Vdara - Las Vegas
 

I will be staying at the Vdara in May (1-5). I have been receiving mixed reviews, can anyone suggest whether its Ok to stay here or should I look for a different property on the strip. Cheers!

I have a friend who stayed there last week. He enjoyed it there very much. His only complaint was that it was a bit disorienting and had a confusing layout - it was difficult to figure out how to get to the strip and back. But he had no complaints about the room or the service.

It's really just an effect of where the Vdara building sits, on the CityCenter site. Depending on where on the Strip one is heading, it may be faster to access the Strip via the Bellagio spa tower (via the enclosed bridge). South strip might be accessed via the Monte Carlo (tram), and so on.

Some people are more directionally-confused than others, so it may be a YMMV situation. But Vdara does have some distinct advantages (suites with kitchens, nonsmoking, non-gaming but with casino two minutes away) that would make it desirable to many.

I was staying at ARIA and was curious about VIDARA (which is best accessed via Bellagio). Since it has no casino, the check-in lobby was eeriely quite. It seemed nicely set up.

Based on numerous reviews I've read from Vegas people that I trust, I wouldn't stay there regardless what level of room I was booked in.

it is the closest condohotel to the strip, and the top units are probably second only to palms place penthouses. size wise its not the smallest, but its not large either.

OTOH the tech issues can get really bad, same as aria. funny how MO has that under control.

I was at the Vdara for Easter weekend. I think the hotel is great - new amenities, 2 LCD TVs in the room, really comfortable king sized bed and a pull out sofa bed if you need one. The only problem I experienced is the low water pressure (probably because they are LEED Gold certified?) but that was not a major problem for me or my friends.

Service was excellent - valet was extremely fast compared to other Vegas Hotels (considering that they do not have many cars and the parking garage is right next door).

Didn't get a chance to use the pool as it was really chilly in Vegas when I was there. The spa is small but nicely furnished and adequate.

Walk to Bellagio takes 2 minutes via the walkway (supposed to be open 24/7). Same thing for the walk to Aria (just take the driveway to the northside valet). Your best way to the strip is to take the walkway to Bellagio (much better than walking through Crystals and Aria).

Just a word of advice if you are driving into Vdara: there are no signs to lead you to Vdara. If you are coming from the south on Las Vegas Blvd., turn left on Harmon Ave. and keep to the right. You will see Vdara entrance ramp on the right.

Walk through Vdara a few time over Easter and have the following observations.
1. It is soooooo quiet. Hardly anyone around.
2. Getting a taxi may be difficult as taxis do not really bother waiting outside this hotel given how quiet it is. Saw one taxi one and two another time but once saw the valet phoning for taxis where a couple were trying to get to airport with their bags given no taxis were around.
3. There is either a very strong air freshener being used or the ground floor still smells very new.
4. Interesting art-work overall over the lobby area (and the rest of City Centre as well).