Hotel EDC moved to Virgin Hotels Las Vegas this year, allowing it to expand and become an even better experience than before.
With each passing year, Insomniac has continued to enhance the offerings surrounding EDC Las Vegas. This has included everything from new stages and a refreshed festival layout to Camp EDC and more EDC Week events. One of the latest additions, Hotel EDC, might be one of the most immersive yet.
Hotel EDC launched in 2023 in partnership with Vibee, and for the first two years, it was hosted at Resorts World. Initial guest reviews regarding those two years were mixed, but feedback led to modifications to enhance the experience. Now, three years in, it felt like the right time to make the jump and experience Hotel EDC for myself.
For me, the big draw arrived last year when it was announced that there would be a new destination for Hotel EDC: Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. This hotel and casino isn’t too far from The Strip, has plenty of amenities, and is one of the rare spots where you can also find free parking.
The real reason I was excited was that this would be a total takeover of the hotel. Past years saw Hotel EDC consolidated into one of the three hotels at Resorts World, which resulted in a lack of immersion. Going in, I felt that shifting to a smaller, more intimate environment would take the experience to a new level. After spending the weekend there, my thoughts were confirmed.
From the moment I checked into Hotel EDC, I could tell this would be an exceptional experience.
We opted to check into Hotel EDC on Thursday instead of Friday to beat the crazy check-in lines, and I highly suggest you do the same. Not only did that help with checking in, but it also let us get situated in our room and ready for the on-site pool party that day.
It was clear from the jump that Insomniac went all out for this year, as Hotel EDC branding was everywhere you looked. The walls were covered with colorful designs, multiple photo spots with Hotel EDC branding were found throughout the hotel, and the elevator areas featured banners with the daily set times. Not to mention that a lobby DJ, performers, and EYECON were there to welcome you with open arms.
After checking in and before heading to our room, we swung by the desk in the lobby to grab our Headliner Party Pack, which was loaded with exclusive merch. From the EYECON plushie and comfy Hotel EDC robe to the set of drinking glasses and bucket hat, among other inclusions, it seemed like the bag was full of endless surprises.
Headliner Party Packs and our bags in hand, we made our way up to our room for the weekend. It was clean, cool, and also decked out in plenty of Hotel EDC branding. The pillows and large pashmina on the beds made the room pop.
A huge draw for Hotel EDC this year was the EDC Week parties that took place on-site.
Hotel EDC has always featured the ability for guests to go to pool parties and nightclubs, but this year shook up expectations for the future. In the past, this was restricted to the resident artists at Zouk and Ayu, but now, without those constraints, it could really fly.
The lineups for the official pool parties from Thursday to Sunday at Hotel EDC featured top-tier artists in the scene. Insomniac flexed their Day Trip and Lost In Dreams brands on Thursday and Sunday, while Friday featured a stacked lineup, and Saturday brought sounds courtesy of Tchami’s CONFESSION.
The pool was easily accessible from multiple areas, the bar inside was in a nice shady location, and the real sand in the pool helped my aching feet get back into good shape after the previous night’s festivities. There were also cabanas for those who wanted to spend a little extra to lounge in the shade closer to the stage.
I thoroughly enjoyed the sets from Gorgon City and Riordan, as well as Audien, Danny Avila, CHYL, Elephante, MitiS, and Adventure Club. The lineups were certainly house-heavy, with a smattering of dubstep, but what else would you want to listen to while basking in the hot Vegas sun?
Because these pool parties were exclusive to Hotel EDC guests and those who purchased tickets, they weren’t as jam-packed as they could’ve been, but there’s no complaint. And it’s important to note that the fun began on Thursday, giving another great reason to check in at least a day early.
Hotel EDC was also the home for Bassrush Massive on Thursday night. While I didn’t stick around for that, opting for Sara Landry b2b Nico Moreno on the other side of town, it’s a nice bonus for those who wanted some extra bass. For clarity, this was a ticketed event and not included in the Hotel EDC package.
Aside from leaving for EDC Las Vegas, there wasn’t any reason to go off-site at Hotel EDC because dining options and activities were right there.
The Headliner HQ at Hotel EDC was located in Skybox and was filled with activities. You could get ready at the free Glam Station or get your hair braided there, all while sipping on a cold drink and hearing some DJs spin at that stage. This was also where an Insomniac Shop was with select EDC Las Vegas merch to purchase so you wouldn’t have to do so at the festival itself.
Hotel EDC guests received Headliner Hall Pass Vouchers worth $30 per day, $90 total. These were provided via $10 certificates and could be used anytime throughout your stay. The only struggle was waiting in line to pick them up, which took some guests over an hour on Friday.
Not every restaurant and bar participated in the program, but the included options were great. This year’s redemption locations included The Kitchen, Funny Library, Juice Bar, Lucia Mexican Grill, The Bar at Commons Club, Shag Room, and Desert Star Bar.
If you wanted to eat or drink elsewhere, it wasn’t too pricey throughout Hotel EDC. Chef Xue, Dunkin Donuts, and Pizza Forte offered affordable options for those looking for a quick bite. Nobu and ONE Steakhouse were for those who wanted a touch more luxury.
My favorite spot to eat at during Hotel EDC was Kassi Beach House. This spot was perfect for brunch, especially with its delightful menu inspired by coastal Italian Cuisine. Casa Bacardi sponsored the “Recovery Brunch” each day, and if you sat on the outside patio, you could hear the performances at the pool party nearby.
A nice addition to the experience was an artist meet and greet with Eli Brown, who produced “Wavey,” this year’s EDCLV theme. Those who RSVP’d were able to say hi and snap a photo with him, and there were free shirts for those who arrived early.
Other activities included Daytime Wellness, such as yoga and meditation, but much like my time at Camp EDC, you’d find me getting some rest instead. The spa also featured discounted rates for those who wanted to get a massage or even an IV to boost their hydration.
While the Hotel EDC experience was mostly exceptional, there’s room for improvement to enhance next year’s edition.
One nice touch that would be fun to add would be a dedicated Insomniac TV channel in the rooms. That way, you could flip straight to past performances from EDCLV, catch what you missed from the previous night, or just have some music in the background while in the room.
Regarding the Headliner Hall Pass Vouchers, it would be nice if this was provided alongside the Headliner Party Pack you receive in the lobby. Waiting in line for an hour, or longer, on Friday to get the certificates was a bit of a drag when I would’ve rather been at the pool.
Hotel EDC made good use of the space, but some areas felt a bit underserved. The glaringly empty area was where Rave Mini Golf was. Having the EDC logo be the course was cute, but it would’ve been nice to see a bit more, like cut-outs of past stage designs or something else that made it feel more “EDC.” When you were walking by on the ground level, you couldn’t tell what it was.
The area where Rave Mini Golf was also had a full bar, branded sponsors, and what could’ve been an entire second stage. If Hotel EDC were ever to expand, this area would be a perfect place to do so with other unique activations or additional performances.
Finally, while a Premier Shuttle left from Hotel EDC all weekend, it would be better if it was exclusive to guests and included in the package or an optional upgrade. This would alleviate much of the stress that many experienced this year having to gamble on a third-party seller or find alternative means to get to the festival, as these shuttle passes quickly sold out.
If you plan to stay at Hotel EDC in 2026, here are some pro tips.
Vibee offers additional days, and trust me when I say that it’s well worth your time and money to add Thursday and Monday to your experience. That way, you’ll be able to beat the rush of Friday arrivals and have some time to relax and recoup on Monday night.
If you must arrive on Friday, do your best to get there as early as possible, and have the person whose name the room is under head straight to Headliner HQ to get your Headliner Hall Pass Vouchers.
If you plan on utilizing the EDCLV Shuttles, take note of when they are announced and grab your pass for the Hotel EDC stop the moment they go on sale. If you don’t, you’ll waste time heading to a different stop daily or spend a lot more money on private car services or rideshares.
If you’re flying into Las Vegas, consider leaving some space or bringing an extra bag for the trip home. I didn’t think about this until it was too late, but the sheer amount of merch they give you in the Headliner Party Pack was more than what would’ve fit in my bag. Luckily, I found someone to take it all home for me, but don’t make the same mistake!
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is a Hilton property, so your tier status will be applied to your stay. Additionally, their new rewards partner, Cherry Rewards, has ongoing offers for new sign-ups, and you can accrue points through gambling, dining, and more while at the hotel and casino.
Also, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas offers free parking, unlike most hotels on The Strip.
So, is Hotel EDC worth staying at? My response would be a resounding “Yes”!
While previous editions of Hotel EDC might not have been the experience some were looking for, there’s no doubt it’s finally come into its own. I loved every minute I spent there this year, whether splashing around in the pool while soaking up some sun, recovering from the long nights at the Speedway in bed, or recharging for the festivities ahead. While I certainly missed Camp EDC and its proximity to the festival grounds, this was certainly well worth the switch-up for me this year.
That said, there’s also a caveat to that “Yes” because it isn’t an inexpensive experience. This year’s prices were eye-popping for some, with a slight break for those fitting more people in their rooms. Single occupancy cost $2,000 for the stay, while two people were at $1,425, three at $1,190, and four at $1,067, all of which were per person. These prices were all without the added GA+ or VIP pass to EDCLV.
If you’re willing to pay a premium for a branded experience, plan to attend the daily pool parties, utilize the on-site dining and amenities, and are interested in the exclusive merch, then the cost of Hotel EDC makes sense. Your costs would roughly be $200 to $500 per night, per person, to stay there after all the kickbacks are factored in.
As someone who appreciates a more intimate, exclusive environment, I believe it’s well worth the cost. The only experience I can compare Hotel EDC to is EDSea, which I have also come to love over the past few years. And if the stars align in the right way, perhaps we could even see a standalone Hotel EDC happen in the future.
