the $$$ per night. Informed the staff and surveyers of my experience, but no response as expected.
January 7th, 2012 at 10:45:55 PM
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Nice review. Reminds me a lot of the comped room I got at Palms Place a year or two ago. Condo-turned-into-hotel. Probably will never have the money to stay there, but it looks nice.
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
January 8th, 2012 at 8:14:57 AM
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Can someone explain to me how they can be competitive with other similar level hotels that have casinos? Wouldn't gamblers want to be in a casino/hotel to get their room for free or at least deeply discounted? Is Vdarra affiliated with any casino/hotels?
January 8th, 2012 at 10:09:11 AM
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I'm sure you actually meant Mandarin Oriental being part of City Center, not the Cosmo, which is owned by different company (bank) altogether. Also, all three are in the back, making the design of the complex very user-un-friendly labyrinth.
Perhaps the drain worked by pulling up and rotating 45 degrees? It won't come out entirely but stays with the tub, just turn and it catches on a notch.
I would have liked a pic of the touch-sensitive minibar, but perhaps just a flash going off around it would've triggered a charge.
Good review. Thanks! Keep 'em coming.
Perhaps the drain worked by pulling up and rotating 45 degrees? It won't come out entirely but stays with the tub, just turn and it catches on a notch.
I would have liked a pic of the touch-sensitive minibar, but perhaps just a flash going off around it would've triggered a charge.
Good review. Thanks! Keep 'em coming.
"Poker sure is an easy game to beat if you have the roll to keep rebuying."
January 8th, 2012 at 10:24:36 AM
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deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
January 8th, 2012 at 4:12:55 PM
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No bidet? I thought all rooms at Vdara had a bidet with an eye-level instructions panel.
Tub drain? Probably one of those annoying tiny little knob things. Lift it half an inch and twist then it locks in the drain-up position. Can anyone imagine putting annoying devices in a brand new hotel just so some VP of purchasing can get a bonus?
Tub drain? Probably one of those annoying tiny little knob things. Lift it half an inch and twist then it locks in the drain-up position. Can anyone imagine putting annoying devices in a brand new hotel just so some VP of purchasing can get a bonus?
January 8th, 2012 at 5:54:28 PM
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Zippyboy,
I did mean the Cosmo as it is right in front of the Vdara. I really liked the vibe there.
As far as the drain, I fiddled with it long enough to give up. Poor design.
Sorry no mini-bar pic. I opened it up, and almost thought I saw lasers guarding every item. Then I read the disclaimer. You touch, you pay. And I was like forget it.
I did mean the Cosmo as it is right in front of the Vdara. I really liked the vibe there.
As far as the drain, I fiddled with it long enough to give up. Poor design.
Sorry no mini-bar pic. I opened it up, and almost thought I saw lasers guarding every item. Then I read the disclaimer. You touch, you pay. And I was like forget it.
January 8th, 2012 at 5:57:43 PM
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Ahhh, well I'm just clarifying that Cosmo is not part of City Center, not owned by MGM or affiliated in any way. Just being adjacent doesn't make it part of. No biggie.
"Poker sure is an easy game to beat if you have the roll to keep rebuying."
