JW Marriott - Luxury in a beautiful paradise
Written: Aug 08 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Service, pampering, luxury, a gorgeous property, golf, casino, everything a vacation needs.
Cons: Desert climates require night work. The bad worked out great for me.
The Bottom Line: I haven't seen another property that could match the luxury and elegance of the JW Marriott Las Vegas. I would happily spend all of my vacations here.
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| Mrsfitts's Full Review: Hotel JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort Las Vegas |
In the spring of 2003, an emergency and a screw-up found us at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Golf. Unfortunately 7 hours, most of it spent sleeping, only whetted our appetite for this luxurious resort. It took another year, but we finally got back!
Reservations:
I used the Marriott.com website to book our room. "Find a hotel" is easy on their website. Once you find the property you want, you click on the name and the types of rooms available pop up. Discounts are offered for 21-day reservations, AAA membership, Reward Points, seniors, groups and Government & Military. I used the 21-day advance purchase and saved $30/night off the Quality level room.
Checking In:
The drive West to the base of Red Rock from the Las Vegas McCarran Airport is about 20 minutes once you get your rental car. The Self park is complimentary. We used Valet parking, which is complimentary –whatever you want to tip the valet, and you and your luggage get out right in front of the hotel. It should be noted that this hotel was once another Resort Spa (The Rampart) that has since changed ownership and had improvements added. You want to make sure you pull up to the correct door or you’ll have a nice walk through the casinos to get to the front desk. The valet contacts the bell captain to take care of your luggage and you walk up to the desk to check in. The atmosphere in the reception area is quiet luxury. The sounds of the casinos are muted by the architecture and interior decorating details. We were asked our tower preference and given our room keys.
The Room
Our 560 sq. ft. room on the 5th floor had a small balcony overlooking the grounds. The French door was tricky to open and close, but once open, you leaned over the balcony to view the lush grounds and water features such as creeks and waterfalls where ducks liked to play in the morning.
One very plush king-sized bed as requested in an also requested non-smoking room, with marble night stands, large television, ample storage for clothes in the bureau and closet, which contained plush robes, was the main room. The bathroom was almost as large as the bedroom. A deep whirlpool tub, separate marble shower with a bench seat and rain-shower, separate water closet area with a television speaker volume knob, dual sinks with soaps, shampoos, conditioners, body lotion, hair dryer and very thick, soft towels. This bathroom alone was a very decadent place to explore. The in room coffee maker had selections of teas, decaf or regular coffee.
The Resort, Spa, Casino
Lush, green golf courses surround the Mediterranean style hotel with sharp mountain peaks as a backdrop. Palm and date trees are thick around the many water features that provide serene views for the guests.
The 11,000 sq ft pool area has different sections separated by curves, waterfalls, rocks, elevations and shadings. A lifeguard is stationed nearest the extended shallow area (deep enough for a toddler to sit comfortably). There are lined lap areas, intimate areas covered by rock and waterfalls, and shaded areas for swimming and not burning in the hot desert sun. You can rent cabanas by the day or half day. They come with air conditioning, some with televisions or data hook-ups, chairs and lounge chairs, ice chests and misters. We were told that guests could rent them for about $100/day.
There is a full spa, health club and sauna on site. TCP or Tournament Players Club at the Canyon golf course is next door to the JW. Guests at the JW have golf privileges here.
The huge casino contained all of my favorite slot machines. I joined their Players Club to get comps for future stays. The casino also had all of the regular table games, but I'm an old woman who likes the slots.
Dining
The JW covers the spectrum when it comes to dining. For our romantic weekend, we never left the property once –not even to explore the huge mall that’s just down the street. For meals we used the J.C. Wooloughan Irish Pub, A great selection of sandwiches, beer and Irish fare, or we ate at the 24-hr café across the walkway from the pub. Prices were almost the same as home –unlike the highly inflated prices of many of the casinos on The Strip. Spiedini, an Italian restaurant and The Carmel Room, Mediterranean, are both options that we did not take advantage of. (I didn’t want to dress up this trip) A Starbucks is also on the property.
Our Room Upgrade
I pretty much thought I was in heaven, in the JW’s basic Quality Room. Unfortunately about 11pm we were settling down for the night, had just loaded a movie into our DVD player, when we started hearing a rhythmic knocking coming from the floor above us. No, it wasn’t what we first thought, it was too regular, and it kept on knocking and knocking and knocking. After 45 minutes we called down to the front desk, which said they’d call back after they investigated what was an empty room. Turns out a large wedding was to be held the next day and the carpet in the room upstairs was being replaced (who has THAT kind of money?) and could we please put up with it for a bit longer, our room would be No Charge for the night. So we got dressed and went back down to the casino floor. Sometime after midnight, we went back to the huge, plush bed and slept like rocks –until 6 am. Yep, 6 am is when the noise overhead started again. The Café has a $1.99 Early Bird special that runs until 7am, so we decided to get dressed, check out the noise upstairs and take advantage of the cheap breakfast we didn’t think we’d ever be up in time to see. Upon exiting the elevator, we run into a worker who lets us know that the entire wing is being set up for a very fancy wedding reception that evening. Oh No! We’re not losing another night’s sleep, even for free. Dancing all night on top of us? So we had an excellent cheap breakfast and headed over to the front desk.
Customer Service is great at the JW, and this unusual circumstance was handled fast and efficiently and after it was all taken care of, I felt like yelling “I Scored!” (But I didn’t yell, I am a mature adult after all) Not only the first night was free, but also we were moved into a Junior Suite with no extra charge.
The even larger 845 sq ft Junior Suite made the huge 560 sq ft Quality Room look like a Motel 6 room in comparison.
Upon opening the door, there is a large wet-bar with refrigerator on one side, and a very large bathroom on the other side. The bathroom consists of both a regular toilet and a bidet. Fortunately I’d watched Crocodile Dundee and I had a clue what a bidet is and what it’s for. I knew that wasn’t a water fountain for dogs and toddlers. The large whirlpool tub was there, along with a selection of bath crystals, but what caught our happily married attention was the huge marble shower with 2 bench seats, regular showerhead and a Rain Shower head. The marble also extended to the huge counter with double sinks. All of the luxury bath amenities were also in this room. The bathroom alone was larger than all 3 of mine at home combined. Once we could tear ourselves away from the bathroom, we passed by a walk-in closet that contained a safe, ironing board and more guest plush robes. Past the closet and wet bar is a huge living room area with a 35” television and console between the long modular couch set and the bedroom area. The television swiveled so you could watch it from behind the glass coffee table or from the plush king sized bed with the down duvet, tons of pillows and featherbed topping. The television console contained enough drawers for all of our clothes and electronic gear we bring on vacation. The spectacular views from the double French door was even lusher than our previous room. It was really hard to figure out what part of the room we wanted to play in first!
Checking out and My Recommendation
No! No! I don’t want to leave. Don’t make me leave. Room service, maid service, a fun bathroom, a luxurious bed, a living room area larger than mine, a building full of slot machines, people who bring me complimentary drinks, internet access, a huge swimming pool. Why should I leave? Oh yeah, I have a job at home and a home at home I have to get back to. And they don’t take pets.
I love this place. It is an escape that will make you forget about the real world. Once I was dragged kicking and screaming (mentally) from this place, I found out that my husband used Express Checkout so we didn’t need to go to the front desk (where I could beg them to let me stay). Gave the Valet attendant a tip and drove our rented car back to the McCarran International airport.
I highly recommend this place to any couple who want the ultimate in pampered getaways at a price less than $200/night (in our case, Free!)
Great Hotel Write Off http://www.angelfire.com/trek/greathotel2004/
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Mrsfitts
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Member: Pam Fitts
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Reviews written: 203
Trusted by: 442 members
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