Update: Click here to read the Review: Fine Hotels & Resorts Program – Delano Las Vegas – Penthouse Panoramic Luxury Suite Edition (Las Vegas, NV) post.
Editor’s Note: The following review is of American Express’s Fine Hotels & Resorts [as utilized at the Delano Las Vegas]. This post is not a complete review of the Delano Las Vegas.
After my stellar experience utilizing American Express’s Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program at Bellagio Las Vegas, I wanted to try another current Las Vegas hot-spot, the Delano Las Vegas.
About The Fine Hotels & Resorts Program:
How To Use It
To use the FHR program, you’ll need a premium American Express Platinum credit card that grants you access. Both the American Express Platinum card and the American Express Business Platinum card will work.
The Benefits Of The Fine Hotels & Resorts Program
For many Platinum users, American Express’s FHR program is an under-utilized benefit – but it can provide tremendous value when used at the right hotels. The perks of the program include the following 6 benefits:
The Benefits Vary By Property – But Delano’s Benefits Are Among FHR’s Best:
Delano’s “unique amenity” is a $100 Food and Beverage Credit. Additionally, the “daily breakfast for two” benefit is $30 per person per day and valid at the wonderful farm-to-table restaurant Della’s Kitchen. So for two people, this benefit is worth $160 at minimum!
Review: Fine Hotels & Resorts – Delano Las Vegas
Pronounced “Del-in-o” as opposed to the Californian way of “De-laan-o”, the Delano Las Vegas has quickly become one of the most popular hotels in Las Vegas. Housed within the Mandalay Bay Resort, it comprises its own tower of all luxury-suites, and is often completely sold-out on any given weekend.
Delano lobby rock art
The Check-in: The Invited Guest Line
Upon arrival at the front desk, the “regular line” was had about 7 people checking-in, while the “invited guest” line was empty.
The invited guest line is located on the right of the front desk, awkwardly around a massive structural column. Yes, other patrons looked at me as if I was “cutting in line”, until I inquired, “invited guest line?”. The woman at the front desk reassuringly said, “yes sir, it would be my pleasure to serve you right here”.
The front desk staff noticed immediately that I booked through the FHR program and asked for my M Life and Hyatt membership numbers so I could receive full credit for the stay.
Rating: 5 out of 5 points for Delano’s treatment of “invited guests” and for knowing about the FHR Program.
The Check-in: The $160 In Food Credits
This lucrative benefit of $160 in credits was the single biggest reason for me booking through the FHR program. I received the the following letter from the woman at the front desk:
The woman asked me if I was familiar with this “great program” and then proceeded to run through the list of benefits I would be receiving at Delano. She then politely reminded me that “to receive full credits on all charges you must bill the items to your room”.
Rating: 5 out of 5 points for Delano’s informed and attentive explanation of how and where to use the programs credits.
The Check-in: The Room Upgrade
My suite was initially booked as a King Suite – One King Bed room. The benefit stated: “room upgrade upon availability”. The front desk attendant notified me that because Delano was completely sold-out for the weekend, “unfortunately, upgrades are not be available at this time”.
Rating: 5 out of 5 points for the honest notification and explanation of why upgrades were not available for the dates stayed.
The King Suite – One King Bed Room
The Hallway
The King Room
The Living Room
The Master Bath
The Half Bath
The Wet Bar
Using the $100 Food and Beverage Credit
A strange thing happened on our way to dinner – we hit a hot streak at the slots and ended up boozing it up perhaps a little too much, so we weren’t super-hungry. Not only that, the time flew by so it was well past 9:00 pm once we realized we should eat.
Earlier in the night, we passed the Kumi and I took a mental note that they had a late night happy hour. Well, it came in handy as we decided that Kumi would be the perfect spot for some light and lively fare, where we could also get a night cap (or two).
We notified the hostess that we were there for the happy hour, an she promptly sat us in the bar area in the front and handed us the “late night menu”.
We went with the Kobe Sliders, Spicy Salmon Poke Tacos (which were crazy-spicy), and the Chicken Wings. But the star of the show was the Softshell Crab Sliders – hands down – they were perfection incarnate. Of course, we were obliged to wash it all down with a healthy sampling of various Japanese and domestic craft beers.
When all was said and done, this meal came to about $75 (taxes and tip included). With the credit we had left over, we used it for lunch to-go a Citizen’s Kitchen and Bar the next morning.
Rating: 5 out of 5 points for the excellent – and very spicy – Japanese fusion food and the “clutch” late night menu.
Using the $30 Per Person Breakfast Credit
For breakfast, we tried the very popular Della’s Kitchen. You could tell this was a special breakfast spot right when you walked in because it was slam-packed. As we were seated, the waitress brought us some warm lemon mandolins that were amazing.
Della’s is pretty much known for their Chicken and Waffles, so I had to try them. And yes, they were awesome. Maybe the best waffles I’ve ever had. The chicken was awesome too. Della’s is definitely one of my “top three” breakfast spots in Las Vegas.
Rating: 5 out of 5 points for breakfast at the Della’s Kitchen.
The Check-out: Guaranteed 4:00 pm Check-out
Utilizing the “invited guest” line I was able to expedite the late check-out just before 1:00 pm.
Rating: 5 out of 5 for the no-hassle and relaxing Late Check-out benefit.
The Check-out: The Final Folio Invoice
After quickly reviewing the bill, I was pleasantly surprised to find the bill was 100% correct (the first time) and that my stay would be billed through my American Express Platinum card on file (which meant 5x Membership Points).
When all was said and done, the final bill was $248.85 (which included the resort fee of $35, taxes, and tips). With the $160 in FHR credits, the net cost for the entire stay was: $248.85 – $160 = $88.85. Awesome!
Rating: 5 out of 5 for Delano’s seamless service and accurate billing.
The Bottom Line Review: Fine Hotels & Resorts – Delano Las Vegas
Overall, I found the American Express Fine Hotels and & Resorts (FHR) program to be perfectly implemented at Delano – making for a relaxingly upscale and luxurious stay.
Like the similar Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, Fine Hotels and & Resorts was everything I was hoping for as it truly enhanced the experience and value of the stay.
My final rating of the Fine Hotels and & Resorts experience at Delano was a definitive 10 out of 10 due to Delano’s overall perfect execution of the FHR program.
Cheers!
Update: Click here to read the Review: Fine Hotels & Resorts Program – Delano Las Vegas – Penthouse Panoramic Luxury Suite Edition (Las Vegas, NV) post.
