Description: Built in 1989 by Las Vegas hotel impresario Steve Wynn, The Mirage may now have been eclipsed by other, more luxurious resorts such as the Bellagio, Venetian, Mandalay Bay, and now the Wynn Las Vegas, but in terms of ambience, comfort, and service, it more than holds its own against recent competitors.
The location of the hotel on the centre part of the Strip is ideal. For romantics it is a short stroll to the gondolas of the Venetian, for retail therapists the Forum shops at Caesar’s are almost next-door. However, those are outside the hotel and, before you venture further afield, there is plenty within the hotel to keep you pleasantly distracted for quite a time. There are a number of restaurants and bars, a small shopping arcade, a miniature Palm House in the atrium, an aquarium behind the front desk, a spa and fitness centre, a wonderful pool, a dolphin habitat, a secret garden, a theatre, a volcano (yes, that’s right, a volcano!)—and that is before you even consider the casino. Phew! Orientating yourself with what is in the hotel—and finding your way to whichever of the 3,323 rooms you are staying in—may take some time.
The general theme of the hotel is Polynesian, though this is presented in quite a subtle way. The lobby is decorated in marble and wood with beautiful light fittings in a flower and leaf design. The atrium, closed over by a glass dome, is full of tropical palm tress, flowers, and a waterfall! There is even a smell of vanilla in the air.
The room we stayed in was smallish but very nice and quietly decorated in shades of reddish brown. There was a larger wardrobe/dresser facing the bed and this also included room for the TV, safe, and mini-bar. By the window was a small seating area with a table and chairs, and the bed—a king-size—was eminently comfortable and a great place to rest and stretch out your aching legs! The bathroom was great—two sinks, a separate shower stall, and a whirlpool bath—luxury. We were very lucky to upgrade to a 24-floor room with a view of the volcano, Strip, and the mountains in the distance. If you can get a Strip view, go for it; however, even without that, the rooms provide a pleasant space to relax and reload your senses before heading of to the delights of Vegas.
Service was extremely friendly, helpful, and efficient and that applied to everyone we saw and had dealings with from the front desk clerks to the housekeeping staff, waitresses, and casino security.
The Mirage is not a cheap place to stay but I would say that you get good value for money in terms of service and amenities and also an experience that, like the rest of Vegas, will provide enjoyable memories for a long time to come.
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