There are lots of adjectives that come to mind when thinking about Las Vegas – baby-friendly, quiet and smoke-free are not those adjectives.
Because I’m apparently not ready to leave my child overnight (or over several nights) he travels wherever I travel. So, when I had a conference in Las Vegas, of course he tagged along – along with his entourage, i.e., my husband and my mother. To add insult to injury, the conference ended July 3rd – so there would likely be enhanced holiday travelers, partiers and boozers.
Although the conference was at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Conference Center, I agonized over where to stay. I was not ready for my nine (9) month old to be exposed to the essence of Vegas, i.e., loud, rowdy, heavily intoxicated partiers some of which might be scantily clad. I wanted a boutique hotel or a hotel with a smaller presence on the strip – I was looking for a needle in a hay stack. As I began searching for a hotel in Las Vegas – I hit the jackpot, atop the Mandalay Bay Hotel was a Four Season. After further research, the Four Season Las Vegas had a separate entrance, a separate pool and spa and two (2) stellar restaurant options with the added benefit of having access to all of the Mandalay Bay facilities, i.e., pool, spa, casino, etc. I immediately booked two rooms with strip views – we decided to stay through July 4th to enjoy the Vegas fireworks.
The Four Seasons Las Vegas is obviously a fantastic property and it was perfect for our little one. We requested a crib in each room. Not only did we get a crib, but the hotel also provided a teddy bear, diapers, wipes, bib (monogramed with the Four Seasons logo), and a travel kit containing soap, shampoo and conditioner. While there were quiet a lot of people at the hotel, it was not booked to capacity. We were able to sit by the pool and relax without fighting throngs of people and children running to and fro.
Every time we would venture to or through the Mandalay Bay, I was quickly reminded that the extra money spent at the Four Seasons was WELL worth it. There were hordes of people at the Mandalay Bay – excruciatingly long check-in and check-out lines, lines to get on the elevator and the pool was jam packed.
For those looking for the Vegas experience with the casinos, hordes of partiers, the ostentatious rooms and bathrooms, then the Four Seasons may not be for you. However, the Four Seasons gave me the best of both worlds – the laid back option (Four Seasons) and the rowdy option (Mandalay Bay).