Insomniac and Vibee introduced Hotel EDC in 2023. After the 2024 event, it’s clear that they’ve got it down to a science.
Anyone who’s attended EDC Las Vegas knows the culture shock of leaving the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and arriving back at the Strip each night. Where did the music go? What happened to the costumes, the lights, the kandi bracelets? Frankly, you could do without this reality check until it’s time to return to your day-to-day life.
To be fair, EDC organizer Insomniac has offered a way around this since 2018: Camp EDC. And a welcome addition it is — if you’re the right kind of person. For those of us who like to end each night with the basic comforts of the modern age and the immersive environment of a large-scale festival, Hotel EDC, created in partnership with Vibee, is the only suitable lodging option for EDC Las Vegas.
The Hotel EDC experience starts before the festival even does.
When I arrived on Thursday afternoon, the Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World was decked out in all manner of raver regalia. Las Vegas hotels are notoriously large and mazelike, and Resorts World is no exception. Multicolored banners emblazoned with distorted smiley faces let me know that I was headed the right way, though. Once I got where I was going, there was no doubt left in my mind that I had arrived.
The lobby of the Hilton had transformed into a nightclub all its own, with dazzling lights, gogo dancers, and colorful decor. There was even a DJ playing the hottest, new house music cuts! After briefly standing in the concierge line, I got checked in and received the key cards needed to go make myself at home in my room for the next few days.
I couldn’t have chosen better company if I tried.
Hotel EDC is advertised as being “headliner only.” This makes a bigger difference than you might expect.
The hardest part of event promotion to dial in is getting the right people to your party. Insomniac has mastered this — which is why they affectionately refer to those who attend their gatherings as headliners — and it made for the most memorable part of Hotel EDC as well.
I only ever shared the elevator leading up to my floor with others who were in town for EDC. Long gone were the awkward moments in which I had to quickly put on my business face and act normal around a casual casino-goer. Everyone I encountered during my stay radiated the warmth and excitement for dance music that I’ve come to look forward to when I step under the Electric Sky.
There was no shortage of things to do.
While I was obviously in Las Vegas to attend EDC itself, Hotel EDC ensured that other fun activities were within arm’s reach. During the day, I could saunter into Ayu Dayclub and catch DJ sets by the likes of Illenium and DJ Snake. Had I any energy left after each night of the festival, I could catch artists such as RL Grime, Kaskade, and deadmau5 at Zouk Nightclub.
Hotel EDC even offered morning yoga classes for those in need of recalibration after a long night of partying. Neither too light nor too intense, they perfectly counterbalanced the sensory overload that comes with EDC weekend.
I didn’t leave empty-handed.
Staying at Hotel EDC granted me access to keepsakes that immortalized the memories of a lifetime. Upon entry, I was given a swag tote that included goodies like branded rocks glasses, coasters, a plushie, and even a light projector.
For my money, though, the coolest swag of the lot was a branded EDC bathrobe and slippers. Headliners could be seen wearing these all over Resorts World — and for good reason. Both comfortable and stylish (in that quirky, lovable raver kind of way), mine will always remind me of my EDC Las Vegas 2024 adventure.
Is Hotel EDC worth it?
If you’re planning a trip to Sin City for EDC Las Vegas and are weighing out whether to splurge on Hotel EDC, the answer is yes — as long as you have the funds for it.
I would be remiss to tell you that Hotel EDC will make or break your trip. There are plenty of other lodging options on and off the Strip (it is Las Vegas, after all), and it’s pretty hard to have a bad time during EDC weekend no matter where you stay.
But if you want to spare no expense making sure you have the best experience possible, Hotel EDC is the fast track. Insomniac excels at giving care to all the little things that altogether make Electric Daisy Carnival such a big thing. If it’s in your budget to immerse yourself in this surreal dreamscape the entire weekend, I say do it.
