scorecardI stayed at a luxury hotel in Las Vegas with no casino or pool parties — and didn't miss them at all. Take a look around.
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  4. I stayed at a luxury hotel in Las Vegas with no casino or pool parties — and didn't miss them at all. Take a look around.

I stayed at a luxury hotel in Las Vegas with no casino or pool parties and didn't miss them at all. Take a look around.

Emily Hochberg   

I stayed at a luxury hotel in Las Vegas with no casino or pool parties — and didn't miss them at all. Take a look around.
The author in her suite at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas (L), the hotel pool (R).Emily Hochberg/Insider
  • I recently spent a night at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, located centrally on the Strip.
  • The luxury hotel has no casino, only a handful of on-site restaurants, and a quiet pool scene.

This month, I planned to pass through Las Vegas for one night. I wanted to make the most of my time with a stay in a luxury hotel on the Strip.

This month, I planned to pass through Las Vegas for one night. I wanted to make the most of my time with a stay in a luxury hotel on the Strip.
The author on a casino floor in Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Since I was traveling with my husband and toddler, and was nearly nine months pregnant, I wanted to stay somewhere with a relaxed vibe, but still close to the action.

Since I was traveling with my husband and toddler, and was nearly nine months pregnant, I wanted to stay somewhere with a relaxed vibe, but still close to the action.
The author and her family in Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

I decided on the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, a non-gaming hotel located centrally on the Strip between Aria and Park MGM. It has no casino and just a handful of venues on-site.

I decided on the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, a non-gaming hotel located centrally on the Strip between Aria and Park MGM. It has no casino and just a handful of venues on-site.
The Waldorf Astoria is located on the Las Vegas Strip.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

When I arrived, I walked into a small room that was really just an elevator bank instead of a grand hotel entrance.

When I arrived, I walked into a small room that was really just an elevator bank instead of a grand hotel entrance.
The ground-floor entrance to the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

A hotel representative told Insider that it's "undergoing a complete lobby refresh," to be completed later this spring. It "will include a relocation of the 23rd-floor front desk to the ground floor, expanded spaces, new furniture, artwork and wall coverings," they added.

A hotel representative told Insider that it
A new, renovated lobby is forthcoming at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

To get to the current lobby on the 23rd floor, I had to walk through a few hallways. It felt starkly different from casino hotels. Apart from the absence of a loud, bright gaming floor, it was devoid of crowds or rowdy guests.

To get to the current lobby on the 23rd floor, I had to walk through a few hallways. It felt starkly different from casino hotels. Apart from the absence of a loud, bright gaming floor, it was devoid of crowds or rowdy guests.
The author's route to the lobby.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

And at casino hotels I've stayed in, check-in meant waiting in long lines. But at the Waldorf, there was no one ahead of me.

And at casino hotels I
The hotel lobby on the 23rd floor.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Instead of navigating past a confusing scene of slot machines to find the elevators to my room, I just had to walk down another simple hallway.

Instead of navigating past a confusing scene of slot machines to find the elevators to my room, I just had to walk down another simple hallway.
The hallway from the lobby leading to the guest elevators.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

I stayed in a one-bedroom city view suite for my stay. According to the hotel's website, it starts at $700 per night. I thought this was comparable to suites I've seen listed at other Las Vegas casino resorts.

I stayed in a one-bedroom city view suite for my stay. According to the hotel
The author in her suite.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Source: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas

Insider received a reduced media rate for the stay.

My room also still made me feel like a high roller even without a casino below, with a spacious living room, separate bedroom, and spa-like bathroom.

My room also still made me feel like a high roller even without a casino below, with a spacious living room, separate bedroom, and spa-like bathroom.
The soaking tub in the bathroom.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Outside of my room and the lobby, the hotel had a few on-site venues to explore. I went to the pool deck first.

Outside of my room and the lobby, the hotel had a few on-site venues to explore. I went to the pool deck first.
The adults' pool at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Located on the 8th floor, there are two slim but sleek pools, one for families and one for adults.

Located on the 8th floor, there are two slim but sleek pools, one for families and one for adults.
The author's husband and daughter play in the family pool.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

There was also a hot tub and a small cold plunge pool.

There was also a hot tub and a small cold plunge pool.
The area of the pool deck with the plunge pool and hot tub.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Plush loungers lined the pools alongside cabanas for rent, and I thought the deck had a quiet, peaceful feel. Soft music played in the background, but unlike other Vegas resorts, there was no loud DJ or raucous pool-party vibes.

Plush loungers lined the pools alongside cabanas for rent, and I thought the deck had a quiet, peaceful feel. Soft music played in the background, but unlike other Vegas resorts, there was no loud DJ or raucous pool-party vibes.
The pool was lined with plush loungers and cabanas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

When we arrived at the pool, we couldn't find two empty chairs together in the shade. But a kind staff member allowed us to use one of the cabanas that typically requires a reservation, but wasn't in use.

When we arrived at the pool, we couldn
The author's daughter in the cabana.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Next to the pool area was a relaxed restaurant; you could have food and drinks served either to a table in the cafe, or direct to your lounger.

Next to the pool area was a relaxed restaurant; you could have food and drinks served either to a table in the cafe, or direct to your lounger.
The pool restaurant and bar area.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

I chose the latter.

I chose the latter.
The author eats her lunch by the pool.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

The pool restaurant was just one of a few on-site venues for dining or drinking. The main restaurant, Zen Kitchen, on the third floor, was open for all meals. I had breakfast here before checking out.

The pool restaurant was just one of a few on-site venues for dining or drinking. The main restaurant, Zen Kitchen, on the third floor, was open for all meals. I had breakfast here before checking out.
A look inside Zen Kitchen.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Attached to Zen Kitchen was a grab-and-go counter for coffee and pastries.

Attached to Zen Kitchen was a grab-and-go counter for coffee and pastries.
The coffee bar attached to Zen Kitchen.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Back on the 23rd floor, afternoon tea was served in a chic lounge. I didn't get the chance to try anything, but thought the views from this space were impressive.

Back on the 23rd floor, afternoon tea was served in a chic lounge. I didn
The tea lounge at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Next to the lobby was SkyBar, an upscale lounge and bar area, but it was closed for a private event during my stay.

Next to the lobby was SkyBar, an upscale lounge and bar area, but it was closed for a private event during my stay.
SkyBar was closed for a private event.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Outside of the pool deck and those restaurants, other on-site offerings included a spa, salon, and fitness center.

Outside of the pool deck and those restaurants, other on-site offerings included a spa, salon, and fitness center.
The hotel gym.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

While the Waldorf lacked the dozens of restaurants, celebrity entertainment, shopping malls, or sprawling pool complexes of big casino resorts, I didn't mind. I thought this made it feel approachable and intimate.

While the Waldorf lacked the dozens of restaurants, celebrity entertainment, shopping malls, or sprawling pool complexes of big casino resorts, I didn
The author and her daughter inside the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

Plus, all of that was right next door whenever we wanted it. And when we were done, I loved being able to get away from all the noise and crowds.

Plus, all of that was right next door whenever we wanted it. And when we were done, I loved being able to get away from all the noise and crowds.
The author with her husband and child in Las Vegas.      Emily Hochberg/Insider

If you like to have gambling or nightclubs steps from your hotel room, you might be disappointed by the Waldorf Astoria. But for me, it was just what I needed, and I'll gladly return.

If you like to have gambling or nightclubs steps from your hotel room, you might be disappointed by the Waldorf Astoria. But for me, it was just what I needed, and I
The author in her Waldorf Astoria robe.      Emily Hochberg/Insider
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