Last edit by: lowkeyflyer
Please also include the daily rate paid.
Hotel:
Room Name/Type:
Check-in Day:
Check-in Time:
Upgrade:
Late Checkout:
Breakfast Credit:
Misc Credits:
Comment:
Rate Paid:
Hotel:
Room Name/Type:
Check-in Day:
Check-in Time:
Upgrade:
Late Checkout:
Breakfast Credit:
Misc Credits:
Comment:
Rate Paid:
FHR Experience Las Vegas Hotels only (2020 - 2023)
#391
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,191
Since you have never been, it is worth saying up front that standards for luxury hotels in Vegas are a bit different than in the rest of the world, so worth going in with the right expectations. Most Vegas hotels are massive so service is much less personal than at luxury hotels elsewhere and can mean more annoyances (lots of waiting in lines), and there is a lot of nickel-and-diming. Vegas can still be a great time obviously but don't go in expecting an effortless, personalized stay like you might hope for at a 5-star resort elsewhere.
That said, I would agree with the recommendation that Encore is very nice by Vegas standards. Cosmo, think giant W hotel, for better and worse.
I haven't stayed since it became the Waldorf Astoria, but when that property was the Mandarin Oriental it was the rare exception of being a true luxury hotel in Vegas. Not sure how much of that may have stuck. But, if you are not a gambler, it does have the advantage of being a very central location but not having an in-house casino (which means you don't have to walk through the casino--and its cigarette smoke clouds--to get to your room, as you do at most other Vegas hotels).
Four Seasons, Nomad, and Nobu are "hotels-within-a-hotel" at larger properties, and are small by Vegas standards but contained within a bigger resort. Of these only Four Seasons really approaches traditional luxury hotel standards, though as noted the location is somewhat out of the way.
If you want to have the true Vegas experience for your first stay, Bellagio to me is the best Vegas resort at being a Vegas resort. Location is unbeatable and it has as much old world charm and elegance as you can muster on the Strip. And (the new) Ocean's 11 was set and partially filmed there, so watching that is a great way to anticipate your trip (really, that's true regardless of where you end up staying).
That said, I would agree with the recommendation that Encore is very nice by Vegas standards. Cosmo, think giant W hotel, for better and worse.
I haven't stayed since it became the Waldorf Astoria, but when that property was the Mandarin Oriental it was the rare exception of being a true luxury hotel in Vegas. Not sure how much of that may have stuck. But, if you are not a gambler, it does have the advantage of being a very central location but not having an in-house casino (which means you don't have to walk through the casino--and its cigarette smoke clouds--to get to your room, as you do at most other Vegas hotels).
Four Seasons, Nomad, and Nobu are "hotels-within-a-hotel" at larger properties, and are small by Vegas standards but contained within a bigger resort. Of these only Four Seasons really approaches traditional luxury hotel standards, though as noted the location is somewhat out of the way.
If you want to have the true Vegas experience for your first stay, Bellagio to me is the best Vegas resort at being a Vegas resort. Location is unbeatable and it has as much old world charm and elegance as you can muster on the Strip. And (the new) Ocean's 11 was set and partially filmed there, so watching that is a great way to anticipate your trip (really, that's true regardless of where you end up staying).
While I'm not up to date on the latest on Bellagio rooms, there was always a structural flaw in that the bathrooms are smaller than the newer high-end properties and don't have separate toilet rooms. Palazzo is all-suites (with the big bathrooms), although they're more junior suites with a separate living area but no closed off bedroom. Bottom line, I think Palazzo wins over B on rooms, B wins on location as it's a bit more central, but Palazzo is in a decent location, next to the Wynn.
#392
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,043
Interesting that you don't mention Palazzo at all, I would actually put it toward the top of the list of FHR, along with Bellagio, for a first time visitor. Wynn probably would but think only Encore is FHR, right? Great property but just a tiny bit too far from the action, although I think the North Strip has developed a bit more in the last few years.
While I'm not up to date on the latest on Bellagio rooms, there was always a structural flaw in that the bathrooms are smaller than the newer high-end properties and don't have separate toilet rooms. Palazzo is all-suites (with the big bathrooms), although they're more junior suites with a separate living area but no closed off bedroom. Bottom line, I think Palazzo wins over B on rooms, B wins on location as it's a bit more central, but Palazzo is in a decent location, next to the Wynn.
While I'm not up to date on the latest on Bellagio rooms, there was always a structural flaw in that the bathrooms are smaller than the newer high-end properties and don't have separate toilet rooms. Palazzo is all-suites (with the big bathrooms), although they're more junior suites with a separate living area but no closed off bedroom. Bottom line, I think Palazzo wins over B on rooms, B wins on location as it's a bit more central, but Palazzo is in a decent location, next to the Wynn.
And I did leave off Palazzo as I've never been a fan, but I know many others disagree.
#393
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 196
I'm planning a 4 day trip from 12/13 to 12/17. Between P2 and myself, we have 3 Platinum cards, so 3 x $200 credits. We're fine switching hotels every day and consider maximizing the credits part of the game. We don't gamble, and dining is the main draw. Here's what we're contemplating:
12/13 NoMad (Card A)
12/14 Bellagio (Card B)
12/15 NoMad (Card A)
12/16 Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Palazzo, or Conrad (Card C)
12/13 + 12/15 at the NoMad would be about $250, so that takes care of the credit for Card A. (We also like that the NoMad is nonsmoking).
12/14 and 12/16 each would be close to $200, using up the credits for Card B and Card C.
Switching hotels the first three nights would be relatively easy with the tram or walking (would apply also if we did Bellagio or Cosmopolitan for the fourth night). We'd ride-share if Palazzo or Conrad. Other potential factors: Hilton Diamond status and 2 x $100 to spend from Caesar's Celebration Dinner.
Any thoughts or comments on this scheme are welcome.
12/13 NoMad (Card A)
12/14 Bellagio (Card B)
12/15 NoMad (Card A)
12/16 Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Palazzo, or Conrad (Card C)
12/13 + 12/15 at the NoMad would be about $250, so that takes care of the credit for Card A. (We also like that the NoMad is nonsmoking).
12/14 and 12/16 each would be close to $200, using up the credits for Card B and Card C.
Switching hotels the first three nights would be relatively easy with the tram or walking (would apply also if we did Bellagio or Cosmopolitan for the fourth night). We'd ride-share if Palazzo or Conrad. Other potential factors: Hilton Diamond status and 2 x $100 to spend from Caesar's Celebration Dinner.
Any thoughts or comments on this scheme are welcome.
#394
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Million Miler, Mosaic, Delta Platinum
Posts: 1,555
Taking you at your word that you're good with one night and move, why not just work your way up the Strip and do Four Seasons, Delano, Nomad, Bellagio rather than repeat hotels? If you've stayed at Nomad and Bellagio before and like them, then all sounds reasonable.
#395
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MCI
Programs: Southwest A-List, AMC Stubs A-List, Chick-fil-A-List
Posts: 399
For the MGM resorts on FHR, has anyone been able to use the dining credit for dinner on checkout day, or does the ability to charge to my room folio cut off at 4:00?
#396
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 2
I am planning vegas trip in 2022 for 2 night. I plan to stay at 2 different hotel. I understand that If I book Hotel A for first day in 2021 then i will get $200 credit for this yea; and then book 2nd day at Hotel B after the new year. Would I be able to get $100 property credit for at both hotel? I understand that I would need to charge the property credit to amex card to get credit refunded. But is the $100 credit per hotel stay or is it per year?
#397
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 8
Bellagio FHR Benefits November 2021
Stayed at the Bellagio early November to take advantage of the Amex Platinum $200 credit. Got upgraded to a suite and used the breakfast credit for the buffet. It didn't cover the full amount, but it was $30 per person which covered most of the cost. The front desk attendant had originally mentioned that it had to be used by 11AM but this was not the case. MGM Gold (matched from Globalist) was extremely helpful for free parking and having a shorter line for the buffet.
Bellagio FHR Benefits November 2021
Bellagio FHR Benefits November 2021
#398
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Michigan
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 854
I'm planning a 4 day trip from 12/13 to 12/17. Between P2 and myself, we have 3 Platinum cards, so 3 x $200 credits. We're fine switching hotels every day and consider maximizing the credits part of the game. We don't gamble, and dining is the main draw. Here's what we're contemplating:
12/13 NoMad (Card A)
12/14 Bellagio (Card B)
12/15 NoMad (Card A)
12/16 Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Palazzo, or Conrad (Card C)
12/13 + 12/15 at the NoMad would be about $250, so that takes care of the credit for Card A. (We also like that the NoMad is nonsmoking).
12/14 and 12/16 each would be close to $200, using up the credits for Card B and Card C.
Switching hotels the first three nights would be relatively easy with the tram or walking (would apply also if we did Bellagio or Cosmopolitan for the fourth night). We'd ride-share if Palazzo or Conrad. Other potential factors: Hilton Diamond status and 2 x $100 to spend from Caesar's Celebration Dinner.
Any thoughts or comments on this scheme are welcome.
12/13 NoMad (Card A)
12/14 Bellagio (Card B)
12/15 NoMad (Card A)
12/16 Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Palazzo, or Conrad (Card C)
12/13 + 12/15 at the NoMad would be about $250, so that takes care of the credit for Card A. (We also like that the NoMad is nonsmoking).
12/14 and 12/16 each would be close to $200, using up the credits for Card B and Card C.
Switching hotels the first three nights would be relatively easy with the tram or walking (would apply also if we did Bellagio or Cosmopolitan for the fourth night). We'd ride-share if Palazzo or Conrad. Other potential factors: Hilton Diamond status and 2 x $100 to spend from Caesar's Celebration Dinner.
Any thoughts or comments on this scheme are welcome.
#399
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 218
I am planning vegas trip in 2022 for 2 night. I plan to stay at 2 different hotel. I understand that If I book Hotel A for first day in 2021 then i will get $200 credit for this yea; and then book 2nd day at Hotel B after the new year. Would I be able to get $100 property credit for at both hotel? I understand that I would need to charge the property credit to amex card to get credit refunded. But is the $100 credit per hotel stay or is it per year?
the $100 hotel credit is per stay. you could stay 365 nights in different hotels and get $365,000 in credits for FHR or 182 reservations with Hotel Collection for $182,000 (each requires a 2 night stay).
#401
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,043
I can't imagine they'll let you make a room charge after checkout. At that point you could be charging to someone else's folio.
#403
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MCI
Programs: Southwest A-List, AMC Stubs A-List, Chick-fil-A-List
Posts: 399
I don't think the room charge process is usually that simple, at least for busy resort properties. Disney World, as an example, allows for folio charges and meal plan credits to be used up to midnight on checkout day.
#404
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MCI
Programs: Southwest A-List, AMC Stubs A-List, Chick-fil-A-List
Posts: 399
Finally got a response from the horse's mouth: The dining credit needs to be used by 4:00pm. If others have had a different experience please let me know.
#405
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,650
I wonder if it's possible to buy a gift card or some kind of deferred credit at a restaurant and charge to the room. That would be the ticket to deferred usage, if that were possible.