Morning all
As promised here is my thoughts on the Signature and also some pics for you -
Bit of background - I was supposed to be running the Las Vegas marathon, we'd originally booked 3 nights in that somewhat less fine establishment, the (dare I say it) Excalibur. However, a couple of months ago I got myself a stress fracture so no marathon for me!
However we still had flights booked so we planned on going but making a bit more of the time in Vegas. Thus, I wisely cancelled the Excalibur booking (probably one of the best decisions I made this year!) and managed to find a reasonable deal for the Signature. I'd read consistently excellent reviews on TA and we really liked the look of the place.
We'd got a junior suite booked for $159/$249/$249 + tax + $15 a night resort fee.
And so it was, early in December, that we found ourselves, somewhat tired and fed up, in the previously booked sedan from LAS.
First impressions were great. The Signature has its own gated entrance which immediately gives it a rather 'exclusive' feel, far removed from driving up to the major casino-hotels in Vegas.
Straight away someone was there to open the car doors for us - "good evening, welcome to the Signature, are you checking in? Can I take those bags for you?" - again, good first impressions.
Checkin was excellent - friendly, polite - we were offered the choice of a suite with a 'mountain' or 'strip' view, we opted for the latter and asked for a suite as high as possible. This we got, being on the 36th floor!
We were given an 'orientation tour' - (we were shown the fitness centre which I'm ashamed to say I didn't make use of but which looked good, although I'm not sure there were any free weights in there) and then taken to our suite.
I should say at this point that one of my favourite features of the Signature is that is well out of the way of any casinos, and also is non-smoking. The whole ambience of the lobby is really chilled out and is a welcome break from the normal hustle & bustle of Vegas.
Ok well here's a few photos of the suite -
Looking from the rear of the suite, near the window, inwards -
and again with the TV/kitchen unit to the left -
The suite came with a balcony. With hindsight I would have gone for a 'mountain' view, the view was OK but nothing great -
A couple more shots of the suite -
The suite has a plasma TV and DVD player. This unit also houses the kitchen section -
This had a two-ring electric hob, toaster, microwave, sink, full range of utensils, glasses, plates, fridge, coffee maker, waste disposal, etc. We didn't make much use of this as we were only there for three nights.
The bed was by far the most comfortable I have ever slept on. Not only that but all the bed linen was of excellent quality and very comfy. -
The OH ordered a cheeky bit of room service on the second night, which came promptly and was nicely presented (lemon cheesecake, if memory serves me rightly - which, she reported, was excellent) -
The bathroom was really spacious - the photo doesn't do it justice -
but as you can see, you get a sizeable shower, double sink unit, a separate toilet (with a telephone, always handy), and a whirpool tub. I believe the tub is technically a one-person tub but it is easily big enough for two and was nice and relaxing to have each evening (especially on the first night after the long flight) -
The bathroom was stocked with a nice range of shampoos/soaps, etc., and also rather nice cotton robes.
The hotel connects to the MGM Grand via a walkway. This has been critiscised on TA reports. I have to say that these people must be pretty lazy! The walkway is half moving walkway so it takes maybe 3-4 minutes if that. Obviously the thought of having to walk (shock!) is too much for some people but I didn't find it inconvenient. The walkway also connects to the outside pool area which I am ashamed to say we didn't make use of but looked gorgeous.
I had read on TA some complaints about construction noise - although there was construction going on, it didn't seem to be noticeable unless you had the balcony doors open. I had also read about issues with wind noise (no not wind from nearby guests!) - there was a whistling from the wind on the balcony but personally I find the noise quite soothing.
SUMMARY
Good points
- Absolutely superb service from everyone we encountered - professional, friendly and sincere.
- Nice being away from the casinos and smoke.
- VERY comfy bed!
- Whirpool tub
- Spacious room
Bad points -
- Stupid $15 'resort fee' - this covers a newspaper each morning, coffee, two bottles of water, in room internet and use of the gym. - The newspaper is a local one, the coffee tasted like mud, the water is helpful but should come free, I don't have a laptop and I didn't use the gym! The hotel really should listen to the guest reviews and just bundle the $15 into the room rate.
- When we first arrived at the hotel, the staff seemed to almost ignore my OH - I'm guessing they assumed I was the one paying.. this did annoy us somewhat.
Overall though, a fantastic hotel, I'm sure we'll be back there in March for my birthday.
As promised here is my thoughts on the Signature and also some pics for you -
Bit of background - I was supposed to be running the Las Vegas marathon, we'd originally booked 3 nights in that somewhat less fine establishment, the (dare I say it) Excalibur. However, a couple of months ago I got myself a stress fracture so no marathon for me!
However we still had flights booked so we planned on going but making a bit more of the time in Vegas. Thus, I wisely cancelled the Excalibur booking (probably one of the best decisions I made this year!) and managed to find a reasonable deal for the Signature. I'd read consistently excellent reviews on TA and we really liked the look of the place.
We'd got a junior suite booked for $159/$249/$249 + tax + $15 a night resort fee.
And so it was, early in December, that we found ourselves, somewhat tired and fed up, in the previously booked sedan from LAS.
First impressions were great. The Signature has its own gated entrance which immediately gives it a rather 'exclusive' feel, far removed from driving up to the major casino-hotels in Vegas.
Straight away someone was there to open the car doors for us - "good evening, welcome to the Signature, are you checking in? Can I take those bags for you?" - again, good first impressions.
Checkin was excellent - friendly, polite - we were offered the choice of a suite with a 'mountain' or 'strip' view, we opted for the latter and asked for a suite as high as possible. This we got, being on the 36th floor!
We were given an 'orientation tour' - (we were shown the fitness centre which I'm ashamed to say I didn't make use of but which looked good, although I'm not sure there were any free weights in there) and then taken to our suite.
I should say at this point that one of my favourite features of the Signature is that is well out of the way of any casinos, and also is non-smoking. The whole ambience of the lobby is really chilled out and is a welcome break from the normal hustle & bustle of Vegas.
Ok well here's a few photos of the suite -
Looking from the rear of the suite, near the window, inwards -
and again with the TV/kitchen unit to the left -
The suite came with a balcony. With hindsight I would have gone for a 'mountain' view, the view was OK but nothing great -
A couple more shots of the suite -
The suite has a plasma TV and DVD player. This unit also houses the kitchen section -
This had a two-ring electric hob, toaster, microwave, sink, full range of utensils, glasses, plates, fridge, coffee maker, waste disposal, etc. We didn't make much use of this as we were only there for three nights.
The bed was by far the most comfortable I have ever slept on. Not only that but all the bed linen was of excellent quality and very comfy. -
The OH ordered a cheeky bit of room service on the second night, which came promptly and was nicely presented (lemon cheesecake, if memory serves me rightly - which, she reported, was excellent) -
The bathroom was really spacious - the photo doesn't do it justice -
but as you can see, you get a sizeable shower, double sink unit, a separate toilet (with a telephone, always handy), and a whirpool tub. I believe the tub is technically a one-person tub but it is easily big enough for two and was nice and relaxing to have each evening (especially on the first night after the long flight) -
The bathroom was stocked with a nice range of shampoos/soaps, etc., and also rather nice cotton robes.
The hotel connects to the MGM Grand via a walkway. This has been critiscised on TA reports. I have to say that these people must be pretty lazy! The walkway is half moving walkway so it takes maybe 3-4 minutes if that. Obviously the thought of having to walk (shock!) is too much for some people but I didn't find it inconvenient. The walkway also connects to the outside pool area which I am ashamed to say we didn't make use of but looked gorgeous.
I had read on TA some complaints about construction noise - although there was construction going on, it didn't seem to be noticeable unless you had the balcony doors open. I had also read about issues with wind noise (no not wind from nearby guests!) - there was a whistling from the wind on the balcony but personally I find the noise quite soothing.
SUMMARY
Good points
- Absolutely superb service from everyone we encountered - professional, friendly and sincere.
- Nice being away from the casinos and smoke.
- VERY comfy bed!
- Whirpool tub
- Spacious room
Bad points -
- Stupid $15 'resort fee' - this covers a newspaper each morning, coffee, two bottles of water, in room internet and use of the gym. - The newspaper is a local one, the coffee tasted like mud, the water is helpful but should come free, I don't have a laptop and I didn't use the gym! The hotel really should listen to the guest reviews and just bundle the $15 into the room rate.
- When we first arrived at the hotel, the staff seemed to almost ignore my OH - I'm guessing they assumed I was the one paying.. this did annoy us somewhat.
Overall though, a fantastic hotel, I'm sure we'll be back there in March for my birthday.
