The Best Casino Hotels in Las Vegas

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Casino croupier shuffling cards

There are over 100 casinos in Las Vegas, from Downtown to the Sin City limits, with the majority (nearly 50 of ‘em) congregated in and around the mega-resorts that line Las Vegas Boulevard, aka the all-singing, all-dancing, all-neon Strip. Most visitors to Vegas will want to experience at least one of these glitzy gambling dens, with their cavernous interiors and enticing range of games that runs the gamut from 20c slots to significantly higher stakes at the blackjack, roulette and poker tables. But which are the best casino hotels in Las Vegas, and what sets them apart from the rest? We took a deep dive to find out…

Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for Beginners

Woman playing the slots in Las Vegas

Never played blackjack before? Fear not: many casinos in Las Vegas have tables for beginners, where the minimum stakes are lower (generally around $5) and staff are on hand to help you understand the rules of each game and provide tips and guidance on potentially winning strategies.

Medieval meets modern at Excalibur, located near Harry Reid Airport at the Strip’s southern end. Like many Sin City hotels, Excalibur is not without its gimmicks, in this case eye-catching technicolor turrets and an epic dinner show complete with knights, kings, horses and a medieval banquet. As well as having some of the most beginner-friendly casino tables in town (including free lessons), there are also – deep breath – four pools, a spa, several shows, and more bars and restaurants than you can shake a very large jousting lance at.

Honorable mention: Further into the heart of the Strip, the Bellagio mega-resort is a rather more glamorous and upscale cousin to Excalibur, and offers free lessons as well as other discounts and bonuses for novice players.

Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for Old-School Charm

Statue at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

Opened in the swinging sixties, Caesars Palace has been a Rat Pack haunt, a blockbuster boxing venue and a movie set in its time. In other words, you can expect some real old-school vibes here. And we mean really old-school: as the name suggests the theme is seriously Roman, all flamboyant Corinthian columns, winged cherubs and – yup – a 20-foot statue of Augustus Caesar. The Garden of the Gods pool complex is fit for an emperor; likewise the Qua Baths & Spa (24-karat gold collagen facial massage, anyone?). Guests can have a flutter at the Fortuna pool’s swim-up tables or make for the glitzy casino proper, where well over a thousand slot machines and nearly 200 tables await.

This is a resort that has hosted names including Sinatra, Liberace and Madonna down the years, so you just know the caliber of entertainment is going to be high. Dine in decadent restos including Gordon Ramsay and Nobu and decimate your blackjack winnings at the Forum shops, where over 200 luxury boutiques sport the kind of price tags that might make Caligula himself blush.

Honorable mention: The oldest continuously operating resort on the Strip, the Flamingo promises old-school charm by the bucketload, plus plenty of pink neon and real-live flamingoes.

Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for Glamming it Up

Cocktail glass with red dice in it

Bellagio is where it's at if you want to go full Bond and sashay onto the floor in your finest designer three-piece suits and cocktail dresses. Steel your nerves over a classic martini in the plush Lily Lounge, with views of the gaming floor, then head down to hit the tables or – for seasoned high rollers only – make for the exclusive high-limit poker lounge.

Of course, the Bellagio is known as much for its spectacular fountain display as its poker tables. Get ringside seats for this epic show at Wolfgang Puck’s flagship Spago restaurant or head over to upscale PRIME for a perfectly seared wagyu filet.

And that’s not all. Of course it isn’t! Bellagio also counts a gallery of fine art, a botanical garden, five swimming pools, a Cirque du Soleil show and boutiques from the likes of Bulgari, Cartier and Dior among its many attractions. Glam or what?

Honorable mention: Mandalay Bay ain’t no slouch in the glamor stakes either, boasting 20+ ritzy restaurants and cocktail lounges, a nightclub, an 11-acre pool complex and – natch – a sprawling casino.

Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for the Pool Scene

Friends partying at the pool

Should you happen to be in Vegas during party season (March to October) – and, frankly, why wouldn’t you be? – you’ll likely want to spend at least some of your time lounging by the pool, pina colada in hand. Glitzy Mandalay Bay is the daddy when it comes to the Sin City pool scene. We’re talking a whopping 11-acre complex that includes a man-made beach, an absolutely enormous wave pool, the laziest of lazy rivers and oodles of private cabanas and gazebos to rent for your day out. A beach bar and grill and several cocktail bars mean you’ll never be far from your next burger or margarita, and the people-watching opportunities here are pretty much second-to-none.

Honorable mention: the legendary Golden Nugget. Sure, there are bigger and better pool complexes all over Vegas, but do any of them have a water slide that goes right through the middle of a 200,000-gallon shark tank? No, dear reader, they do not.

Best Las Vegas Casino Hotels for Entertainment

Gondolier at the Venetian in Las Vegas

Entertainment in Las Vegas often seems to be a supersized game of one-upmanship. Dancing fountains not spectacular enough for ya? Fear not: there’s an exploding volcano out front of the Mirage, a replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris, and a recreation of Venice’s Grand Canal – complete with singing gondoliers at The Venetian. It’s the last of these sprawling mega-resorts that nabs our entertainment crown, largely thanks to the 2023 addition of Sphere, an eye-popping globe-shaped venue that, with the ever-changing motion graphics that ripple across its facade, is a show all by itself. Sphere’s immersive experiences coupled with A-list names at Voltaire (Willie Nelson, Diana Ross, Steely Dan and Kylie, to name just a few) make for quite the roster of top-flight entertainment.

Honorable mention: Wynn Encore. Superb theatrical performances, legendary musicians, celebrity DJs, and direct access to the Las Vegas High Roller for the win/Wynn.

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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solo tourist at the Bellagion fountains in Las Vegas
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Things to do alone in Las Vegas

We’re all familiar with Las Vegas’ reputation as a party town – groups of friends drinking together, showgirls performing to large, cheering audiences and rich and famous celebrities gambling obscenely large quantities of money while sipping cocktails are images we’re all familiar with. But these are stereotypes, and only represent one side of this city. For those traveling here alone there’s plenty to do and see if we’re willing to look beyond the obvious, and not just during the day. Some of the best Vegas solo activities include: Hop-on Hop-off bus tour Day trips Rockstar Club or Pool Party Tour An immersive evening show Downtown walking tour Museum visits Taking a class Take the Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Tour You don’t have to be alone to do a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour, but it doesn’t matter if you are, because someone else does all the talking. The Vegas Big Bus Tour covers all the important stops, including the Bellagio Fountains, Treasure Island, Excalibur and the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, so you can use it as a handy transport option between attractions, but if you’re on your own why not sit back and enjoy the whole tour, learning about the Vegas Strip, Downton and how the town got the nickname ‘Sin City’. The whole trip takes about 2.5 hours and is a great way to get your bearings in a place that can be overwhelming on the first visit. There’s also a Big Bus Night Tour, so you can enjoy all the same sights again, only this time it’ll be painted neon. Escape on a day trip It may be in the middle of the desert, but that doesn’t mean the area around Vegas is deserted. In fact, it’s surrounded by breath-taking natural wonders of surprising variety with opportunities for hiking, canoeing and outdoor yoga, to name a few. Most of them can only be reached by road, so why not on a coach tour, when you get the double benefit of not having to worry about logistics and the chance to meet a bus load of awesome people. If you have a Go City attraction pass, you can take a full-day trip to the Grand Canyon which includes park entry and takes you past Lake Mead, the picture-perfect reservoir formed by nearby Hoover Dam, El Tovar, Hopi House, Kolb Photo Studio and the Bright Angel Trail. And of course there’s a walk to the canyon’s South Rim, the deepest, widest and most photographed part of the landscape. If you’ve already done the Grand Canyon, there’s also Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks and Hoover Dam and the Black Canyon tours you can try. Party like a Rockstar There’s no reason to hide away in Vegas if you’re on your own when the sun goes down – instead, get your dancing shoes on and make some cool new friends on a Vegas Rockstar Nightclub Tour. Meet your host at a premier Ultra Lounge on the famous Las Vegas strip, and then spend the next five hours feeling like a VIP as you get to skip the line at three of Vegas’ most famous clubs. You’ll travel between clubs in the luxurious Limo Party Bus, which has a complimentary bar on board, so the conversation should be flowing! Or if you prefer to party in the daylight hours, how about a Rockstar Pool Party? You’ll get the same VIP treatment, and the same luxury limo with open bar, but this time you’ll meet at a day pool club, tour the Vegas Strip and be dropped off at one of Vegas’ hottest pool parties – and by the time you get there, you’ll have a limo full of new friends to party with! Be immersed in a show Just because you’re on your own doesn’t mean you should miss all the fun in Vegas, and an essential part of that is going to see a show. Plus, Vegas shows are so immersive that you’ll forget you’re by yourself anyway! With Go City, you can choose to spend the evening laughing the night away at L.A. Comedy Club at the STRAT, dancing and singing along to the Legends in Concert tribute acts, or reminiscing over The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil, which is a multi-sensory spectacle telling the story of the Beatles through their own songs with choreography, visuals and aerial acrobatics. Or you could experience the surprising combination of painting and percussion of the Blue Man Group, possibly getting a colorful splash in the process! Uncover the past on a Las Vegas walking tour Spend a couple of hours in the afternoon peering underneath the surface of the glitz and glamor of Vegas on a guided walking tour. Start at the corner of Fremont Street and Main Street, where Vegas was founded in 1905, and journey towards Downtown Vegas, learning about things like where the Rat Pack preferred to hang out and why the city is so full of wedding chapels. You’ll also discover where to spot things like the famous Golden Nugget, a piece of the Berlin Wall and 1870’s street lamps from Brussels. Plus with a walking tour it doesn’t matter if you’re on your own, because someone else is doing all the talking – though there’s nothing stopping you from making new friends at the food stops along the way! Get cultured Museums are a great place to visit solo because you don’t have to worry about keeping up with anyone – you just go at your own pace. You can concentrate on your audio guide as you go round ignoring everyone else, or pop in your headphones and block out the world with your favorite chill playlist. In Vegas, the museums are many and varied, so there’s bound to be something to pique your interest – choose from the Mob Museum, Natural History Museum, Hollywood Cars Museum and Liberace Garage, the Erotic History Museum, the Neon Museum or the National Atomic Testing Museum. Take a class Taking a class is a great way to meet other people, partly because there are usually plenty of opportunities for chatting, but also because you already have a shared interest in whatever the class is about. Plus there’s a good chance of meeting other solo travelers. As you’d expect, there are yoga, cooking and pottery classes, but in Vegas you can also learn a skill or two that might come in handy. For example, you could get some poker lessons before you hit the casinos, learn a few magic tricks, or even take a glass blowing class, where you can make your own souvenir to take home. Go solo with Go City Vegas has so many opportunities for the solo traveler, so there’s no need to feel lonely. And you can get even more out of your visit with a Go City All-Inclusive Pass, which lets you join in as many fun activities as you like!
Karleen Stevens
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Everything you need to know about Go City's Las Vegas passes

What happens in Vegas can happen anywhere with Go City. Whether you're marvelling at circus performers or soaking up the city lights, see more and save more with one of our flexible passes.
Beth Levicki
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Things to Do in Las Vegas in August 2018

There’s fun for everyone in Las Vegas! Whether you’re traveling with kids in tow, planning a romantic getaway, celebrating with friends, or going solo, there is a huge variety of different things to do in Vegas. If you’re looking for things to do in Las Vegas in August 2018, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including... High Roller Observation Wheel at the LINQ Hoover Dam Tour Stratosphere Observation Deck Plus VIP Access Rockstar Pool Party Tour and more... Save on Attraction Admission Regular admission to a number of these popular Las Vegas attractions are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 60% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Please note, the seasonal events taking place at these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included on the Go Las Vegas Card. If you want a bigger list of seasonal events, then check out our suggested things to do in Las Vegas in the summer. High Roller Observation Wheel at the LINQ: Daytime Pass Take a spin on the world's largest observation wheel! The ride is 30 minutes long and will provide you with 360 degree views of Las Vegas. There is also an outdoor dining, shopping, and entertainment outside at the LINQ, which is a great destination for all visitors. Getting In: Las Vegas High Roller Daytime tickets are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Hoover Dam Tour The Hoover Dam is one of the most famous American landmarks. It's also a testament to those who came to a harsh, barren land and built the structure to sustain themselves. At the Dam, visitors will have two hours to explore at their leisure. Upgrade to enjoy time in the Visitor's Center and/or a range-guided tour of the Dam. This is for sure one of my favorite things to do in Las Vegas in August (or really anytime of year). Getting In: Hoover Dam Tour tickets are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Stratosphere Observation Deck Plus VIP Access This iconic fixture in the Las Vegas skyline offers both indoor and outdoor observation decks for stunning 360-degree views of the city and beyond. The Stratosphere Observation Deck is the tallest freestanding tower in the United States. Getting In: Stratosphere Tower Las Vegas tickets are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Rockstar Pool Party Tour Party like a rock star at some of the best pool clubs in Las Vegas. Plus, you'll enjoy premium transportation on luxury party buses. On this tour, you will get to go from a pool party, to a limo party bus, then end at another pool party. Pool clubs are a distinctively Las Vegas thing, and are a great way to enjoy Vegas culture as you cool off! Getting In: Rockstar Pool Party Tour tickets are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Big Bus Las Vegas Tour Explore the sights of the Las Vegas strip on this double decker hop-on hop-off bus tour, narrated by knowledgeable and entertaining guides. It's a great way to get around, especially since you definitely do not want to be dealing with their notorious traffic! Getting In: Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Las Vegas tickets are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Downtown Las Vegas / Fremont Street Walking Tour By Antoine Taveneaux (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia CommonsTake a tour of downtown Las Vegas and the famed Fremont Street area to fully appreciate the cultural side of this eclectic city. It's a two-hour walking tour that escorts you past some of the most famous casinos, hotels, restaurants, and much more. You'll get to see the newly revitalized area of Fremont East, too, as well as the delightful Downtown Container Park (a good place to come back to later to visit on your own time). If you do decide to enjoy this tour, keep in mind that in the summer you'll for sure need a hat, sunblock, and sunglasses to protect you from the heat and sun! Getting In: Downtown Las Vegas / Fremont Street Walking Tour tickets are available on the Go Las Vegas Card. Local Sporting Events If you're a sports fan, you're in luck! Las Vegas has slowly but sure amassed a bunch of professional sports teams for you to cheer on during your visit. For starters, there's the USL team, Las Vegas Lights FC, who play in America's second tier of professional soccer. Their season includes matches in August. There's also the WNBA team, the Las Vegas Aces, who play at the Mandalay Bay Events Center through August. And while their season won't have started in August, the instantly-famous Las Vegas Golden Knights NHL team is one to watch out for if you're visiting in the fall or winter! Getting In: All local sporting events are separately ticketed and are not included with the Go Las Vegas Card. M&Ms World Las Vegas "My Color" Wall inside M&M'S WORLD® Las Vegas (Photo credit: M&M's WORLD® Las Vegas) Come to this monument of of colorful fun, the four-level M&Ms World Las Vegas is one of the sweetest retail-entertainment attractions around. You can get different things printed on M&Ms, pick up some cool merchandise and check out some cool exhibits. Getting In: Admission to the M&Ms World Las Vegas is free. Remember to Save on Attraction Admission There you go - plenty of fun ideas for things to do in Las Vegas in August. Remember, many of these great attraction options are included on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the seasonal events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Las Vegas Explorer Pass. Consider adding a few of these fun options to your August vacation itinerary.
Lindsay Eagan

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