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| - Las Vegas is known for The Strip, several miles of massive resort casinos that will do just about anything to catch a visitor's attention. City Center complex is no exception.
This ultra modern, sleek design mixed use area is home to the Mandarin Oriental hotel. Upon entering the MO, guests travel up to the twenty-third floor to the Sky Lobby a refreshingly unique concept. However the Tea Lounge is just sort of there by the check-in desk. It has all the charm of a Starbucks kiosk in any lobby in any hotel in any major city in the country.
Once seated guests are treated to an amazing view of the city. The couches are extremely comfortable for lounging, not necessarily ideal for eating. The tea selections are seemingly endless with different herbal/floral combinations. The food offerings are meager to put it nicely. This is after all a high tea experience not a true meal. One would be advised to skip the full tea spread and opt for scone which are, by far, the best thing on the menu. The tea sandwiches began life as unimaginative snacks, then they dried out and lost any appeal or zest. The dessert offerings seemed like a frozen sampler that might be put out in the lobby of a retirement community. The scones were different, they arrived warm and buttery and were a delightful accompaniment to the many selections of teas on the table. The mixologist at the MO is also quite creative and one should sample one or more of the unique drink selections on the menu.
There is a feeling of refined class in the City Center complex and the Mandarin Oriental is no exception. The fixtures and displays are beautiful. The choices in furnishings and surfaces throughout reek of class and sophistication; however, the servers have soaked in a bit too much class. During one tea service, there were at least four different servers that touched our table, and I cannot remember one giving our table a genuine smile. I believe the meter has tipped over to the level of snooty.
This experience is one that would be nice for a couple or small group staying in the City Center, as a break from the typical Las Vegas itinerary. However, it was not particularly memorable. Unless you are a tea aficionado, and you take high tea daily, save your money and experience some of the truly special experiences Las Vegas has to offer
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