Las Vegas has more than 150,000 hotel rooms. So how do you choose the one that’s right for you?
We’ve done the research and broken it down into these categories:
Most Romantic for Couples
This is a wedding blog, so let’s start with the most romantic for couples. We previously wrote about The 9 Most Romantic Hotels in Las Vegas, so if you want a deeper list, check it out.
My Pick: Paris
Hands down. Situated in the heart of the Vegas Strip, it doesn’t get any more romantic than this. Swoon over each other (and the view) during dinner at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant.
The French cuisine is incredible, and there are probably more marriage proposals here than anywhere else in town. Snag a table by the window and sit 110 feet above the Bellagio fountains as you peruse the 1,200 label wine list.
The viewing deck is also a romantic spot, as are the cobblestone streets of the shopping district, Le Boulevard, which feels like roaming through the real city of lights.
Honorable Mention: The Venetian
Be transported to Venice, Italy’s Renaissance arts behemoth. For more on the uber-romantic property, check out my blog, Exploring Vegas After Your Wedding: What to Do and See.
With 5 Stars
There’s been a new entry to the 5-Stars category since we last blogged about 5-Star Vegas hotels, and it’s taken the top spot on our list.
My Pick: Crockfords
One of only three Crockfords in the United States, this top-end brand is new to Las Vegas with the grand opening having been in June 2021.
They’ve had a couple years to iron out the kinks and are now consistently one of the best luxury experiences in the city.
Prices compare well with the other 5-Star resorts, but you get more bang for your buck since it’s a brand new property.
Couples will enjoy the elegance and exclusivity while also being situated on the larger Resorts World grounds, giving you access to the amenities in place for the Hilton and Conrad portions of the property.
Honorable Mention: Four Seasons
Legendary service and one of the only non-smoking and non-gaming properties in Vegas. A multiple-million dollar renovation plan for all 424 guest rooms in 2023 could mean ongoing construction hassles. Yay for upgrades. Boo for construction.
On a Budget
My Pick: Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino
Just west of the Strip on Flamingo Road sits the Rio, which is in the Caesars Entertainment empire. Guests can rack up Caesars Rewards points there while getting a bit more for their buck.
Caesars Rewards is one of the best and most comprehensive loyalty programs in the industry, making Rio a good choice for budget-minded travelers.
After a couple stays, you’ll likely have enough points to get rewarded at the more elevated Caesars properties.
The entertainment offerings are great at Rio. Enjoy a big laidback pool complex, a zipline high above the resort, free parking and the best magic show in town from resident performers Penn & Teller.
Honorable Mention: Silverton
Going off Strip should always get you a better room rate. That’s always been true at Silverton.
Their hotel tower is currently closed and undergoing a renovation, but the rest of the resort is open in the meantime. Check out the Mermaid Show inside the Aquarium, voted Vegas’s best free attraction. There’s also a giant Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and a very solid all-you-can-eat-buffet.
Guests can take advantage of a complimentary shuttle to the airport — one of the best perks in town! The rest of the property remains open during construction.
Bonus: The locals enclave of stores and restaurants along Blue Diamond Road offer pretty much anything you need without relying on the overpriced sundries shops on the Strip.
On the Strip
My Pick: Bellagio
Steve Wynn took everything he learned from The Mirage and parlayed his success into Bellagio. The 77-acre property has some of my favorite things on the Strip.
Fashioned after the village of Bellagio on Lake Como in northern Italy, it boasts a fine art gallery, the world’s largest glass sculpture (a magnificent piece by Dale Chihuly), a wonderfully appointed and ever-changing conservatory and the famous dancing fountains.
Wynn originally wanted a French-style resort. But the casino magnate became so smitten with the real Bellagio on a trip with his friend Paul Anka (yep, that Paul Anka) that he scrapped 10 months of design work to start over in order to replicate one of the most stunning regions in the whole world. At a cost of 1.6 billion dollars, Bellagio was the most expensive resort on Earth when it opened in 1998.
Honorable Mention: The Cromwell
Occupying prime real estate in the center of the Strip, Cromwell was the first standalone boutique hotel on the Strip. It’s outfitted with elegant decor everywhere you look, and the property is known for its sophisticated and seductive atmosphere.
Off the Strip
My Pick: Red Rock
Built and opened at the height of the extravagant pre-Great Recession building boom, Red Rock Resort quickly became a local favorite.
More than a billion dollars was spent to make this Summerlin resort as impressive as any of the 5-Star mega resorts on the Strip. Rooms feature open floor plans, plenty of natural light and awe-inspiring views.
With Downtown Summerlin’s recent addition of the Vegas Golden Knights practice facility and the second-newest AAA baseball stadium in America, the entertainment zone surrounding Red Rock Resort makes this west valley suburb a destination in and of itself.
Honorable Mention: Durango Casino & Resort
With a planned grand opening in the fourth quarter of 2023, Station Casinos is set to bring another stellar resort to their ever expanding portfolio. The Eat Your Heart Out food hall ought to be on point, and if the rest of the resort is anything like Red Rock, I know I’ll love it.
According to Reddit
Ask 2,170 people on the internet and you’ll get 2,170 different responses, right? Not exactly. According to the original Las Vegas subreddit, there’s a clear winner with 35% of the vote.
Reddit’s Pick: The Cosmopolitan
Cosmo gets the most votes by a wide margin, but, as in any good debate, there are some strong disagreements in the comments.
As positives, some redditors point to the balconies in the guest rooms and the food options for reasons to love it.
Others dislike the property entirely. One poster summed it up like this, “I didn’t get the hype. Food court is good, but Marquee was dead and the gambling floor was not as good as other casinos IMO.”
2nd Place: Other
Looks like after the crowd picks Cosmo, the indecision sets in — 23% (aka 506 people), chose “other.” Judging by the comments, a lot of those votes probably went to Wynn/Encore, which wasn’t a choice by itself in the poll. But it’s really a testament to the fact that there’s nowhere in Vegas that’s for everyone but there’s absolutely somewhere for anyone.
If You’re a First-Timer
My Pick: Caesars Palace
Vegas doesn’t get any more iconic than Caesars Palace. Shortly after opening in 1966, stuntman Evel Knievel cemented the casino as an American legend.
Crash landing while attempting to jump his motorcycle over the fountains in front of the property put Caesars Palace on the map. I’d tell space aliens crash landing in Southern Nevada to go to Caesars. Everyone has to go to Caesars.
Honorable Mention: Flamingo
The Fabulous Flamingo was the first resort hotel and casino on the Strip. If you’re looking for authentic Vegas cool, this is it. It also has one of the best pools in town.
With Kids
Vegas isn’t exactly a kid-friendly destination, but there are some spots where kids can have the time of their lives too. Here, I’m sharing the best, but there are others to consider as well.
My Pick: Circus Circus
Until someone builds a bigger indoor theme park, Circus Circus will continue to dominate this category.
The Midway and Adventuredome combine to entertain kids of all ages with old-school carnival games, state-of-the-art video games, mini-golf, 4-D theaters and the world’s only indoor double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster. Guests can have the time of their lives and win premium prizes.
Honorable Mention: Mandalay Bay
This may be a surprising choice, but trust me. The Shark Reef Aquarium is a must-see attraction if you’re doing Vegas with kids. Also, the south Strip location puts you within easy walking distance (.6 miles) of the Pinball Hall of Fame.
There are more than 150 pinball machines and 50 arcade games, and they’re all playable! Head a little further south on Las Vegas Boulevard and you’ll find the Gene Woods Racing Experience, a super fun outdoor go-kart facility.
Pre-Wedding Parties
My Pick: Circa
Bachelor parties will love it because of the world’s biggest sports book. Bachelorette parties will love it because of Legacy Club, with the cocktail lounge and terrace offering intimate spaces and beautiful sunsets.
Everyone will love it because of Stadium Swim, the only outdoor pool open year round in Vegas. Circa is the first new casino to open in Downtown Las Vegas since 1980. The long wait was worth it.
Honorable Mention: MGM Grand
This monster property has everything you could ask for when going wild with your crew. Wet Republic rocks as hard as any pool party in Sin City. Emeril Lagasse’s New Orleans Fish House leads the way for 14 restaurants. Hakkasan Nightclub’s celeb DJs will keep you dancing all night. And the country’s largest Top Golf will serve as your fitness center for those who need to always be on the move.
Time to Book
Once you’ve picked and booked your hotel, you’re ready to start filling up your schedule. Check out our handy list of what to do after getting married in Vegas. These guides can’t help you pick your soulmate, but we hope they make it easier to plan the wedding!
Methodology
Let’s set the ground rules for my methodology. If we’ve previously done a full blog on the category then we’ve reviewed and reevaluated our choices. Sometimes it results in the same pick, but our changing likes and dislikes are reflected in new picks as well.
Price wasn’t a consideration, except for in the budget category, of course. Best means best, and often that means a higher room rate. We’ve taken the approach that a. you’re celebrating your wedding, and b. my elopement, micro wedding and vow renewal packages have already helped you save a lot of money!
Properties on the Strip are weighted higher in general because, to most visitors, Vegas is defined by the Strip. The same goes for Downtown and Fremont area, but to a lesser extent. There are some great local places, and in categories where they outshine the Strip, we’ll be sure to note that.
We’ve also given preference to newer properties. There’s been some really good additions to the scene in the past few years, and part of the excitement for repeat visitors is to see what’s bigger and better since the last time they were in Las Vegas.
