What's your favourite Vegas hotel?

This was a few years ago but the BF and I flew to Vegas from JFK and stayed in the Aria Hotel (nice, centrally located) - $1,000 round trip air and 4 nights in the hotel for both of us.

Landmark

Desert Inn

Stardust

Dunes

Sahara

Sands

Hacienda

El Rancho Vegas

Aladdin

Riviera

Boardwalk

Caesars Palace

I've not stayed there, but I like the Venetian with the gondola ride.

I thought resorts world was really nice. Lots of cool Pop art but not overly themed. Great pool and food.

Circus Circus 🎪 mostly for the fun and glamor

Desert Inn

I’d also recommend Aria, OP. It’s good for poker and has some lovely restaurants.

There is one infected with gang members.....I thought it was Circus. BEWARE

The Super 8

Circus Circus, of course!

I adore musty linens in smelly, greasy rooms! I once saw a little person box a kangaroo in a cage there, surrounded by people rooting loudly for the kangaroo.

Tropicana!

The nicest hotel room I've ever stayed in was at The Palms.

Not all these hotels have poker rooms. But the Wynn does and it's probably the best all inclusive Vegas resort.

OP vegasstarfish knows EVERYTHING about every property in Las Vegas

She is so highly regarded she was one of the people TikTok flew to Washington to advocate for its content creators

Her Tiktok is better organized than her IG

How is the Cosmopolitan?

I would recommend Caesar's Palace. It's older but very centrally located, and has a beautiful pool area. It has more of the old-school, classic Vegas vibe than most of the newer mega-resorts.

The Cosmopolitan has generally considered the best bang your buck hotel room, the Terrace One Bedroom Suite

R14, the Encore is in no way "all-inclusive," assuming you meant the main definition of the term (fully comped meals & booze, like on a cruise ship).

The Cosmopolitan attracts a very young crowd. If you're older than 29, you might feel out of place.

This was the view I had (floor was in the fifties)

I would choose where to stay based on the pool, since that is important to you. You can wander into any casino on the Strip and play poker there.

Evening

This was 500/night (Sunday)

You will get better rates if you don’t stay Fridays or Saturdays when rates will more than double

I've always been told that Vegas is a 3 night maximum type of trip. Any idea why? Seems like there's lots to do.

VegasStarfish says this is her favorite pool in the city

Red Rock is in Summerlin. This is at the western edge of the city and you will need to rent a car.

OP, my dad's a semi-professional poker player who's in Vegas 4x/year and once won a major WSOP side game (I can't be more specific without outing my dad, but it was big enough for him to win a WSOP bracelet). I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice about where to stay, but I'll add some about where to *play*.

First, it's irrelevant if you "like" poker. If you aren't already a superlative Hold 'Em player, you're most likely to have your arse handed to you on a stick at any given poker room on or near the Strip. I mention "near" the Strip because the majority of WSOP tournaments this century have taken place at the Rio, a fairly shitty hotel across the interstate from the Strip (and not really walkable - it's across from the Palms, but that's about it). As of 2022 the WSOP is back at the "new" Horseshoe (a rebranded Ballys, next to Paris Las Vegas).

Note that even the low-end tables at the major poker room are mostly populated by full-timers: since poker's the only game where it's at least *possible* to come out ahead – it doesn't matter that the house always wins if the house isn't even a player – even the cheap seats are often held by pros. The main go-to poker rooms – the places to go if you have no problem losing your life's savings – are at the Bellagio & Venetian.

A few other notes: first, Vegas hotel prices can vary by farcical sums. This was an admitted fluke, but I got stuck in Vegas overnight in January and stayed at the new-ish Virgin Hotel (which used to be the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, but it's being moved onto the main Strip). Since it was a weekday, my room rate of $24 was less than the nightly "amenity fee" of $40. EVERY hotel in Vegas now has one, and the Virgin is one of the few remaining hotels that doesn't also charge a similar amount for parking. (You can get around via Uber or taxi too, of course, and many do, particularly if they've been guzzling the free drinks offered at each casino if you're playing.)

Every hotel mentioned here is quite nice; it's really up to personal preference. I concur with others that the Cosmopolitan is still the trendiest hotel in town (one that primarily draws an under-30 crowd from L.A.), but the Bellagio is literally next door and is always a solid bet. They're not really known for poker, but my favorite gaming area is the original 1960s room at Caesars across the street. Its "main" gaming areas are in newer parts of the hotel (which now has something like NINE hotel towers), but the original still looks like a place where you'd see Bond – Connery version, obviously – in a white dinner jacket playing baccarat.

Finally, Vegas has A LOT more to do than just lounge around the pool. I assume you know about its artist residencies – two recent ones were Adele & U2 – and if there's one you really want to see, you'll likely either need to plan far ahead or call in a favor with a well-heeled pal who visits Vegas often. (High rollers almost always have casino hosts who act as their personal concierges, but "high roller" is also a relative term there. Still, a casino host at one of the better hotels can at least help arrange for dinner or show reservations, even if they're not comped.

P.S. There are outposts of some of the most famous restaurants in the world there, and also some of the trendiest (e.g. Carbone). Most are pale imitations of the originals they copied, but Joël Robuchon (at the MGM Grand) is the only one that was awarded three Michelin stars. (Note that that's not current: Michelin discontinued its Vegas guide due to poor sales.) Even 20 years ago its tasting menu was 24 courses and $275. It's now $525, and that's BEFORE counting flights of wine (which vary from $250 to $1,000 per person). Similar story at Guy Savoy at Caesars.

P.P.S. You should *definitely* note that some Vegas pool scenes are, well, a scene: pick any hot hotel along the Strip, and there's most likely a "day club" in the pool area on any given warm Friday-Sunday – one that may charge you admission even if you're staying there. The Cosmopolitan is the worst in this regard, and while the Wynn has my favorite Vegas pool, its DJs are consistently the loudest / most obnoxious. (The Bellagio's pool is thankfully free of this bullshit though.)

[quote]I've always been told that Vegas is a 3 night maximum type of trip. Any idea why? Seems like there's lots to do.

Exactly! It's a "three-night max" city because most people are up all night (or nearly so) each night.

I enjoy staying at the Cosmopolitan. I fit right in with the clientele.

Would you consider staying off the Strip? The Palms is nicely priced for what you get. I've heard good things about the new Virgin too.

The Strip has gotten stupid-expensive. I was there last week and Harrah's wanted $17 for a bottle of Budweiser during fucking happy hour.

I only went to Las Vegas once in the 90s, we stayed at the Mandalay Bay, which was great but located at the far end of the strip. I heard that the guy I went with back then checked into the Bellagio just last December and either overdosed or committed suicide in his room so maybe avoid that one.

There is absolutely no reason to spend a lot on a hotel room in a shit hole town that sucks your money.

Treasure Island was fun, clean, and affordable during the off-season and Christmas week. They had a "Male Pirate" show outside, featuring hunky dudes wearing heavy bronzer, manscara and guyliner. Very hot!

Spent 3 nights for free at The Bellagio, thanks to a friend with connections who was sponsoring a major event. It was spectacular, but would not have spent that kind of money to be there. The pool is fabulous. Drinks served to you. If you can afford it, get a cabana. You could spend hours staring at the Chaluly (sp?) glassworks in the lobby. The Bellagio is connected to other hotels via underground walkways. Did not leave this complex for the entire stay. Vegas is tacky and disgusting but you might be able to squeeze out some good times.

If you're not rich, OP, I'd recommend spending your money on visiting a rainforest in Costa Rica to look at howler monkeys and orchids, or maybe trying snorkeling or scuba diving at coral reefs in Fiji before they're gone.

Watch parts 1 & 2. Last time I was there, I liked the Park MGM. It was newer, fairly central, and affodable.

If you want to stay on the Strip

These four hotels are all adjacent and provide you with the most amount of options within the least walking distance

Bellagio - Cosmopolitan - Vdara - Aria

There is a huge benefit to staying at the Cosmopolitan

It has one of the smallest footprints on the Strip, with its public spaces stacked vertically

I will add one more hotel to consider, ParkMGM/NoMad

This is the only nonsmoking property on the Strip and it smells fabulous

Thank you R27 for the poker insight. Do I really have to be a "pro" player to play the $1/$2 tables? I would imagine people visit from all over just to gamble. They can't all be top players, can they? In any case, I would consider myself pretty good. Excellent? No. I've only ever played $400 buy-in cash games.

I like music, but I'm not into trendy electronic or flashy crowds, so maybe I will reconsider the Cosmopolitan. Also, I'm in my mid thirties. My budget is under $500 but I don't want to go too cheap. Caesar Palace seems to have mixed reviews online but a friend went recently and liked it a lot.

I didn't realize that they allow smoking in the casinos!

Caesars Palace is owned by Ballys which has financial corners and it has been showing in the upkeep at Caesars.

With your budget - check out Fontainebleau

This is a massive new hotel that just opened, but it’s at the far north end of the Strip

But they have DEALS

My favourite movie is Casino, but I see that the Riviera has been demolished. Too bad, I would've loved to stay there!

And a seven acre pool complex

[quote]I liked the Park MGM. It was newer, fairly central, and affodable.

The ParkMGM is just the rebranded (and remodeled) Monte Carlo.

Thank you R39, I'm looking at her Instagram now!

OP, there are a few nonsmoking resorts if that matters to you. But most casinos do indeed allow smoking.

[quote]Caesars Palace is owned by Ballys which has financial corners and it has been showing in the upkeep at Caesars.

Caesars Palace is owned by Caesars Entertainment, which owns MANY casinos in Vegas: Harrah's, Paris, Flamingo, etc.

Bally's has ZERO properties in Las Vegas.

You are correct and they are now owned by the former El Dorado group

These casinos merge about every five years

Anyway, Caesars is having financial troubles

Since you are a millennial you will probably like Omega Mart which is the closest experience you can get to being in a video game

What country are you from, OP?

Tropicana

"I didn't realize that they allow smoking in the casinos!"

The smoke in the casinos is horrific, especially in the older ones. I cannot stand it. I just got back from SIX days in Vegas and after day 2 I was ready to go home. I was there for a convention so it was on the company's dime but I swear I felt like I had smoked an entire pack of cigarettes every day. It's such a fucking nasty habit.

And never, ever go into the pools in Vegas. They are breeding grounds for all sorts of gross shit.

I don't like LV that much, but have gone there a few times with friends. I don't gamble. I would say LV is good for restaurants and shopping.

I'm guessing that people say 3 nights (2 full days) is long enough because most people who drink and gamble will have shot their wad at that point.

Make sure you come one night to see me dance! Um... at the Cheetah!

I just got back from staying at the Vdara. No casino, so no casino smoke; quiet rooms and halls, because of the lack of a casino; first rate service; centrally located.

Check out hula hoop granny. She was kitty corner from Caesar's Nov '22 and still seems to be going strong. Supplementing Social Security and keeping fit.

Here she is with Caesar's in the background.

I'm not a gambler but I loved staying at the Venetian. The rooms are very large with a sunken living room area. The bathrooms have soaking tubs and separate showers. The Grand Canal shopping mall has lots of mid to high end dining options. It's a pretty expensive hotel but it's nice and not tacky.

What's all this about smoking in casinos. You have to go outside to smoke these days.

I'm planning on going to Vegas for the fist time. I love poke-'em and shitting poo-slides. What hotel would you recommend to a fist teamer? What's your absolute favourite?

The Venetian mall has become quite tacky with rando trinket peddlers

The Palazzo side is higher-end and nicer

The Wynn and the Cosmopolitan have a pretty good reputation in terms of modern Vegas. I don't know if the Bellagio still holds up. That massive Chinese hotel casino is pretty nice too and has some unique gambling floor gimmicks - I think that's Resorts World.

Don’t go into any bathrooms at the Bellagio. 💩

The Bellagio is lovely and has the nicest public areas in the Strip but it veers 50 plus. Mid 30s would probably prefer Cosmo/Aria.

All the deluxe megaresorts with themes veer old (Bellagio, Venetian, Caesars).

Mid 30s I would go with any of the properties between Park MGM and Cosmo

The Bellagio fountains are well suited to finger fucking Suzanne Somers. RIP you horny MAGA bitch.

Bellagio rooms were just remodeled; they sent the old furniture to the Luxor.

R62, their rooms are still pretty basic.

[quote]What's all this about smoking in casinos. You have to go outside to smoke these days.

Spoken like someone who's never been to Vegas.

I like Luxor best. It's starting to get a little ratty but it's so cool!!

Luxor is CHEAP.

I hear that The Bellagio has a spectacular chocolate fountain.