Travel FanboyIf you know Vegas, you know about Aria, so I’m not going to waste time with a bland background. It’s a beautiful, comfortable resort. The opulence comes at a price. But if you’re looking to treat yourself during a Vegas vacation, Aria should be near the top of your list.
The casino floor is expansive, but linear, making it easy to navigate. The same can’t be said for the attached Crystals shopping center. I’ve never not been lost navigating that luxurious indoor Strip mall. The table limits price out the budget conscious and the video poker is standard Strip paytables, but they have a good selection of slots. Even so, the dark wood accents and elegant design motivates an occasional splurge.
I booked my May 2019 stay using Chase’s Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection package. Certain premium Chase credit cards grant access to this booking portal. I booked the room using my Chase Sapphire Preferred card. The rate, after resort fee, came out to about $160. However, using LHRC, I was granted two $30 breakfast credits and $100 food and beverage credit. Essentially, the room was a net even in terms of value. I used the F&B credit with some great friends at Carbone, which was one of the best Italian meals I can remember having. Aria is flush with great restaurants. Carbone, Herringbone, and Bardot round out the consonancive upscale options.
The room was gorgeous. When a guest enters, the shades draw themselves automatically, revealing the view and illuminated digs. It’s exactly what you would hope for and expect from Aria. They remind me of the rooms at Atlantic City’s Ocean Resort. Bright blue hues complement the beige and brown furnishings.
Granite counters top the vanities in the bathroom and extended entryway. The bathroom isn’t spacious, but it’s equipped with enough features to make it feel a cut above Aria’s midtier peers. Dual sinks aim to please traveling couples needing their own space. A tub and separate rain shower occupy the same glass-enclosed bathing area, lined with light stone tile.
My room came with a view facing south, overlooking the remodeled Park MGM and an Aria pool. I’m one of those weird Vegas obsessives who likes having the shades drawn most of the time, never wanting to take my eyes off the city while I’m in town.
These kinds of review are tough because Aria presented itself in a manner in which I was expecting. Whatever you’re looking for in Vegas, spare budget-friendly gambling, you’ll find it at Aria. The poker room is top-notch and well run. There’s plenty of retail on which to spend your comp dollars. The bars and restaurants are some of the best in town. My stay wasn’t shockingly good- I expected it to be this good. I can’t say anything more than, yeah, it’s just a nice property.
If you’re looking to elevate your next Vegas stay or if Aria is on your list of aspirational resorts, don’t hesitate. Further, if you have a Chase card, check to see if it qualifies for LHRC. Midweek, Aria and other upscale hotels can be surprisingly reasonable, especially with the accompanying perks and offers.
A lot of us enjoy Vegas fully, no matter where we are staying or playing. But I hope everyone gets to enjoy a place as nice as this during one of their Vegas adventures.
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