Would you like to stay in a luxury hotel at an affordable price once a year?

My husband and I stayed at Waldorf Astoria (luxury hotel and resort brand of Hilton) in Las Vegas, Chicago, and Berlin – Germany for free. How? We use Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Credit Card benefits.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a premium hotel credit card with so many benefits. The annual fee is $450. I know, it’s an expensive annual fee. However, several benefits easily outweigh the cost.

Here is our honest review of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

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Worth the annual fee for the perks!

For starters, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card comes with Hilton Diamond status for as long as you hold the card. This Diamond status gave us the bonus points, hotel lounge access, free breakfast, and free room upgrades. We really enjoy free room upgrades!

In addition, the card comes with up to $250 in airline-fee credits and up to $250 in Hilton resort credits every calendar year. We used this benefit to stay at Waldorf Astoria hotels for a free night. In some Waldorf Astoria hotels, you’ll also get a $30 voucher for breakfast. (Free up to $30) Why? Because you are a Diamond member!  (you’ll become a Diamond member automatically with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card)

The Aspire card also comes with a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership which gets you unlimited access to 1,200+ airport lounges around the world. We always get free drinks and food at airport lounges. It’s quite a lot of saving.

There are more benefits, but these are the most valuable benefits to travelers.

How was the Waldorf Astoria hotel?

Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts offers upscale and luxury accommodations.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card members can have a free night at Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts once a year.

We have experience staying at three different locations of Waldorf Astoria. Even though it’s luxury hotels, the quality of services and the rooms were not the same. My favorite Waldorf Astoria location is Chicago.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago: Usually it’s $291 – $722 per night

Location: Waldorf Astoria Chicago is located in downtown Chicago. It is really nice location if you like shopping. It is a little far from tourist attractions and there is no train station nearby.

Good: Waldorf Astoria Chicago always gives us a $30 voucher for breakfast. We love breakfast at Waldorf Astoria Chicago.

Not so good: There is no parking. We usually use public parking nearby. (It’s a walking distance from Waldorf Astoria Chicago)

Room:

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L.

The Junior Suite room has a fireplace, seating area, minibar, and huge bathroom/bathtub. Soaking in a warm bath after walking around downtown Chicago is better than anything.

Waldorf Astoria Berlin: Usually it’s $298 – $415 per night

Location: Waldorf Astoria Berlin is between the Kurfuerstendamm shopping boulevard, Berlin Zoo, and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The Zoologischer Garten station was right across the street. It was really nice location. You don’t need a car. There were many shops and restaurants within walking distance.

Good: Welcome drinks & sweets were yum! And most of the staff were English speakers, so we didn’t have any communication issues. That’s a big plus for us.

Not so good: There was not much explanation about the services available in the hotel. Maybe, we missed a lot of good things about this hotel. lol

Room:

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G V-I-E-W.

We stayed at King Deluxe Room with views of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. It was really nice room & view. Also, it was the most spacious room we have ever stayed in.

Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas: Usually it’s $220-$535 per night

Location: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is located in the center of the strip. There are many hotels, restaurants, and shops within walking distance.

Good: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas also gives us a $30 voucher for breakfast. The breakfast was really good too. In addition, there is a cafe in the hotel called Sky Lounge where you can enjoy afternoon tea and overlook the Las Vegas Strip. You need a reservation, but it’s really nice place to enjoy the city of Las Vegas and tea.

Not so good: Entrance is difficult to find. There is no parking. We usually use public parking which is a little far from the hotel.

Room:

We stayed in City View Room. The room was pretty small and old, but clean. It was a nice room but not very impressive.

Wrapping Up

You don’t have to stay in a luxury hotel to enjoy traveling, but sometimes it is fun to experience something out of the ordinary. If you use the credit card benefit, it’s not so expensive! (Actually, it’s free)

Now it’s your turn! Have you stayed at the Waldorf Astoria before? Which location was your favorite?