With fun and craziness very high on the agenda, I also love that America’s original Sin City is home to some of the most incredible places to stay in the world. From old-school kitsch to ultra-modern design hotels, here is my choice for the most incredible spots in town…
1. The Lexi
I really enjoyed staying at this very unique spot! It was an adults-only hotel with a striking gothic underworld theme, deep red velvet furniture, candlelit areas, and ornate gilded statues.
Reproductions of Cezannes, Chagalls, Rembrandts, and Van Goghs adorned the walls and even the ceilings (at very peculiar angles). Outside, I found an ‘European-style’ pool with cool cabanas where even going topless wasn’t frowned upon!
There was a farm-to-table restaurant, and my room featured free Wi-Fi, bluetooth speakers, flat screens, and decor. Those who opt for a suite can expect wet bars, walk-in wardrobes, and pool tables.
Want to step it up a gear? Then the nightlife, numerous bars, weekend parties, and live entertainment won’t disappoint! I love this unique choice, which is located only two blocks from the main strip!
My favorite highlights…
- Joining the fun “Sip and Sing” karaoke and cocktail night which took place every Sunday night – I downed a potent Sin City Sling cocktail and sang “Waking Up in Vegas” by Katy Perry!
2. Vdara Hotel and Spa
Located in the CityCenter complex just a block from the Strip, this place has one mission, to entertain you – without a casino – and in my opinion it does not fail!
I loved the cutting-edge pool and spa, secluded plunge pools, stylish cabanas, and even a fabulous dog park. Of course, there are numerous restaurants (including Thai, Tapas, and Chinese) and chic bars to choose from, and the upscale rooms offer free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, living and dining areas, soaking tubs, and kitchenettes if you spend a bit more.
I would suggest a room with a view of the Bellagio Hotel fountain if you can! Expect a stylish décor and a vibrant energy that encapsulates its surroundings with rooms sumptuously designed to cater to every traveler’s need, you’ll probably never want to leave!
My personal highlights…
- I loved all the wellness aspects! I started the day earning morning with a Turmeric Love cold-pressed blend of pineapple, turmeric, aloe vera each morning from their onsite Pressed Juicery Juice Bar alongside a detoxifying chlorophyll shot!
3. Virgin Hotel Curio Collection by Hilton
The increasingly sought-after hotel trendy hotel brand has now opened its Las Vegas version close to the strip. I’m a big fan of how it mixes a superb modern vibe and design with traditional Las Vegas entertainment.
The on-site amenities are pretty fabulous too and boast no less than five swimming pools (including an adults-only pool), a variety of restaurants from Japanese to Thai street food, a spa, a gym, a sports bar, a casino and even a hairdresser salon.
My guest room was equally as impressive with some creative touches. This new kid on the block has already made a huge impression on me!
My highlights…
- I loved hanging out at the casual but stylish Kassi Beach House – the divine whipped eggplant mezze and the potent Suptropic Slushies were sand outs for me!
4. The Cromwell
This vibrant on-strip hotel and casino offers plush accommodations, fine dining, and non-stop parties – surely what a trip to Vegas is all about? The swish abode mixes classic Parisian décor with incredible energy, including rooftop entertainment and palm-tree-lined pools.
Not to mention, Giada – one of Vegas’s hottest eateries. Snag a one-of-a-kind souvenir from its unique gift shop or embrace the excitement at the casino parties. I personally think the classy fun here is endless!
My favorite highlights…
- Listening to DJ Pauly D, gazing at the skyline views and sipping on a heavenly Desert Bloom Martini at Drai’s Nightclub and Beach Club on the rooftop.
5. The LINQ Hotel
The rooms at this 4-star spot offer a classic decadence, with modern furnishings and a bright, airy atmosphere which contrasts with the craziness of the strip outside.
The splashes of color are a nod to the vibrancy of downtown Vegas. The hotel boasts one of the most central locations on the strip, only a stone’s throw from the High Roller Ferris Wheel, which—standing at 550 feet above the skyline—offers unparalleled views of the area.
My favorite stand-out amenities include a fantastic spa and gym, a unique museum/gallery showcasing classic cars, several excellent restaurants and bars, a fantastic outdoor pool, lashings of funky decor, and a casino…of course!
I suggest opting for an upgraded room if you can. In addition to free WiFi and cable TV, you’ll also be treated to the Strip or beautiful mountain views—wonderful!
My favorite highlights…
- Trying a refreshing Big Dog’s Las Vegas Lager from the awesome automated self-serve beer wall!
6. The ENGLiSH Hotel
It’s billed as the hotel for the cultured renegade, and I think members of the tribe will appreciate this highly Instagrammable boutique in the Las Vegas arts district. The new building has a sleek, modern look, and brightly colored murals by local artists give it a sense of place and excitement.
The adults-only hotel is dedicated to showing that there’s more to Vegas than the casinos, such as the arts and fine cuisine. A focal anchor point at The ENGLiSH Hotel l is the Asian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant The Pepper Club, by James Beard award-winning star chef Todd English.
Nearby attractions include the Fremont Street Experience, the Mob Museum, and Stratosphere Tower. My room was a den of comfort with luxury furnishings, muted decor, and little touches of bright, cheerful color.
There’s a swimming pool and sun terrace, with a poolside bar, and an ambience that’s just right for the Soaring ‘20s!
My highlights…
- Going for their famous brunch on the stylish Pepper Club Restaurant outdoor patio – I opted for their hearty Sunshine Breakfast Sandwich and their legendary truffle tries which were delicious!
7. Crockfords
The soaring ceilings and chandeliers in the spectacular lobby set the tone for my stay. The luxury hotel is part of the Resorts World Las Vegas hotel tower, giving you access to the resort’s gaming, dining, entertainment, shopping, and spa facilities.
The rooms and suites have simple, luxurious fittings, free wifi, minibar, and views of the city and The Strip from the floor-to-ceiling windows. For more space and privacy, I would suggest staying at the villas and palaces, which have unique artwork and private pools, gardens, and spas.
I loved having access to the largest pool complex in Las Vegas and a wide range of dining options with many different types of cuisines, including Asian, Italian, Mexican, and more!
My personal highlights…
- I loved being able to customize the scent and sound in my guest room – I opted for exotic smelling sandalwood and the ocean waves soundscapes to wake up to each morning!
8. Circa Resort & Casino
Located in downtown, I felt this place was true to the spirit of the city, with fun, glitz, luxury and a total commitment to the game. With 777 rooms, a two-story casino, a three-story sportsbook, the largest in the world, and a six-level pool complex, it’s the contemporary reinvention of the fabled city with its own quirks!
The Garage Mahal is a showstopper in itself, with artwork and video installations that you watch as you park your car. The quiet luxury of the rooms and suites is juxtaposed with stunning views of The Strip or the city. When you want to go adventuring, I loved that you have gaming, betting, dining, and shopping options on-site.
Several bars, including the new Vegas Vickie, are named for the famous kicking cowgirl neon sign that used to be a downtown landmark, which will now have pride of place in this new setting. I would highly recommend not missing the Masquerade Halloween Party at Legacy Club…
My highlights…
- All the restaurant choices – I especially loved the tofu filled Tokyo Crepes and the delicious Honey Toast which came with candied walnuts at their Pan Asian 8 East Restaurant!
9. SAHARA
I think if you stay here, your hotel has to be as over-the-top as it can be, and this place fills that part perfectly! The hotel and casino are one of the city’s glittering landmarks, with three towers for guests and a casino where the ball never stops rolling.
Located close to the heart of The Strip, Sahara is also a stop on the monorail, which helps you get around without dealing with the hassles of traffic and parking. A boutique approach to service, a choice of five-star dining options on-site including Bazaar Meat by celebrity superstar chef José Andrés, two cocktail lounges, and plush rooms add up to an old-fashioned luxury stay, updated for contemporary tastes.
The new Magic Mike Live show, based on the films, I think captures the excitement of Las Vegas with dance, music and acrobatic acts and is the perfect entertainment for a girls’ night out!
- To book, check prices or dates for SAHARA
My favorite highlights…
- Going for a rejuvenating Hammam ritual and anti-ageing stem cell facial at their lush onsite Moroccan-Inspired Spa!
10. Flamingo
Old school kitsch is how I would describe the much-loved The Flamingo, and if you like your Vegas hotels just how they were back in the 1950s, then the pink-emblazoned establishment set on the central Strip is a lot of fun.
It opened its doors in 1946, and today, it still attracts punters with its unique retro quality and lively atmosphere.
Expect a vibrant black and candy-pink vintage style decor, live shows galore, a lagoon-style outdoor pool, plenty of eateries, rooms with all mod cons (and suites with lots of luxury!), and dancing girls on the casino floor – I’d say this is a place that has to be seen to be believed!
My personal highlights….
- Watching the sharp-tongued comedian at Vinnie Favorito perform at their legendary Donny & Marie Osmond Venue which was filled with memorabilia!
11. ARIA Resort and Casino
The 5-star resort is set in a sleek complex of multiple buildings on the central Strip and offers a plush casino floor complete with every attraction from traditional slots to more high-stakes cards (so there is something for every indulgence)!
The chic and modern rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows which show off the stunning views of the surrounding strip – especially at night – and the décor is trendy and minimalist, allowing the sublime panorama to talk for itself.
Facilities at this contemporary resort are endless and include indulgent spa treatments, three outdoor pools surrounded by palm trees, a super-luxe mall, live entertainment, a wide range of restaurants, rounds of golf, and fine art collections. There is seemingly nothing that the ARIA can’t turn its hand to!
My highlights…
- I loved all the fine art and impressive sculptures from acclaimed artists – I was especially taken with the large, abstract bronze sculpture “Reclining Connected Forms” by British artist Henry Moore which greeted me just outside the entrance!
12. The Bellagio
The on-strip hotel made famous by Ocean’s Eleven is modeled on the picturesque Italian lakeside village of the same name.
Both inside and outside of the much loved and exceptionally rated 5-star resort, you can expect huge attention to detail, with Italian-style gardens, an art collection that runs to Renoirs, elaborate mosaic floors, and top-end designer boutique stores.
And that’s not forgetting their huge sprawling casino, spa, no less than five outdoor pools, gym, multiple plush restaurants and bars, and legendary dancing fountain shows.
Their rooms and suites? Well expect very elegant rooms with marble bathrooms, tasteful art and at the top-end, private elevator access, whirlpool tubs, and even personal butlers – phew!
My personal highlights…
- I loved window shopping at all the high-end boutiques especially the stylish Italian jewelry at BVLGARI and the designer swimwear at Capri.
13. The Luxor
I love the different wow-inducing Egypt theme here (and in Vegas, that’s saying something)! The ever-popular Luxor Resort on the central Strip is an Aladdin’s cave of kitsch, where a gigantic Sphinx welcomed me to a 30-story Egyptian pyramid made of black glass and into the world’s largest lobby.
Rooms at this vibrant Nevada hotel are designed to resemble the interior of a pyramid—giant pharaoh statues adorn the lobby, and a huge pool is framed by towering temple columns.
Want more? The fun casino, spa, great range of drinking and dining options, and sumptuous suites complete with soaking tubs and wet bars should more than please you!
My highlights…
- Sipping on a potent “Desert Mirage” cocktail which came with tequila, cactus juice and agave nectar in a luxury poolside cabana!
14. The Venetian
They seem to have a thing about Italy in Vegas and this much-loved, five-star resort, which strangely manages to be both themed and elegant at the same time.
Located in the middle of the main Strip, Venetian Resort is a seemingly endless place with a visually striking exterior and gulp-inducing interiors that look spookily similar to the famous Italian city on which it’s based.
Aside from lush rooms and suites (which come with soaking tubs and all the mod cons), expect no less than 20 restaurants, 10 outdoor pools, an expensive spa, a lively casino, a swish shopping mall, elaborate frescoes, gondoliers meandering down shop-lined canals, and detailed sculptured figures—which I think look very much like the real thing!
With huge attention to detail, they have even trained pigeons to flap around its piazza!
My favorite highlights…
- The fine Italian cuisine! I especially loved the traditional Eggplant Parmigiana and the freshly baked focaccia and olive Sourdough at the onsite BRERA osteria restaurant.
15. New York, New York
This is another quirky place located amid all the craziness of the Strip, which I love has gone all out of the theme – the architecture is meant to evoke the New York City skyline, and inside, you’ll find scaled-down replicas of New York landmarks, including the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and Statue of Liberty!
No detail is forgotten at the 4-star spot and in the main lobby, the streets of ‘Greenwich Village’ have their very own fire hydrants, fake graffiti, and New York-style delis.
In my opinion, lux lovers will love the sophisticated rooms with marble bathrooms, party-goers will go wild for the weekend DJs and go-go dancers and adrenaline junkies will lap up the roller coaster that swoops and swirls around the exterior buildings!
My personal highlights…
- Eating one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever tasted in Greenberg’s Deli in their Village Street Eateries (which even came with cobbled style road and street lamps) – it came overflowing with pickled red onions, arugula and carrot ginger vinaigrette!
