Our annual Macaroni Kid MeetUp was held at the beautiful JW Marriott in Las Vegas this year. JW Marriott is the highest level of luxury offered by the Marriott family of hotels, and JW Marriott Las Vegas did not disappoint.
About 25 minutes from Las Vegas Boulevard, JW Marriott offers a peaceful haven from the hustle and bright llights of The Strip with all the amenities of a five-star Vegas hotel.
“Standard” at JW Marriott is not what you would expect. Think big.
I stayed in the Spa Tower where I was pleasantly surprised to have a big double occupancy room with high ceilings, a spacious walk-in closet, and an even bigger bathroom featuring granite countertops, double sinks, a jacuzzi tub, and my personal favorite – the spa shower, complete with a bench.
Many of the rooms also offer a balcony, where guests can enjoy the view of stunning sunrises or sunsets, depending on when you like to gamble in the hotel’s 24-hour casino.
For families that enjoy the outdoors, JW Marriott boasts meticulously manicured grounds and gentle waterfalls to stroll through. There are also ample benches and café tables where one can enjoy a book and a cocktail or light snack as you take in breathtaking views of the mountains in the distance.
Its pool is family-friendly featuring a poolside café (and bar for the parents), ample lounge chairs, cabanas, a fun waterfall, and even a gently sloping entryway for little ones to enter the pool.
After a dip in the pool, families can enjoy several dining options in-house. Having a sweet spot for Irish pubs, I tried the potato skins and minestrone soup with a bottle of Smithwick’s at the JC Wooloughan Irish Pub and enjoyed it. The nachos, and salmon and mashed potatoes were also very good. 221 is a tapas bar, which offered delicious empanadas and $5 drink specials during happy hour. Other options include the ubiquitous all-you-can eat buffet, tepanyaki and sushi restaurant, and the fine dining restaurant of Spiedini.
JW Marriott’s spa and fitness room is exceptional, offering two rooms that cater to fitness buffs and novices alike. The main fitness center offers most of what you get from a gym: numerous treadmills, cross-training machines, weights (both machines and free weights), and even a room for yoga and spin classes.
In the Sin City, it’s so easy to forget how beautiful the landscape of Nevada is. One can easily spend three to four days without seeing the light of day or breathing in fresh air by hopping from one hotel casino to the next. I was happy to have stayed at the JW Marriott where families have the option to lose track of time indoors and to enjoy the great outdoors.
Macaroni Tips
- The airport is about a 20-30 minute drive away. The best way to get to the hotel from the airport is by renting a car (hotel parking is free), or taking a taxi, which costs about $60.
- The hotel offers a free shuttle to The Strip. There is also a shuttle to the airport, which costs $30 per person.
- Wifi is free in the hotel lobby of the hotel, but there is a charge for in-room internet access.
- The rooms conveniently have a small refridgerator to keep drinks and leftovers cold.
- Make time to see the Hoover Dam, which is only a short trip away.
