The
following list is my own personal opinion of some of the main hotels
along the strip based on a combination of first-hand experience of
staying and/or visiting them and further information and feedback
I’ve gleaned over the past few years.
I
should also state that whilst I have used the hotel’s actual star
rating as a guide, I have adjusted some ratings slightly to try and
give a truer reflection. For example, both the MGM Grand and Luxor
are technically 4 star properties. However, in my mind the MGM Grand
is a superior property in terms of its all round amenities and
rooms (since they’ve been upgraded).
These
are the main hotels and resorts listed in order from the south to the
north end of the strip based:
Mandalay
Bay (4.5 star)
For
- Pool, Casino, lovely all-round property, goo range of restaurants,
big suite rooms
Against
– Location
Would
I stay there? – Yes (I have), would do again if a very good deal
was available, but offers very hard to find here
Luxor
(3.5 star)
For
– cheap, certainly not the worst 4 star resort on strip
Against
– it’s had its day, dark casino
Would
I stay there? – No, I’d find a comparable price in a better
location mid-strip
Excalibur
(3 star)
For
– very cheap, easy access to Mandalay Bay Luxor, NYNY and MGM
Against
– Not the best all round location, lacks glamour, budget end resort
Would
I stay there? - No
New
York New York (4 star)
For
– Great party vibe, lots of American style eateries, fun for
younger crowd, relatively cheap
Against
– not best suited to couples or older travellers, can be over
boisterous
Would
I stay there? – Yes, if on a trip with the boys and the price was
right
MGM
Grand (4 star)
For
– great pools, recently refurbished rooms, good all-rounder, easy
access to Monorail
Against
– too big for many, takes a long time to walk from room to strip
Would
I stay there? – Yes, I have and would do again
Monte
Carlo (4 star)
For
– location, recently upgraded rooms, good food court for cheap food, nice pool, tram
connection to City Centre and Bellagio
Against
– rooms a bit tired
Would
I stay there? – Yes, I’d definitely consider it at the right
price
Mandarin Oriental (5 star)
Unable
to comment as never visited. However, understand it is a top-end,
non-casino hotel aimed particularly at the business traveller
Planet
Hollywood (4 star)
For
– Location, great party atmosphere, good option for the younger
crowd
Against
– Possibly too lively and boisterous for couples and those not
looking to party
Vdara
(5 star)
For
– modern, lovely rooms, a non-casino option if that’s what you’re
after
Against
– you’d miss that true Vegas experience
Would
I stay there – no, despite how nice the property is, my personal
preference is for a casino hotel
Aria
(5 star)
For
– very modern property with all mod-cons and great facilities,
monorail to Bellagio and Monte Carlo
Against
– not much, although staying in the City Center complex may leave
you feeling slightly detached from the action
Paris
(4 star)
For
– a nice all-rounder, good location, nice French feel and eateries
Against
– Nothing in particular, possibly lacks a bit of x-factor for the
prices usually found
Would
I stay there? – Possible at the right price, but if price is
approaching comparable to The Venetian, I’d definitely stay there
Bellagio
(5 star)
For
– reputation, location, recently refurbished rooms, beautiful
resort with pools to match
Against
– It’s been surpassed by other properties in the luxury and ‘wow’
factor stakes
Would
I stay there? – Having stayed there once, I don't think I'd stay again. I’ve
nothing against the Bellagio at all, it is beautiful, but I’d
choose another high-end property instead next tine.
Bally’s
(3.5 star)
For
– mid-strip location and as a result may suit those on a budget
Against
– Bally’s is very ‘vanilla’ – I can’t think of what its
selling point is
Would
I stay there? – No. I don’t necessarily have anything against
Bally’s but it has never crossed my mind once to stay there when
there are so many other options
Flamingo
(3.5 star)
For
– location, pool (but it can get crowded)
Against
– Many rooms are tired, opinion seems to be to go for a GO room
(although they look a little garish for my taste)
Would
I stay there? – No, pretty much as per my comments for Bally’s
Caesars
Palace (4.5 star)
For
– history, lovely sprawling property with Caesars Shoppes Mall
adjoining
Against
– reputation resulting in inflated prices. Be wary of which
tower/room you book as many rooms are old and not reflected in their
price
Would
I stay there? – Yes, I think if the price was right in one of the
newer towers/rooms....which is a big if
The
Linq (3 star)
For
– Considerably better than it's predecessor Imperial Palace. An option for those on a tight budget who want a great location
Against
– This hotel was previously Imperial Palace and although
the place has been completely renovated, the phrase ‘lipstick
on a pig’ springs to mind
Would
I stay there? – Pretty certainly not
Harrah’s
(3 star)
For
– Bustling budget end property, more old-school Vegas feel, great
location, hidden gems of restaurants, Monorail station
Against
– the rooms don’t appear to be anything to write home about
Would
I stay there? – Probably not due to the rooms, but I like visiting
here
Mirage (4 star)
For
– pretty much everything, my personal all-round favourite property
Against
– Maybe the bathrooms are a little small (that’s how nit-picky I
have to be)
Would
I stay there? – Absolutely yes, and have done on 3 occasions and
wouldn’t hesitate to go again
Venetian
(5 star)
For
– gorgeous property, something for everyone, all-suite rooms,
lovely pools, great restaurants
Against
– Having stayed here twice I really would be splitting hairs to
find fault
Would
I stay there? – Yes, I’ve stayed twice and wouldn’t hesitate to
go back a third time
Palazzo
(5 star)
For
– see Venetian (its sister property)
Against
– possibly slightly too far north on the strip for a first-time
visitor
Would
I stay there? – Yes, but I think I’d always just favour The
Venetian due to its location
Treasure
Island (4 star)
For
– A good 4 star all-rounder (don’t let the cheesy facade put you
off!), nice rooms, good atmosphere, free connecting tram to Mirage
Against
– nothing in particular,
Would
I stay there? – Yes, although unless the price was markedly
cheaper, I’d choose the Mirage
Wynn
(5 star)
For
– gorgeous 5 star property with amazing rooms, think 21st
century Bellagio
Against
– maybe too high-end (read snobby) for some if high-end designer
shops aren’t for you
Would
I stay there? – Yes, although I’d likely need a good deal to lure
me to its north-strip location
Encore
(5 star)
For
– sister property of the Wynn and equally as posh, particularly as the already amazing rooms have been refreshed
Against
– another 5-10 minutes north up the strip from the Wynn
Would
I stay there? – Yes, and I have. The hotel is gorgeous, but I
would need a very good deal to lure me back so far north up the strip
Circus
Circus (3 star)
For
– very cheap (Vegas's original Mega Casino grind joint) but not much else (aside from the steak restaurant which
is supposed to be excellent)
Against
– a fair bit, not a great property and in an even worse location
Stratosphere
(3.5 star)
For
– Cheap, not too bad a hotel, however;
Against
– bad location and you would need a bus/taxi to get to the heart of
the strip
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