THE HOTEL: This Westin hotel, part of the Marriott group, is a couple of blocks off The Strip – far enough to mean, it seemed, that business travellers outnumbered leisure guests at the property. It was originally opened as a hotel and casino in the 1970s and has operated under the Westin brand, under several different owners, since 2003. The casino was closed in 2017 and the space used to expand its meetings and events facilities instead – the absence of the usual flashing lights and tinkling of fruit machines makes a refreshing change. Interestingly, the property was one of the first in the city to go completely smoke free.
THE CHECK-IN: By Las Vegas standards, the hotel is not big and the lobby area was pretty quiet when I checked in around 4pm. There was no queue and just a couple of friendly staff working the reception desk. I was told I’d been upgraded from a Deluxe King room to a Premium King room and directed to the elevators.
THE ROOM: The room was a generous size and decorated ‘safely’ rather than spectacularly. The one attempt to inject some Las Vegas glitz was a large blue and gold abstract painting above – and partially obscured by – the headboard of the (very comfortable) king size bed. There was a sofa, desk, wardrobe, wall-mounted TV, plus fridge, coffee machine, safe, iron/ironing board and a batch of leaflets promoting the brand’s focus on wellness: Stay Well, Stay Productive, Stay Fit (guests can borrow New Balance training gear), Stay Energized etc. The bathroom was also spacious and came with Heavenly by Westin amenities. Views were across a car park to the High Roller observation wheel.
THE FACILITIES: There’s 30,000ft2 of function space – and evidence of a couple of big events while I was at the hotel – plus a Starbucks, outdoor pool, spa, gym and the Jake & Eli Restaurant, which specialises in American dishes and premium whiskeys. Wifi is free.
THE VERDICT: This is a good business hotel on the fringe of the glamour that permeates the Las Vegas strip. It’s close enough to the action for those who seek it and at the same time a refuge for those who don’t!
THE DETAILS: The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa, 160 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109. Rates from around £107.
Reviewed by Andy Hoskins (2019)
