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  4. I usually book cheap Vegas hotels but felt like a high roller in a 1,000-square-foot suite in the Waldorf Astoria that costs $700 a night. Take a look inside.

I usually book cheap Vegas hotels but felt like a high roller in a 1,000-square-foot suite in the Waldorf Astoria that costs $700 a night. Take a look inside.

Emily Hochberg   

I usually book cheap Vegas hotels but felt like a high roller in a 1,000-square-foot suite in the Waldorf Astoria that costs $700 a night. Take a look inside.
The author in the bathroom of her suite at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas.Emily Hochberg/Insider
  • This month, I checked into the five-star Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas for the first time.
  • The hotel is centrally located on the Las Vegas Strip, with no on-site casino.

When I found myself traveling between Utah and California with my family and in need of a pit stop, I booked a night in Las Vegas.

When I found myself traveling between Utah and California with my family and in need of a pit stop, I booked a night in Las Vegas.
The author with her husband and child in Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

I've visited Vegas for the last 20 years. I usually book cheap standard rooms, and have stayed at Wynn, Luxor, MGM Signature, Excalibur, Palazzo, Venetian, and Mandalay Bay, among others.

I
The author at The Venetian Las Vegas in 2012.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

But this time, I was traveling with my husband and 2-year-old toddler — and I was nearly 9 months pregnant. I wanted to be comfortable.

But this time, I was traveling with my husband and 2-year-old toddler — and I was nearly 9 months pregnant. I wanted to be comfortable.
The author in Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

We booked a one-bedroom suite at the Waldorf Astoria, a luxury hotel with a central location right on the Las Vegas Strip. It's located between Aria and Park MGM.

We booked a one-bedroom suite at the Waldorf Astoria, a luxury hotel with a central location right on the Las Vegas Strip. It
Looking up at the Waldorf Astoria in Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Unlike many other Las Vegas Strip hotels, it's a non-smoking, non-gaming hotel.

Unlike many other Las Vegas Strip hotels, it
The entrance to the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

The hotel is more intimate than other big, splashy Vegas resorts. There are just three on-site food and drink options with two modestly-sized pools, a fitness center, and a spa.

The hotel is more intimate than other big, splashy Vegas resorts. There are just three on-site food and drink options with two modestly-sized pools, a fitness center, and a spa.
A pool at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

While I usually book cheap Vegas rooms where the total nightly cost is just two digits, this time, I splurged on a suite that typically starts at $700 per night. Otherwise, standard rooms here start at $279 for Hilton Honors members.

While I usually book cheap Vegas rooms where the total nightly cost is just two digits, this time, I splurged on a suite that typically starts at $700 per night. Otherwise, standard rooms here start at $279 for Hilton Honors members.
The author in her suite.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Source: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas

Insider received a reduced media rate for the stay.

I felt like a VIP from the moment we drove up to the secluded, valet-only entrance that was tucked away from all the activity on Las Vegas Boulevard.

I felt like a VIP from the moment we drove up to the secluded, valet-only entrance that was tucked away from all the activity on Las Vegas Boulevard.
The valet entrance at the Waldorf Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

From there, we rode the elevator up 23 stories to a sleek lobby with views over the city.

From there, we rode the elevator up 23 stories to a sleek lobby with views over the city.
The hotel lobby on the 23rd floor.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Our room was located on the 18th floor.

Our room was located on the 18th floor.
The hallway on the 18th floor.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

When I opened the front door, I felt like I had walked into a chic apartment.

When I opened the front door, I felt like I had walked into a chic apartment.
The living room of the suite.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

The spacious living room included a curved couch, an armchair, a bar area, and a flat-screen TV in front of a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.

The spacious living room included a curved couch, an armchair, a bar area, and a flat-screen TV in front of a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Another view of the living room.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Double doors from the living area led to a separate bedroom, where a king-sized bed was framed by two more walls of full-length windows and a large TV. There was also additional seating and a desk.

Double doors from the living area led to a separate bedroom, where a king-sized bed was framed by two more walls of full-length windows and a large TV. There was also additional seating and a desk.
The bedroom.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Down a hallway from the bedroom, I found multiple areas for storage including a large closet stocked with plush robes and slippers next to a full-size mirror.

Down a hallway from the bedroom, I found multiple areas for storage including a large closet stocked with plush robes and slippers next to a full-size mirror.
Plush robes tucked away in the hallway (L), taking a bump selfie (R).      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Across from the closet, I walked into the bathroom. Right away, it impressed me the most with a standalone soaking tub in front of more floor-to-ceiling windows — with shades for privacy.

Across from the closet, I walked into the bathroom. Right away, it impressed me the most with a standalone soaking tub in front of more floor-to-ceiling windows — with shades for privacy.
The soaking tub in the middle of the bathroom.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

The shades were controlled by the touch of a button, which I thought was neat, especially at night.

The shades were controlled by the touch of a button, which I thought was neat, especially at night.
The tub at night.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

While I loved the dramatic look of the tub, I personally used the spa-like, walk-in shower. I thought it felt like a steam room when in use, and was luxuriously indulgent.

While I loved the dramatic look of the tub, I personally used the spa-like, walk-in shower. I thought it felt like a steam room when in use, and was luxuriously indulgent.
The shower in the bathroom.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

The bathroom also came stocked with designer toiletries from L'Occitane and Gilchrist & Soames.

The bathroom also came stocked with designer toiletries from L
Toiletries provided in the bathroom.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

When it was time for bed, various touch panels in the bedroom and living room controlled the temperature, lighting, and curtains, which felt like another serious luxury.

When it was time for bed, various touch panels in the bedroom and living room controlled the temperature, lighting, and curtains, which felt like another serious luxury.
Touch panels to control climate and window shades.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

I thought the bed was plush and inviting, and would have gladly slept here for more than one night.

I thought the bed was plush and inviting, and would have gladly slept here for more than one night.
The author's daughter sitting on the bed.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Sadly, the next morning it was time to check out. I thought the suite was spacious for my family of three, and made a quick one-night trip feel like a luxuriant getaway.

Sadly, the next morning it was time to check out. I thought the suite was spacious for my family of three, and made a quick one-night trip feel like a luxuriant getaway.
The author in her Waldorf Astoria robe.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

And now that I've seen what it's like to stay in a Vegas suite, it's not going to be easy to go back to a standard hotel room.

And now that I
The author in front of the tub.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

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