Have you ever considered buying an item for a trip or arrived at your destination only to realize that you forgot something useful? In the event that the item in question isn’t easily found at local retailers, you might consider ordering off Amazon and having the package delivered to your hotel. While this may be a good plan, it could also end up costing you. Not only is arranging for the hotel to accept a package on your behalf often a headache (especially at a large property) but there’s a chance they’ll charge you to do so. For example, while researching for this post, I learned that Caesars’ properties on the Strip charge $5 just to receive a letter for you, with prices climbing based on the size and weight of the package. So, when I decided I wanted a last-minute item to review on my trip but that it wouldn’t make it to my apartment before our departure, I started looking at other options. What I found was Amazon Hub Locker.
I was actually somewhat familiar with the concept of Amazon pick-up locations previously, both in the sense of the physical locker machines and partner locations where customers can pick up packages (my sister-in-law used this option, allowing us to pick up a gift at our local Kum & Go of all places). However, I wasn’t sure how ubiquitous they’d be in a place like Vegas. But, luckily for me, I found that there was an Amazon Locker right next to the hotel I was staying at.
This particular Amazon Hub Locker is located at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, which is actually the mall the connects Mandalay Bay and Luxor. However, if you’re just strolling through this area and looking for it among the stores and restaurants, you’re likely to miss it. That’s because it’s found downstairs near the Valet Pick-Up area. Basically, when you get to the escalator near Lick and what is currently a Las Vegas Aces sign, you’ll head down and can spot the Locker over to the left.
Once you find the Locker, you can pull up your order by either scanning the barcode provided via email or entering the six-digit code found in various communications Amazon will send you after your package is delivered. After your confirmation is entered, the door to your locker will open, allowing you to grab it before shutting the door. And that’s pretty much it!
I should mention that, from the time your package is delivered to an Amazon Locker, you’ll have three days to pick it up. However, should you fail to do so, they note that it will be returned and you’ll get a full refund. Personally, I think that’s a pretty fair policy that hopefully provides some flexibility for your travel plans.
Looking at Amazon’s map, it does seem as though there are a few other pick-up locations around the Las Vegas area, but this Mandalay one was easily the most convenient for us. What’s also nice is that the machine is open and accessible 24 hours a day. This proved important as, despite being excited about my item the entire day, I forgot to go get it until we returned from our other explorations later in the night.
Although I certainly can’t speak to the availability of Amazon Hub Locker in your destination city nor the package acceptance policies of the hotel you’ll be staying at, I do think this is an option worth keeping in mind. Sure, there are some downsides — such as being limited to Amazon, only having three days to pick it up, and perhaps having to hike to somewhere out of your way — occasionally, the stars may align as they did for me this week. With that, I’ll now be enjoying my Aeropress coffee in my Luxor hotel room (reviews of both coming soon).