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The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas was voted the No. 1 hotel in Las Vegas for the second year in a row in the 2026 World’s Best Awards.
The absence of a casino floor means a quieter, more refined, and relaxing experience that is truly unique on the Strip.
The afternoon tea at Peacock Alley remains a signature experience, elevating a local favorite with the Waldorf Astoria’s elegance.
The second floor, 27,000-square-foot spa is a stunner, with 17 treatment rooms, a vitality pool, a Laconium room, and multiple saunas.
Vegas’s extravagant and sprawling mega resorts have trained visitors to expect a certain formula: bigger, louder, and kitschier. Spectacle is the baseline, and excess is part of the charm.
But for many, the abundance, crowds, and overstimulation of the Strip quickly tire, and it’s not typically a destination one goes to in search of peace, quiet, and relaxation. But in the midst of that raucous splendor is the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, a non-gaming, non-smoking hotel that’s an “oasis in the middle of the chaos,” as one employee quipped during my stay.
The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, voted the best hotel in Sin City for the second year in a row by Travel + Leisure readers in the 2026 World’s Best Awards, has all the expected markers of the perfect Vegas stay: a prime Strip address, sleek design, full-service spa, rooms with sweeping views, and elegant cocktails and cuisine. But what stands out most is its restraint. There’s no casino anchoring the ground floor, no haze of cigarette smoke lingering in the air, and no rowdy crowds. Instead, the hotel feels like a secret members-only spot.
Entering the lobby feels like visiting a carefully composed gallery rather than the usual check-in space. Blending Calacatta marble imported from Italy, a custom crystal chandelier, emerald accents, and layered contemporary artworks by Italian artist Angelo Musco and visual artist Casper Faasen, it’s a dramatic first impression.
After settling in, I spent my evening at the sleek and intimate Hard Shake up on the 23rd floor. I indulged in a few of the Vegas-themed cocktails and the server-recommended wagyu steak frites. Neighboring tables sampled sushi and charcuterie plates while the sun set outside the floor-to-ceiling windows and the Strip slowly came alive. The rest of my time was spent lounging at a private pool cabana at the pool area, doing a circuit at the day spa, and relaxing with an aromatherapy massage, each making me feel that the city was farther and farther behind me.
Read on to see why T+L readers voted Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas the No. 1 hotel in the city.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best-awards-top-100-hotels-in-the-world
The Rooms
 The living room of a city-view suite. Credit: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas |  A one-bedroom presidential suite in the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas. Credit: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas |  A suite with Las Vegas Strip views. Credit: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas |  The bathroom of an accessible junior suite, featuring a roll-in shower. Credit: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas |  A junior suite bedroom. Credit: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas |
My room, one of only 389 (quite modest compared to other Strip resorts), took only moments to reach—a stark contrast to the somewhat labyrinthian layouts of other Vegas properties. Elevators arrived quickly, and hallways always felt hushed.
All the rooms at the Waldorf Astoria were revamped in 2023 and feature a softer, residential feel, inspired by the surrounding desert. Soft, neutral tones and clean lines are layered with warm, deeper hues and subtle jewel accents, while floor-to-ceiling windows showcase sweeping Strip or mountain views. They feel sleek yet comfortable, with plush Frette linens, smart technology, a large work desk, and a discreet valet closet. The expansive bathroom has a massive soaking tub, an oversized shower, Epsom salts, Aesop amenities, and a soothing minimalist aesthetic. I enjoyed the seated vanity area, which made it easy to get ready for a cocktail at Hard Shake or a show at one of the neighboring resorts.
Food and Drink
 Tea time at Peacock Alley. Credit: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas |  Appetizers and cocktails at Hard Shake. Credit: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas |  The Zen Kitchen dining room. Credit: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas |  Peacock Alley, the Waldorf Astoria’s lounge and bar. Credit: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas |  A Hard Shake bartender pouring a cocktail. Credit: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas |
The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas has three food and beverage options: Zen Kitchen, Hard Shake, and Peacock Alley. The latter two are both found on the 23rd floor, with interior design from the Rockwell Group. The spaces present two distinct atmospheres, but both are inspired by the surrounding desert landscape and the Strip itself. Hard Shake specializes in inventive cocktails that are best sipped while enjoying the venue’s stunning views of the city, mountains, and airport. Don’t miss out on the Old Neon Nostalgia, a fun cherry cola Old-Fashioned. As for eats, there are classic dishes such as rigatoni a la vodka and grilled airline chicken available to order as well.
Lounge and bar Peacock Alley, on the other hand, leans heavily into old Hollywood glamour. It serves classic cocktails inspired by movies such as “Casablanca” and “Singin’ in the Rain,” as well as things like the iconic Waldorf salad, burgers, and club sandwiches. Waldorf’s Afternoon Tea is elegant, quaint, and transportive, and makes you feel like you’re sitting in a London tea room rather than Vegas, as you sip tea, sample scones, and dainty cakes.
On the third floor of the hotel, you’ll find Zen Kitchen, which serves seasonal American cuisine and a standout breakfast, and if you’re relaxing at the pool, on the eighth floor, the Pool Café keeps things relaxed with small plates and drinks.
The Spa
The 27,000-square-foot spa spans two tranquil floors with 17 treatment rooms and a full-service hair and nail salon. The tone is serene, the music soothing, and the lights dimmed.
The spa itself is designed as a full wellness circuit, featuring hammam-inspired facilities. There’s a steam room, dry sauna, Laconium room (a gentler, dry heat experience), a toasty “vitality” pool, and relaxation lounges with views of the Strip. The treatment is packed with options, including restorative, custom-pressure massages and glow-boosting, hydration-focused facials to full-body exfoliating scrubs paired with steam and heat rituals.
Accessibility and Sustainability
The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas has 10 accessible rooms. These accommodations have features such as roll-in showers, grab bars, lowered peepholes, and visual fire alarms. The property’s smaller size also means shorter walking distances and less time waiting at elevators.
Book Now
The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is part of the Hilton Honors loyalty program. Depending on your tier status, you can get perks such as free Wi-Fi, late checkout when available, and a fifth night free. The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is also a part of American Express’s Fine Hotels + Resorts program. If you have a qualifying travel card, you could enjoy benefits such as early check-in, daily breakfast for two, and a $100 property credit.
Nightly rates at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas start from $300.
Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
