Know where to stay in Las Vegas, a complete guide with the best hotels in Las Vegas and the best areas to stay. See a complete summary with the best hotel tips on Las Vegas Boulevard – also known as the Strip – and in downtown LV, and great tips to save on accommodation without giving up a lot of comforts!
Did you know that Las Vegas is one of the best places in the world to stay in a luxury hotel for a reasonable price? Yes, even in this regard the saying “anything can happen in Vegas” fits! And, if you can, don’t think twice: staying in one of the 5-star mega hotels on the Strip is one of the most authentic and fun ways to enjoy Las Vegas.
Of course, there are also cool economic options – Is it BBB-speaking? – and that is exactly the idea of this post, to show you the best hotels in Las Vegas and help you choose the option that best suits your travel style. Ready to choose where to stay in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas hotels: tested and approved by us, our friends, and Bag Ideas readers
This post is a summary of our experiences in Las Vegas. I’ve already visited the city 7 times (and if I don’t care, I’ll go again this year) and stayed in several different hotels: Bellagio (2x), Encore, MGM Grand, The Venetian, and Flamingo – by the way, you’ve already seen my tips on what to do in Vegas? – I also visited the rooms at Aria (oh beautiful view!) – our cousins stayed there while we were at Bellagio.
And, of course, the experiences of our friends and readers who also love the city and have amazing tips.
Going to Las Vegas with kids?
Contrary to what people say, Las Vegas is indeed a fun city to visit with children, but I would be careful when choosing a hotel. Read this post to help you plan your trip to Las Vegas with your kids.
What is the best area to stay in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is a big city, but very easy to understand. The main avenue is Las Vegas Boulevard, it crosses the entire city passing by the Las Vegas airport, the main tourist attractions (and the best Casinos), and continues to the central region (Downtown Las Vegas).
Las Vegas Boulevard, the Strip
The funniest part of Las Vegas Boulevard – shall we get in the mood and call it the Strip? – is the piece between the famous Las Vegas Sign (that sign that says “Welcome to the Fabulous Las Vegas”) and the Hotel Wynn.
Want to be even more specific? My favorite part of Las Vegas is the blocks between Bellagio and The Linq. For me, this is the best place to stay in Las Vegas. Exceptions to this rule are The Venetian, Palazzo, Wynn, and Encore duos. I already talk more about them.
Las Vegas Downtown Las Vegas
You can also stay “off” the Strip, in the area we call Downtown Las Vegas. An old center of the city, but which has recently been revitalized and, therefore, has good options for those who want to save money and don’t mind being further away from the hustle and bustle.
Resort fee
If you’re leaving for Las Vegas, it’s important to prepare yourself for the Resort Fee, a fee charged by almost all hotels for their guests to enjoy the leisure areas, such as the gym, pool, and Wi-Fi, example. And a detail: it is charged even if you do not use these services.
The amount can vary from 5 to 32 dollars per day. Many hotels do not include this number in the daily price and charge it only at the end of the stay – which can be quite a scare! Booking.com indicates the value of the resort fee in the hotel description, but it does not include it in the price of the accommodation, so be prepared for this extra cost when checking in
Want to avoid the rest taxi? Here are 3 highly-rated hotels that do not charge a resort fee.
Good hotels that don’t charge a resort fee:
- Four Queens Hotel and Casino
- Hampton Inn & Suites Las Vegas South
- Wyndham Grand Desert
Tip to save on accommodation in Las Vegas: go during the week Hotel rates vary greatly. In general, rates are much cheaper during weekdays. On weekends, holidays, and even during big conventions, prices explode. So, it is worth the premise that planning is synonymous with saving. Especially because you will have other essential expenses there, such as breakfast – a convenience that is not usually included in the daily rate.
Don’t underestimate the distances: it seems close, but it’s not
One of the things that everyone notices about Las Vegas is the distance. Looking at the street, everything seems very close, but when walking, it’s far, sees?! The huge hotels and the wide avenue give a false illusion of proximity. So when choosing a hotel, my tip is to stay as central as you can!
Cigarette smell in hotel lobby In the state of Nevada, smoking is allowed inside hotels and in common areas, which causes many hotels, especially older ones, to have a strong cigarette smell in Casino areas. As we know that cigarette smell is a deterrent for many people – and especially important for those traveling with children – we will try to highlight the hotels with the least cigarette smell in the lobby. As for the rooms, just book a non-smoking room and you don’t have to worry.
Breakfast
Hotels with breakfast included are very rare in Las Vegas, so if you want to save money, the tip here is to shop in markets and have good options to eat as soon as you wake up. Some of the few hotels that have breakfast included in the rate are:
- Best Western Plus Las Vegas West
- Hampton Inn & Suites Las Vegas South
- Hilton Grand Vacations Suites.
Visit other hotels
It is also worth remembering that one of the differentials of Las Vegas is that you can visit different hotels without having to stay in them and admission is free. By the way, this is one of the coolest things to do in Vegas: stroll through the hotels on the Strip and discover the attractions in each one of them.
During your stay in the city, including several of them in your itinerary. And, again, Las Vegas is one of the best places in the world to stay in a 5-star hotel for an affordable price, so if it fits your budget, invest. And enjoy!
Las Vegas travel insurance
You probably already know that travel insurance is not mandatory for anyone traveling in the US, but I wouldn’t travel without insurance. Good insurance covers flight delays, luggage loss, medical and hospital expenses, and many other points that can give you a headache.
I will summarize each hotel below:
Luxury hotels: Mandalay Bay, Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Bellagio, Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino, Wynn Las Vegas, Encore at Wynn Las Vegas Good value hotels: MGM Grand, Vdara Hotel & Spa at ARIA Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, The Mirage, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Stratosphere Hotel Budget hotels: Tropicana Las Vegas a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Resort, Luxor, Excalibur, New York, Park MGM, Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, The LINQ Hotel and Casino, The Palazzo at The Venetian
Mandalay Bay
Close to the airport, the complete Mandalay Bay is located at the southern end of the Strip – and is also home to the Hotel Delano and the Four Seasons Las Vegas.
Mandalay Bay has an ocean theme and has a beach produced with tons of sand by the wave pool (a delightful place to enjoy the summer) and a shark aquarium, known as Shark Reef Aquarium – an excellent option for walking with children. The rooftop has a beautiful view of the city, worth a visit!
And oh, the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is home to Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE show. Mandalay is also home to the Las Vegas branch of the House of Blues. Las Vegas entertainment starts inside the hotel itself. There, all rooms – which are very large – have panoramic windows and a seating area. Mandalay Bay is an excellent option for families with children, both for the aquarium inside the hotel and for the hotel’s vibe.
And, as the focus of Mandalay is not the casino, the smell of cigarettes in common areas is low compared to other hotels.
It is worth mentioning that around here, as it is still the beginning of the Strip, the entertainment options are not very extensive and the sidewalks are not as busy as later on. The (free) monorail that connects Mandalay Bay to Luxor and Excalibur only runs until 10:30 pm, so at night, you’ll probably have to fork out for a taxi to get back to your hotel. Book here. It is the most exclusive option in the complete Mandalay – and one of the best options for luxury accommodation in Las Vegas – all of our readers who have stayed there have loved it.
Luxury is such that all the bathrooms are covered in marble and the windows of the rooms are panoramic and, of course, the level of services of the Four Seasons chain is always spectacular. There’s an alternative. Book here!
Luxor
Las Vegas has many lodging options that aspire to be different and the Luxor is one of the best values for money.
Famous for their pyramid shape, the Pyramid rooms are located in the themed tower and are slightly smaller than they are in the hotel’s pyramidal structure, while the premium rooms are located in the annex tower and are more comfortable (and larger).
Among the entertainment options are the resident Cirque du Soleil show, “Criss Angel Believe” and some exhibitions that take place in the Atrium Theater, such as Bodies and Artifacts of the Titanic. The Luxor offers a casino, a nurturing Spa & Salon space with beauty treatments, and a restaurant with seafood and meals in general. See deals for Luxor here.
Excalibur
A medieval castle-themed resort and casino. The price is very good compared to everything the hotel offers: four pools, a full-service spa, six restaurants, a casino, and nightly live entertainment, including the Tournament of Kings, a show, and a reenactment of a duel on horseback. Among the hotel’s best-known attractions are the staging of a medieval battle, the “Tournament of Kings”, and the Bee Gees Tribute show.
For children, there is the “Fun Dungeon”, an arcade area that the little ones will love. The hotel is old, but its structure is well-preserved. The rooms are spacious, tidy, and, even in the middle of the Strip, quiet. A good request!
Tropicana Las Vegas to DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Resort
Recently renovated, the Tropicana is one of Las Vegas’s most classic accommodations (and fair enough, too). The rooms are decorated in warm, light colors, going in the opposite direction of the vibrant colors and neons of Vegas. Decor is inspired by a tropical South Beach setting. Where to stay in Las Vegas
Tropicana Las Vegas to DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Resort The fun is on account of the Tropicana Theater, where the illusionist from Luxembourg, David Goldrake presents the show Imaginarium and the famous Laugh Factory comedy club. Book here!
MGM Grand
Holding the label of the world’s largest hotel for years, the MGM is one of Las Vegas darlings. The size is incredible and this means that it has many options for leisure, entertainment, and food. Believe it or not, it houses the famous MGM Grand Garden Arena, which hosts sports such as UFC fights and concerts. It is the chain’s anchor hotel
new york new york
With a replica of the Statue of Liberty in front of you, it’s easy to guess the theme of this hotel. The hotel offers a modern casino and more than ten good restaurants and the apex is the 180-degree roller coaster. Yeah, anything is possible in Vegas! Among the selection of shows, there you can watch Zumanity, by Cirque du Soleil, an adult show that dazzles the public with an adapted version of reality. The rooms are modern and up to the high standard of Vegas. Room service is available 24 hours a day.
New York New York is one of my favorite options to enjoy the Vegas nightlife without going overboard. The hotel is super lively and has two bars that I love and never get tired of visiting a fantastic piano duel with incredible music, and a typical Irish pub! For those who want to enjoy the nightlife and stay well, there is a super option. Book here!
Park MGM
One of the newest hotels in Las Vegas, the Park MGM has a casino and its concert arena with a capacity for 5,200 people (Lady Gaga is currently one of the resident artists and the show is fantastic! The Park MGM is an almost complete makeover of the former Monte Carlo hotel, which has become younger, prettier, and much more relaxed under the Park MGM banner.
Inside the property, you can enjoy a restaurant with French cuisine, Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar, and enjoy the laid-back vibe and delicious food at Eataly Las Vegas. The rooms are spacious and have safe, blackout curtains, and a large mirror. With simple decoration and carpet on the floor, the amenities are comfortable and sufficient for the stay. Want one more cool thing? Park MGM is connected to the Aria and Bellagio by a free tram line. It’s super convenient! Book here.
ARIA Resort & Casino
We arrived in my favorite part of Las Vegas, this center between the Aria/Bellagio hotels and The LinQ is a good choice to stay Modern and spectacular, the ARIA, along with three other hotels and the Crystals mall, make up one of the complexes on the Strip, the City Center. A luxurious complex both in terms of facilities and architecture.
Aria is a sure choice for those who want to escape the clichés of Las Vegas with a touch of sophistication and great taste. [And yes, as the hotel is brand new, the smell of cigarettes is not a bothersome factor!]
The room features a one-touch control system that allows you to quickly customize room features such as lighting and temperature. A dream, right? Some suites are located in the “corners” of the hotel, allowing a double and panoramic view of Vegas.
And like every good hotel in Las Vegas, the Aria has great restaurants and the Jewel nightclub that is part of the new night experiences of the Hakkas Group. In other words, you can enjoy a great night out without leaving the hotel and without feeling a mess. Book the Aria here!
Vdara Hotel & Spa at ARIA Las Vegas
For those who want to stay in one of the best locations for a much cheaper price, the Vdara is in the same complex as the ARIA and is an interesting option for those who don’t mind going to the hotels next door in search of casinos and restaurants. It’s a happy medium that a lot of people consider, and one that I love.
Another nice point about Vdara is that it is exclusive for non-smokers, a super advantage for families, or for those who cannot tolerate the smell of cigarettes. Speaking of families, there are room options with a dining area and stove. And oh, it also allows pets. Want one more reason to consider Vdara? The Spa!
The Crystals Mall, which is also located in the complex, has most of the designer stores, one next to the other: Hermès, Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabanna, Versace, Donna Karan, Fendi, Paul Smith, Tom Ford, Miu Miu, Cartier, Vuitton…See here the offers for the Vdara.
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
With a Hollywood theme and spacious rooms that feature objects from the movies in their decor, Planet Hollywood is a cool and well-located option to enjoy Vegas without breaking the bank. And since we’re talking about location, you’ll be right in front of the Bellagio fountains!
The dining options are also great value for money, some of the best on the entire Strip. There, you have Burger with traditional American cuisine, the Strip House steakhouse, Japanese cuisine at Koi, and even a special hot dog.
