Price for a double room for one night with breakfast:
$$$$ = over $300
$$$ = $200–300
$$ = $100–200
$ = below $100
Northern Strip
Circus Circus Hotel, Theme Park, and Casino
2880 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-734-0410 or 800-634-3450; www.circuscircus.com; $
The granddaddy of all themed resorts on the Strip, Circus Circus is gaudy fun and a good place for families to stretch their dollar (room specials run as low as $45 per night). Aside from Big Top performers, the Adventuredome, and a carnival, the hotel has a pool and seven restaurants, including one of the largest buffets in Las Vegas. The renovated lobby is classy, but you cannot expect Strip accommodations at this price without compromise: the decor is typical chain-hotel style, with blue carpeting and blonde-wood furniture. Choose from 3,773 rooms and suites in the main hotel (the newest are in the West Tower) and motor lodge, or camp in the 399-site RV Park, the Strip’s only campground.
3400 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-791-7188 or 800-627-6667; www.mirage.com; $–$$$$
The first of the Strip’s post-1950s themed resorts, the Polynesian Mirage is the best resort for nature lovers. Guests can enjoy waterfalls, a lagoon, and Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden, home to white lions and tigers and a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Most of the 3,000-plus rooms and suites showcase marble and canopied beds; six have lanais (decks) with a private garden and pool; and eight are exclusive two- and three-bedroom villas. Spread across the resort are two pools, a spa, six fine-dining restaurants, eight casual-dining restaurants, and various bars and lounges.
Master Bedroom at The Mirage
MGM Resorts International
2535 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-761-7000; www.slslasvegas.com; $–$$$$
This stylish hotel on the Strip is 1.3 miles (2.1km) from the Las Vegas Convention Center and 4 miles (7km) from McCarran International Airport. Stylish rooms and suites offer sitting areas, 55-inch flat-screen TVs and designer toiletries. Some suites have separate living spaces. A resort fee covers in-room Wi-Fi. There are eight dining options, including Japanese and Mediterranean restaurants. Other amenities include a casino, 3 nightclubs and a spa. The resort fee includes access to the rooftop pool and the fitness center. The hotel also has 16 meeting rooms, including a ballroom.
Treasure Island
3300 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-894-7111 or 800-944-7444; www.treasureisland.com; $$$
A recent renovation has ditched the child-oriented motif in favor of a more grown-up theme. Both affordable and comfortable, the rooms are set within a Y-shaped tower, with the least-expensive rooms on the lower floors and the more expensive ones higher up.
Swimming pool at The Venetian
Leonardo
Venetian Resort, Hotel, and Casino
3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-414-1000 or 877-283-6423; www.venetian.com; $$–$$$$+
A gorgeous rendition of La Bella Italia, the all-suite Venetian is a super-resort aimed at those with very deep pockets. Marble, frescoes, and velvet abound and authentic gondolas ply a series of canals connected to exclusive shops, while street performers entertain in the replica St. Mark’s Square. The 4,000 suites in the two 36-story towers average 700 sq ft (65 sq meters) and amenities include king-size canopied beds, sunken living rooms, wet bars, two TVs, high-speed Internet, and personal fax/printer/copier.
3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-770-7000 or 888-320-9966; www.wynnlasvegas.com; $$$$+
Entrepreneur Steve Wynn’s eponymous venture is the city’s only Mobil and AAA Five-Star resort and reflects the owner’s personal touch throughout, from the Wynn signature writ large on the outside to his personal introductions on the hotel’s lavish website. Plush rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows, pillow-top mattresses and tubs, plus Wi-Fi access, iPhone docks, and flat-screen TVs. Luxe suites add individual features like massage rooms, granite wet bars, whirlpool tubs, and/or free in-room breakfast. Amenities include 2 luxe spas, gyms, pools, and hot tubs, as well as an 18-hole golf course. There are four trendy nightclubs and live theater experiences like Le Rêve – The Dream, plus 260,000sq ft (24,100sq meters) of meeting space. Dining options range from gourmet restaurants to relaxed cafés.
Southern Strip
3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-967-4111 or 800-634-3434; www.ballyslv.com; $$$
Bally’s is one of the oldest hotels on the Strip, but also one of the most overlooked. Large rooms with a modern flair feature overstuffed furniture and subdued earth tones. The hotel has a beautiful pool area, which is perfect for hot days.
3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 888-987-6667; www.bellagioresort.com; $$$$
Occupying the former site of the Dunes hotel and stealing the scene in the movie Ocean’s Eleven, the Bellagio is one of the city’s most lavish resorts. The beautiful accommodations are split between the main Italianate building and the newer Spa Tower, and even the standard rooms are satisfyingly plush and feature deluxe beds, huge marble bathrooms with tubs and showers big enough for two, and flat-screen TVs. There is an incredible array of fine-dining options, including Lago from the Michelin-decorated chef Julian Serrano. And on top of all that, there’s a luxurious spa and a renowned golf course.
The Bellagio
MGM Resorts International
3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-731-7110 or 800-634-6661; www.caesarspalace.com; $$–$$$$
This extravagant Las Vegas casino-hotel, a homage to Rome at its most decadent, has been pulling out all the stops since it opened in 1966. There are 2,400 elegant guest rooms and suites with fabulous bathrooms and plenty of amenities, including butler service (at penthouse level), four pools set in extensive gardens, a floating cocktail lounge, 23 restaurants, including those run by celebrity chefs Bradley Ogden and Wolfgang Puck, a world-class spa, three casinos, a nightclub and show venue, and an exclusive high-end shopping arcade.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-698-7000; www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com; $$$$
One of the newest hotels and casino resorts on the Strip is the Cosmopolitan casino hotel, offering views of the adjacent Bellagio fountains. Posh, modern rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi and marble-floored bathrooms; suites add dining areas and kitchenettes with microwaves, stoves, minibars, and wine coolers. Some rooms and suites have balconies. Amenities include an outdoor performance venue, a serene spa and hammam, three pools, a casino, a wedding chapel, a dog-friendly park and several bars and restaurants, including a lobby bar set inside a three-story crystal chandelier.
The Cromwell Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
3595 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-777-3777; www.caesars.com/cromwell; $$$$
Guests first entering the Cromwell may feel lost in the dressing room of a Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Advertised as a luxury boutique hotel and casino, the abundance of hot pink interlaced with black and white with walnut accents projects the ambiance of a late-19th-century gentleman’s club, a London brothel even. This theme continues throughout the casino floor and even into the sumptuous hotel rooms, with hardwood floors, vintage lamps, headboards, and wallpaper that pay homage to the glamor of Hollywood’s golden age. The hotel also features Giada De Laurentiis’s first-ever restaurant, which serves up the celebrity chef’s lighter, Californian take on Italian classics. And not to be missed – whether you stay at the Cromwell or not – is Drai’s, a luxury beach club by day, an erotically charged club by night. The 65,000sq-ft (6,000sq-meter) club features celebrity guests, top DJs, and unparalleled views of Caesars and the Bellagio fountains that will remind you why Vegas is year after year the world’s premier party destination.
The entrance to the Cromwell
Caesars Entertainment
Delano Las Vegas
3940 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-632-7888; www.delanolasvegas.com; $$$$
Something completely new on the Strip, the Delano is a smoke-free, gaming-free resort for the sophisticated traveler. Guests can visit the adjoining Mandalay Bay hotel to try their hands at the tables or slots, but Delano provides a stress- and worry-free environment unheard of in Sin City. And it is a hit. Globetrotters from all over are coming to experience the oasis that was inspired by the Mojave Desert. No matter what room you stay in, you will feel like you’ve just checked into a spa resort. Every accommodation is considered a suite, complete with one bedroom, master bath, guest bath, and private living area. Even your pets can feel like royalty in the dog-friendly suites available.
Encore
3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-770-7171; www.wynnlasvegas.com/EncoreResort; $$$$
Encore plays the younger, more sophisticated sister to the Wynn. Though from the outside both look identical, on the inside the Encore, true to its name, simply offers more. From its suites to its casino floor to its dining to its nightlife, few hotels in the world, let alone in Las Vegas, can compete with its Asian-styled, garden-like scenery, its Sinatra restaurant, or its XS nightclub. And with more five-star awards than any resort in the world, it has the ratings to prove it. XS dazzles as the United States’ top nightclub for more than five years. Apart from its one-of-a-kind interior, its cutting-edge sound system, and top-of-the-line pyrotechnics, what separates it from every other Vegas venue is its crowd. XS’s patrons tend to be more polite, more sophisticated, and less concerned with everyone else – which can be both good and bad. You won’t feel lost in a sea of southern California overflow. You will truly feel like someone special.
3850 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-597-7777 or 877-750-5464; www.excalibur.com/en.html; $$
On the south end of the Strip, this Camelot-themed resort is linked to the neighboring New York New York and Tropicana resorts by overhead pedestrian bridges. Straightforward rooms have flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi; some have granite bathrooms and modern decor. Suites add living rooms, dining areas, and mini fridges. In addition to the casino, amenities include four pools, a spa, a fitness room, and an arcade. There are several restaurants and bars plus live entertainment, including a medieval joust dinner show.
Entrance to the Four Seasons
MGM Resorts International
3555 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-733-3111 or 800-732-2111; www.flamingolv.com; $$–$$$
Mobster Bugsy Siegel would hardly recognize the hotel he built in 1946, giving the Las Vegas Strip its start. Little has been left intact to hint at the Flamingo’s shady past: today, the rooms feature king-size beds and soft earth-tone decor. A full-wall mirror makes each room seem twice as big as it really is.
Four Seasons Hotel
3960 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-632-5000 or 877-632-5000; www.fourseasons.com; $$$$
Attached to Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, this luxe, Art Deco-style hotel features sophisticated rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as mountain or Strip views. All come with marble bathrooms, 24-hour room service, minibars and coffeemakers, as well as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and iPod docks. There’s a chic Italian restaurant/bar, plus an upscale steakhouse. An outdoor pool offers private cabanas and a waterside bar. Other amenities include a spa, a fitness center, and a 24/7 business center.
Harrah’s
3475 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 800-214-9110; www.harrahs.com; $$
A four-minute walk from Madame Tussauds and across the Strip from Caesars Palace, this Mardi Gras-themed casino hotel is a stop on the Las Vegas monorail. Straightforward, traditional rooms come with Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and marble showers; suites add living and dining rooms, wet bars, and whirlpool tubs. A resort fee is charged. Perks include a bustling casino, live comedy and music performances, and a nightclub and piano bar. There’s also a fitness center, spa, salon, and an outdoor pool.
3535 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 800-634-6441; www.caesars.com/linq; $$$$
In the middle of the Strip, this modern resort is an eight-minute walk from the Harrah’s Las Vegas monorail station and next to the Linq’s entertainment/shopping area. Rooms range from basic options with mini fridges (extra charge) to those with an oval-shaped Roman tub; some rooms offer Strip or mountain views. Suites add separate living areas and bathrooms with soaking tubs and dual sinks. A resort fee covers Wi-Fi for one device and fitness center access. Amenities include a casino with celebrity impersonator dealers, several restaurants and bars, a museum/gallery showcasing classic cars, a showroom, and a seasonal outdoor pool.
Room at Mandalay Bay
MGM Resorts International
3900 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-262-4000 or 800-288-1000; www.luxor.com; $$
This Egypt-themed casino resort on the south end of the Strip is housed in a 30-story pyramid topped with a 315,000-watt light beam. Standard rooms have traditional furnishings, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi. Suites offer soaking tubs and separate sitting rooms; some have wet bars. Pyramid rooms and suites have slanted walls. The varied dining and drinking options include a steak and seafood bar, a Mexican cantina, a pizza joint, and an Irish pub. Additional perks include a casino, fitness center, spa, and salon, plus an outdoor pool and a wedding venue.
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-632-7777 or 877-632-7000; www.mandalaybay.com; $$–$$$$
On the south end of the Strip, this high-end casino hotel is between The Four Seasons and Luxor. Elegant rooms and suites all have 42-inch flat-screen TVs, seating areas, floor-to-ceiling windows, and soaking tubs; upgrades include living areas, wet bars, and/or Bose sound systems. In addition to the casino, amenities include an 11-acre (4.5-hectare) beach/pool complex with a lazy river, a wave pool, and a topless area. There’s also a shark aquarium, upscale shopping, live shows, and destination dining.
3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-891-7777 or 877-880-0880; www.mgmgrand.com; $$$
Across from the Tropicana, this colossal, emerald-colored casino resort is fronted by a signature 45ft (14-meter) bronze lion. The modern rooms have sleek furnishings, glass-topped desks, and marble bathrooms; suites add living areas and Roman bathtubs. Some wellness-themed rooms feature air purification systems, aromatherapy diffusers, and access to a special lounge. A resort fee includes Wi-Fi and access to a workout room. Perks include four pools, three whirlpools, and a lazy river, live entertainment, a spa and fitness center, a huge casino, trendy nightclubs, and numerous fine-dining and casual restaurants.
3770 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-730-7777 or 888-529-4828; www.montecarlo.com; $$–$$$
Adjacent to CityCenter on the Strip, this upscale casino resort boasts traditional rooms offer flat-screen TVs, and some upgraded rooms have views of the Strip. Suites add mini fridges, wet bars, and/or whirlpool tubs. The casino has table games, slot machines, and a poker room. There are multiple restaurants, bars, and lounges, as well as renowned entertainment acts. Other amenities include a spa, four pools, and a 400ft (120-meter) lazy river. The resort fee includes access to the fitness center and daily craps table lessons.
Pool Cabana at the Monte Carlo
MGM Resorts International
Motel 8 Las Vegas
3961 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-739-1777; http://motel8lasvegas.yolasite.com; $
This basic roadside motel is across the road from shops and gaming at Mandalay Bay resort and a 14-minute walk from Bali Hai Golf Club. Low-key rooms come with complimentary Wi-Fi and cable TV. Kids aged 18 and under stay free. Amenities include free parking and a seasonal outdoor pool, as well as a convenience store and BBQ facilities.
3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-740-6969 or 866-815-4365; www.nynyhotelcasino.com; $$$
Set between The Monte Carlo and Excalibur, this Big Apple-themed casino hotel on the Strip features several towers built to resemble the New York skyline. Sophisticated rooms have marble bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs; suites add whirlpool tubs, mini fridges and Bose stereo systems. Amenities include a rollercoaster 203ft (62 meters) above the Strip, live entertainment, more than a dozen bars and nightclubs, a casino with weekend DJs and go-go dancers, and several restaurants.
The Palazzo
3325 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-607-7777; www.palazzo.com; $$$$
Tucked between the Wynn and the Venetian, this upscale, all-suite resort and casino is a six-minute walk from the Fashion Show Mall. Plush accommodations feature Italian-inspired decor and range from modern rooms with flat-screen TVs and soaking tubs to entertainment-focused suites with sunken living rooms, dining areas, and pool tables. The resort fee includes Wi-Fi and fitness center access. Perks include upscale shopping and dining, a modern casino, a Canyon Ranch spa, an outdoor pool, and several chic restaurants and lounges.
3655 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-946-7000 or 888-266-5687; www.parislasvegas.com; $–$$$$
This French-themed casino hotel with a half-size Eiffel Tower is across the Strip from the Bellagio and a nine-minute walk from a Las Vegas monorail station. Most rooms feature traditional, European-inspired decor and have marble bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi. Suites add living areas, minibars, and whirlpool tubs. In addition to the casino, amenities include a rooftop pool in a French garden, an indoor Parisian street with live entertainment stages, shopping areas, a lounge with dueling pianos, nightclubs, and several restaurants, including a Gordon Ramsay Steakhouse.
Paris Las Vegas
Caesars Entertainment
Tropicana Resort and Casino
3801 Las Vegas Boulevard South; tel: 702-739-2222 or 800-634-4000; www.tropicanalv.com; $–$$$
Aimed at adult travelers, the Tropicana is one of the few hotels dating back to the “old” Las Vegas of the 1950s and its rates are among the lowest on the Strip. The motif is somewhat Polynesian. The standard rooms are light, plain, and functional, accented by bedspreads and draperies in bright tropical designs. Many on the lower floors look out onto lush foliage that surrounds the pool and offers a buffer against the urban clamor. The tropical pool area has swim-up blackjack tables.
Beyond the Strip
Artisan Hotel
1501 West Sahara Avenue; tel: 702-214-4000 or 800-554-4092; www.theartisanhotel.com; $$–$$$$
The small Art Deco-style Artisan is located away from the Strip and is the closest Las Vegas gets to a boutique hotel. It is perfect for non-gamblers and business travelers seeking restful surroundings, taking its inspiration from European hotels, and incorporating soothing low lighting throughout as well as original art by Van Gogh, Marc Chagall, and other celebrated artists. The 64 rooms are all spacious, non-smoking, and include wireless Internet. There is a pool, complimentary daily wine reception at 4.30pm in the lobby, a bar, casual café, and an attractive fine-dining restaurant.
Comfort Inn & Suites
4375 East Craig Road; tel: 702-982-6700; www.choicehotels.com/nevada/las-vegas; $
This simple roadside hotel is within walking distance of several restaurants and bus stops (with access to Las Vegas and the Strip), around 1.5 miles (2.5km) from Interstate 15 and 2 miles (3km) from Nellis Air Force Base. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms with showers, as well as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini fridges, and coffeemakers. Suites add separate living spaces. Free perks include a hot breakfast buffet and RV parking. The hotel also offers computers for guest use and meeting space. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, a hot tub, an exercise room, and a convenience store.
1 Fremont Street; tel: 702-385-1906 or 800-426-1906; www.goldengatecasino.com; $
This 1906-built, 106-room hotel and casino in Downtown is the oldest and smallest hotel in Vegas – now dwarfed by the Golden Nugget Casino and the Fremont Street Experience. Rooms are standard, with just a few mod-cons.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
4455 Paradise Road; tel: 702-693-5000 or 800-473-7625; www.hardrockhotel.com; $–$$$$
Situated behind a branch of the world-famous Hard Rock Cafe, with its original rock’n’roll memorabilia, high-priced hamburgers, and waitresses dressed in 1950s-style uniforms, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino attracts a celebrity clientele. There are poolside concerts starring today’s best musicians, intimate shows in the small concert hall and lounge, a popular see-and-be-seen pool area, a spa and health club, and five restaurants serving everything from comfort food and tacos to Las Vegas’s best Japanese food in fashionable Nobu. The 600 ultra-modern rooms and suites have wide-screen plasma TVs and Bose CD systems. Otherwise, the furnishings are so minimal that even the rowdiest of rock bands would have a hard time trashing them.
Swimming pool at the Hard Rock
Al Argueta/Apa Publications
Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Casino
1610 Lake Las Vegas Parkway, Henderson; tel: 702-567-4700; http://www3.hilton.com; $$$$
This waterfront resort and spa in desert surroundings 8 miles (13km) off US-95 is 1 mile (0.5km) from Reflection Bay Golf Club and 9 miles (14.5km) from Sam Boyd Stadium. Airy rooms and suites come with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, desks, and mini fridges. There’s an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a spa, and a fitness center. Dining is available at a café with an outdoor terrace, a bar and lounge serving light meals, and a poolside bar and grill. There’s also a business center, meeting rooms, and garage parking. A resort fee covers Internet access, a shuttle to the Las Vegas Strip, and exercise classes.
Hooters Casino Hotel
115 East Tropicana Avenue; tel: 702-739-9000 or 866-584-6687; www.hooterscasinohotel.com; $$$
Based on the sports bars/restaurants featuring well-endowed Hooters Girls clad in skimpy T-shirts and bikinis, this party-loving hotel offers plenty of fun-in-the-sun activities for the lads. The 650 rooms and suites located in the hotel, tower, or bungalows have a relaxed tropical Florida theme.
Motel 6
195 East Tropicana Avenue; tel: 702-798-0728; www.motel6.com/en; $$$
Location is everything at this low-rise motel next to Hooters and the Tropicana, within a few blocks’ walk of the coolest casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. The rooms are as Spartan as you’d expect at a Motel 6, and the desk clerk sits behind steel bars. But, if all you really need is an air-conditioned, no-frills place to change clothes, with a bed, a shower, a phone, and a TV set, this is it. (Note that the motel does have a swimming pool.) Room rates vary dramatically from day to day. During the week, you may pay about the same as a semi-private room at a youth hostel, but on weekends, expect to pay much more.
Lobby at the Vdara
MGM Resorts International
Palace Station Hotel and Casino
2411 West Sahara Avenue; tel: 702-367 2411; toll free: 1-800-634 3101; www.palacestation.com; $$
Located just off the Strip near Interstate 15, the Palace Station’s best rooms are within the tower, built in 1991, while original rooms are in a two-story building surrounding the pool. If possible, request one of the corner rooms, which have larger bathrooms. 1,030 rooms.
Red Rock Casino Resort
and Spa
11011 West Charleston; tel: 702-797 7777, toll free: 1-866-767 7773; www.redrocklasvegas.com; $$
Far from the Strip but convenient for Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston, this ultra-elegant spa resort features attractive packages, as well as a host of great restaurants. 818 rooms.
Vdara Hotel and Spa
2600 West Harmon Avenue; tel: 702-590-2111; www.vdara.com/en.html; $$$$
This 57-story, all-suite, eco-friendly hotel was designed for vacationers looking for a Vegas vacation without so much of the Vegas. The entire property is free from smoke and gambling and is even dog-friendly for those of you who wish not to leave home without your favorite companions. Vdara’s rooms borrow from both contemporary and retro styles, and even the most basic of them offer kitchenettes, soaking tubs, and windows with views of the Strip sure to inspire envy in your friends who chose a budget resort. At the other end of the scale, the two-story penthouse with two bedrooms adds every amenity you could possibly desire, including a pull-out sofa bed in the living room, a second bathroom, a washer and dryer, and a private elevator key. Vdara Pool and Lounge comes complete with spa, salon, and fitness center. Enjoy cocktails, gourmet tapas, and appetizers while you peruse the amazing view.