THEhotel at Mandalay Bay

The rather silly nomenclature of this utterly fabulous Vegas hotel reminds us of our previous consideration regarding the Four Seasons' relationship with Mandalay Bay (located on the top floors but operated as a separate entity) -- it's part of the hotel, but not precisely the hotel. In this case, this really is THEhotel, in all senses, not the least of which is that even though we were quite fond of Mandalay Bay prior to the opening of this conjoined twin of a property, we now think of it as the frowzy sister from the sticks who looks tawdry and rumpled next to its sleek Vogue-magazine-editor sibling.

This is not a casino hotel -- though it is connected to one by a long hallway -- but a world of sleek towering walls of lighting, ambiguous modern art, and both guests and employees in head-to-toe black. Like any good Vegas hotel, it wows you from the start, but not in the usual Vegas marble-gilt-and-chandelier screaming "look-how-you-can-live-if-only-you-hit-that-jackpot-over-there" way, but in a way that coolly says, "You probably already live like this, don't you?" while handing you a nicely chilled Cosmopolitan. It's sophisticated and chic, all blacks, tans, woods, and midcentury modern sharp lines. We fell for it instantly, and that's before we went to our room.

Ah, the rooms: Every one is a genuine multi-room suite done in more black, tans, and gleaming woods, like your professionally decorated Manhattan dream apartment. There are plasma-screen TVs in every room, including the enormous marble bathroom, where the tub is so deep, the water comes up to your chin when you sit down. Bathroom amenities are posh, the comforters are down, and the sheets have a soft heft that makes you want to sink into them and never leave. For once, a hotel room in Vegas designed to make you want to stay put. Not that you have to; as stated, all the amenities of Mandalay Bay (their incredible pool area, a number of terrific restaurants) are just down a long hall, though the instant you step from this grown-up world into the world of, well, noisy grown-up pursuits, which isn't the same thing at all, you might well want to turn right back around.

Having raved about it all, we do have some complaints. The staff is hardly cuddly, and service reflects that. Costs at the sleek cafe and the gorgeous Bathhouse Spa are higher than even the usual elevated hotel prices but for once we actually feel these kinds of costs are warranted.

Facilities:
2 restaurants; bar; access to Mandalay Bay restaurants/pool/casino; health club; room service; spa

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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