THE ARRIVAL
My wife and I have been going to Las Vegas since the 1980's. And yet, we haven't stayed at the Luxor Hotel and Casino; until now. Our daughter stayed at this resort a few years ago (located on the south end of the Vegas Strip) so we thought to give it a try.
We were dropped off by Bell Limousine service at the VIP entrance of the Luxor Hotel and Casino. The doorman greeted us immediately, offering to hold our luggage so we may check in.
Arriving at the front desk, we quickly noticed there wasn't the usual line you normally see over at the main walk-in desk by the front entrance of Luxor.
This west side check-in service desk was indeed a plus.
Our first impression at the front desk was favourable, cheerfully greeted by a female representative. I asked if it was possible to get the Tower overlooking the pool, as I always love the pool courtyard scene over the Vegas Strip.
She quickly accommodated us with our request.
It wasn't long before we were headed up to our Westside Tower room, overlooking the pool. We opened the door and noticed your typical average room with two queen size beds, a regular washroom with a average tub and shower. And, it was dark. Surprisingly, there wasn't any mini bar fridge, which was completely fine with us, as we rarely like to use the inflated price of liquor and chips. After our quick scan of the room, it was time to check out the courtyard pool scene, I so love to see.
After staying at ARIA Resort and Casino, I was looking for a remote control device or button to open the drapes. Oops! Not at Luxor - lol. Manually I opened the curtains to relish the pool scene below. To my dismay, the entire west wall and windows were covered with this black netted mesh, making it impossible to take any clear pictures or videos.
My heart sank.
I thought,"OK. I can deal with this..." But underneath I was kind of ticked off. I really wanted to able to see the pool scene from my room. It was then my wife said,"Oh no! This can't be happening?!" Immediately I turned around to see my wife traditionally folding over the covers of the beds. To our dismay, my wife was inspecting the grim and dirt from someone else's chips to cheeses, still on the floor by the beds. Trying to be optimistic, I began cleaning up the mess with my fingers. My wife went over to the closet to check out the safe. It was basically impossible to see the safe, as it was set in a completely dark area of the Armoire.
After further inspection we realize the lights were burnt out throughout the room. We both sat on the bed and after much discussion, decided to phone front desk in the attempts to change our room. I really didn't want to but in the end, my wife was right. So I phoned and talked to a cheerful girl on the other end. She immediately said it should not be a problem to change rooms, and just make sure you head over to the "drop off key" desk to make your inquiry.
So - that's exactly what we did.
Arriving at the "drop off key" desk we patiently waited for service. We waited and waited, with only one other customer at the Westside Front desk. There were three employees with one looking after that particular customer. A women, who seemed to be a manager zipped by us. I quickly caught her attention and explained we were told to meet here to get another room. She seemed agitated and basically told me to stand in line to be served. I tried to explain to her, the girl on the phone told us to get service here. She just pointed at the service desk we originally started from, when we arrived.
Well, whatever.
We patiently waited in line to be served. Once again, we happen to get the same girl that looked after us in the beginning. I explained to her,"I'm sorry to say, but our room was dark and dirty...is it possible to get another room?". She said no problem and began searching. To make a long story short, we both decided it was best to take the East Tower, after asking if one Tower was newer then the other - lol. She told me both Towers and rooms are basically the same and there really hasn't been any upgrades to the rooms. So - we picked the East Tower, which we later discovered, was overlooking the parking lot along the Vegas Strip. But, on the bright side, the room was a lot cleaner, all the lights worked and the overall room (after inspection) was OK but never the WOW factor.
We were defiantly spoiled by our last stay at ARIA Resort and Casino.
It's really not Luxor's fault, in anything they did, as a functioning hotel. The staff were pleasant throughout our stay, accommodating our wishes, as we requested. The food, in most part was acceptable. Overall, I found the Luxor Hotel and Casino to be a smooth running machine of knowledgeable staff ready to look after you the best they can.
THE POOL SCENE
The pool scene was indeed a nice relaxing place to enjoy, as my wife showed off her pedicure overlooking the Grand Luxor Pyramid. The staff were very friendly and happy. Only thing I noticed throughout the pool courtyard, were that certain pools were roped off from use, all together. I thought maybe by the afternoon, they would open these areas too. Nope. Never happened. So, basically there were two pools opened. One for kids and the other mostly adults.
My wife showing off her pedicure Poolside at Luxor Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
FITNESS CENTRE
Every morning I would get up early to do my regular workout program at the Luxor fitness centre (also by the pool, west end). Arriving the first time I wasn't sure what the routine was, but the young girls cheerfully greeted me as I entered, stating to just write down your name and room number. Our Room number for the duration of our stay was 17310. Entering the room I saw a group of pretty fit individuals working out on various machines, including a bunch doing the weight series. I'm NOT your typical in shape-kind-of-guy. At my age, I look after myself, but by no means am I looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger - lol. The kids now-a-days are geared towards looking after themselves by nutrition and regular exercise. It's a good thing to see. Everyone had their routine, as I did, with my 60 minutes on the elliptical trainer. That's a minute per year - lol.
Trust me, when I say, their elliptical trainer is a lot easier then mine at home. It was nice and smooth, a good way to work into your routine, without gasping for air - lol. Also - everyone was very respectable and courtesy of each other. Another nice thing to see, now-a-days.
MLIFE
During our stay, we made plenty of stops at the MLife desk at the Luxor. Each time we visited, we had excellent service by the group of staff taking turns working here. A far cry from the ARIA Resort MLife desk, we experienced the previous year. It only makes sense to utilize your points with MLife, specially if you're staying at a MGM Properties. Thank you MLife!
FOODIE SECTION
While at Luxor we experienced the buffet, the Pyramid Cafe and Public House. As the Pyramid Cafe is only open during breakfast and lunch, (Note: NOT a 24 hour Cafe option here) we found the food and service acceptable. Most of the time, we had a wonderful breakfast with lovely staff attending to our happy vacation. I usually had Eggs Benedict with a side of sausage, as my wife indulged into the layers of pancakes. The only thing, the coffee was bitter tasting, no matter how much sugar or cream you placed in it. Other then that, each meal was yummy!
The buffet - oh what can I possibly say about the buffet.
Years ago, we experienced this same buffet at Luxor Hotel and Casino and found it to be good. But, unfortunately we couldn't say the same this year (2016). My goodness, I'm sorry to say, but this buffet has gone downhill since three years ago. Once again, I can honestly say, the ARIA Resort, Caesars Palace and the Wynn has spoiled us, when it comes to buffets.
The Public House luncheons or early dinners were acceptable entrées, but I was kind of disappointed we never received any coupons from Luxor, to try out these establishments, like MGM Properties use to. Once staying at Excalibur Hotel and Casino, we were offered a book of coupons. Maybe, they decided MLife option is the only way to go now.
THE MAID SERVICE
The maid service at Luxor Hotel and Casino works like a smooth machine, attending to our room as expected. They basically did what was required, but never did anything where the WOW Factor would come into it. Usually the maids know when a new guest is coming into a room and when each are leaving. So, it's always nice when they do little extras to make your stay special. Mind you, I can totally understand they have a whole floor to do and it's not just about us. It's their typical everyday job with that gruelling routine, day in and day out.
CHECKING OUT
Another strange thing happened during our last day of Check-Out.
Long before we arrived (2 months ahead actually) we always plan for a "Late Check-Out" realizing it's an extra $25-$30 charge, depending on resort we stay at ; but well worth it!
Anyway, our Late Check-Out was fixed, as we thought.
Come to our last day we always check our electronic statement on the TV and noticed we had to request the Late Check-Out option. Huh ? OK. So we checked off the Late Check-Out, once again. This time we figured it went through and went about our lazy day before going to the airport. For some reason or another, we had to make a pit-stop at the main front desk (after our late breakfast) to check on something. During our conversation with the front desk clerk, it was quickly realized we still were NOT set for the Late Check-out. He quickly asked us to return our rooms keys, thinking to myself, we were getting the boot - lol.
It turns out the clerk advise us the system had NOT given us the Late Check-Out that we claimed twice now. But, he quickly fixed it and we were on our way. Before our flight, we usually head to our room an hour or so before we leave, just to be well rested before our flight. We had no problem with the Late Check-Out after that. But upon leaving our room for the airport, we noticed the room service maid was patiently waiting for us to leave, in the next room. As we passed the open room door she politely asked,"Are you finished now?" My wife said," Yes we are, thank you."
It was then we realized something we hadn't thought of before.
This poor woman was most probably waiting for us to leave, as we must of been the last ones on this floor. We thought," Oh no! She can't go home until the whole floor is done!"
We had thought the cleaning staff had different shifts throughout the whole day and never once, did we think, we were holding up someone before they could go home. Geez. We kind of felt bad for her, but the Late Check-Out Service, we really do enjoy. It's like the icing on the cake, where you don't have to lug around your luggage all day, plus you have a nice quiet place to lay down before your late flight. We use it all the time and find it so relaxing, making our last day not the "dreadful last day" before we go home. Last day on any vacation can be simply a sad day ; because you had such a good time and you don't want it to end.
OVERALL STAY
Overall, our stay at Luxor Hotel and Casino was a pleasant experience with a fine-tuned working staff who really know what they're doing. The Hotel itself may require a refurbishing in the near future, but the workers are what make your stay enjoyable. And that's exactly what we received. I would recommend Luxor Resort, Las Vegas. Just to be clear, it's not on the same caliber, as say the Aria Resort and Casino, Vdara, Mandarin Oriental, the Wynn,The Venetian or the Palazzo. Luxor Hotel and Casino is the prefect place to visit for first timers in Las Vegas along with families. And the staff are very good at what they do and will do everything in their power to make your stay comfortable.
Thank you Luxor for your hospitality - we dearly appreciate it!
By Bari Demers
ABOUT ME :
We are tourists. My wife and I have been going to Las Vegas since the 1980's. Our very first stay was at the Maxim, Las Vegas ( which is now The Westin Las Vegas Hotel on 160 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas). After that, we have been regular tourists, vacationing at various hotels on the Vegas Strip, like the Aladdin, the Sahara, the Mirage, T.I.(Treasure Island), Caesars Palace, The Venetian, Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, Excalibur, the Bellagio, Las Vegas, the ARIA Resort and Casino and now Luxor Hotel and Casino.
Our most comfortable stays are with the Venetian, Las Vegas and Aria Resort, including excellent restaurants, such as the Grand Lux Cafe and Delmonico. Numerous other stays have been with Caesars Palace ( three times), along with some of the best entertainment at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, seeing celebrities such as Cher. We have also adventured three different times with Treasure Island (T.I.) Hotel and Casino.
Our next vacation adventure is waiting for us and so far are looking to stay at the Wynn, Las Vegas. Until next time - See YOU in Vegas!
Join me on Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr! After all, it's all about the FUN in Las Vegas with 1000's of photos, videos and some great tips for all. My FUN work is a freelance writer and screenwriter.
Disclaimer:
Vegas Reviews is in no way associated or related to any hotel or corporation in Las Vegas. Either are we paid to give a review.
We simply host a FUN Facebook Page - Vegas Reviews featuring the FUN we had in Las Vegas. Sweet and Simply !
See YOU in Vegas !
East Tower View at Luxor Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
