The Best Casino Hotels In Las Vegas

Last Updated on 28th December 2023

This post about the best casino hotels in Las Vegas contains affiliate links.

The Best Casino Hotels In Las Vegas - Vegas Travel Guide

Las Vegas is a place that many people either love or hate and while I totally get that it’s not to everyone’s taste, I was so happy to discover that both Matt and I really enjoyed our time there.

Our three nights in Vegas also coincided with Matt’s 24th birthday while we were embarking on our epic 3-month road trip across the USA, so our time there was extra special as we made sure that we experienced so much of what Las Vegas has to offer.

If you’ve got an awesome trip planned to “Sin City” and you’re wondering about all the best things to do in Vegas, I’ve got you covered with my ultimate guide below to the best casino hotels in Las Vegas.

Where to stay in Las Vegas

Of course, you can stay in any of the casino hotels listed below, but unfortunately, you probably won’t be able to stay at all of them in just one trip!

We stayed at the SAHARA Las Vegas which was a fab place to base ourselves for the three nights/days that we were in the city. The hotel is very glamorous and luxurious, albeit not quite as luxe as the likes of the Bellagio and the Venetian, for example.

The room was a great size, with a huge comfy bed and our room even had a view of The STRAT Hotel which was super cool. The only slight qualm I had with the room was that the shower curtain didn’t go all the way down to the floor, which meant that the bathroom floor flooded every time the shower was used. This was a minor inconvenience for such a lovely hotel, however, and I would happily stay at the SAHARA again.

It was also one of the cheapest hotels in Las Vegas when we booked (at the end of February 2022) but it still felt very luxurious and beautiful.

Book a hotel in Las Vegas

The best casino hotels in Las Vegas

One very common misconception about Las Vegas and one that I certainly had myself before visiting, is that the only thing to do there is go gambling at all the casinos.

While of course, this is a huge part of the Las Vegas culture, it’s certainly not the only aspect of visiting the hotels and casinos in Vegas as there are so many other incredible things to see and do.

Even just walking through the casinos is an awesome experience in itself, especially if you come across a table with big money and high stakes; it’s very exciting to watch, although I don’t think I could ever commit to the amount of money that some people do when gambling!

Check out the best casino hotels in Vegas on the Strip!

1. Bellagio Resort & Casino – best casino hotels in Las Vegas

The Bellagio Resort & Casino is undoubtedly one of the best casino hotels in Las Vegas and it very well might just be my number one favourite.

It’s famed for its magnificent fountain show which I was worried would be incredibly overhyped but I was so happy to discover that it was everything and more and it’s a true highlight of visiting Las Vegas.

As well as the awesome fountains, the Bellagio also has one of the most beautiful hotel lobbies in Vegas and the entire hotel and casino is truly a remarkable feat of architecture. You could easily spend hours just walking around the hotel and getting lost inside the casino, people-watching, eating amazing food and generally just soaking up the vibrant and elegant atmosphere.

Bellagio Fountain display times:

Monday to Friday: every 30 minutes from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM and every 15 minutes from 7:00 PM to midnight.
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: every 30 minutes from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM and every 15 minutes from 7:00 PM to midnight.

Book a stay at the Bellagio Resort & Casino.

2. The Venetian Resort

The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas is another one of the best hotels and casinos on the Strip and one that you should definitely add to your Las Vegas bucket list.

I couldn’t believe how much it resembled Venice and walking through the actual canals inside the hotel, complete with the adorable bridges like you see in Venice, I felt like I was being transported back to my trip there in 2017!

The whole outside area of The Venetian Hotel also feels like a miniature Venice, with a replica of St Mark’s Square, St Mark’s Campanile and numerous canals and bridges that weave their way both inside and outside the resort complex.

Remember to look up as you’re walking through the hotel and casino as you’ll be treated to magical art on the ceiling and look out for the huge area inside near the canals where you’ll find the ceiling painted like a bright, blue sky; it truly is phenomenal.

Book a stay at The Venetian Las Vegas.

3. The Palazzo at The Venetian

Several of the hotels in Las Vegas have “twin” hotels and The Venetian/Palazzo at The Venetian is one of those.

Similarly to The Venetian, The Palazzo Hotel has a very “Venice” feel to it, with plenty of awesome bars and restaurants to enjoy. It’s easy to swap between the two hotels and I’d highly recommend spending time across both The Venetian and The Palazzo so that you get to experience as much as possible.

Book a stay at The Palazzo at The Venetian Las Vegas.

4. Caesars Palace

Caesars Palace is another one of the most iconic hotels in Las Vegas and as soon as I saw it, I completely understood why it’s so beloved and why it features in numerous hit Hollywood movies (such as The Hangover!).

Similarly to The Venetian, Caesars Palace obviously has a very Italian feel to it, although it’s very much Roman-inspired all throughout. From the grand hotel lobby to the incredible casino floor to all the wonderful restaurants located throughout, Caesars is without a doubt one of the best casino hotels in Las Vegas.

There are some true gems to be discovered throughout the hotel, including the Fountain of the Gods and The Atlantis Show. We also ate at the huge Cheesecake Factory which is located behind The Atlantis Show and even though there are hundreds of places to eat in Vegas, we knew we couldn’t experience them all and Matt had never been to the Cheesecake Factory so it was cool to dine there with him!

Book a stay at Caesars Palace.

5. Mandalay Bay – best casino hotels in Las Vegas

Mandalay Bay is yet another infamous hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip and you’ll find it at the very southern end of the Strip.

It’s renowned for hosting several sporting events, most notably boxing matches, but it’s also such a great hotel in itself. With a whopping 11-acre “beach” complete with an aquatic playground, including a wave pool, Lazy River and a lagoon, Mandalay Bay certainly doesn’t compromise on the glitz or glamour of Las Vegas life!

This truly is the epitome of a hotel resort, right on the Las Vegas Strip and I honestly think you could spend a full day at Mandalay Bay and not get bored!

We also ate at STRIPSTEAK at Mandalay Bay on Matt’s birthday which was one of the most incredible steak meals I’ve ever had in my life! We both had the 12oz Wagyu NY Strip steak which at $98 a steak, certainly isn’t cheap!

However, it was one of the very best steaks I’ve ever had and as it was a special occasion for Matt’s birthday, I was happy to splash out and spoil him! We also ordered lobster mashed potato ($19) as a side to share between us and this was absolutely unreal. It was a risky choice as neither of us had ever eaten lobster before, but we were so glad that we were “brave” and ordered it as it was genuine heaven!

Book a stay at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas.

6. Wynn & Encore Las Vegas

I’d never even heard of the Wynn before we arrived in Vegas, so I didn’t really know what to expect from it, but it actually turned out to be one of my favourite hotel casinos in Las Vegas.

It’s actually two sister hotels that make up this impressive hotel/casino on the Strip in Vegas; the Wynn and Encore Hotels. With two giant hotel towers comprising this magnificent resort, you’d be hard-pressed not to have a good time here.

Not only do the hotel rooms and suites look remarkable, but the lobby, casino and entertainment inside both the Wynn and Encore hotels are also fabulous and I couldn’t believe that I’d never heard of it before!

There are also some awesome shops at the Wynn if you’re interested in splurging on high-end fashion while you’re in the city.

Book a stay at the Wynn & Encore Hotels Las Vegas.

7. Excalibur Hotel & Casino

The Excalibur Hotel & Casino might just be one of the coolest-looking hotels on the Las Vegas Strip due to the fact that it looks like a real-life castle!

The inside of the hotel and casino wasn’t my absolute favourite but you can’t visit Vegas without checking out the exterior of this literal castle right in the heart of the Strip!

There are plenty of bars and restaurants at the Excalibur, plus tonnes of entertainment, including their infamous “Thunder from Down Under” show which is very Magic Mike-esque if you’re visiting Vegas on a hen do and want to partake in something fun and lighthearted with the girls…!

Book a stay at The Excalibur.

8. The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Skypod – best casino hotels in Las Vegas

The STRAT is another iconic hotel and casino in Las Vegas and it marks the very northern tip of the Strip. It’s super tall (1,149 feet!) and very noticeable from many places in Las Vegas and we were lucky enough to enjoy an awesome view of it from our hotel room at the SAHARA.

The casino at The STRAT wasn’t my number one favourite, but if you’re looking for some insanely cool and alternative activities to enjoy in Vegas rather than the typical casino days/nights, you’re in for a real treat at The STRAT as it’s home to an awesome observation deck, numerous “thrill rides”, a comedy club and so much more.

We went to the top of The STRAT on Matt’s birthday and while it’s not my favourite observation deck in the world as it feels a little bit too far away from the Strip to properly see everything, it is a really cool way to admire the iconic Las Vegas Strip, as well as the surrounding city.

If you’re feeling brave enough, definitely check out the adrenaline-worthy activities such as the SkyJump where you’ll launch yourself off the edge of the SkyPod on the 108th floor or the ‘Big Shot’ (where you’ll be shot 160 feet in the air at 45 miles per hour in seconds) or ‘Insanity’ where a mechanical arm extends 64ft over the edge of the SkyPod, and spins you out into the open air at an angle of 70°!

Of course, if these insane activities aren’t to your liking, there are still plenty of the “normal” Vegas activities to enjoy at The STRAT.

Book a stay at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod.

9. The SAHARA Las Vegas

I’ve already talked about The SAHARA extensively in the section above about where to stay in Las Vegas but I thought I’d include it in this section too as I think it’s worth visiting even if you don’t stay there.

While it’s not as grand or majestic as the likes of The Bellagio or The Venetian and the casino doesn’t quite live up to some of the other top Vegas hotel casinos, The SAHARA is still somewhere you should have on your Las Vegas bucket list.

With some truly awesome places to eat inside the hotel casino, including Zeffer’s Cafe (which serves the most amazing breakfast/brunch food – pictured above), as well as the world-famous Bazaar Meat by José Andrés (we tried to book a reservation here but it was booked far in advance so bear that in mind if you want to eat there while in Vegas), The SAHARA’s food and drink scene is truly incredible.

I’d also highly recommend it as a place to stay in Las Vegas and I wouldn’t hesitate to re-book a stay there if we’re ever in Vegas again.

Book a stay at The SAHARA Las Vegas.

10. New York New York

If you’ve followed my blog or Instagram for any length of time, you’ll likely know just how utterly obsessed I am with New York (so much so, that we actually spent a month living there over Christmas and New Year in December 2021/January 2022), so when I saw that there was a whole area in Las Vegas dedicated to my beloved city, I couldn’t wait to check it out.

The New York New York hotel in Las Vegas is definitely one to add to your Vegas bucket list; it’s so awesome! Not only does it have its very own miniature version of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, but it also has its very own rollercoaster which is so incredibly cool!

Inside the hotel/casino, you’ll find an area that feels very much like an NYC neighbourhood, complete with iconic fire escapes on the side of the buildings and plenty of restaurants to sate your appetite while wandering around.

Book a stay at the New York New York Hotel Las Vegas.

11. Circus Circus Hotel, Casino & Theme Park

The casino at Circus Circus is, in my opinion, not one of the best and if anything, it felt more like the arcades at Scarborough or Blackpool ! However, the other forms of entertainment at Circus Circus are truly awesome, especially if you’re visiting Vegas with kids in tow!

Living up to its infamous name, Circus Circus Hotel & Casino provides excellent entertainment in the form of a giant indoor theme park/circus and it actually holds the title of the largest permanent circus in the world!

The Best Casino Hotels In Las Vegas - Vegas Travel Guide Circus Circus

Inside, you’ll find multiple full-scale rollercoasters, theme park rides and so much more. It’s literally an entire fairground/amusement park inside a hotel! If you do want to partake in gambling while you’re there, you’ll find huge casino floors full to the brim of casino tables, slot machines and arcade games and of course, the wildly famous circus performances which will blow your mind!

Book a stay at Circus Circus Hotel & Casino.

12. Aria Resort & Casino – best casino hotels in Las Vegas

Aria Resort & Casino might not be as spectacular to look at from the outside as the likes of the Venetian, for example, that doesn’t mean to say that its interior isn’t utterly fabulous.

It’s yet another casino hotel in Las Vegas that I’d never given a thought about before we arrived there, but it turned out to be one of my favourite casinos in Vegas.

Simply oozing with luxe and elegance, the Aria hotel is the epitome of grandeur in Las Vegas and it’s definitely one of the top places to stay in LV if you’re looking for a truly beautiful hotel room, complete with a stunning backdrop.

Of course, you’ll find the classic casino floor which is really beautiful and definitely one of the best in Vegas (in my opinion), but if you’re looking for a more relaxing vibe, you’ll also find some truly exquisite restaurants, plus a private poolside oasis for when the hot Nevada desert temperatures start to take their toll!

Book a stay at Aria Resort & Casino.

13. Paris Las Vegas

The Paris hotel in Las Vegas really is something else; with a miniature version of the Eiffel Tower (that isn’t actually all that mini at all!), plus its very own version of the Arc de Triomphe, not to mention the fantastic interior of the hotel and casino; Las Vegas’ Paris is almost as good as the real thing!

Situated right in the heart of the Strip, you simply cannot miss Paris Las Vegas as you’re walking along the boulevard. At night, the “Eiffel Tower” lights up in the colours of the French flag and you can even eat inside the Eiffel Tower restaurant which boasts unreal views of the Bellagio Fountain Show; it really is a magical experience.

There are also several shows and live performances to be enjoyed at Paris Las Vegas and of course, its on-site casino is also worth a nosey around, even if you don’t intend on gambling at all.

Book a stay at Paris Las Vegas.

14. Luxor Hotel & Casino – best casino hotels in Las Vegas

The Luxor Hotel & Casino is definitely one of the more unique casino hotels that you’ll find in Las Vegas and as soon as you spot its iconic pyramid shape, you won’t be able to resist exploring this fascinating hotel and casino in Vegas!

Renowned for being the home of America’s Got Talent in Vegas, Luxor boasts a plethora of awesome entertainment, a brilliant casino and some of the most beautiful hotel rooms in Las Vegas.

Luxor Hotel & Casino - best casino hotels in Las VegasLuxor Hotel & Casino - best casino hotels in Las Vegas

The giant Sphynx outside the hotel is even bigger in real life than it appears in photos and I genuinely couldn’t believe just how huge everything was! Be sure to check out the bright light beam that projects into the sky once it turns dark; you can see it from most places along the Strip!

Book a stay at Luxor Hotel & Casino.

15. Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino isn’t one of the Strip’s most beloved hotels and casinos but if you want to try and visit as many casino hotels as possible during your stay in Vegas, then I’d definitely recommend adding Flamingo LV to your list!

Featuring a brilliant steakhouse, a 15-acre pool and of course, its infamous casino, the Flamingo hotel in Las Vegas welcomes visitors of all budgets and expectations.

It’s also just over the road from Caesars Palace and it’s next door to the High Roller, so you’re never too far from the other great sights and attractions on the Las Vegas Strip.

Book a stay at Flamingo Las Vegas.

Bonus best hotels and casinos in Las Vegas

Below, you can find more of the best casino hotels in Las Vegas that you should add to your Vegas bucket list!

MGM Grand
The Mirage
Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Treasure Island – TI Hotel & Casino
Resorts World Las Vegas Hilton
Park MGM Las Vegas
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
The LINQ Hotel & Experience

Bonus best things to do in Las Vegas

As well as all the awesome casino hotels in Las Vegas, there are plenty of other fun and exciting things to do! Check out my list below of the bonus best things to do in Las Vegas.

See Fremont Street

The Fremont Street experience is a 24-hour giant mall with shops, bars, restaurants and a plethora of entertainment to enjoy off the Las Vegas Strip. It’s a 2-hour walk from the very southern end of the Strip at Mandalay Bay all the way to Fremont Street, so unless you’re feeling extra fit and healthy, I’d probably recommend taking an Uber or Lyft there.

As we were staying at the SAHARA, we walked the 50-minute journey to Fremont Street, although there isn’t much to see or do in between, so I’d recommend just heading straight there in a taxi or Uber.

Once you get to Fremont Street, you’ll be blown away by an immersive shopping mall experience, complete with exciting light shows, blaring music performances and on-street drinking and dining. It still feels very “Vegas”, but it’s got a different vibe to what you’ll find on the Strip, so I’d highly recommend checking it out if you have time.

Eat at Good Pie

We heard about Good Pie Las Vegas on a podcast episode that we listened to just before heading to Vegas, so we headed there for dinner on the first night of our stay in LV.

The pizza at Good Pie certainly didn’t disappoint and the giant 18″ Quality Meats pizza was more than enough for the two of us to share!

It’s located north of the Strip, around halfway between The STRAT and Fremont Street, so you can walk to it if you’re staying at the northern end of Las Vegas Boulevard, or you can take an Uber if you don’t fancy walking that far.

Welcome to Las Vegas Sign

The Welcome to Las Vegas Sign is one of the most iconic parts of visiting Vegas, or at least I thought so until I saw the sign in real life and I was bitterly disappointed to discover that it was much smaller than I’d anticipated and there are crazy-long queues just to stand in front of it to get a picture!

I’m never one for queuing or paying for pictures, so I just stood to the side of the queue and got Matt to angle the camera well so that you couldn’t really see anyone else in it! Of course, it’s a true tourist trap in Vegas and I totally understand people wanting to take a picture in front of the iconic sign, but if you don’t want to wait for ages just to take a picture, just be clever with your angles and take a picture from the side!

Get a Fat Tuesday

We became obsessed with Fat Tuesday frozen cocktails in Miami and when we discovered that Las Vegas had many branches located on and around the Strip, we were so excited to rekindle our love for the frozen, sugary delights!

You can purchase reusable cups from Fat Tuesday that vary in size and then you get a discount on the cocktails every time you refill them! The original and strawberry flavours were our favourite and on a hot day in the Nevada sun, they make for the perfect refreshing treat!

Go on the High Roller

The High Roller is a giant 550ft-tall Ferris wheel located on the Las Vegas Strip that offers guests the chance to soar high into the air while taking in the delightful views of Las Vegas and its many casinos and hotels.

The wheel takes approximately 30 minutes to complete a full circle, with daytime tickets between 2 pm and 5 pm costing $23.50 for adults and $8.50 for kids. Sunset/nighttime tickets between 5 pm and midnight cost $34.75 for adults and $17.50 for kids.

Visit the Hoover Dam

The infamous Hoover Dam is approximately a 40-minute drive from the start of the Las Vegas Strip and depending on which direction you drive into Vegas from, you’ll likely drive past the Hoover Dam.

Of course, if you’re flying into Vegas and you don’t have your own car, you can still enjoy the Hoover Dam on a day trip from Las Vegas, so you won’t miss out! I personally wouldn’t be in a huge rush to revisit the Hoover Dam, but I do think it’s very cool to see and if you get the chance to see it while you’re in Vegas, I think it’s worth making the stop.

Top tips for visiting Las Vegas for first-time visitors – what you need to know

If you’re heading to Las Vegas for the first time, check out some of my top tips for first-time visitors to ensure that you make the most out of your time in Sin City!

ATM fees – best casino hotels in Las Vegas

ATM fees in Las Vegas are extraordinarily high – you’ll likely pay anywhere between $6 and $12 in ATM fees to withdraw cash everywhere in Las Vegas. Use your credit or debit card where possible to pay for food and activities and only use cash for getting chips and gambling/betting in the casinos.

How long is the Las Vegas Strip?

The Las Vegas Strip is approximately 4.2 miles (6.8 km) long and runs from Mandalay Bay to the STRAT. If you walk directly up or down the Strip without stopping or going into any hotels or casinos, it will take you approximately an hour and a half, so it’s much longer than I ever expected!

Of course, you will likely be stopping in many of the casinos and hotels along the Vegas Strip, so you need to ensure that you accommodate the walking time as part of your time in the city.

How to get around Las Vegas/The Strip

You can get an Uber or Lyft from one end of the strip to the other (Mandalay Bay to the STRAT) for less than $15, so if you don’t want to walk all the way up and down the strip every day, this is an option for getting around. However, at peak times/seasons (such as when the LV Marathon was on while we were there), you can be looking at paying around $50 for just a 15-minute drive!

One of the best/cheapest ways to get around Vegas if you don’t want to walk everywhere is to use the Las Vegas Monorail which will take you up and down the Strip, stopping at numerous hotels along the way. Take a look at the LV Monorail Map to see which hotels/casinos it covers. Tickets cost $5 for a single ride, $13 for a 24-hour pass, $23 for a 2-day pass and $56 for a 7-day pass.

There is a free tram between the Aria Hotel, Park MGM and the Bellagio as well as a free tram between Mandalay Bay and Excalibur, stopping at Luxor. However, these hotels are very close together and it’s usually just easier to walk between them, rather than waiting for the train.

What is the best time to visit Las Vegas?

Avoid visiting Las Vegas on the weekend. I know this might not be possible depending on your annual leave and other circumstances surrounding your visit to Vegas, but if you’re looking to experience Las Vegas on a budget, I promise this is the best way to do it! For reference, a mid-week stay at the Bellagio hotel in February (on a Tuesday) will cost you £152 a night, whereas it will cost you between £650 and £750 a night on a Friday and Saturday!

How long should I spend in Las Vegas?

We stayed in Vegas for three nights and had Sunday evening and all day Monday and Tuesday to explore Las Vegas and I felt that was enough time to see and do everything we wanted to. We went into pretty much every single hotel and casino and even if we didn’t do much gambling or any proper activities, we still spent a lot of time exploring the hotels and wandering through the casino floors so that we could people-watch.

I think three days/nights is a good amount of time to give yourself to experience Las Vegas and I think anything longer might start to get a bit “samey”. Unless you really love playing in the casinos, of course, in which case you might want to stay for a week!

Booking fees and taxes – best casino hotels in Las Vegas

Be aware of additional taxes and fees when booking a hotel. We thought we’d got a great deal when we saw that it was just £27 a night to stay at the SAHARA Hotel (Sunday to Wednesday), but then once you go through to actually book, 13.38 % tax was added to the bill, plus a resort fee of $39.95 per night! So instead of it costing us £82 for 3 nights like we originally thought, we ended up paying £196 total. Of course, this isn’t exactly a crazy amount, especially considering how expensive it can be to stay in Vegas at the weekend, but it’s so important to look out for resort fees and hidden taxes when booking a hotel in Las Vegas!

Stay hydrated!

Bring plenty of water and sunscreen with you – it can get ridiculously hot during the day and even if you’re dipping in and out of the hotels and casinos, it’s still good to ensure you’re fully protected as you’re walking up and down the Strip.

Related posts: