Even rubbing elbows with Wayne Newton, Britney Spears, and a sea of Elvis Presleys, it’s hard to argue that the real stars of America’s Playground are the hotels. More than just places to lay your suitcase and your head, Las Vegas’s sparkling palaces aspire to be your one-stop entertainment playgrounds.
Inside a great Las Vegas resort hotel, you will find Michelin-star restaurants, luxury stores, marquis performers in residency, amusement park rides, nightclubs … and, of course, the ubiquitous gambling tables. Upstairs, you will find room decor ranging from campy to palatial and everything in between, often at jaw-droppingly low prices. They can afford it; they expect to get your money at the tables.
A-list hoteliers wheel out all the bells and whistles to make it so you never—would never even consider—leaving the air-conditioned wonderland of pleasure they have crafted for you like neon Willy Wonkas. 107-degree blast-furnace temperatures outside the hotels don’t hurt.
With so many choices, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. To help cut through the bright lights, here are our Top 33 Las Vegas Hotels—from the shows to the chefs to the beds you may not see again until the sun rises.
Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Google Rating: 4.7
Rooms from $180.21
Why We Love It: Water does the talking at the iconic Bellagio, from the world-famous dancing fountains to O, the aquatic crown jewel of Cirque du Soleil. The human body is over 98% water, and watching those acrobats writhe in and above a sparkling theatrical pool, that is easier than ever to believe. Built on the site of the Dunes, the Italian-inspired Bellagio bends over backward to impress—from the 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers in the lobby to the sumptuous room treatments.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Italian bliss at LAGO by Michelin-decorated Julian Serrano.
- Fine dining at Picasso in the accompany of works of art by the eponymous master .
- Sadelle’s Café, home of the best brunch in Vegas.
- Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden, a sight for bleary eyes.
The Venetian
Google Rating: 4.7
Rooms from $195.24
Why We Love It: The Venetian anchors the second-largest hotel complex in the world—4,049 rooms and 3,069 suites of Venice-inspired bliss, down the hall from recreations of real-life Venetian landmarks like the Palazzo Ducale and the Piazza San Marco.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Refined sipping at one of four luxurious cocktail bars.
- All-night fun at TAO Nightclub.
- A gondola ride that is reminiscent of a Venetian canal.
Wynn Las Vegas
Google Rating: 4.7
Rooms from $236.96
Why We Love It: No one does luxury like the Wynn. Sparkling from the strip like a bar of solid gold, the Wynn oozes prestige from every spotless marble surface. It’s like checking into a Rolex watch. The Wynn features some of the hottest nightlife on the strip. If that’s your thing, wouldn’t it be nice to have a posh room right up the elevator?
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Le Rêve, an aquatic acrobatic dreamscape of a performance.
- Wing Lei, the first Michelin-star rated Chinese restaurant in the U.S.
The Palazzo
Google Rating: 4.7
Rooms from $195.24
Why We Love It: Part of the Venetian mega hotel complex, the Palazzo has nothing but suites, suites, suites. The accommodations here are double the size of your average hotel room. The glitzy pool deck features heated pools, bar service, and cabanas available for reservation.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Mott 32, a head-spinning take on rustic Chinese cuisine.
- Australia’s magnetic Motown lover boy quartet Human Nature.
Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
Google Rating: 4.6
Rooms from $197.28
Why We Love It: The soaring columns of Caesar’s Palace evokes the decadence of ancient Rome. Caesar’s Palace is known for its entertainment. The 4,100-seat “Colosseum” has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment. Add to that world-class dining that includes Gordon Ramsay’s flagship Hell’s Kitchen, and you have a resort fit for an Emperor.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- The long-running “Up Close and Personal” residency by legendary “Mr. Las Vegas” himself, Wayne Newton.
- Rock icon Rod Stewart in residency at the Colosseum with a 13-piece band.
- Superstar country-music team up Reba McIntyre, Kix Brooks, and Ronnie Dunn at the residency “Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together in Vegas.”
ARIA Resort & Casino
Google Rating: 4.6
Rooms from $185.94
Why We Love It: What a good-looking hotel. The undulating mirrored windows blend into the night sky and reflect the lights of the Strip back on itself. Guests enjoy epic views from the upper stories of this ultra-modern hotel. Located in the Strip’s CityCenter development, its 4,000,000 square feet 600-foot stature make it the largest and tallest structure in CityCenter. Also known for its green commitment, ARIA is the largest hotel to be certified gold by LEED.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Baccarat Lounge, an intimate speakeasy secluded from view by the Baccarat Room.
- LIQUID Pool Lounge, the perfect place to day-dance in your bathing suit.
- Carbone, a swanky homage to Italian-American dining in the mid-20th Century.
Encore At Wynn Las Vegas
Google Rating: 4.6
Rooms from $236.78
Why We Love It: The sister property to the Wynn offers guests casual elegance and unparalleled attention to detail. The Encore Beach Club gets particularly high marks for its palm tree ambiance and airy levity.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- XS Nightclub, the beating heart of Vegas nightlife.
- Encore Beach Club, home of the hottest pool parties on the Strip.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Google Rating: 4.6
Rooms from $208
Why We Love It: The Cosmo was not just one of our favorite hotels. In 2013 Gogobot rated it as the “Best Hotel in the World.” It also made Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List of the top hotels in the world. Its ultra-modern terrace suites, studios, and rooms boast unparalleled views of the strip. Shows at epic venue The Chelsea and all-night House beats at Marquee Nightclub make the Cosmo truly exceptional.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Three levels of revelry at Marquee Nightclub.
- Some of the best restaurant names on the Strip, from Wicked Spoon to Eggslut to Rose. Rabit. Lie.
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
Google Rating: 4.6
Rooms from $268.13
Why We Love It: If you expected Waldorf Astoria to phone it in with their Vegas property, think again. Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is one of only six hotels in the world to earn a trifecta of Forbes Five Star awards (for the hotel, spa, and restaurant). It also boasts a AAA Five Diamond Award. Formerly the Mandarin Oriental, 47-story Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas retains the eastern flair of its predecessor with a modern twist.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- A meal at Twist by Pierre Gagnere on the 23rd floor.
- Afternoon tea on the 23rd-floor Tea Bar.
- Round out your 23rd-floor experience with libations at Skybar.
Mandalay Bay
Google Rating: 4.5
Rooms from $120.28
Why We Love It: The 43 stories of Mandalay Bay connects to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, with trams to the Luxor and Excalibur. The hotel also connects with the Luxor through a 310-foot retail sky bridge known as The Shoppes at Mandalay Bay, while the Mandalay Bay Events Center hosts UFC fights, boxing matches, and other marquis events. The Four Seasons Las Vegas occupies five independently-operated floors of the tower.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- The Shark Reef Aquarium, home to sharks, rays, and over 2,000 other marine animal species.
- Michael Jackson ONE, Cirque du Soleil’s breathtaking tribute to the King of Pop.
Delano Las Vegas
Google Rating: 4.5
Rooms from $107.79
Why We Love It: The Delano is the all-suite tower on the Mandalay Bay complex. The Skyfall Lounge at the top of the tower offers creative dining and drinking amid innovative sounds and interiors, juxtaposed against some of the best views on the strip.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Rivea, a fusion of French and Italian flavors by acclaimed Chef Alain Ducasse.
- Della’s Kitchen, melding historic farmhouse cuisine with urban kitchen aesthetics.
- Franklin’s Lounge, named for the tower’s presidential namesake.
Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa
Google Rating: 4.5
Rooms from $177.40
Why We Love It: The Strip isn’t the only place to find a good time in the Las Vegas Vicinity. Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa is not only a world-class resort in its own right—it’s also the best home base for excursions into Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Try to get a room with eye-popping mountain views.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Day trips to Red Rock Canyon, home of stunning eponymous coloration.
- Expansive pool patio complex.
- As much exciting gambling action as you can expect to find on the Strip.
Paris Las Vegas
Google Rating: 4.4
Rooms from $180
Why We Love It: Would Vegas even be Vegas if someone hadn’t decided to build their own Eiffel Tower? Half the size of the real thing, the Paris Las Vegas Eiffel Tower is nevertheless impressive, as are recreations of the Arc d’Triomphe and La Fontaine des Mers.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- A delightfully humiliating evening with R-Rated comedy hypnotist Anthony Cools.
- The most romantic French dinner of your life at Eiffel Tower Restaurant.
MGM Grand
Google Rating: 4.4
Rooms from $109.97
Why We Love It: The largest single hotel in the world at 6,852 rooms, the green lights and leonine statuary of the MGM Grand are genuine Las Vegas landmarks. Of course, this isn’t the original MGM Grand, but an MGM Grand has dominated Vegas hospitality for decades, the flagship brand of the MGM Hotel Group and anchor of its commitment to delivering the best time on the Strip.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- KA by Cirque du Soleil, the performance troupe’s masterpiece of visual and aural storytelling.
- Virtual Reality by Zero Latency, a next-gen VR universe to get lost in.
- Restaurants by two Iron Chefs — Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak, and Morimoto Las Vegas.
The Mirage
Google Rating: 4.4
Rooms from $120.04
Why We Love It: This Polynesian-themed hotel goes for the wow, lorded over by an artificial volcano that “erupts” three times a night in the high season. Trek through a palm tree jungle in the Lobby to discover Siegfried & Roy’s Habitat (home of their remaining white tigers) and the Dolphin Habitat that successfully bred a baby dolphin in 2017.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- LOVE, Cirque du Soleil’s tribute to the Beatles.
- Terry Fator’s creative collection of hand-puppets.
- The best beef of your life at Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Stea.
New York-New York Hotel & Casino
Google Rating: 4.4
Rooms from $92.25
Why We Love It: Named after the town so nice they named it twice, New York-New York attempts to evoke a very specific period of New York history—the 1940s, a time of Transatlantic accents and screwball romantic comedies. The resort even has a recreation of Greenwich Village in the brownstone-lined Village Street Eateries food court. Art deco room decor adds to the retro vibe of a Las Vegas original … from New York.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Zumanity, the raciest and most sensual Cirque du Soleil show.
- The Big Apple Coaster, a massive indoor roller coaster.
- Nine Fine Irishmen, a massive Irish pub.
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Google Rating: 4.4
Rooms from $62.00
Why We Love It: Evoking Hollywood glamour to the hilt, Planet Hollywood boasts an A-list roster of featured attractions, from Gwen Stefani to Christina Aguilera. The tastefully upscale rooms are accommodations fit for a star.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- The sensational illusions of Criss Angel: MINDFREAK that formed the basis of Angel’s hit show.
- Long-running girlie revue Crazy Girls.
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa
Google Rating: 4.4
Rooms from $200.74
Why We Love It: A palatial mansion set away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip, this sumptuous Mediterranean-style resort is the perfect place to get away from it all. Featuring spacious rooms with luxury accouterments like jetted spa tubs and pillowtop bedding, JW Marriott knows how to do luxury right.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- 18 holes on nearby TPC Las Vegas, a renowned golf course.
- All-day pampering at the luxe day spa.
- Italian, Japanese, and American dining options.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas
Google Rating: 4.3
Rooms from $36
Why We Love It: Despite building on the reputation of rock ‘n’ roll decadence, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is refreshingly upscale and chic, albeit with a modernist rock ‘n’ roll twist. With it’s rocking heritage, festooned with music memerobelia, its music venue The Joint is understandably a popular stop for many touring and resident rock acts, an intimate setting where you can see monsters of the genre up close.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Magic Mike Live. Didn’t see that one coming, did you? But yes, the Hard Rock Hotel is where you go to see the acclaimed film recreated as a Vegas-style hunk show.
- Raiding the Rock Vault, a live musical revue of rock ‘n’ roll classics staffed by a house band consisting of seasoned pros, second-string members and former members of bands like Dokken and Whitesnake.
Trump International Hotel Las Vegas
Google Rating: 4.3
Rooms from $98.98
Why We Love It: Love him or hate him, staying at the namesake hotel of the polarizing 45th U.S. President is a statement. 64 golden stories emblazoned with the surname of the man who was famously rumored to have a gold toilet in his home, Trump International Hotel Las Vegas is the tallest residential tower in the state. Trimmed with gold and marble from the lobby to the spa to the rooms, this is a hotel for people who dream big.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- The political statement. The name “Trump” now belongs to history …
- Fine dining all day at DJT restaurant.
Palms Casino Resort
Google Rating: 4.3
Rooms from $55.00
Why We Love It: The beneficiary of a massive $690 million renovation, the Palms takes the cake for ambition and forward-thinking. Festooned with arresting contemporary art, including a giant headless metal male nude at the pool complex, the Palms makes a huge impression. Its specialized “Fantasy Tower” for high rollers features the only hotel suite with a basketball court and one of the world’s most expensive hotel suites at $40,000 per night.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- APEX Rooftop Bar & Lounge, where your cocktail comes with panoramic overhead views of the strip.
- A nightlife wonderland featuring multiple renowned clubs, including epic Rain Nightclub, the joint that introduced the world to Vegas skyboxes and water booths.
- Scotch 80 Prime, a Michelin-star steakhouse.
Palms Place Hotel & Spa
Google Rating: 4.3
Rooms from $66.00
Why We Love It: Close enough to the action but far enough to relax, Palms Place Hotel & Spa offers studios, suites, and penthouses with all the comforts of home. Perfect for a more refined visit.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Fine dining at Simon Restaurant
- Relaxation and rejuvenation Drift Spa
- Upscale sips at Rojo Lounge
The Cromwell Hotel & Casino
Google Rating: 4.3
Rooms from $165.54
Why We Love It: Renovated from the shell of the Barbary Coast Hotel at a cost of $185 million, what the Cromwell lacks in size it makes up for in soft-contemporary style. It houses GIADA, Giada de Laurentiis’ first restaurant.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Drai’s After Hours, a staple speakeasy of Las Vegas nightlife.
- Drai’s Beach Club and Nightclub, 65,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor revelry space with a party pool.
Luxor Hotel and Casino
Google Rating: 4.2
Rooms from $116.462
Why We Love It: Polarizing and postmodern, with its pyramid design, sphinx statues, and 29 million cubic feet of atrium space (the largest in the world), the Luxor has dazzled and puzzled visitors since it opened. It’s well worth a visit, however, for the pleasant rooms, unobstructed views, and star attractions. The Luxor Sky Beam, created by giant lamps reflected by mirrors at the tip of the pyramid, is the brightest light in the world when powered to full. It usually only runs at half power to save energy.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Blue Man Group, a puzzling, hilarious, iconic exploration of sound and sensation by three wide-eyed, blue-skinned experimenters.
- Carrot Top, the hyperactive ginger manchild with a trunk full of ridiculous props.
The LINQ Hotel + Experience
Google Rating: 4.2
Rooms from $27.00
Why We Love It: The LINQ is easy to find due to its signature feature—the High Roller, the world’s tallest “observation wheel” at 550 feet. Below the High Roller is the LINQ Promenade, a ritzy, refreshingly calm open-air shopping center tucked just off the strip.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Mat Franco: Magic Reinvented Nightly, a participatory magic show starring the America’s Got Talent winner.
- Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas, the longest-running drag show in town.
Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower
Google Rating: 4.1
Rooms from $58.53
Why We Love It: Stratosphere is instantly recognizable by the Stratosphere Tower, America’s tallest observation tower at 1,149 feet. The tower features Top of the World Restaurant and several of the world’s highest thrill jumps.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Spectacular acrobatics show Celestia.
- MJ Live, the best Michael Jackson tribute show in Vegas.
Excalibur Hotel & Casino
Google Rating: 4.1
Rooms from $70.29
Why We Love It: With a castle to put Disneyland to shame, Excalibur leans hard on campy Camelot legend. From the video-arcade dungeon to King Arthur’s Arena, this latter-day palace sits at the perfect crossroads of the Strip, alongside Luxor and Mandalay Bay.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Australia’s Thunder from Down Under, an Australian hunk revue.
- The Australian Bee Gees, an uncanny recreation of a classic concert experience.
Flamingo Las Vegas
Google Rating: 4.1
Rooms from $79.28
Why We Love It: Miami art deco to the max, the lush lobby atrium doubles as habitat for actual flamingos. First opened in 1946, it is the site of priceless old-Vegas history.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Two A-list residencies—Paula Abdul, and Donnie & Marie.
- The indoor wildlife habitat.
Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
Google Rating: 4.1
Rooms from $78.22
Why We Love It: Harrah’s suites and penthouses are a cut above, featuring wet bars, separate bedrooms, whirlpool tubs, and understated decorations for unparalleled comfort.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- The hilarious, long-running Menopause: The Musical.
- Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
Sahara Las Vegas
Google Rating: 4.1
Rooms from $74.83
Why We Love It: Built in 1952, Sahara has undergone numerous renovations before adopting today’s middle eastern theme. Featuring three towers and a whole world of dining and gambling options, the Sahara is a promising, up-and-coming anchor of the north side of the Strip.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Carnivorous confections at Bazaar Meats by James Beard award winner Jose Andres.
- Swank cocktails at CASBAR Lounge and Paradise Lounge.
Westin Las Vegas
Google Rating: 4.1
Rooms from $166
Why We Love It: The Westin Las Vegas isn’t fancy, but it fills an important niche—a hotel on the Strip with no indoor smoking and no gambling. The smoke-averse who think they have no home in Vegas can rest easy here within a short walk or cab ride to the hottest attractions on the Strip.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- A break from the madness of Las Vegas … like, for example, and actual night’s sleep.
- A rare chance on the Strip to breathe smoke-free air.
Tropicana Las Vegas
Google Rating: 4.1
Rooms from $27
Why We Love It: Opened as the Fontainbleu in 1957, the Tropicana survives as a true piece of Las Vegas history. Steeped in mob history and casino wrangling, its Cuban inspiration has given way to South Beach renovations, its oldest wings imploded … but it would hardly seem like Vegas without the Tropicana.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Purple Reign, a tribute to Prince.
- Legends in Concert, featuring a revolving cast of celebrity impersonators.
- Stand-up comedy at the Laugh Factory.
The Nobu Hotel
Google Rating: 4
Rooms from $136.00
Why We Love It: An oasis of zen amid the decadence of Caesar’s Palace, The Nobu Hotel is the flagship hotel effort from the venerable name in Japanese dining. Trimmed in bamboo and ukiyo-e tapestry, the 14-story tower features sleek, soothing room design to calm the nerves after an evening of stimulation.
Come for the rooms, stay for …
- Award-winning Japanese cuisine from Nobu.
- Whiskey flights at NOBU Lounge.
