A guide to the best places to stay in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas is synonymous with the sprawling casino hotel complexes, each more distinctively themed than the next, and navigating them can be tricky for the unseasoned Vegas visitor. The hotel complexes are far more than their casinos, so we have compiled our favourites to help you choose the perfect Vegas experience, whatever you are after.
1. MGM Grand
At one time the largest hotel complex in the world, the MGM Grand typifies the glitz of the city. The use of its image in polar media such as Ocean’s Eleven have cemented it as an icon of the Vegas real estate. The complex’s Art Deco theme of classic American style is preceded by the hotel’s self-identification as both The City of Entertainment and, more recently, ‘Maximum Vegas’, referring to its quintessential guest experience.
For those who want to experience the hustle and bustle of the casino floor, the MGM Grand is renowned for its accessibility to non-gamblers. The total floor is 171,500 square feet and one of largest in Vegas so there is something for everyone. Away from the floor, visitors can become a detective for the day with CSI: The Experience, an interactive game to solve three crimes before being presented with an honorary CSI diploma. More recently, TopGolf, the indoor, state-of-the-art driving range company has opened facilities within the hotel complex. Given the household-name status of the MGM Grand, it is popular with first time visitors and locals alike for its price of room and accessibility.
2. Bellagio
Inspired by the town of the same name, located on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, the Bellagio is known for Mediterranean refinement and this is reflected in the price. The famous fountain spectacle is synchronised to music and is photographed countless times a day for its iconic status and beauty. The complex houses 14 restaurants including the famous Picasso and Le Cirque, a perennial conservatory and botanical gardens that celebrate the Chinese New Year annually and famous artworks at its fine art gallery.
Not only is Bellagio a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and winning AAA Five Diamond Award 15 years in a row, but it is also the destination of choice for both amateur and professional high stakes poker. Often referred to as “the Office”, popular media pays homage to Bellagio’s high stakes poker facilities and it attracts global gamblers to try their luck at the table. Attracting the high rollers means the Bellagio offers rooms and services for the average joe to the mega wealthy.
3. Caesars Palace
Modelled on the power, grandeur and success of ancient Rome, Caesars Palace is built in a classic style with imposing columns, vaulted ceilings and marble statues. You may be pleased to know, this design does not continue to the rooms, rather they are sleek, modern but vary slightly in theme by price tier. Distinguishing itself from other hotel complexes, Caesars Palace is famed for its Colosseum amphitheatre for performing arts. This 4,200-seater venue was constructed for Celine Dion back in 2003 and has continued to host great performers ever since
If you are serious about shopping, the Forum at Caesars Palace contains a luxury shopping mall which outperforms Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills per square foot. The same building also hosts the casino, famed for its sports betting with the complex having witnessed great boxers such as Evander Holyfield and Muhammad Ali. The floor also offers a host of traditional games from Blackjack to Pai Gow.
4. The Venetian & The Palazzo
As the largest hotel resort complex in the US, the combined venture to merge The Venetian and The Palazzo allows visitors to be self-contained with all conceivable amenities. Offering an Italian décor reminiscent of the Venetian city state itself, the faux-campanile stands pride of place in the complex providing panoramic views of the city. There is lots to see within this complex, such as a branch of the Guggenheim museum, 4 distinct theatres, Dal Toro Las Vegas car museum and the canal-side shopping experience where visitors can take gondola rides adjacent to the casino. The casino spa at the Venetian will keep you well pampered whilst you enjoy the many activities hosted by the hotel. Similarly, to Caesar’s Palace in price, the Venetian and Palazzo offer guests a multitude of tiers extending to independent apartments with private entrances and pools.
5. The Wynn & Encore Casinos
The Wynn has received many accolades in the past 15 years, including the Conde Nast “Top Hotels in the World”, a Michelin star for its Chinese restaurant Wing Lei and AAA Five Diamond awards. The hotel sports a golf course, a spa offering a vast range of speciality treatments, a number of pools and a Soul Cycle fitness centre to keep you entertained and relaxed. To keep you sustained whilst on the casino floor or being active, there are 9 restaurants including two Italian based cuisines and the very special Wing Lei. Shopping and nightlife are also well supported in luxury settings with no detail overlooked. This same luxury carries through to the casino with everything from high stakes poker to poolside gambling available to the discerning guest.
Where would you like to stay? Let us know @propeterra.