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The Rundown
- Best Overall: Caesars Palace – See Rates at TripAdvisor "Wowing visitors since it opened 1966."
- Best Spa: The Venetian – See Rates at TripAdvisor "Of particular note is the spectacular spa complex, which is actually an outpost of the world-famous Canyon Ranch Spa."
- Best for Romance: The Palazzo – See Rates at TripAdvisor "Guest suites are some of the largest in Las Vegas."
- Best for Luxury: Bellagio – See Rates at TripAdvisor "Five exquisite pool courtyards complement the Italian villa air."
- Best Pool: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino – See Rates at TripAdvisor "The highlight of the resort is undoubtedly the massive pool complex."
- Best Contemporary Style: The Cosmopolitan – See Rates at TripAdvisor "Spectacular views through floor-to-ceiling windows."
- Best for Couples with Children: Excalibur Hotel – See Rates at TripAdvisor "Decked out in a medieval theme."
- Best for Golf: Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino – See Rates at TripAdvisor "The four-star property also offers contemporary rooms and a graceful courtyard with an infinity pool and private cabanas."
Best Overall: Caesars Palace
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Arguably the most famous property on a street known for glittering properties, Caesars has been wowing visitors since it opened 1966. Built in the style of a palatial Roman residence, the massive complex is home to an upscale shopping mall (with outlets from designers such as Louis Vuitton and Jimmy Choo), a romantic spa with Roman baths, a Laconium sauna, and an ice room filled with picturesque falling snow. Couples have the option of dining at exclusive restaurants by famous chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Nobu, grabbing a burger or pizza from the fast food outlets at The Forum, or selecting something from the extensive room service menu.
The facilities continue from there, of course; the Garden of the Gods is a multi-tiered network of seven pools featuring swim-up bars, blackjack tables, and ornamental fixtures such as Roman columns, marble mosaics, and splashing waterfalls. Guests who make it to the casino will find the largest poker room in Las Vegas, as well as gaming machines, blackjack tables, and roulette wheels. This hotel has rooms suited to any budget, from the more basic Palace Premium Room to the three-bedroom, 10,300-square-foot Nobu rooftop Villa — designed by David Rockwell — that goes for over $35,000 a (hopefully very memorable) night.
Best Spa: The Venetian
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Courtesy of The Venetian
Built in classic Italian Renaissance style, the Venetian is convincingly Mediterranean, right down to gondola-filled canals and ornate basilicas. One of the largest resorts in the U.S. — there are more than 4,000 rooms — the property includes a massive pool complex, an indoor fitness center with a large climbing wall, rows of designer outlets, gourmet restaurants, and, of course, a sprawling casino with marbles floors, detailed wall frescos, and gold-gilt highlights. Though the five-acre Venetian Pool Deck is a classic Vegas pool experience, couples may prefer the adults-only atmosphere of the TAO Beach pool courtyard.
Guests looking for a gourmet dining experience should avail themselves of the elegant French restaurant Bouchon, while Italian, Asian, Latin and steakhouse fare can also be found at several stylish and contemporary signature venues throughout the resort. Of particular note is the spectacular spa complex, which is actually an outpost of the world-famous Canyon Ranch spa. A day pass grants you access to the "Aquavana," which includes the Herbal Laconium (a warm, ceramic-tiled room with individual thrones and a color-changing ceiling), the Hydro Spa, a Finnish sauna, the Igloo (the opposite of a sauna), and experiential showers filled sounds like "Cool Fog," "Tropical Rain," and "Caribbean Storm."
Best for Romance: The Palazzo
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Courtesy of The Palazzo
As the Venetian's more restrained and sophisticated sister property, The Palazzo foregoes a glitzy theme in exchange for classic architectural elements and tasteful contemporary furnishings. Guest suites are some of the largest in Las Vegas, with sunken living rooms, marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and dual vanities, and large windows with stunning scenic views. Since the hotel shares facilities with the Venetian, guests have access to the extravagant Canyon Ranch spa and the signature restaurants and pool complexes of both properties.
Best for Luxury: Bellagio
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When it comes to extravagant decor and impeccable service, the Bellagio easily surpasses its neighboring resorts. Located at the heart of the Strip, the hotel overlooks an expansive lake that hosts its iconic water fountain display. Built in the style of a luxurious Italian villa, the hotel cultivates a cultural ambiance with butterfly-filled botanical gardens, a fine art gallery, and Cirque du Soleil shows.
Every aspect of the guestrooms and suites has been designed with immaculate attention to detail, from the cashmere pillow-top beds and plush velvet furnishings to the marble bathrooms with dual vanities, walk-in showers, and soaking tubs. The beautiful spa, which contains saunas, steam rooms, cold plunge pools, and whirlpools offers a full range of services with treatments based on the scents and essences of the four seasons. Five exquisite pool courtyards complement the Italian villa air, while upscale shopping outlets include well-known names like Chanel and Gucci.
Best Pool: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
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Although the Mandalay Bay attracts visitors with a wide range of facilities and amenities, the highlight of the resort is undoubtedly the massive pool complex. Eight separate pools include a lazy river ride with waterfalls, an adult-only section with topless sunbathing, and a gargantuan zero-entry pool lined with sand and containing the only wave machine to be found on the Strip. Surrounding this main pool is an extensive beach area filled with soft white sand and lined with daybeds, shaded cabanas, and private bungalows and villas. This area also hosts a series of live music acts during the annual Beach Concert Series.
Other impressive hotel features include the Shark Reef Aquarium — home to (you guessed it) sharks and over 100 other marine species — and the full-service Spa Mandalay, with facilities that include eucalyptus steam rooms, a redwood-lined sauna, hot whirlpool tubs, and a cold plunge pool. With over 30 restaurants, including offerings from celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina, and Alain Ducasse, diners are spoiled for gastronomic choice, and bars, lounges, and nightclubs keep guests entertained into the early hours.
Best Contemporary Style: The Cosmopolitan
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Courtesy of The Cosmopolitan
A slick and polished hotel done up in steel and glass, the Cosmopolitan sidesteps the over-the-top kitschy décor of many nearby properties. The hotel's modern approach is evident in the futuristic lobby, the smart and sexy rooms and suites, and the wide array of fashionable restaurants. The singular escape from contemporary décor is in the Sahra Spa, Salon & Hammam, where natural wood tones and smooth rocks craft a softer, more organic ambiance where guests can relax in warm Turkish baths and enjoy signature couple's massages.
Guestrooms and suites come with luxurious bedding, rainfall showers, dual vanities, and spectacular views through floor-to-ceiling windows — some of which open onto furnished balconies. Three pools offer a range of scenes, whether you're looking to tranquilly sunbathe or join an energetic pool party. As far as dining goes, there's an intimate Spanish restaurant that serves up avant-garde plates by José Andrés, a classic American spot with hidden speakeasy-style alcoves, and a few bars and lounges where you can connect over premium wines, spirits, and signature cocktails.
Best for Couples with Children: Excalibur Hotel
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anokarina /Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
If the kids are accompanying you on your trip to Sin City, the Excalibur Hotel is a fun, affordable, family-friendly place to stay. Decked out in a kitschy medieval theme, portcullises adorn stone archways and suits of armor and old-fashioned chandeliers grace the entrance.
Guestrooms and suites can accommodate up to seven people and offer contemporary décor and modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs and bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers and granite counters. Four pools include a family splash zone with waterfalls, rock features, and a twisting waterslide, as well as an adults-only option. Children can play in the Fun Dungeon arcade while adults indulge in custom couple's massages at the spa. Guests should make sure not to miss the extravagant Tournament of Kings dinner show, where chainmail-clad knights clash in a tale of chivalry and treachery while diners gorge on a feast fit for a king.
Best for Golf: Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
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Jeff Hitchcock / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
The Las Vegas Country Club is one of only a few 18-hole championship courses in downtown Las Vegas. And, since it's just down the road, the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is the ideal lodging option for those who want to hit the links.
The hotel is not just for avid golfers, however; the four-star property also offers contemporary rooms and a graceful courtyard with an infinity pool and private cabanas. Non-golf enthusiasts will also find other sporty pursuits like floodlit hard-top tennis courts where they can play night and day. If you'd rather throw the dice than serve the ball, you can also head to the on-site casino which features an array of slot machines and table games. While the hotel has Italian, Asian, and steakhouse dining options, the Westgate's location right next to its namesake monorail station means guests can also easily access all the dining options along the Strip.