If you’re like me, I like to stay in nice hotels close to what I have planned on my itinerary. So my best places to stay usually aren’t far from attractions since vacation time is precious time!
And nice hotels doesn’t always have to mean expensive – travel deals, mastering points and visiting during off season all contribute to staying affordably at the best hotels.
There’s no shortage of hotels or resorts in this glittering city like no other. Some have great views, others not so much. Some have great service, others not so much. Then there are resorts that cater to your every need to make sure you will not have to venture off property for anything.
Speaking of not venturing off property, there are resorts that are designed to make you feel as if you have been transported to world famous cities, such as Paris, Venice, Rome, so it’s like taking an international vacation from your Vegas vacation!
You’ll most likely spend most of your time on the Las Vegas Strip. If you are looking for things to do, check out my post on 24 Hours in Vegas. So naturally, this is where I recommend you stay as it’s pretty close to most of everything you will do while in Vegas. But be prepared, the majority of Strip hotels in Las Vegas charge a resort fee of about $30 per night.
For your convenience, here’s a map of hotels in Las Vegas on the Strip.
WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS ON THE STRIP
Las Vegas Boulevard, the famous three and a half mile stretch of road also known as the Strip, is the heart of Las Vegas and is the main road that connects where to get some of the city’s best food, fun, shops, sights and activities.
It even connects some other great places that you would want to check out that are not on the Strip. But they are easy enough to get to such as Allegiant Stadium for Raiders’ games and Town Square for an outdoor food and shopping extravaganza and Top Golf for a laid back (or maybe not if you take the driving range seriously) evening.
These are my first choice hotels on the Strip:
Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Las Vegas
3131 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Wynn Las Vegas is technically a double whammy. Wynn is connected to its sister property, Encore Las Vegas. And both are absolutely fabulous. In fact, Wynn (and Encore) don’t offer any gimmicks and only offer an absolutely luxurious stay.
Wynn has some of the most spacious guest rooms with floor to ceiling windows and its own signature heavenly Wynn Dream Bed. All the 2,716 rooms have marble bathrooms and either Strip or mountains views. Some of the high end suites even have their own private pools and free breakfast.
It’s also a shopper’s paradise. All your designer luxury boutiques can be found in one place. Shop from Bottega to Louis Vuitton and grab a timeless Swiss crafted watch at Breitling. Even if you are not a shopper, the colorful halls of the shopping plaza are just delightful to stroll in.
Wynn also has the Lake of Dreams. Clear waters surrounded by 1,500 trees, a 90-foot waterfall, and over 5,500 LED lights where you can dine on the lake at Lakeside or enjoy a cocktail at Parasol Down and take in the serene atmosphere.
Or head over to the elegant Eastside Lounge to catch the lively dueling pianos action every night at 9pm. Watch and listen to the action while enjoying famous cocktail from skilled mixologist.
Book your stay at Wynn right here!
TRAVELER’S TIP: Love hanging by the pool, but hate tan lines? Both Wynn and Encore have their own European-style (insert topless) pools.
Bellagio Resort
3600 Las Vegas Blvd., S., Las Vegas, NV 89109
One of my most favorite hotels in Las Vegas is Bellagio. It’s centrally located on the Strip which makes it easily walkable to get to just about any of the other hotels or shows. So cross the street and take a ride on the High Roller, the world’s largest observation wheel, or walk next door and catch the city of Atlantis sink underwater at the Forum Shops.
This luxury hotel is also just impressive. Bellagio Hotel is modeled after Lake Como in Italy and feels like a Tuscan village. So you can imagine how beautiful it is all around the property.
This elegantly enormous property houses 3,933 sophisticated rooms and suites that are separated into the Fountain Tower, with views of the lake/fountain, and the Spa Tower. All rooms have marble bathrooms and soaking tubs and some of the suites come with access to a super posh private VIP lounge where you can relax, connect to high speed wi-fi and dine on appetizers and delicacies.
Then there’s the the exclusive invite-only 2,000+ sq ft (600+ meters) villas that have been frequented by Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Adrian Grenier.
Bellagio is the embodiment of Las Vegas luxury. Even the five Mediterranean inspired pools feel like all you need is a Chianti to imagine you are sitting lakeside under the Tuscan sun.
Between the pool oasis, attractions, dining options and recently renovated rooms, there really isn’t a reason to leave this Tuscan “villa” at all. For more amazing reasons to stay here, check out my hotel review.
You can book the Bellagio hotel right here!
TRAVELER’S TIP: If you stay in a Fountain View room, turn your TV to channel 22 to enjoy the music from your room while you watch the show from your window!
Aria Hotel and Cosmopolitan Hotel
3730 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89158
Aria and Cosmopolitan hotels is centrally located on the Las Vegas Strip. I really like Aria for the array of foods! The bar at Javier’s is massive and you can order off the full menu from here. I recommend it because it’s usually packed and fully reserved from the time it opens for dinner to last call. So come early and dine at the bar. Don’t forget to order the organic margarita.
Bardot Brasserie has a delectable brunch menu and the almond syrup on the cloud like French toast definitely pairs well with bottomless mimosas or bubbly rose for $34 per person. Bardot closes from 2pm to 5pm to prepare for dinner service. If you order the bottomless, they will happily pour you one last to go cup for the road…I mean to just take with you.
Aria is a newer hotel so it is pretty state of the art. Things such as temperature, curtains and lights can all be controlled by the touch of a button without getting out of bed. Most of the rooms overlook the Strip. Our room overlooked the Cosmopolitan pool to show us what we were missing out on!
WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS WITH A FAMILY
There’s plenty to do in Las Vegas with a family. Some hotels are kid friendly in that they cater to kids or have special activities to keep them busy.
Excalibur Las Vegas
3850 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Who wouldn’t want to stay in a hotel that looks like a castle!? A hidden gem – The Excalibur hotel is not only family friendly, but budget friendly. Off-peak prices for rooms can be grabbed as low as $20 per night! There is about a $30 resort fee and you do have to part of the free Mlife program to grab the special pricing.
But that’s still an AWESOME deal for a family vacation with a prime location on the Strip. Did I mention that Excalibur has a pedestrian walkway connecting it to the Luxor (the hotel that looks like a pyramid) and then to Mandalay Bay and then to the Four Seasons? That means the family can check out FOUR hotels without ever having to set foot outside! Which is especially useful if you visit Vegas in the summer.
Excalibur has some incredible family friendly restaurants such as Dick’s Last Resort and Johnny Rockets. Then you can take them to the arcade for hours of fun (or until the money runs out). But if you’re looking for entertainment while you eat, the Tournament of Kings Dinner show is a fun time for the whole family. Be transported back to the days of King Arthur with a live action show while you feast on dinner as they did back then: with your hands. The kids will love it.
Flamingo Hotel Las Vegas
3555 Las Vegas Blvd S., Las Vegas, NV 89109
The original Flamingo Hotel was torn down in 1993 and rebuilt to be more…pink and flamingo-y. There are WAY more pink flamingos everywhere on property and the rooms all have a pop of pink. Similar to Excalibur, this hotel is pretty budget friendly too. Rooms run as low as low as $33 per night (with about a $35 resort fee) during off-peak season and they also regularly run promos.
Flamingo has an appealing unique amenity for families (and conversely maybe for bachelorette parties): Fifteen of its rooms have bunk beds! And one is a suite. So bring the family. Even the extended family as the bunkbed rooms can fit 5-6 bodies. I say bodies, not people, because Flamingo is pet friendly. One of the few hotels in Las Vegas that’s pet friendly. For an extra fee, Fido can come along with the family, and choose his own bunk.
For the nature observer, Flamingo has a 15-acre wildlife habitat with exotic birds, including flamingos of course, and koi fish. So feel free to take an afternoon stroll with the family through this manmade natural environment.
And it’s located next to the Linq Promenade which has a hip bowling alley, the world’s largest observation wheel, ziplining and a two-story candy store! So feel free to pump them full of sugar and turn them loose!
New York New York Hotel
3790 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
NY NY is reasonably priced for its great location on the Strip. We all know there are loads of interesting things to do in the Big Apple and the same goes for this replica hotel. Start with an exhilarating Coney Island rollercoaster ride that weaves in and out of the hotel along the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge. It even takes you upside down a few times. Screams can be heard in and out of the hotel.
The Big Apple Rollercoaster is coupled with a Big Apple arcade. The arcade has all the timeless favorites that might even entice you to throw a skee ball or two. Then the whole family can polish it all down with a Nathan’s hotdog. If you plan on spending some time here, Big Apple sells a combo ticket for the rollercoaster and credits for the arcade. Or if you plan on doing a few more activities around here, the Las Vegas Pass may be a better deal.
For dinner, take the family on a stroll through Greenwich Village and grub at a table on the sidewalk. I recommend grabbing a slice at any of the pizzerias for that authentic New York feel.
***Before anyone comments, I know I’m not recommending the obvious. Circus Circus is a clearly a family friendly hotel at the north end of the Strip that has a theme park and an actual circus with acrobats. And the rooms are cheap. But to me, the WHOLE hotel is cheap, in desperate need of a renovation, located in a sketchy area and well, just check the Circus Circus reviews on TripAdvisor.
WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS FOR COUPLES
Interestingly, Las Vegas is better known as a wedding destination rather than a honeymoon destination. Maybe because you can get married any time, anywhere and even by Elvis. Then roll your wedding and honeymoon all into one!
Here are some hotels that seem to be more on the romantic side:
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
4455 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89169
Viva Las Virgin! Virgin Hotels is the new kid on the block. Well sorta. Virgin had its grand opening in March 2021 during the pandemic, but is located a few blocks east of the Strip. And, as mentioned below, another Strip hotel opened a few months later.
But it’s great for couples because it’s trendy and sexy – what do you expect from Richard Branson, right? It’s decor matches the Virgin brand – bold, bright and over-the-top. And it exudes that Branson vibe. Even the swanky rooms are called Chambers designed to be space for each living and sleeping and then for getting ready for a night on the town.
To attract couples, Virgin’s Chambers are equipped with its own custom bed for the best sleep of your life. Oh, and Virgin encourages heavy petting…of Fido that is! Virgin is a hotel in Las Vegas that’s dog friendly.
There are plenty of places on property for date night. A great choice is Nobu Las Vegas, like the one in Los Angeles. It’s a worldwide popular fish, seafood and sushi restaurant. It’s hip, it’s cozy and it has some of the best wagyu you will ever taste. You’ll definitely have more to spend on your appetite because Virgin is a hotel in Las Vegas without resort fees! And the hotel has free parking! Woohoo!!
Splash in the 5-acre desert pool oasis or for a romantic Mykonos vibe or hit the Élia Beach Club with its Mediterranean-styled pool and VIP cabanas.
Whether just married (in Vegas!) or having a sweet couples weekend, Virgin Hotels in definitely a nice romantic getaway.
TRAVELER’S TIP: Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Which means it participates in the Hilton Honors program. The Hilton American Express Aspire card comes with free Diamond status, which means you get a guaranteed room, breakfast credit and a free upgrade if available. AND Virgin Hotels qualifies for the $250 statement credit with the Aspire card.
Venetian Hotel Las Vegas
3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The Venetian‘s romantic vibe stems from being a replica of a mini Venice. It has marble columns, the “Rialto” bridge, tower at “Piazza San Marco,” gondola rides and Italian inspired restaurants on the water.
Snap a photo with your significant other in front of the bright red LOVE sign at the Canal Shoppes. And have coffee in “St Mark’s Square” under the clear blue well painted sky while enjoying the free show from the street performers.
Lovers can feast on the famous Cake Boss’ delightful pastries and cakes at Buddy V’s Ristorante in the Grand Canal Shoppes complete with delightful pastries and cakes (and there is actual food there too).
This hotel is also a double whammy as it’s easy to walk to its sister Palazzo hotel and not even notice.
Caesars Palace Hotel
3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
What’s more romantic than staying at a hotel that’s a clone of ancient Rome? The luxurious rooms are pretty spacious and many have views of Roman columns to sound down the feeling of waking up in an ancient city.
The Roman columns also adorn the Garden of the Gods 5-acre pool oasis. Each of the seven pools has its own theme. Including a Temple Pool (with a temple housing the statue of a god), Neptune Pool (largest party pool), Apollo Pool (for fun in the sun luxury), and the Bacchus Pool (VIP’s only).
Grab one of my favorite swimsuits here:
But if you feel like a more intimate Roman bath experience, head to the holistic Qua Spa where you will be pampered in these sacred springs. There area a few co-ed areas and couples massages are available.
To top it off, take a romantic stroll at the Forum. Be sure to take amorous photos at Caesars Palace Trevi Fountain, which is so similar to the one in Rome, who would know you’re not actually in Italy! Shop at upscale boutiques, grab a romantic dinner and watch a statues come to life reenacting what really led to the Fall of Atlantis.
WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS FOR THE FIRST TIME
If this is your first time in Las Vegas, where you choose to stay is a big decision.
Resorts World Las Vegas
3000 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Resorts World! The newest hotel on the Strip is also one of the biggest! The 3,500 room resort had its grand opening in June 2021 with such stars as Steve Aoki, the Kardashians and Paris Hilton. It is a Hilton property after all. Not just one, but three different Hilton brands – Hilton, the lux Conrad and the uber lux Crockfords.
Because it is three properties, it’s a big resort, I mean massive. Each brand has its own port-a-cochere and check-in lobby area and bar.
Then there’s the 5.5-acre pool complex with nine pools! So what’s your pleasure? There’s an exclusive kids’ or family pool, a cabana only VIP pool, a hidden pool (way in the back), and then there’s the adult only exclusive pool area with the only infinity-edge pool on the Strip.
There are also dining options galore. Everything from breakfast to fine dining, but my favorite has to be the Resorts World Las Vegas hawker style street foods at Famous Food Street Eats. The dining hall comes complete with a DJ and a hidden speakeasy.
Couple the above with a 5,000-capacity concert and entertainment venue and a two-level shopping district and you can easily see why Resorts World is a great place to stay to experience the epitome of a Las Vegas hotel.
Mandalay Bay
3950 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89119
Heading to the other end of the Strip, Mandalay Bay is a great place to stay for first timers because it covers all the bases for an amazing stay. It connects to three other hotels by a convenient walkway, to Luxor and Excalibur and then to Four Seasons on the other side.
Spend all day at the 11-acre pool oasis. Complete with sandy beaches, a lazy river loop while you can relax and float in your inner tube, a wave pool and a stage where you can be entertained in and out of the water. It is known as one of the best pools in Las Vegas.
Cabana rentals fluctuate with the season, but are still outrageously priced. Good thing there’s an abundance of lounge chairs available on a first come, first serve basis.
One of my favorite places in Mandalay Bay is the Foundation Room. What is the Foundation Room you ask? Located on the 63rd floor, it has several distinct areas including a rooftop bar and lounge, dining area and nightclub. It’s stylish as it’s always softly lit and well dressed with Indian decor. Head to the outdoor patio for brag worthy views of the Las Vegas Strip.
Book your Mandalay Bay stay right here!
TRAVELER’S TIP: The easiest way to get to Allegiant Stadium to catch a concert or Raider’s game is from Mandalay Bay (or Luxor). The major street connecting Las Vegas Blvd and the stadium, Hacienda Avenue, will be closed to vehicles on event days. Take the Stadium Walk behind Mandalay Bay, a pedestrian-only bridge, to the stadium. The walk is less than a mile and takes about 10 minutes.
Paris Hotel
3655 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Paris Hotel is located directly across from the Bellagio hotel and is easily identified by the bright blue hot air balloon, Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, of course!
Everything here will transport you to Paris. There are plenty of eateries that have patios right on Las Vegas Blvd to experience that European outdoor dining. The pastry and creperie cafes have that French fluffy flavor.
And you can ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower to observe some great views of Vegas or fine dine at the French Eiffel Tower Restaurant. But if you’re in the mood for fine dining, I would recommend Gordon Ramsay’s STEAK. It’s extravagantly priced, but worth every decadent morsel. After getting over the sticker shock, believe me, you’ll be back. And staying at Paris just makes it that much easier.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON LAS VEGAS HOTELS
Ready to begin that Vegas Vacation? Use Airfare Watchdog to easily book at the best price.
Ready to book one of these hotels? Book your hotel stay right now!
Plan your activities and book them at a massive discount? Use the Las Vegas Pass to save time and loads of money.
If you’re coming to Vegas, check out these posts on what to do while here:
