Key Points:
- Rooms at the freshly renovated Vanderpump hotel start at under $200/nt, and I like what they did with them.
- The resort leveled up in the perks department, offering a free nightly cocktail hour, in-room (fancy) coffee, and more.
- Oddly, the renovation left the guestroom bathrooms nearly unchanged.
Work to transform The Cromwell into The Vanderpump Hotel is complete, and I’ve been eager to stay in a renovated room since the transition was announced.
For those, like me, who were big Cromwell fans, you’ll notice a lot of legitimate improvements to the resort experience.
The new Vanderpump Hotel is positioned as higher-end than its previous incarnation, offering a token redeemable for a cocktail at check-in, a complimentary cocktail hour nightly, slippers, robes, and free in-room coffee.
That said, aspects of the transformation feel a little “corner-cutty”. Not bad, necessarily… but I was surprised they left the guestroom bathrooms largely untouched.
Enough blabbering. Allow me to introduce you to The Vanderpump Hotel.
Check-In Experience
Weeks before my stay, I was (beyond) excited to see the option for digital check-in & room keys, something MGM properties have had for years, while Caesars remained stuck in the past.
I was disappointed to learn that, while there’s an option to use digital keys, guests still need to visit the front desk to check in… negating the benefit of digital keys.
I. Don’t. Understand.
Anyway, the lobby is gorgeous.
A nice perk, guests are given a token at check-in, redeemable for the cocktail of their choice in any casino lounge. I opted to keep mine as a souvenir.
The Approach
Being a “tech-forward” type, I opted to use digital room keys instead of physical cards. The key downloads to your Apple wallet for ease of use.
… Infuriatingly, however, it didn’t work in the elevator… and I tried way too long to get it to work before giving up and heading back to the front desk to re-wait in line and get physical room keys.
Despite my hopes, digital check-in & room keys at Caesars properties remain a pipe dream.
Anyway, I’m finally off to my room, thrilled to see that The Cromwell’s iconic hotel hallways were preserved with a bit of Vanderpump flair.
Vanderpump Room Review
I last stayed at The Cromwell a year ago, so my inclination is to compare it to what once was – A dark, leathery room that had an elegant vibe. At the end, though, they were poorly maintained and beat to sh*t.
The Vanderpump version is an 180-degree difference, in the best way possible.
The room is bright, has that “new construction smell”, and feels genuinely nice. They did a spectacular job with the decor, despite being overtly feminine.
Here’s a larger-than-usual photo dump:
Warning: Just as it was at The Cromwell, that’s a 2-way mirror which allows people in the bedroom to see into the shower. Fun surprise if you’re traveling with your spouse…. less so if you’re sharing a room with your buddy Craig.
The end tables were a fun touch, but slightly creepy.
An upgrade from The Cromwell days, rooms now come stocked with Vanderpump-branded robes and slippers.
The TV quality was spectacular, and the mini-bar below was stocked with the typical assortment of snacks & drinks, but there was also a bottle of wine and vodka on hand.
Another upgrade, rooms also come with a Nespresso machine and complimentary tea and coffee.
Despite being a man, I could tell the furnishings, color scheme, and overall decor in the room just worked. It’s an aesthetically pleasing room.
The bedside tables were equipped with traditional outlets in addition to USB A & C ports.
A new light switch was also installed beside the bed, but it only controlled the bedside table lights. I would’ve loved to see a whole-room control panel in these rooms, but no dice.
Now, let’s move into the bathroom, which is, well, The Cromwell’s bathroom, nearly untouched.
And look, The Cromwell’s bathrooms were fine. I liked the words on the wall in the shower, the 2-way mirror, etc., but no changes to a rebranded hotel room surprised me.
Feels like an odd corner to cut.
For the sake of comparison, below is what this bathroom looked like as The Cromwell. They swapped some fixtures (sink handles, etc.), removed the handheld shower wand, and retiled one shower wall to be plain white.
Here’s Vanderpump’s partially separated toilet room, which is also unchanged. Even the picture of a dog sitting on a throne survived the remodel.
Vanderpump branded bath products were provided in the shower.
While underwhelmed by the unchanged bathroom, this room is a massive improvement from what they were at the Cromwell. Much brighter, upbeat, positive.
I like it.
What’s Not To Like?
When I review hotels I aim to give the full story, not just the good, so that you can make a more informed decision.
Being brand new, the room was in spectacular condition and immaculately clean.
That said, the ceiling fixtures in my bathroom at The Cromwell a year ago had some rust, and I was surprised to see a ceiling cap in the new room sporting the same uninspired look.
Another room quirk was a random series of clicks that came from the countertop minibar every 10 minutes or so.
Fortunately, I was dead tired, and I slept through it…. but I was an inch away from unplugging it and dealing with the consequences later.
Depending on which side of the tower you’re on, you’re likely to endure some road noise. I was on the loud side and didn’t think it was terrible, however.
My biggest gripe of the stay, though, was a dog, which was a floor above or below me, that barked incessantly through the evening and night.
Dogs don’t belong at hotels in Las Vegas.
Vanderpump Hotel Resort Experience
The Pool
Vanderpump’s rooftop pool is unchanged, and despite numerous stays at The Cromwell over the years, this was my first experience.
The views are great, but there’s minimal free seating… I think I had about 5 seats to choose from when I arrived and the pool was a ghost town.. The little square plunge pools are reserved for cabana reservation holders.
I loved that they had a screen up there playing the game of the day, which made it possible to sweat a World Cup bet.
Food & Drink
Dining options at The Cromwell are limited to Giada, which I’ve had great experiences at in the past.
These were the blueberry pancakes and a side of bacon I ordered during my final stay at The Cromwell. They’re still on the menu, and are spectacular.
Eatwell has been replaced by a Starbucks on the Casino floor, and Bound Bar is now Gigolo, a cocktail lounge named after Lisa’s dog.
The Casino
The casino has the same general vibe as The Cromwell did, IMO. Luxurious & intimate.
They swapped out the carpeting, hung a bunch of pics of Lisa & her gang, re-felted the tables, and re-decorated The Cromwell’s iconic red chandeliers.
During my visit, they were dealing $10 craps, $15 3:2 blackjack, and $5 carnival games like 3 Card Poker.
The Verdict on The Vanderpump Hotel
The Vanderpump Hotel has the same general aura as The Cromwell, with a significantly upgraded room product that includes perks such as free coffee, a cocktail token, and a daily complimentary cocktail hour.
Although I am not the target market (I am a man), I think they did a great job with the rooms. They’re bright, comfortable, and genuinely nice. It’s a luxury hotel experience.
As for the bathrooms… they’re fine… but I don’t understand the thought process behind overhauling the entire room, only to get to the bathroom and be like, “Nah, man. I’m tired and out of cash. Just leave it.”
Again, the room is great. Just perplexed by the decision.
Ultimately, if you liked The Cromwell, you’ll love The Vanderpump Hotel.
Starting at under $200/nt., I think it’s a solid value.
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I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.