The 11 Best Hotels in Las Vegas

Caesars Palace is practically synonymous with Las Vegas. The sprawling Strip hotel evokes classic Vegas with its luxurious Garden of the Gods pool complex and expansive casino. The establishment is also a haven for foodies, as it hosts a roster of popular restaurants and bars owned by the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Giada De Laurentiis, Bobby Flay and Lisa Vanderpump. Caesars is worth visiting for the Bacchanal Buffet alone, which features a seemingly endless selection of upscale items and serves 275 people per hour.

The Palms had a major moment in the early aughts (the first Las Vegas season of MTV’s The Real World filmed here), and over a decade later, it’s having a bit of a renaissance thanks to a $620 million (£483 million) renovation. The property is home to a ton of Damien Hirst art, including a 60ft-tall (18m) headless demon sculpture that towers above the resort’s pool. The hotel also impresses with award-winning restaurants such as Scotch 80 Prime, Vetri Cucina and Greene Street Kitchen, a speakeasy-style spot with Banksy artwork inside. If you can swing it, book a room with a private infinity pool.

Wynn Las Vegas and its sister property, Encore, beckon luxury travelers with a signature curved design that holds a plethora of dining, nightlife and entertainment options. Book a room with unparalleled Strip views and head to Encore Beach Club for one of the wildest pool parties in Sin City. If you’re looking for a show, Le Rêve is a mesmerizing, water-centric performance that rivals Cirque du Soleil. The Wynn is also home to upscale shopping and fine-dining restaurants.

If you’re the go-big-or-go-home type, the MGM Grand might be the right place for you. Located on the southern end of the Strip, this hotel is like its own city, complete with thousands of rooms. Step inside the emerald-colored building, and you’ll find the world’s largest nightclub, Hakkasan, rooftop golfing at Topgolf, restaurants from Masaharu Morimoto, Michael Mina and Jöel Robuchon, plus a 6.5-acre (3ha) pool complex with a lazy river and cabana rentals. For the ultimate high roller, MGM Grand’s The Mansion is an invite-only hotel-within-a-hotel experience that comprises 29 villas that range from 2,400 to 12,000sqft (223 to 1,115sqm).

The former site of the Monte Carlo got a huge makeover and became the Park MGM. This south Strip hotel is home to the Park Theater, a 5,200-seat space where you can catch Lady Gaga, Aerosmith, Cher, Janet Jackson, Bruno Mars and other big names. The hotel’s intimate nightclub On the Record is another great spot for entertainment. Food enthusiasts will enjoy Park MGM’s restaurant collection, which includes Italian marketplace Eataly, Roy Choi’s Korean barbecue joint Best Friend and the whimsical, French-inspired Primrose.

True to its name, this pink-hued hotel in the center of the Strip is home to an actual flock of Chilean flamingos. The free Flamingo Wildlife Habitat is one highlight, but there are plenty of other things to love about this freshly renovated resort. The waterfall- and palm-studded GO Pool Dayclub has become a summertime party spot in recent years, and the resort’s easy proximity to the restaurant and shops at the LINQ Promenade is also a notable feature. The Flamingo also has the distinction of being the oldest operating hotel on the Strip, making it an excellent option for those who love Las Vegas history.

The former Mandarin Oriental has smoothly transitioned into the equally luxurious Waldorf Astoria. This sleek, elegant CityCenter hotel is perfect for Las Vegas travelers who prefer chilled martinis to foot-long margaritas and relaxing spa treatments to pulsing nightclubs. Treat yourself to a sky-high room with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer sweeping views of the city, and wake up for afternoon tea service on the 23rd floor Tea Lounge. Head to the 27,000sqft (2,508sqm) spa, and enjoy a massage in one of the 16 treatment rooms with glimpses of the neon lights below. Afterward, savor dinner at the acclaimed Twist by Pierre Gagnaire.

LINQ is more than just a hotel. It’s an experience with all the trimmings. Pool parties, a zip line, magic shows, a Ferris wheel, a bowling alley, comedy gigs and rock-and-roll concerts are all part of the stay at the LINQ. That’s not even mentioning the restaurants, established by famous chefs Gordon Ramsay and Guy Fieri. Then, as with most places in Las Vegas, it provides its fair share of jackpots and interactive games. The sleek bedrooms are modern and tidy, and there’s a pool and spa within the complex as well.