The Gourmet Buffet is good, but it is still a buffet, which means it can be fairly good but uninspired food. It is probably on par with Paris and definitely a notch below Bellagio or Wynn.

There are several Mastro's in the Phoenix metro area. I highly recommend them -- they are my absolute favorite high-end steakhouse.

As for the buffet at Aria, we ate their twice during our stay. The Brunch was above average, but not spectacular. I felt that Planet Hollywood was a better value for similar food.

I would never ever stay at Aria again. Ever. I was in a rush when I checked in. Paid upcharge for suite. Immediately upon exiting elevator smelled smoke. Even with the room being non-smoke it still had a slight smell. This morning woke with my eyes burning from smoke smell. Now waiting for someone to fix tv since it will not go on. The bathroom sink and soap dish has other peoples hair in them. Real personal hair. We had dinner at Jean Georges Steakhouse. Should have gone to Mastro's. I am impressed by the Center but Aria for a nights stay is just marginal.

My tv is now fixed with the tech stating it has been ongoing issue since they opened.

Does anyone have any experience with using the Visa Signature Hotel Collection benefits at Aria? They're similar to (though not as extensive as) Amex FHR benefits, but Aria is an option under the Visa program but not the Amex program.

I'm particularly curious...

1. Was there any hassle getting the benefits promised? With FHR I've found some hotels don't even know they're participating, though the Vegas hotels seem to do enough traffic in these programs that they are well trained and ready to go.

2. Do they actually give a room category upgrade reliably or (like some FHR properties) do they just claim to have given you a "corner" room in your category or the like?

3. What does Aria give for the "continental breakfast" benefit? I know at some Vegas properties (Bellagio) the FHR continental breakfast gets you a buffet pass; is Aria similar?

4. Does the Visa Signature "valet parking or in-room Internet" benefit amount to anything at Aria? I'd imagine not since parking is free and the Internet is presumably still paid for by a mandatory resort fee?

The current Visa Signature offer through the end of the year includes a $50 daily resort credit in addition to the usual benefits (breakfast, $25 f&b credit per stay), so it's definitely a good value.

Hi! I'm about to book 3 Aria Sky Suites (2bdr penthouses) for a group of about 13 ppl for four nights. Being only a lously MLife Sapphire and having not stayed at the Aria before, would you ask for some special perks? Or is a total room charge of 14k "not too special" to give out anything for free? Like some vouchers for a free buffet, club admission etc.

Got any gambling hours racked up in the last year? MLife is a pretty rewarding program if you are gambling a lot. If you or anyone in your group has like 20 hours of gambling with an average hand of $50 in the last year tracked on the Mlife card I bet you will get something. Hopefully its not those stupid buffet line passes.

Thats a nice price you got on those suites.

Unfortunately, none of the group members has much gamblings hrs on MLife. The quoted 14k ($14'382 incl. tax and resort fee) is including the basic MLife discount (10 or 15% off).

As we have not a gambling history, I was wondering if we could get something "just" for the booked 3 suites.

Anyone tried the $20/50 trick at the Aria recently? From what I've read, success rate is pretty slim. And it's difficult to upgrade a 2bdr penthouse sky suite
They probably won't give us a sky villa just for an additional $50

I don't think you're going to get anything extra, TMcD. It's a gambling world out there and, as much as it might mean to you and me, $14K doesn't mean much to them.

If you were staying in a cheap room and spending $14K on gambling, you would get some extra perks, but the Sky Suite rates are already set to include certain perks (airport pickup, lounge access, & buffet line passes), so I wouldn't expect anything else. I wouldn't bother with the $20 trick (or $50) since you've already booked such good rooms that you haven't left much room for upgrades. However, it wouldn't hurt to look at other offers before you book (such as the Royal Carribean offer that include $200/room resort credit).

I checked the Royal Caribbean offer already. The $200 resort credit result in a $204 increas in room price. Nice try MGM

Any other recommendations? The CheapVegas site doesn't listen any useful discount codes.

Maybe it's true here when the advertise "lowest rate when booking with us". But since I read this slogan like a million times, I have difficulties believing that

If your trip is a few months away, keep an eye on the rates. If they drop, you can cancel and rebook at the lower rates (assuming you book a refundable rate). Also keep an eye on your mlife account because they routinely send offers for discounts and/or resort credits. Some of these are based on gambling history but some are just general corporate offers.

Thanks. Will do that!

The Aria is very nice; Sky Suites even more so - you chose well.

An arbitrary inquiry at www.aria.com for check-in Feb 6th check-out Feb 10th reveals $700 (+ $40 taxes/fees) per room per night = $3,307.50 x 3 suites = $9,922.50 all-in. Whatever your actual travel dates are will obviously impact the rate. There are comparatively few Sky Suites and even less 2-BR PH's, so availability directly drives the rates. If you're flexible with your travel dates, it's certainly possible you might see a better rate than the $14K+/-, but given the limited number of those specific suites it's likely they sell-out in advance most of the time.

Your MLife tier means absolutely nothing re: room rates at any MLife property. What matters is your "play" when looking for discounted rates, etc. Someone could have earned Platinum tier from the MLife credit cards & other assorted spends on the various properties without ever having gambled a dime. As others have noted, they're only interested in your gambling history at their property (and to a lesser extent at other MLife properties). Make sure your MLife number gets onto your reservation(s) when you check-in, as you'll earn points on your account for your room charges, etc.

Your Sky Suites room key(s) will gain you access to the Invited Guest line at the Buffet (and at the Aria Cafe). Charge all food expenses to your room. Assuming you gamble at least a bit, suggest you stop by the Host Office (adjacent to the Cage on the casino floor) and inquire if they can/will comp-off any of your charges just prior to checking-out.

Have a good stay!

Actually, that's not right - mLife offers tier discounts on room rates just for being a member; all members have to do is log into the mlife.com website and book from there. It doesn't matter how the tier was earned, as friends of mine who got Platinum purely through spend get the same Platinum tier discount that I do.

What non-gamblers don't get is automatic offers.

In the meantime, I spoke with a fellow FT'er and booked a virtuoso arrangement. Your input is still very appreciated.

Total with Tax, resort fee etc. for the 3 suites is $13'826. Given its from Thursday to Monday April/Mai, we're happy with the rate.

The rate includes late checkout, 4x360=$1'440 breakfast credit, $300 spa credit and the regular sky suite amenities such as airport transport.

MLife rate (Sapphire) would have been 14'382, but no virtuoso amenities.