Unveiling the Ultimate Vegas Experience: A Look at the Strip’s Most Noteworthy Hotels

When it comes to the best hotels in Las Vegas, ask yourself: where would you like to spend the night tonight? How about The Venetian? Or Paris, New York, or Lake Como? These places are also great. To truly appreciate Las Vegas hotels, you need a sense of humor; you’ll certainly enjoy looking out from this city’s St. Mark’s Square to see the Eiffel Tower and the laser-etched Egyptian pyramids, so just enjoy it. The best hotels in Las Vegas we’ve selected (yes, including the themed ones) all have their own wonderful and extravagant personalities, and there are hotels to suit almost every type of traveler, with each choice known for its unique qualities. Continue reading our list of the best hotels in Las Vegas to help you explore the Strip and surrounding areas.

The Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Claiming that Fontainebleau is the most eagerly anticipated of all Las Vegas hotels is no exaggeration: in fact, this 729-foot tower (the tallest hotel in Las Vegas) topped out in 2008 but remained vacant after several ownership changes until Jeffrey Soffer’s Fontainebleau Development took it back in 2021 and unveiled the final product at one of Las Vegas’s most star-studded and luxurious parties at the end of 2023. This hotel pays homage to its iconic Miami Beach sister hotel, designed by Morris Lapidus, featuring a vast oval lobby, an integrated bow-tie shaped portico, and other mid-century modern opulent details. With 67 stories, Fontainebleau (now the tallest hotel in Las Vegas) boasts 3,644 rooms of various categories, with stunning views of the mountains or the Strip through floor-to-ceiling windows. Dining here offers some new Las Vegas experiences: 36 restaurants and lounges include Mother Wolf, offering Roman pizza and handmade pasta; and the playful Washing Potato, serving snacks and street food. The clever Reboot Lounge offers a range of services from signature foot massages to leg compression therapy (great for recovery after long flights). Fontainebleau incorporates all the best facilities in Las Vegas, adding a touch of Miami flair and supersizing everything on a grand stage.

NoMad Las Vegas

NoMad Las Vegas is a hotel within a hotel, specifically a thoroughly renovated Park MGM, formerly known as Monte Carlo. But unlike other hotels within hotels in Las Vegas, there’s some synchronicity here, as Sydell Group was involved in the complete redesign of the hotel. However, while Park MGM is fun and convenient, NoMad has matured fully. It exudes old-world luxury with sexy dark corners and a grand library-style restaurant. Walking into NoMad feels like entering a stunning secret hideaway. If you think you’re too sophisticated for Las Vegas, you haven’t been here yet.

The Venetian Resort

Walking into the Venetian lobby feels like stepping into Bel Paese; from the arched ceiling painted with murals to the massive gilded orb at the center, held aloft by four golden women. After passing replicas of the Campanile of Venice and the Rialto Bridge, arriving at this cathedral-style check-in area feels very gaudy—but so grand and magnificent that you can’t help but be impressed. The complex is vast, with over 7,000 rooms and 3 million square feet of retail and meeting space spread across The Venetian and Palazzo hotels. Perhaps most memorable is its array of restaurants, including Estiatorio Milos, offering delicious seafood (also the best lunch deal on the Strip), Mott 32, serving excellent Chinese food, and new spots by superstars Tetsuya Wakuda (Wakuda) and Eyal Shani (HaSalon). Besides dining, The Venetian has everything you need. The gym is practically a canyon ranch where you can rock climb, get nutritional counseling, and even analyze your gait, while the spa is filled with unexpected extras such as acupuncture.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

If you’ve ever seen Cosmopolitan’s provocative ads about “the right wrongs,” you’ll understand who they’re targeting—and they’ve succeeded. Guests typically belong to the younger demographic on the Strip, with enough cash to splurge on all the high-end restaurants, poolside cabanas, and Marquee Nightclub bottle service. Its rooms are among the best on the Strip (and some of the few with outdoor terraces). Recently, Cosmopolitan has been expanding its offerings for big spenders, reflected in its rooms: for instance, Chelsea Penthouses start at 2,400 square feet, with three-bedroom penthouses featuring terraces with panoramic views. However, all rooms attract those who appreciate sleek design. Cosmopolitan has long boasted some of the best dining and lounge options on the Strip, and they continually add intriguing new offerings. Look for The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails, a stylish room behind the concierge desk where you can sample various whiskeys, and, of course, book an old-fashioned shave and haircut, as well as the hidden Ski Lodge at Superfrico, inspired by ski lodges in Hokkaido, Japan. The hotel was acquired by MGM Resorts International in 2022 and is now part of the new MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, offering special access and accommodation points for Marriott members.

Bellagio

Opened in 1998, this lake Como-inspired oasis quickly became the epitome of subsequent luxury Las Vegas resorts. Its fountains remain the city’s largest free show. This iconic Strip property could have rested on its laurels, but Bellagio has reinvested in the guest experience in recent years—not just for those coming to see the spectacle. Chicago’s Getty Group, in partnership with MGM Resorts Design Group, undertook a full renovation of all 2,568 rooms in the main tower, inspired by the fountains, featuring natural stone and spring water; in some rooms, spacious showers have replaced old bathtubs. Even with these modern upgrades, the resort wisely understands the importance of retaining its iconic structures. The hotel is currently renovating its Spa Tower, with a $110 million investment, featuring gemstone tones inspired by Lake Como and the Alps; it’s designed to offer a more homey feel for your stay.

The Palazzo at The Venetian Resort

The Palazzo is the luxury sister hotel to The Venetian (both are part of The Venetian Resort), and it features the same Italian Renaissance aesthetic. Each hotel has its own circular lobby entrance; on the Palazzo side, instead of being entirely golden, there is an astonishing crystal female sculpture, which is actually a two-story fountain. It is both modern and reminiscent of classical sculpture. It boasts the largest standard rooms on the Strip—700 square feet in the double-layer suites, complete with an L-shaped sofa—the ambiance being slightly quieter than the family-friendly atmosphere of The Venetian. While both The Venetian and Palazzo offer numerous dining options, they have significantly enhanced their fashionable choices in recent years, such as Rosina, a private art deco lounge located just below the Palazzo guest elevators. The Prestige upgrade is very worthwhile, offering access to the largest standard rooms on the Strip at a lower cost than many other hotels in different cities.

Circa Resort & Casino

Before Circa opened in October 2020, there had been no new hotels built in Downtown Las Vegas for 40 years. It is truly a tribute to all the fun and quirky things the area has to offer; this place has become a unapologetic, adults-only playground. It caters to a specific audience: sports enthusiasts, who come for its stadium-style pool complex—a pool, lounge chairs, sports bar, and cabanas all facing a giant 40-foot high-definition TV that always shows major games. In terms of dining, it has essential Las Vegas steakhouses, as well as a pan-Asian restaurant that pays homage to the Midwest and Las Vegas, and a fantastic (though very expensive) deli. The resort has plenty to keep you occupied for several days, but you can also easily head out to trendy underground bars, (crazy) crowds, and galleries in the 18b Arts District, all just a few steps away. If you want to enjoy the best views of the Las Vegas Valley, Circa’s Legacy Club, located on the 60th floor, offers the best vantage point (you can enjoy the view next to 500 custom gold bars, accompanied by a live ticker showing their value fluctuations, all in true Las Vegas style).

Vdara Hotel & Spa

If you want to experience the feel of a destination spa resort, Vdara might be the closest you’ll get in Las Vegas. The lobby has a soaring ceiling, and the entire hotel—despite being a super-modern glass high-rise in the city center—is designed to maximize natural light and the use of natural materials. It is the only completely smoke-free and non-gaming hotel in Las Vegas. The spa is one of the best in the city and is not as crowded as Qua at Caesars or other large casino resorts’ spas—offering a meditation lounge, waterfalls, and wooden floors—making it a must-visit during your stay. Although Vdara’s room rates are slightly higher than some similarly sized hotels, the upgrade is worth the extra money for all the added benefits: the kitchenette in the studio apartments is compact, so you don’t always have to go searching for food, and if you’re staying for a while, there’s no reason not to use the laundry services available.

Wynn Las Vegas and Encore

The resort features a sunlit atrium, indoor koi ponds, and fountains and waterfalls scattered throughout the property, making it clear why this resort is one of the world’s largest five-star resorts. Stepping into Wynn feels like entering a dreamlike world, with retail boutiques having their own courtyards, and the resort’s rear concealing a lush 70-bay championship golf course—the only golf course on the Strip. Behind the mosaic doors of Delilah Dinner Club, familiar names shine under towering bronze palm trees that evoke Los Angeles’ Cocoanut Grove and Havana’s Tropicana Club, while Casa Playa offers dishes from Mexico’s Pacific and Atlantic coasts to a room full of beautiful people. Meanwhile, Overlook Lounge is a luxurious renovation of the central lounge, offering a cocktail menu infused with edible perfumes. In recent years, Wynn has made major investments, opening the only Gucci Garden boutique in the U.S., an amazing Louis Vuitton boutique with exclusive items, and even a McLaren supercar dealership, with a $200 million renovation of the hotel rooms. Since its opening 17 years ago, Wynn has set the gold standard for resorts in the city for a reason—and it continues to add to its legacy.

Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas

When you pull up to the Waldorf Astoria, you’ll feel its serene and private atmosphere—indeed, a number of people live here long-term, enjoying all the amenities. When you arrive at the 23rd-floor lobby, the hotel will call your name, and you won’t need to wait in line for check-in. What’s the real highlight? No gambling, which means everything is very peaceful. If you’re skeptical about the Las Vegas pool scene, you’ll definitely love the pool here—it’s arguably the most civilized, tranquil, and refined spot in the city. You can spend an entire afternoon there, relaxing without loud music or encountering a bachelor party in the neighboring cabana. Whenever you need a snack, you can walk right to the pool café or order something to be brought back to your cabana. It’s the epitome of understated elegance.

Aria

Aria is a sleek, curvaceous building featuring modern elements like water walls and public art exhibitions. Guests staying at Aria typically prefer a more modern structure and appreciate being close to high-end shopping (it is located in the same CityCenter complex as The Shops at Crystals). Walking in from the valet, you feel as though you’re in a grand glass atrium. Check-in almost never involves waiting, and the lobby feels very spacious, never having the narrow, crowded sensation found in other casinos. The spa is also one of the best on the Strip, featuring a salt room and an incredible relaxation area with heated beds made from solid stone imported from Japan. The 420 Sky Suites have recently been renovated, offering spa-like bathrooms and lighter, brighter tones, along with modern Vitra armchairs and comfortable wingback headboards.

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino

When you picture Las Vegas, you might think of the MGM Grand—perhaps the Cirque du Soleil shows, roaring lions behind glass, and rowdy bachelor parties. It’s impossible to list reasons to stay here casually because it has nearly… everything. It is the largest hotel in the United States and the third largest in the world. In addition to its 6,852 rooms, it offers a wide range of experiences with prices that vary widely, from basic rooms priced under $100 depending on the season to ultra-luxurious suites costing thousands per night. In 2022, it completed renovations on 700 rooms in its Studio Tower, evoking the city’s golden age with its medieval desert charm. Regardless of where you stay, the iconic casino’s appeal, five pools, endless entertainment, nightlife, dining options, and the Strip itself make the MGM Grand an ideal base for any Las Vegas trip.

Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas

When you arrive at the circular driveway of the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, you might find it hard to believe you are still in Las Vegas, as it is seamlessly connected to the renowned Mandalay Bay. It is a non-gaming oasis at the southern end of the Strip, a world away from the city’s iconic hustle and bustle. Although it occupies the 35th to 39th floors of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, it has its own lobby, dining options, and views, plus a tranquil pool and a beautiful spa. Just a few years ago, the Four Seasons completely renovated its rooms. The once very pretty but somewhat standard cream-colored Four Seasons rooms have now been transformed into classic Art Deco-style retreats with sophisticated color schemes and bold graphic wallpapers.

Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace

When Chef Nobu Matsuhisa opened his first hotel here in 2013, everyone knew his restaurant, but the debut of this hotel marked the beginning of a new era for this renowned restaurateur and the city’s legendary hotel industry. Within the sprawling Caesars Palace, there is a surprisingly intimate lodging experience: few hotels manage to achieve the boutique hotel concept and make you feel like you’re having a truly personalized experience. Walking into the very small lobby (formerly the old Centurion Tower), it feels just as Nobu and Rockwell Group envisioned—minimalistic and Japanese, with beautiful decor like wooden walls reminiscent of Louise Nevelson’s sculptures. The Rockwell Group redesigned these rooms in 2022, inspired by kintsugi, a Japanese art of gold-rimmed pottery, giving them a warm, homey feel. If you’ve ever dreamed of picking up the phone to have Nobu’s delicious dishes delivered directly to you, your time has come. Going downstairs to the restaurant is convenient—it’s the only Nobu location that serves breakfast—but you should definitely take full advantage of the in-room dining service while you’re here.

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