An Off-Strip Staycation in Las Vegas

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas Entry Exterior

Since its opening in 2021,ย Virgin Hotels Las Vegasย has been a favorite among locals for its varied and excellent dining options. In addition to the many restaurants on the property, the resort also has various entertainment choices and a lush pool oasis. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas invited us for a hosted visit to experience the hospitality and entertainment options the resort has to offer. We also haveย a walkthrough of the hotelย to give you a lay of the land!

Staycationing Off-Strip at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

Check-In

Like most properties in Las Vegas, the line can be long on busy days if you arrive right around the standard check-in time. Even so, with most of the terminals open, the line that wove through the lobby took under 30 minutes. We should have checked which tower we were booked in before our arrival (editor error) because our room was actually booked in the Ruby Tower, which has its own dedicated front desk, concierge desk and spacious lounge area.

Elevator Landing at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Elevator Landing at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (ยฉMelanie Lee)

We had a king room in the Ruby Tower with its own foyer (full of armoire space and complete with a vanity area), living space (including a sleek dinette for two) and spacious bathroom (about the size of most apartment bedrooms). The decor is colorful and cheeky and utterly different from the former look of the hotel rooms when the property was once the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. In fact, the entire property has swapped color schemes from the moody rock and roll vibes to a Palm Springs-esque color scheme with retro touches.

Ruby Tower King Room at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Ruby Tower King Room at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (ยฉMelanie Lee)

Please download the Virgin Hotels mobile app before your arrival and link your reservation. The mobile app allows you to access plenty of digital amenities that make your stay a bit more comfortable. Amenities can also be quickly accessed from your roomโ€™s television, making the technological aspect of your stay pretty seamless. Another tech perk? The wireless charging port on the nightstandโ€”itโ€™s perfect if you forgot your charger (like us).

Ruby Tower King Room Living Space at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Ruby Tower King Room Living Space at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (ยฉMelanie Lee)

Happy Hour

If you timed your arrival just right, itโ€™s now happy hour. We dropped off our bags and headed straight for Casa Calavera to enjoy the โ€œMi Casa, Su Casaโ€ Happy Hour that takes place Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. While weโ€™ve been hosted for several visits around Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, this visit to Casa Calavera was made as regular diners. The happy hour specials include a selection of food and beverage items for $7, including our favorite pomegranate and jicama guacamole and the Ahi tuna tostadas.

Casa Calavera Outdoor Patio at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Casa Calavera Outdoor Patio at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (ยฉMelanie Lee)

Spa Time

We didnโ€™t have time to visit The Spa at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on this visitโ€”partly because a nap in the super comfortable room was just too appealing to pass up. If a spa visit is on your list, the onsite facilities have several summer spa specials through August 31, 2022. Guests can enjoy the โ€œThirst Quenching Spa Package,โ€ which has multiple treatments included for $285, and the โ€œCoconut Mojito Body Scrubโ€ with a coconut water mojito.

Cocktails

If youโ€™re searching for a plush cocktail lounge, make your way to the Shag Room. The colorful space is adjacent to the main front desk and hotel entrance and looks nothing like what youโ€™d expect to find at a hotel lobby bar. Youโ€™ll find a lengthy wine and spirits list, traditional libations, and some fun specialty cocktails like the โ€œTrifle Bowlโ€ and the โ€œPrivateer.โ€ If youโ€™re visiting on a Sunday, book a reservation for theย Upside Down Tea Party.

The Shag Room at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Casa Calavera Outdoor Patio (Courtesy Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)

Dinner Options

Weโ€™ve attended media events at almost all of the restaurants at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, and there is something for everyone on the property. Theย dining selection here is one of several property highlights with big names in the culinary world likeย Nobu andย Night + Market Las Vegasย from Kris Yenbamroong. Local spot Pizza Forte is a fantastic quick-service option, especially if youโ€™re looking for some late-night eats to bring back to your room.ย The Kitchen at Commons Club is open 24/7, making it perfect for the night owls and partying set (it’s also a great spot to grab breakfast).

Night + Market at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Night + Market Las Vegas at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (ยฉMelanie Lee)

Entertainment

If you visited Hard Rock Hotel & Casino before it was sold, youโ€™re probably familiar with the infamous entertainment venue, The Joint. Though the space has been rebranded as well, all of the old bones left from one of the cityโ€™s most beloved stages are still present at The Theater. We were invited to attend the sold-out show featuring 2CELLOS. Security and crowd control while entering the venue was well-managed, and the sound quality was outstanding.

2CELLOS at The Theater Inside Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
2CELLOS at The Theater Inside Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (ยฉPaul Citone / KabikPhotoGroup.com)

Soak Up Some Sun

We would have thought it would be challenging for the resort to erase the stamp of the notorious REHAB pool parties that took place years ago at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; however, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas did a lovely job of rebranding the space. The over-21 pool parties now take place at the intimateย ร‰lia Beach Clubย space, and we were invited by the hotel and ร‰lia Beach Club to visit the space and enjoy some fun in the sun.

ร‰lia Beach Club did keep some components of REHABโ€”but just the good ones. The space is removed from the main pool and surrounded by updated cabanas and daybeds, while the expansive bar area contains additional seating and shade. The sandy beaches surrounding the daybeds might have you thinking youโ€™re not in Las Vegas anymore, and the menu of food and beverage choices was refreshing and reasonably priced as far as dayclubs go. A visit to ร‰lia Beach Club is the perfect way to unwind after a night on the town and the ideal interlude between your staycation and reality.

Eฬlia Beach Club at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Eฬlia Beach Club at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (ยฉMelanie Lee)