The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, formerly the Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, is a 47-story[1] luxury hotel and condominium building in the CityCenter complex on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It is managed by Hilton Worldwide as part of the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand. It is owned by Tiffany Lam and Andrew and Peggy Cherng.
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas | |
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![]() Mandarin Oriental in 2011, seen from across the Las Vegas Strip | |
Former names | Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas (2009–2018) |
Hotel chain | Waldorf Astoria |
General information | |
Status | Operating |
Type | Hotel & condominium |
Location | Paradise, Nevada |
Address | 3752 South Las Vegas Boulevard |
Coordinates | 36°6′22.50″N 115°10′27.50″W / 36.1062500°N 115.1743056°W |
Opening | December 4, 2009 |
Owner |
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Management | Hilton Worldwide |
Technical details | |
Floor count | 47 |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Kohn Pedersen Fox |
Other information | |
Number of rooms | 389 hotel rooms & 225 condominiums |
Website | |
hilton.com... |
The hotel was originally owned by MGM Mirage and Dubai World, and operated by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group as part of its luxury chain. It opened on December 4, 2009, occupying the former site of the Boardwalk hotel-casino. It was rebranded under the Waldorf Astoria name in 2018, following a $214 million purchase by Lam and the Cherngs. The hotel has 389 rooms leading up to the lobby on the 23rd floor. The upper floors contain 225 condominium residences.
History
editThe property began as the Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. It was announced in September 2005, as part of MGM Mirage's CityCenter project. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) would manage the hotel,[2] which would be owned by MGM and partner Dubai World.[3] The hotel was built at the southeastern corner of CityCenter,[4] occupying the former site of the Boardwalk hotel-casino.[5]
Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox,[6][7] with hotel interiors by Adam Tihany.[8][9] The residential component was designed by Kay Lang and Associates.[10] The hotel received a LEED Gold certification on November 20, 2009.[11][12][13]
Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas opened on December 4, 2009. It was the third component to open at CityCenter, following Vdara and Crystals.[1] It was hoped that Mandarin Oriental, a well-known brand outside of the U.S., would help attract foreign visitors to CityCenter.[14] The hotel offered a focus on personalized customer service, and it aimed to attract a high-end clientele.[15][16][1] Mandarin Oriental also had the largest and most expensive condos at CityCenter, with an average listing price of $2 million.[10]
Mandarin Oriental opened amid the Great Recession, and saw a disappointing financial performance during its first year, prompting increased marketing and promotions.[17] MOHG viewed the property as a long-term investment.[18]
In 2018, MGM and Dubai World sold the hotel for $214 million to hotel investor Tiffany Lam and Panda Express founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng.[3] In conjunction with the sale, MOHG ceased managing the property on August 31, 2018, and Hilton assumed management, rebranding it as a Waldorf Astoria.[19][20][21] The hotel's Asian theme would be removed during renovations,[19] which took place from 2021 to 2024.[22][23]
Facilities
editThe Waldorf Astoria is 47 stories.[4] It contains 389 hotel rooms and suites, and 225 condominiums,[24] as well as a two-floor spa, 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m2) of meeting space, and a pool.[16][1]
Hotel rooms occupy the first 22 floors.[21] The hotel's original 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m2) lobby, known upon opening as Sky Lobby, was located on the 23rd floor.[15][16][25] At the time, the property was one of three Mandarin Oriental hotels in the world to include a Sky Lobby.[16] The remaining floors are occupied by condos,[16] with seven penthouses taking up the upper floors.[10] The property has separate entrances for residents and hotel guests.[16] Mandarin Oriental was among the most technologically advanced hotels in Las Vegas at the time of its opening. Rooms included a touch-screen device capable of ordering food service and controlling features such as lighting.[26]
Mandarin Oriental opened along with Twist, a 74-seat French restaurant by chef Pierre Gagnaire, marking his U.S. debut. Located in the Sky Lobby, it included floor-to-ceiling views of the Strip. Lighting was provided by 300 golden globes, hung from the ceiling. The restaurant was designed by Tihany, and included a glass staircase leading to a wine loft.[27][28][29] Other food and beverage amenities included a sushi and noodle bar, a high tea lounge, and a pastry shop.[28]
In 2017, the Sky Lobby introduced a humanoid robot assistant named Pepper to greet guests and provide information.[30] In 2023, the lobby was moved to the ground level as part of renovation work, while the Peacock Alley tea lounge will take the vacated space on the 23rd floor. Rooms and meeting space were also updated.[23][31]
Accolades
editWithin a year of opening, Mandarin Oriental received the AAA Five Diamond Award.[32] In 2011, the spa was named by Forbes Travel Guide as a Five-Star recipient.[33] Two years later, readers of Travel + Leisure named the Mandarin Oriental among the best hotels in Nevada.[34] U.S. News & World Report, in its 2017 Best Hotels Rankings, also named it as the top hotel in Las Vegas.[35] In 2024, readers of Travel + Leisure voted it the best hotel in Las Vegas.[36]
Gallery
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Construction progress in June 2007
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Construction progress in January 2008
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Construction progress in February 2009
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One month prior to opening
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Mandarin Oriental at night
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Seen from CityCenter's main entry road
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South side of the hotel
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View from Marriott's Grand Chateau
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Main porte-cochere entry
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Pool area
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Velotta, Richard N. (December 4, 2009). "CityCenter's Mandarin Oriental makes Vegas debut". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
- ^ Smith, Rod (September 16, 2005). "A touch of world-class: Mandarin Oriental tapped to manage CityCenter's anchor hotel". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 11, 2005.
- ^ a b Segall, Eli (August 31, 2018). "Buyers of Mandarin Oriental on Strip finally revealed". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- ^ a b Hansen, Kyle B. (November 22, 2009). "CityCenter hotel welcomes new employees with gala". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ Casper, Ashley (January 30, 2015). "Knowing Vegas: How many implosions have there been?". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "Q&A with Mandarin Oriental architect Bill Pedersen". Las Vegas Business Press. December 14, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "CityCenter goes from Strip to students". Las Vegas Business Press. December 28, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ Herman, Valli (January 3, 2010). "The Strip's CityCenter hotels up the ante". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ "Tihany Design: About: Profile". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
- ^ a b c "At Mandarin Oriental, condos offer amenities at a price". Las Vegas Sun. April 15, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ "Two more CityCenter structures earn high green ratings". Las Vegas Sun. November 20, 2009. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
- ^ Lucht, Nicole (November 27, 2009). "New LEED certifications cement CityCenter's green status". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
- ^ Drillinger, Meagan (November 20, 2009). "CityCenter Earns Fifth, Sixth LEED Gold Ratings". Travel Agent. Archived from the original on November 24, 2009.
- ^ Robison, Jennifer (June 27, 2006). "The CityCenter of attention". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 2, 2006.
- ^ a b Benston, Liz (July 21, 2009). "For CityCenter's nongaming Mandarin Oriental, service is 'be-all, end-all'". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Stutz, Howard (December 4, 2009). "Mandarin Oriental brings amenities people willing to pay for". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ Benston, Liz (February 26, 2011). "Can luxurious Mandarin Oriental hotel make it here?". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ "Mandarin Oriental not expecting quick return on Vegas hotel". VegasInc. May 19, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ a b Garcia Cano, Regina (August 30, 2018). "Hilton's Waldorf Astoria to debut in Las Vegas". Associated Press. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ Jones, Jay (August 31, 2018). "What changes will you find with the switchover from Mandarin Oriental Vegas to the Waldorf Astoria?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ a b Schwartz, David G. (September 24, 2018). "Inside The Las Vegas Strip's Overnight Ultra-Luxe Changeover". Forbes. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ Szydelko, Paul (August 23, 2021). "A refresh is in the works at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas". Travel Weekly. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Ross, McKenna (November 8, 2023). "Waldorf Astoria renovates rooms, plans Peacock Alley tea lounge". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ Liao, Christina (August 31, 2018). "Waldorf Astoria Begins Its Takeover Of Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas". Forbes. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ Stutz, Howard (July 11, 2009). "Mandarin adds swank to Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ Finnegan, Amanda (April 5, 2010). "CityCenter hotels' features at your fingertips". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ Collins, Glenn (September 22, 2009). "Let's Twist, Pierre Gagnaire Tells the Food Press". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Hallock, Betty (August 26, 2009). "Pierre Gagnaire is bringing a French Twist to Las Vegas". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ Collins, Glenn (November 22, 2009). "Vegas Strip makes room for Twist". The Houston Chronicle. The New York Times.
- ^ Akers, Mick (November 17, 2017). "Dash of Pepper spices up Mandarin Oriental's lobby". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ Morris, David (October 28, 2023). "This Luxury Las Vegas Hotel Just Got a Multimillion-dollar Refresh — Here's What's New". Travel + Leisure. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ Engle, Jane (November 26, 2010). "Las Vegas: Two CityCenter hotels get top AAA rating". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ "Forbes Travel Guide: 2011 Five-Star Hotel, Restaurant and Spa Award Winners". Forbes Travel Guide. 2011. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011.
- ^ Sylvester, Ron (January 11, 2013). "Which Nevada hotels are tops in Travel & Leisure poll?". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ Velotta, Richard N. (February 1, 2017). "Las Vegas hotels ranked high in U.S. News & World Report survey". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ Walhout, Hannah (July 9, 2024). "The No. 1 Hotel in Las Vegas Has No Gaming, No Smoking, and a 27,000-square-foot Spa". Travel + Leisure. Retrieved July 19, 2024.