Many of the world’s largest hotels are located on a 4-mile strip in Las Vegas. Just walking through them can be entertaining. We like to visit Las Vegas several times a year because it is an easy drive from our house. When choosing a hotel we try to mix it up and stay somewhere different each time.
Where to Stay in Vegas
One might say don’t stay on the strip and you will save money. This is true, however, staying on the strip is part of the fun of visiting Vegas. We have visited enough times to say it is not worth the savings to us. If you’re going to Vegas to hang out on the strip, then stay on the strip.
Like most places it is much cheaper to stay in Vegas during the week, the rooms will be most expensive on Friday and Saturday nights. Some of the best rates can be found during the hottest months of the year: June, July & August. As a bonus this is the best time to visit if you plan on using the pools.
Make reservations. Seems crazy that a place with so many hotel rooms need reservations, but hotels on the strip will often sell out. Vegas is a popular location for conventions, so to get the best rates avoid visiting during these times.
My favorite website to find deals on hotels in Vegas is SmarterVegas. They have many different coupon codes that can be used when reserving your room and has saved me a lot of money.
Las Vegas Strip Hotels
The Las Vegas strip runs south to north with hotels on both the west and east side of the streets. If it is your first visit to Vegas we would recommend staying in a hotel close to mid center of the strip just for the ease of transportation. In addition to gambling, the hotels offer attractions, shows, shopping, and plenty of places to eat.
Don’t let the 4-miles fool you, with traffic it can take an hour to get from one end to the other by car. It is best to choose a hotel based on what you would like to see and do, so you are not wasting time with transportation. Learn more about transportation in Las Vegas here.
List of Hotels & Shopping on West Side of Las Vegas Strip
- Mandalay Bay
- Luxor
- Excalibur
- New York, New York
- Park MGM (formerly Monte Carlo)
- Aria (City Center)
- The Cosmopolitan
- Bellagio
- Caesers Palace (the Forum Shops)
- The Mirage
- Treasure Island
- Fashion Show
- Circus Circus
- Stratosphere
Hotels on West Side of Strip (South to North)
Mandalay Bay
Luxor
The largest Pyramid in the US. The Luxor is a really cool looking hotel. A giant sphinx sits outside guarding. The inside is cool because of the pyramid design. Inclinators’ (elevators) travel sideways at a 39-degree angle up 30 stories taking you to your hotel room. The outside wall in your room is slanted and has good views. There is a museum in the hotel, an IMAX theater, as well as a night club. When you’re sober the incline architecture is cool, if you’re not well not so much.
Excalibur
Excalibur is popular for families. The Tournament of the Kings show features jousting, invading armies, dragons, fire-wizards, and a banquet served in true medieval, pre-silverware fashion. This is a fun activity especially if you’re taking the kids to Vegas. There are two shows a night -one at 6 and one at 8:30. The pool area has a water slide.
New York, New York
New York New York hotel in Vegas is centrally located and a great spot to stay with the kids. The main attraction is the 200 foot roller coaster. This is a fun hotel to take the family to and they have pretty good pizza.
Park MGM Grand (formerly Monte Carlo)
Aria
The Cosmopolitan
Bellagio
The Bellagio is my favorite hotel in Vegas. Bellagio is romantic and upscale. The pool area is gorgeous and the check in/check out process was the best I’ve ever experienced in Vegas. The Bellagio is hard to miss with the incredible water fountain display out front. It is also home to the Bellagio Gardens, the tallest chocolate fountain and impressive Chihuly light fixture in the lobby.
Caesars Palace Hotel
I love the architecture in Caesars Palace. Didn’t really care for the Atlantis show, seems like it would be more appealing to kids. There is a large aquarium near the Atlantis show kids would probably enjoy as well. We loved walking around the hotel and they had some nice places to eat and shop.
The Mirage
No trip to Las Vegas is complete without visiting the Mirage to see the volcanic eruption among other things. During the day you can view a serene waterfall. Every thirty minutes from 7:00 p.m. to midnight, flames shoot into the night sky spewing smoke and fire 100 feet above the waters below, transforming a tranquil waterfall into spectacular streams of molten lava. Really a fun sight to see.
One of my favorite features of the Mirage is the lush indoor rainforest housed under a 100-foot-high dome. Palm trees reach 60 feet above cascading waterfalls. There are lagoons, as well as a forest of rich tropical plants. Great place for photos. Another attraction are the pretty White Tigers of Siegfried & Roy’s and the dolphins.
Treasure Island
Circus Circus
Stratosphere Hotel
The Stratosphere is on the northern end of the strip close to old downtown Las Vegas. The views from the top of the Stratosphere are quite impressive.
