ONE TANK GETAWAYS © | Enjoying The Suite Life Off Of The Las Vegas Strip

The revamping of the hotel (formerly the Lady Luck Casino) located along 3rd Street and East Ogden Avenue seems to suggest that it serves as an anchor of the renaissance taking place in the historical neighborhood. The two Downtown Grand Hotel and Casino Las Vegas residence towers are a block from the Fremont Experience Open Mall. The mall is becoming a hip place for locals to hang out, and in the evening it becomes a bit of a street carnival. There are folks dressed in costumes and paint, as well as sculpture artists and hilarious puppeteers, whose characters include the likeness of Michael Jackson and Sammy Davis Jr. There are also a few incredible sidewalk musicians. When you visit the downtown neighborhood, don’t pass up a chance to ride the zip-line across the mall. What a rush!

During your visit to the Downtown Grand Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, you will find the grounds and the people to be inviting and genuinely friendly. Upon arrival, a courteous valet will graciously give you directions to room registration and an overview of the property’s amenities. The hotel’s City Suite is absolutely dreamy. The décor is reminiscent of the bright and colorful swinging 1960s but with the added splash of today’s boutique style comforts. This 720-square-foot suite offers everything you might want for a comfortable stay. For an even more luxurious home-away-from-home experience, the hotel offers a larger 1120-square-foot suite. The Grand Suite, as it known, comes with separate bedroom quarters, a bar, a spa and large family and friends gathering space and a pretty sensational view of the area.

The Downtown Grand Hotel and Casino Las Vegas is across the street from the renowned Mob Museum. Walking into the museum is like taking a time machine ride to old Las Vegas. It features everything from the origins of some of the town’s casinos, over the top glitzy lounge shows, law enforcement G-men and their clashes with organized crime mobsters.

The hotel also offers both casual and fine dining. And an added bonus: Wi-Fi is free! For folks who enjoy spending part of their day in and by the water, the hotel offers a roof top pool with cabanas and attentive bar and drink service. The casino area is small but it’s filled with all of the popular games and machines that make Las Vegas so much fun for so many people. And it’s all just a One Tank Getaway drive from Los Angeles!

Downtown Grand Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, 206 N. 3rd Street, Las Vegas, NV, USA, +1 702-719-5100

Take a quick 11-mile drive west of the Las Vegas Strip along Interstate 215 and there you will find the desert oasis The Red Rock Casino and Spa in the community of Summerlin. The setting of this 70-acre property blends in almost perfectly with the nearby picturesque Red Rock Canyon area. Not even top Hollywood set designers could create such an awesome backdrop for hotel guests. One of the first things you’ll notice when entering the hotel is the lighting. Natural light peers inside, creating a warm, inviting home-like atmosphere, especially near the registration desk and adjacent hospitality lounge.

The hotel’s Signature Suites are over 1000 square feet, and afford quality rest. The room’s color scheme of rich burgundy and dark tones are surprisingly soothing. The king size bed topped with super soft Egyptian cotton sheets is dreamy, lulling you into a truly restful night’s sleep. There are also more luxurious apartment-sized suites, with amenities fit for a head of state. There is Zen, a spa with the atmosphere of a tropical rain forest and an opulent swimming pool, with luxurious cabanas. There are clothing and jewelry boutiques, a food court, a fine dining restaurant, movie theater, gaming machines and tables, kids’ day care center for guests and even a posh bowling lounge and bar. Some professional sports stadiums don’t offer skyboxes on the caliber of this kind of luxury. To paraphrase the Red Rock Hotel Management, “should you desire luxury and comfort, we’ve already thought of it, and yes we have that too, just ask us.” After spending a couple of days, it’s hard to leave. Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa, 11011 West Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV, +1 702-797-7777

The Rio is an iconic area hotel located a short hop west of the famous Las Vegas Strip and west of Interstate 15. Its red and blue glass siding easily identifies this hotel. The property is large but maintains a friendly vibe. This hotel is the host casino for the World Series of Poker, and most recently the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) first ever Player’s Award Show.The folks who work here are quite down to earth and pleasant, and talking with the veteran employees is enjoyable and informative. Just about everything that you might want to know about Las Vegas is at their fingertips. They say they’ve seen and heard just about everything, so no matter how outrageous guests’ requests might seem they don’t flinch, but offer friendly guidance.

There are more than 2500 suites in this expansive hotel. The suites stretch from a spacious 600-square-feet to whopping 13,000 square feet. Each one of them is well appointed to make your stay fabulous. For true gamers/gamblers, this property is a gem. Food-wise, this hotel has something for just about everyone. The Carnival Buffet is especially recommended; “delicious” doesn’t begin to describe some of the dishes offered at this seemingly endless array of food fare. All of the familiar table games are here, along with unique electronic gaming machines. The Rio All Suites Hotel, like many properties in town, are constantly updating and improving their guest experiences. Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino, 3700 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV, USA, +1 866-746-7671
By Teresa and Paul Lowe