dszrew

I'd vote for Palazzo. We are here now. did Bellagio yesterday and thought "this room wins". then checked into the Palazzo and room is much bigger. no fountain view, but nicer room.
Palazzo seems to try harder. they send your bags up after you check in vs having to call down to get them. when tipped, bellman says "not necessary" (although he took it) vs with Bellagio getting the pitch from the guy at the car saying "I'll take care of your bags but I won't be the guy bringing them up [so tip me too]". Free parking, even valet at Palazzo vs $30 at Bellagio. They sent up a fruit plate complimentary. special check-in for FHR at Palazzo (off to the left, don't get in the regular line).

be aware you can only use the $100 credit at certain places and not room service. Book reservations where you want to eat a few days before you arrive or risk not getting in where you want. nicer steak places will run you $75-$100 or more even after the $100 credit is applied. Bellagio has few (none?) cheaper dining options where $100 would get you a meal for 2.
breakfast credit at Bellagio cannot be used for room service, but at Palazzo good for the Grand Lux Cafe (all day) or room service too.

redblaze

Thanks! So which allows $100 credit on room service? Neither does?

dszrew

neither. Palazzo will let you use the $65 breakfast credit for room service. You might ask if you can use it day of arrival and not just for breakfast. We have late checkout and they said the credit could be used any time until checkout but we didn't ask about the day before.

bgriff

In my experience most FHR hotels are fine with any Amex card in anybody's name. I assume you mean will they claw back the credits for things you get during the stay -- I assume that's very unlikely if they told you you have those credits during check-in, and you should check out in person regardless to make sure the credits were appropriately applied, and if there's any issue then you could always change cards applied against the room at that time.

If you're talking about the new $200 annual credit against FHR bookings directly from Amex, that only applies to prepaid hotel rates, so wouldn't apply to any of the charges that are made during the stay (including the room rate, if you booked a post-paid room rate).

dszrew

Just finished a 6 night 5 hotel trip to Vegas to use our hotel credits. Overall a simple experience, everyone very aware of the benefits and proactive about applying them.

Hotel: Mirage (Hotel Collection for 2 nights)
Room: Regular King room, upgraded automatically to a room with a view
Credits: No breakfast credit included but $100 dining. Used it at Otoro (Japanese steakhouse). "Small plates" and we used $66 is all but that was generally sufficient for us. Then walked over to the sports bar and got deep fried Oreos. Yummy but very sugary and should have split one serving rather than getting one each.
At check-in was given a letter for my MLife Platinum status which I don't have. I think the check-in agent was confused which program I had booked under. The MLife benefit was free admission to the secret gardens which we used. Ticket person was somewhat confused that I didn't have an MLife Platinum card but let us use it anyway.

Hotel: NoMad (FHR)
Room: Deluxe King room, upgraded automatically to a larger King with a separate sitting area and bedroom with doors. The room was a bit odd with the toilet in a separate half bathroom by the door and the shower and sink back in the bedroom.
Late Checkout: They added late checkout to the room and we stayed until about 2 or so. Didn't have to tell them when we were leaving or anything.
Breakfast Credit: Only good at Primrose. Used the credit at 1pm for lunch. Good food at typical resort prices.
Credits: $100 food credit used at Bavette's. Split a 22 oz Ribeye with half portion salads and one side, still cost us $75 more. No reservations were possible but they had bar seating which we took advantage of.
Missed the check-in location for NoMad and ended up dropping off car and bags at MGM Park. Bellhop gave us a speech about "taking good care of our bags but wouldn't be the one to bring them up." Obviously he knew we were going to NoMad and was STRONGLY hinting for a tip. After checking in bags were brought up by another MGM Park bellhop.
They give you a letter detailing the FHR benefits and point out everything they are giving you at checkin. Scan a QR code and you can look up which MGM restaraunts participate in the credit. Proactively offered a mini-fridge brought up.
Overall I thought NoMad was too dark in all hallways and even the rooms. Room nice and bright with curtains opened, and every light in the room is dimable but dim once the sun went down. Wife liked the makeup table and chair.

Hotel: Bellagio
Room: Booked a King. While waiting in line was pulled out by a host to do mobile check-in. I replied "only if I can still get my upgrade." He knew all about the FHR program and said an upgrade would be aroom with a fountain view, but likely only 2 Q left. After some time he came back with an upgrade to a K with fountain veiw. Turned out to be a corner with big view of fountain, side window view of the Cosmo, and another window veiw from the tub. Commented that this room "wins" compared to all others--view, double sink.
Breakfast Credit: $60 credit could only be used at Cafe Gelato and Sadele's and one other place. Didn't use it.
Credits: Used $100 dining credit at the buffet in the morning. All evening restaraunts were booked and wanted to try the buffet. Probably shouldn't have. Recent comments are about correct. Every egg dish was cold, meats were OK, desserts were best (including gelato).

Hotel: Palazzo
Room: Booked a King. While waiting in line for checkin saw a FHR checkin desk to the side and switched over to that. Upgraded to a room with a view on 31st floor. Room was biggest of the lot and our favorite with the sunken living area and even the minibar garbage hidden away out of sight.
Breakfast Credit: $65 credit could be used for room service or Grand Lux cafe (extra $5 credit for internet reimbursement). Went about noon and got a burger and fish and chips. Very good food with reasonable pricing. Split a salad, main course, and Cheesecake Factory cheesecake for just slightly over the credit.
Credits: Used $100 at Majordomo which was overpriced. Salad and 2 entrees and spent nearly $100 over the credit. Choice of only about 3 places to use the credit there, and Delmonico's was not one of them.
We would return to the Palazzo again--loved the room and thought the Grand Lux was good food for reasonable prices. Our favorite of the trip.

Hotel: Crockfords Had a free night through Hilton that I used to book a 2 Q room (that's the only room you can book with the free night credit).
Room: Booked 2 Q. For the first time ever was recognized as Diamond. Person checking in next to me was told he had to wait for his room so expected the same, but searched for and was given an upgrade to a K room on floor 64 immediately available. Front desk person escorted us up the elevator and then sent us our bags to our room.
Tall, tall ceilings with a nice sitting couch and huge windows. Lots of tech in the room. Eventually, our lights stopped working and had maintenance come and basically reboot the entire room and TV to get things back online and working again.
No ice machine installed (but we had an ice bucket in the room) so had to call down for ice. Was given a commemorative souvenoir key and regular room keys were about half normal size.
Breakfast Credit: $50 credit. Not much open in the morning. Went to Suns Up Buns Up for some interesting options. Short rib Poutine, doughnut, and diet coke for just under $50. Restaraunt across the way had a small buffet for $27 per person.
Reward nights with Hilton have no resort fees, so only spent about $10 in tips for the night.

Palazzo was our favorite. Overall I liked how the credits were handled. Generally they were taken off immediately at the restaraunt and never showed on our bill, just the balance above the credit amount and the tips. Technology kept us from having to ask for any credits to be applied or charges removed. Too many check-ins and outs, nearly too much credits (we felt we had to eat too much to get our value out of it), but a fun something different to use up our new hotel credits. Rooms ended up costing from $2-$29 after the $200 credit, with 2 nights at Mirage for that price.

yhari

Hello - I am thinking of staying at Cosmo in December using FHR. Using the Autograph lounge to check-in .. is that included with FHR or did you use a Titanium benefit or something else? Were you able to use the VIP line at Wicked Spoon vs. general line? Much thanks!!!

DaveH

Thanks for the helpful reply dszrew...

I'm travelling solo staying this Thursday night, and am facing the same decision. My twist is that since I have platinum status. I believe, based on above posts, that should get me a comped limo ride comped to and from McCarren, which would be nice as I won't be renting a car. I don't think Palazzo--where I've yet to stay, offers anything similar, no?

I'd also benefit from the chance to earn Hyatt points. Palazzo should earn a rather paltry 2000 IHG points--anyone know if those credit?

Anyway, thanks again for your comment, and I'd welcome input from anyone else.

brokenarcher

Last time I was there (early June this year) there was a separate line right next to the general line for Marriott/Cosmo high tier members. They only checked my marriott membership page on the phone and just let me in

gengar

Airport transportation is a Noir perk, although it is included with some room types.

redblaze

Do you remember what those 3 or so places are that accept the $100 property credit? I called Palazzo front desk and was told that credit can be used anywhere including in-room dining. I wonder if that front desk person just confused FHR with some other promotions or what.

gengar

In 2019 it was reported as Factory Kitchen (now Matteo's), CUT, and Mott 32. But obviously the list has changed if it's still three and Majordomo was included (note Majordomo wasn't open at the time of that report).

I do think it's ridiculous V/P limits the usage to just three restaurants and a couple bars/lounges when there are probably close to 50 F&B venues on property.

dszrew

We were given a letter for FHR benefits and it explicitly listed where the $100 and the breakfast credit could be used.
$100 resort credit valid at Cocktail Collective, Casino & Pool Bars, Mott 32, Matteo's Ristorante Italiano, Go Greek, Starbucks, Chica, Majordomo, and Canyon Ranch Spa Club for spa treatments only. [Would have tried Chica but they were all booked, I think Mott 32 was also full with 9pm earliest reservation time.]
$65 daily breakfast credit for in-suite dining or at Grand Lux Cafe.
MGM properties had a QR code that listed "participating" places (and there were many as all MGM properties had participating places). Front desk person said "anywhere you can charge to your room" but that wasn't true.

dwatcher

Deciding between Bellagio and Venetian Resorts during mid september stay for two nights. Not gonna spend too much time in the room but is Bellagio renovation really a problem or just a nuisance? If I do get upgrade to fountain view that will be awesome, but Venetian suites look really awesome.

Reading about smoke issues in bellagio rooms makes me think twice. Lastly, can Venetian $100 experience credit be used for dining or is it for spa only?

Jampack200

My wife and I just completed a 3 night stay the Waldorf Astoria, also taking advantage of the 3rd night free special.

Hotel: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas

Room: Booked Strip View King Bed

Check in: Checked in around 11am, room wasn’t ready yet, so we left our bags at the front desk to go explore and grab some food. We received the room ready text around 2:30pm

Upgrade: Upgraded to Junior Waldorf Suite. We were offered an upgrade to the Panorama Strip View One Bedroom for an additional $130 a night but we decided against it.

Late Checkout: Used, 4pm check out

Breakfast Credit: $30 per person (2 people) at Zen Kitchen or In-Room Dining, Total = $60 per day

Other Credits: $125 property credit, $25 per person (2 people) for Hilton Honors Food/Drink Credit ($50 Total per day), and then a $5 daily WiFi Credit applied to daily resort fee

Comment: Overall, it was a great stay. The hotel is beautiful, and all-around service was phenomenal. As others have mentioned, there is no casino attached to the property so if you are looking to be steps away from the action then this place is definitely not for you. If you are just looking to relax, then I think the Waldorf is a perfect tranquil escape from the “Vegas” life, and you can always walk over to the Aria and Cosmo which aren’t too far away.

The pool is also awesome, very chill, and never crowded. Again, if you are looking for pool party vibes, not the place for that but still a great pool to lounge around at. Pool café and bar service is only open certain days so check for that as well.

We ate at Zen Kitchen for breakfast first two days and got in-room breakfast the last day. The food is decent, but way over-priced. If I didn’t have the breakfast credit, I would probably skip it. Skybar is worth checking out though, on the 23rd floor next to the lobby. Great view of the strip. We didn’t get spa services so can’t comment on that.

Also, check your Folio when you receive it at the end. We were missing the $125 property credit and the $50 HH Gold credit for one of the days we stayed. I called the hotel up directly and spoke to one of the personal concierges who applied the credit no problem.

cetegra

Hello all,
I am going to Vegas soon and going to be staying at the Nomad for one night! (Future: will be sharing my experiences and thoughts when checked out).

I am going to be checking in 12PM and I was wondering if it was possible to use the daily breakfast credit the day of check in AND the day of check out for a single night stay?

Thanks in advance!