Las Vegas, once a place exclusively for high rollers and seedier characters, has evolved into one of the top vacation destinations in the world. Most people booking travel
to Las Vegas choose to stay in the area that offers a wide variety of hotels, restaurants, casinos and live entertainment. This four mile stretch of roadway from downtown Las Vegas to Tropicana Avenue is known as the Las Vegas Strip. What does the Las Vegas Strip have to offer a traveler in the way of accommodations and amenities?
Caesar’s Palace. One of the most popular hotels on the Vegas Strip is Caesar’s Palace. A person staying at this four star hotel will be in awe of its Romanesque statues and fountains. Employees in the hotel and casino are often dressed in the form of famous Romans such as Julius Caesar. A vacationer can also visit the Forum Shops which boast a number of exclusive stores. If a person opts for relaxation, he or she should look no further than the Garden of the Gods. This serene section of the hotel has three swimming pools and two outdoor spas. Caesar’s Palace currently has over 2,600 rooms spread across forty floors. However, the hotel will open its Augustus Tower in late 2005, adding even more accommodations to its palatial grounds.
Mirage. The Mirage is world renowned for two reasons. The fifty-four foot volcano outside the hotel erupts on different schedules throughout the day. The Mirage was also home for a number of years to the infamous Siegfried and Roy act. A person visiting this 4 ½ star resort will appreciate the indoor rainforest which gives the hotel a tropical feel. The Secret Garden, with its rare white tigers and other creatures, is a favorite destination for adults and children alike.
Treasure Island. The thirty-six floor Treasure Island Hotel and Casino gives a vacationer the feel that he or she is visiting the Caribbean Islands. The hotel, another 4 ½ star retreat, boasts two wedding chapels on premises. A couple can even opt to exchange vows on a pirate ship in the hotel. For those wanting to see live entertainment, Treasure Island offers “Sirens”. This infamous show is produced every night in front of the hotel.
The Venetian. A person looking for a touch of Italy should opt to stay at the Venetian. Only suites are available at this five star hotel. Although the Venetian’s 120,000 square foot casino and 500,000 square foot Congress Center is impressive, there is still much more that the hotel offers. Madame Tussaud’s first American wax museum was opened at the Venetian. A person can visit the 65,000 square foot museum and view a number of infamous figures. The Venetian also has the Grand Canal Shoppes. This 500,000 square foot mall is adorned with a quarter mile Venetian Street and canal. A visitor can opt to use one of the gondolas to navigate through the waterway.
Harrahs. Harrahs is a more family oriented hotel. The premises boast 2,600 rooms over thirty-five floors and a 103,000 square foot casino. A visitor can enjoy live entertainment, comedy acts and shopping while visiting the hotel’s indoor/outdoor bar. This unique bar is the only one of its kind in Las Vegas.
Imperial Palace. Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, the Imperial Palace is the ideal place for budget conscious travelers and/or families. This affordable hotel has 2,700 rooms spread over nineteen floors. One of the strip’s favorite nightspots is also located at the Imperial Palace. Legends offers a variety of shows performed by celebrity impersonators of Elvis Presley, Cher, Elton John and the Beatles.
Flamingo Hilton. This First Class Three Star hotel was first constructed in 1946 and was renovated in 1995. The hotel’s décor consists of lagoons, fountains and pink flamingos. Its 80,000 square foot casino as well as its live performances, consisting of infamous R & B artists, will keep any traveler entertained.
Barbary Coast. A vacationer looking for that “home away from home” feel should consider staying at the Barbary Coast. The hotel’s reputation for comfort and hospitality is second to none. Visitors will be able to relax in the hotel’s décor consisting of textured wallpaper, various pieces of artwork and etched glass.
Bellagio. This luxurious, European styled hotel was opened in October 1998. A person will be in awe when he or she watches various water performances that take place in front of the Bellagio. Over 1,000 fountains culminate into a masterpiece of water art. A visitor looking for serenity and relaxation can visit the Bellagio’s Botanical Gardens. The hotel is also home to the latest Cirque Du Soleil production, “O”.
Boardwalk Hotel and Casino. This business traveler and family friendly hotel currently has 653 rooms on sixteen floors. The Boardwalk offers guests affordable rooms as well as an ideal location to access all of the Vegas Strip’s attractions.
Monte Carlo. For a flair of Monaco and turn of the century European style, a person should visit the Monte Carlo. Its décor of chandeliers, marble and fountains gives a vacationer a taste of the old world. This four star hotel has over 3,000 rooms situated on thirty-five floors and is also home to a Victorian theater that seats approximately 1,200 people. For a bit of relaxation, a person can opt to float along Easy River, one of the wave pools at the hotel, or visit the Pub and Brewery on the premises.
New York New York. This replica of the New York skyline has the tallest casino in the state of Nevada. The hotel and casino has twelve towers resembling landmarks of the eastern city. A replica of the Statue of Liberty that stands 150 feet high as well as a 300 foot copy of the Brooklyn Bridge is found here. The hotel is adorned in a 1930’s style and is home to two of the strip’s favorite nightspots. A person can see live entertainment in the Empire Bar or experience the charm of the old New York pub at the Bar at Times Square.
Ballys. This popular travel destination is located at the center of the Las Vegas Strip. Built in 1973, Bally’s was renovated in 2000 and boasts 2,814 rooms. The hotel also has a 70,000 square foot casino and is renowned for having the first ever $1,000 slots.
Paris. A person wanting to experience the elegant Parisian style should plan a visit to the Paris hotel. This four star hotel offers unique boutiques, exquisite décor and exceptional dining. A replica of the Eiffel Tower can be found at the hotel. Scenes of Paris are shown throughout the casino.
Aladdin. This 4 ½ star, luxury hotel is actually a thirty-four acre resort. The hotel’s 2,600 rooms and marble décor give way to a 100,000 square foot casino and 500,000 square foot area of shopping and dining. Aladdin is also home to the Theater of Performing Arts. This 7,000 seat theater provides most of Aladdin’s live entertainment.
MGM Grand. The MGM Grand is located at the very end of the Las Vegas Strip. The hotel is ideal for the traveler looking for fun and rejuvenation. The Grand Spa is a state of the art facility located on the hotel’s premises and guarantees a relaxing experience for the weary. The MGM Grand is home to one of the strip’s favorite attractions. A thirty-three acre theme park, complete with rides, can be found here. The hotel also has a 170,000 square foot casino and its video mall is the largest in the world.
Excalibur Hotel. A person wanting to travel back to medieval times, when swords and sorcery were in full play, should consider the Excalibur Hotel. With its castles and Renaissance feel, the Excalibur is ideal for families with young children. The hotel was renovated in 1999 and currently has over 4,000 rooms.
Luxor. The pyramid shaped Luxor offers travelers a feel for ancient Egypt. Built in 1993, the Luxor is unique in the fact that it connects to two nearby hotels. A guest at the Luxor can use the hotel’s monorail to travel to and from the Mandalay Bay. Those wishing to travel to the Excalibur Hotel can use the hotel’s moving sidewalk. Luxor is home to the world famous Blue Man Group who perform in the hotel’s theater and boasts an IMAX theater and King Tut museum. One of the top restaurants, Isis, is also located at Luxor.
Mandalay Bay. This tropical themed hotel is not only renowned for its unique architecture, but also for its water park. The park is situated over 11 acres and contains a number of pools. Its simulated beaches are considered the best in Vegas.
Tropicana. The Tropicana is one of the best known and oldest hotels on the strip. A variety of entertainers have performed at the hotel in its long history. Today, the longest running show in Las Vegas, Folies Bergere, is found at the Tropicana. The 3 ½ star hotel has 1,874 rooms and is also home to the Casino Legends Hall of Fame.
