Inside The W, the Funkiest Boutique Hotel in Vegas
There’s perhaps no city in the United States begging to be photographed as much as Las Vegas.
From its neon lights to its quirky sights, Vegas is Instagram gold. The whole time I was there, I saw so many insane photo opportunities that it was hard to even go anywhere without my camera glued to my face.
And there is no Vegas hotel that’s more true for than The W, a brand new boutique hotel within the larger SLS Hotel & Casino. Equal parts quirky and glamorous, The W combines tongue-in-cheek décor with luxury amenities for a picture perfect, 5 star Vegas experience.
A “hotel within a hotel,” The W is actually attached to the same building as the famous SLS Casino & Resort – but with a secret entrance away from the crowd. So secret, in fact, that most of our Uber drivers didn’t even know about it!
The best thing about this concept is that you have access to all the SLS amenities: their casino, their pool, their restaurants (I’ve heard ravings about Bazaar Meat, a steakhouse inside the SLS, but lacked the funds to see for myself) — while still having a more bespoke boutique hotel experience.
Whereas in the larger casino hotels you can easily feel like a cattle in a herd, The W pays impeccable attention to detail to make your experience feel personal: an important distinction in a city as capitalism-on-steroids as Vegas.
Every guest at The W has their own Insider – a concierge who tailors unique suggestions to your personal tastes. Taking advice from Romeo, our amazing Insider, was one of the best things we did in all of Vegas!
Per his recommendation, we ended up at the most unique and funky bar in Vegas, dancing the night away to 80s music videos projected on the wall, in the company of an off-brand Edward Scissorhands and a bunch of locals. It was an experience that was much more my style than one of the $16-for-a-Budweiser nightclubs littering the Strip.
Though with the gorgeous bar and lounge areas in The W proper, you’d be forgiven for never leaving the comforts of your hotel. Experienced bartenders will mix you up any cocktail you fancy or you can choose something from their specialty cocktail menu. Meanwhile, the design just begs to be photographed.
I mean, where else do you get a gold coin upon check in, good only for getting your fortune read?
The design of the rooms is delightfully quirky, with crossdresser-bedecked pillows, a wraparound chaise couch, and stunning Stratosphere views.
… Yes, I said crossdresser pillows!
The wallpaper has a funky Marie Antoinette meets Andy Warhol vibe… livened up by the peep-through shower which you can close with a simple curtain if you’re not feeling like giving the room a show.
As a guest of The W, you have access to their private pool club Wet, calmer by far than the pool at the SLS, which you can also access by showing your room card. As for what’s better, it really depends on what kind of pool experience you want.
I much preferred the quiet atmosphere and modern decor of Wet at The W, but if you’re into meeting other people and drinking in a pool all day, the SLS is your spot.
If you’re looking for something different than the faceless rooms of the big casino-hotel hybrids littering the Strip, I don’t think you can do any better than The W. Boutique customer service, quirky decor, and all the amenities of a big casino without the impersonal feel — I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Check out today’s best deals on The W
Note: I was a complimentary guest of The W in order to write this review. As always, all opinions are entirely my own.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016, visiting 75+ countries in total. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. As a former educator, she merges her writing and educational experience to encourage ethical, sustainable travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and TBEX. Her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. When she’s not on the road, she lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
I loved reading about your experience at the W. The fact that it has a secret door, cross-dressing pillows and really unique décor make this a standout in Vegas. The quieter pool would also be more my speed too.
So glad you enjoyed — I hope you get to visit for yourself one day soon!
oh wow! this looks like a great place. The room design is absolutely amazing. I’m definitely gonna check this place out when in Vegas.
Isn’t the design fabulous? I hope you do get a chance to stay here when you’re in Vegas!
This is definitely a funky hotel I love the look of the beds and the swimming pool. I hope the fortune teller gave you some good news.
The beds were soooo comfortable too!
I have been to Las Vegas many times, I know where the W is but I’ve never been in. It looks like a wonderful boutique hotel in Las Vegas, I’ll definitely consider it when booking to stay there next time. From looking at the picture, I think your description of it being the funkiest boutique hotel in Vegas is very accurate. I’d be making Instagram pictures in there all day!
Yeah, my friend and I couldn’t stop taking photos the whole time we were there! It was so fun to update our Instagram stories with all the funky quirky things we could in our room 🙂 I hope you get a chance to stay there when in Vegas next!
Ah the pomp and show of Vegas. It is just so inviting right, and why would it not be with all its promises to pamper you. This boutique hotel is no less that one of those ultra famous hotels of the north strip – trust me. Might just end uo trying some new hotels when I visit next, thanks to your post.
Yes, I stayed in the Mandalay many, many years back and I much preferred The W. I love a hotel with a bit of personality alongside the pampering. I do hope you visit The W next time you are in Vegas!
This is unique… boutique hotels are, but this one just blew me away! The interiors left me speechless.
So much of creativity has gone into making this. Hope I get to visit too.
I’m so glad you enjoyed! I loved the interiors so much as well. I hope you get to visit soon!
I love boutique hotels and this looks so beautiful. What i love about these hotels is their interior and Your pictures speak all about it . I hope you had a great experience
I totally agree — boutique hotels are the way to go. So much more my speed than a ritzy but personality-less hotel.
I like the poolside a lot. The color palette is so vibrant. I would not have thought that the black and white artwork goes well with the bright blue and green pieces of furniture. The lounge areas look comfortable and stylish. I think I would feel the need to dress nicely if ever I’d visit this hotel. It is great that the guests can have access to the SLS amenities because it will be more enjoyable.
Yeah, the poolside was definitely my favorite part! It’s definitely a fun place to dress up 🙂 It’s nice that you can just walk over to the casinos and restaurants without necessarily staying right in the middle of it. Best of both worlds!
I had no idea W opened up inside of SLS. So cool!! and don’t worry you didn’t miss much not dining at Baazar Meats trust me! lol
It’s pretty cool, so secret our Uber driver didn’t even know it was there! Sad to hear that Bazaar Meats was a bummer though, it looked so good!