Las Vegas may be famous for its casinos, top theater shows, nightclubs and designer shopping, but it’s also home to some of the USA’s most luxurious hotels, both on and off the Strip.
LessThis curved golden high-rise at the north end of the Strip is lavish even by excessive Vegas standards. Costing $2.7 billion to build, it is one of the world’s most expensive buildings and shimmers with elegance; it’s a sophisticated but suitably over-the-top mix of marble floors, gold adornments and playful Alice in Wonderland-style floral displays. Alongside an extravagant theater show and unusually airy casino, there’s also an 18-hole championship golf course and a SoulCycle studio.
A decadent homage to Italian dolce vita, the Venetian is an extravagant feast for the eyes, with acres of marble, vaulted ceilings, a replica of the Sistine Chapel and even its very own Grand Canal, complete with opera-singing gondoliers. Suites don’t disappoint either: even the cheapest is nearly double the size of a standard room on the Strip, with a sunken living room, Roman tub, iHome alarm clock and regal purple accents.
The attention to detail is the first thing you notice at this big-name, casino-free hotel at the heart of the Strip. By the time you’ve reached check-in on the 23rd floor, staff offering bottled water are already waiting to greet you by name; every room comes with a walk-in wardrobe and glass-enclosed spa bathroom stocked with upscale Salvatore Ferragamo products. Don’t want to be disturbed? The room’s valet closet lets room service be delivered without even opening your door.
Old-school glamor oozes from El Cortez, a Downtown institution since the 1940s. There’s a classic Cadillac in the lobby, a speakeasy barbershop and a swish parlor bar, while the hotel’s casino is on the National Register of Historic Places. Up the luxe factor by hopping across Ogden Avenue to the Cabana Suites, which feature custom-made retro furniture, iHome stereos and pops of in-your-face neon. Ellie Goulding even filmed the video for ‘On My Mind’ in the Jackie Gaughan Suite here.
The Flamingo pairs vintage glitz with big-name shows and idyllic gardens to transport guests back to the city’s golden age. First opened in 1941, the hotel has been recently refurbished but its retro look remains, with splashes of magenta, Vegas artwork and flamingo paintings everywhere. There’s a spa, wildlife area and over-21s pool with international DJs, while families will love the Beach Club Pool, food court and fun bunk bed suites.
Vdara may be just steps from the Strip but its hushed refinement belongs to another world. With no casino or nightclub in the curved glass high-rise, the all-suite hotel ups the luxury quota instead, with soaking tubs, panoramic city views, a media hub, kitchenettes and in-room tablets. It’s worth getting out of bed to visit the award-winning two-story spa, where signature treatments include the heavenly Desert Rose salt scrub and massage.
ARIA knows the wow factor counts in Vegas. From the curved glass exterior to the cavernous, light-filled lobby and bold modern art inside, the hotel astounds at every turn. There’s also a swanky spa, adults-only pool lounge, nightclub and expansive casino for the full Vegas experience. When it all gets too much, head back to your room, where lights, curtains and TV can be powered down for sleep with the touch of a single button.
The Sahara is a glossy design-led hotel loved by the city’s party crowd for its very modern take on Las Vegas luxury. Rooms are housed in three towers and designed by the king of futuristic cool, Philippe Starck. Choose Marra for monochrome minimalism, Blanca for rooms in restful blue with splashes of pop art and Alexandria for tongue-in-cheek decor and chandeliers. Don’t miss Alexandria’s rooftop pool, where swimmers can marvel at views of Downtown Vegas and the mountains beyond the city.
Known for its famous dancing fountains, the Bellagio delivers the ultimate Vegas thrill. Everything is big, bold and the best in this elegant hotel, from the lakefront setting on the Strip to the mega-casino, wondrous botanical gardens, top theater shows and fine-art gallery. When hunger strikes, there are Italian, Japanese and seafood restaurants, amongst others, but to really impress, book a table in Picasso, where you can dine right in front of the artist’s masterpieces.