Cliff Atkinson has been part of the Mandarin Oriental team for nearly 20 years, working in their properties in San Francisco and New York before becoming general manager in Las Vegas. Here, he fell for not only the physical beauty of the hotel but also the people, who in his estimation are what make this destination so special.
There are a lot of hotels in Las Vegas, but we are unique in that we are a true luxury product and an oasis in the city. A nongaming and nonsmoking hotel, we are really the antithesis of the Las Vegas stereotype, and that has incredible appeal. Our guests appreciate what we are—in fact, they demand it. It’s secluded. It’s private. Of course, you have access to everything Las Vegas has to offer, only now you can come back and escape that reality in the cocooned sanctuary we have created here.
We are the only property in Nevada to have the Forbes Five-Star Award for all its entities—triple five stars for our hotel; our restaurant, Twist by Pierre Gagnaire; and our spa. Only six properties in the world can boast this distinction. In a city with more than 150,000 hotel rooms, it makes our 400 truly stand out.
Winter at the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas is a very special time. Within the hotel, we celebrate with a seasonal Nutcracker Tea in our Tea Lounge. A portion of this experience goes to support the Nevada Ballet Theatre, a local charity that is very important to us. And in February, there is no better way to experience the art of romance than by dining at Twist.
So welcome to the inaugural issue of our magazine. Here, you will learn why Chef Pierre Gagnaire picked Las Vegas for his first American dining adventure, and how the wines are paired and selected. You will read about how every design detail is created with emotional attachment. And above all, you will get a sense for the family we are and the experience we strive to offer. Because more than anything, it is the people who make staying here so special, with the same experience you’d expect at our original Mandarin in Hong Kong and Bangkok. At the Mandarin Oriental, we deliver on a promise of impeccable service. Whatever the reasons that brought you to Las Vegas, we hope you leave the city refreshed, satiated, and ready to come back and stay with us again.
—Cliff Atkinson
General Manager, Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas
