Contributor/ Nessa McAuliffe
Best Known For
Just off the Strip, Mr Donald Trump’s golden glass tower hotel, Trump International Las Vegas, rises like a phoenix in the Vegas skyline. Despite its glitzy exterior, it is a mellow alternative to the mega and fantastical hotels in this city. Best known for being a nongaming, non-smoking condominium hotel, this is quite a daring concept in a city which prides itself on entertainment and flashiness. Mr Trump is a shrewd businessman so I am sure he knows what he is doing … or does he?
The Good Stuff
The hotel has 1,282 spacious suites, some equipped with kitchens and a Jacuzzi and all rooms boast the latest in state-of-the-art technology. The décor in the room sways towards conservative and even functional, better suited to the business traveller than the Vegas thrill-seeker in my book. The bedrooms contrast wildly with the flashiness and bling of the hotel’s public spaces with a lobby adorned with a huge glitzy chandelier and gold tinted walls. It is in the common areas and lobby where Mr Trump has stamped his brand trademark – the swimming pool features a gigantic “T,” and the restaurant mirror is etched with his very own words of wisdom. The big win in booking this hotel is without doubt bang for your buck with luxurious suites on offer at great rates.
The Vibe
Unique among the Vegas hotel offerings in that it lacks a casino on the grounds, a celebrity-chef in the restaurant and a Cirque du Soleil type show, the hotel’s clientele is composed exclusively of hotel guests as opposed to tourists traipsing in for shows. During the week, the chandelier-laden spacious lobby can feel empty and lifeless. You really feel you are missing out on the action. After all, you go to Vegas to be entertained. The hotel is off Strip and not the nicest of walks at night in the surrounds if you do decide to venture out. Conversely, if you have never been to Vegas and want to steer clear of the maddening crowd, this is the perfect place to observe from a safe distance.
Inside the hotel – 7/10
The hotel strives for a high service level but a few things let it down; the wait for room service seemed long; the pool which I, along with most of Europe I suspect, would consider a decent size is apparently regarded small by US or maybe they meant by Vegas standards. This benchmark is a high one! The hotel trumped (had to use it!) with its 11,000-square-foot Spa, deemed one of the top 50 spas in the world has received numerous accolades. A nice touch following my massage was a post-treatment lounge featuring a selection of fresh fruit, cheese and herbal teas. My blurred morning vision of a dusty Vegas highway outside my window wasn’t particularly appealing, nor was the unwelcome sound of a disgruntled freight train travelling through in the early hours of the morning.
Outside the hotel – 5/10
The gigantic Fashion Show Mall sits just across the street which is great if you are a shopper. It’s a 15 minute walk to the nearest sign of life (aside from the Fashion Mall), but the walk is neither scenic nor safe. There is a shuttle service from the Trump to the Strip, but this is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis but with only one car available, a cab may be a safer bet. A cab ride to the main Strip will set you back $10-$15 so there are always options.
trumphotelcollection.com/las-vegas
Image courtesy of Trump Collection Las Vegas
