Resorts World Las Vegas is an entirely new way to delve into familiar indulgences.
We all remember the themed experiences of old Vegas: cruising through the Venetian canals, witnessing the somersaulting pirates swinging from perch to perch in front of Treasure Island, or feeling like a Roman emperor at Caesars Palace. These themed experiences made Vegas feel special, giving each resort its own distinct vibe despite the fact that they all essentially serve the same function.
To me, those themes made Vegas what it was, because they transported you to different parts of the world or entirely different worlds. In recent years, however, Vegas has shifted away from elaborate themes in favor of more contemporary luxury.
In search of a place that could still transport me somewhere new, I spent a weekend at Resorts World. For those couple of days, I barely left the property, choosing instead to surround myself with everything it had to offer.
Though not strictly themed, the inspirations throughout the property were unmistakable. Having traveled around Asia many times, particularly to Singapore, Malaysia and Bali, I found myself drawing parallels to details both big and small throughout my stay.
Checking In
Resorts World is split into three different hotel options: Hilton, Conrad and Crockfords. Each hotel has its own lobby and entrance, but all three share easy access to the resort’s shopping, gaming, dining and entertainment areas.
Hilton offers the familiar level of service and accommodations you would expect from the brand. Conrad is considered a step up, with more elevated design, furnishings and amenities, as well as a selection of suites.
Crockfords represents the highest level of accommodations at Resorts World. In addition to villas and suites, even its standard rooms feel upscale, with thoughtful design and details that reflect its tier of luxury. Guests also have access to a private pool area and dedicated entrances.
I stayed at Crockfords, although apart from the room itself, the private spaces and pool area, much of the overall Resorts World experience is shared among guests of all three hotels.
Pulling up to Crockfords, I was first met by a grand gate that immediately creates a sense of privacy and exclusivity. The staff were dressed in understated sport polos that reminded me of resorts I’ve visited in Singapore and Bali. The design of the entrance and lobby also blends upscale European luxury with subtle Asian influences and that goes for the lobbies of all three hotels.
After my flight and the check in process, I was starving, so the room could wait. I left my bags with the bell desk and made my way immediately to Famous Foods Street Eats.
Eating Our Way Through Resorts World
Famous Foods is a sprawling food hall inspired by the street markets of Southeast Asia, filled with international stalls offering a wide range of cuisines.
Ordering with my eyes rather than my stomach, I chose entrées from BBQ Smokehouse and Famous Pho, along with side dishes from several other stalls. With the only thing I had eaten earlier being stale pretzels on the flight, I savored every detail of the meal.
The brisket from BBQ Smokehouse came with several beautifully cooked slices, with a soft fat cap that melted in my mouth, a smoky bark and a tender smoke ring. The coleslaw and cornbread were good additions, but the brisket stole the show.
Being from the Bay Area, I feel like I have a high standard for pho, but the chicken pho held its own, with a broth full of umami and layered flavor.
I would return to Famous Foods throughout the weekend to explore more of the options, but after eating what felt like a meal for multiple people, I didn’t want to think about food anymore and finally headed to my room.
The Room
I stayed in one of the “standard” Crockfords rooms which I put in quotes because their version of standard is quite upscale. The tasteful art, deco, and arrangements continues from their private lobby, bar, and elevators to the room as well.
Most hotel rooms I’ve stayed in provide essentially the same thing, they all have beds, bathrooms, and for the most part, they’re all cleaned prior to checking in. While I may harp on the little details, to me, it is those details that ultimately set each room apart.
The room was well put together, with patterned carpets, a red stitched leather headboard, marble counters, comfortable furniture and modern controls, including bedside controls for the lights and motorized drapes. The bathroom was well stocked with toiletries with soaps and lotions by Byredo Mojave Ghost.
I had a southwest view overlooking the pool area and offered a sweeping panorama of the west side of Las Vegas, and it was a nice backdrop as I unpacked and got ready for the rest of the day.
The Night
Later that night, I was invited to a Savor Society event at Allē Lounge on 66. Savor Society brings chefs and mixologists from around the world to Resorts World for limited time events, and that evening featured mixologist Javier Adrian Lopez Cruz of Hanky Panky members-only bar in Mexico City.
He mixed a selection of signature cocktails throughout the night. My favorite was the Imperio, made with white rum, cantaloupe and green wine milk punch, melon liqueur and green Chartreuse.
For dinner, I checked out Stubborn Seed, by Michelin-starred chef Jeremy Ford.
The six course tasting menu included a wonderfully seasoned kanpachi carpaccio with black garlic and ponzu, followed later by dry aged duck confit with umami beurre and spiced jus.
It was especially helpful that with every course that came out, the server spent time explaining each dish, it’s ingredients, and was more than happy to explain when I did not know what piment d’espelette was. Not only was service exemplary, I now know that piment d’espelette were the special sliced chilis, specific to the Espelette region of France, garnishing my Carpaccio.
It was a nice departure from lunch. Instead of trying to eat everything in sight, I slowed down and enjoyed the intentional flavors and textures of each dish, ending the meal perfectly satiated rather than overstuffed.
A Slower Side of Vegas
The next morning, I decided to start the day at the pool or rather, pools, of which Resorts World has five, each with options ranging from cabanas and daybeds to reserved chairs.
Despite Crockfords having its own pool area, I spent much of my time at the larger pool for a few laps. The pool itself is set on a curve, which makes the area feel larger because you can’t see the entire pool or everyone in it at once.
After a swimming session, I ordered lunch and relaxed on a daybed. Dedicated poolside staff brought extra towels and drinks throughout the morning. The menu offered a wide range of cuisines, and I opted for street tacos and crab sushi rolls.
I ended my time by bringing my drink over to the Athena Infinity Pool area to take in the views before heading back inside.
Instead of showering in my room, I grabbed a robe and headed directly to Awana Spa.
After checking in, I explored the various areas before settling in. The gender specific spaces have dedicated hot tubs, steam rooms and hot and cold rinse areas, while the main area features pools at different temperatures, sauna and salt rooms, and places simply to sit and relax.
The design was calming as a whole, from the soft lighting to the rounded walls and sweeping corridors. Rather than feeling like you’re simply moving from room to room, the space encourages you to slow down.
I joined one of the sauna meister led sessions, and 10 minutes of lavender scented rhythmic breathing exercises and towel movements left me in an unexpectedly tranquil state.
Back Out After Dark
Night two’s dinner was at FUHU, which serves contemporary Asian cuisine.
The meal began with robatayaki filet skewers served over smoking Ogatan briquettes. Next came the FUHU Rainbow Crunch Roll, with crab, tuna, salmon, hamachi and shrimp, topped with varying flavored roe.
For the main courses, we had sliced filet over shiitake mushrooms and leeks paired with a rich sizzling ponzu butter sauce alongside FUHU’s signature fried rice, made with beet soaked red rice and generous interspersing of king crab.
As with the previous night, the staff took time to explain each dish as it arrived, which made the experience feel more thoughtful and intentional.
Later, I found myself back at Famous Foods, where one storefront looks noticeably different from the food stalls around it. Instead of food, it appears to be a small gift shop selling, among other things, kitty plushies.
Speak with the person behind the counter, however, and you’re led past the storefront façade and through a hidden door into Here Kitty Kitty, a speakeasy.
Even leaving plays into the sense of secrecy, as the exit takes you through a space designed to evoke the back alleyways of Hong Kong before one final door brings you back into reality.
More Than a Weekend
Having spent the last two days eating well and drinking plenty, I had one of the best nights of sleep I have had in a long while.
I think that perfectly encapsulates what Vegas should be about: a getaway from routine life. Instead of spending the day worried about work or responsibilities, you use your energy deciding how to make the most of what the life has to offer.
On the morning of checkout, I had the same feeling I get whenever I’m about to fly home from vacation: the realization that the good times of the past few days were about to become memories.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Resorts World, though I would recommend at least three nights if you really want to explore the property. There were still plenty of casual and fine dining restaurants I wanted to try but didn’t get the chance to, and I never managed to fit in time for Zouk Nightclub or Ayu Dayclub.
Resorts World occupies a unique place among the hotels on the Strip. At times, it evokes the feeling of staying at a luxury resort in Asia, from the service to the design details and the Asian influences woven throughout its dining and nightlife.
Vegas is always changing. Sentimentality often gives way to reinvention as old icons disappear and new ones rise in their place. But good service, memorable food and a sense of escape never really go out of style, and that is what Resorts World offers.
Editor’s note: Resorts World Las Vegas provided accommodations and select experiences for this story. All opinions are my own.
