How to pick your dream Las Vegas resort

One of the most famous destinations for over-the-top hospitality in the world, Las Vegas serves up a range of resorts as dazzling as they are diverse. Everyone from international high rollers to bargain-seeking families can find a place to stay in Vegas that suits both their budget and their vibe.

Each of the hundreds of resorts here offers unique amenities and vibes (and some are...out there). So whether you’re drawn to the iconic Strip, the vintage feel of Downtown or beyond, picking just the right place to stay helps set the tone for your entire trip. 

The Strip is Vegas’ entertainment central, the epicenter of a place of limitless potential, where almost anything goes and time becomes elastic. Downtown – with its retro casinos, the lively Fremont Street Experience, cheaper digs, vintage shopping, cool museums and free entertainment galore – is where it all began, and a nice antidote the Strip’s mega-developments.

After five-star service? Poolside parties? A more family-friendly adventure? Here’s our guide to the perfect place to stay – and play – in the entertainment capital of the world.

If money is no object

If you’re in Vegas to indulge without limits, there’s no shortage of ultra-luxurious stays. ARIA Resort & Casino has a sleek, high-tech aesthetic – it doesn’t have a theme per se, but rather delivers a straight-up class act with top-tier dining. A short stroll away, the Bellagio continues to epitomize elegance, thanks to its stunning fountains, a serene conservatory and botanic gardens that change with the seasons, and fine-art gallery. (The first two are free to experience even if you’re not ponying up as a resort guest.)

For something newer, the massive, midcentury-modern-inspired Fontainebleau Las Vegas cost some $3.7 billion and took 16 years to complete – and the opulence was worth the wait. Over at Wynn, everything from the flower arrangements to the gourmet buffets feels exquisitely curated – a hallmark of Vegas hotel magnate Steve Wynn.

If you’re craving space and sophistication with a quieter vibe, the all-suite Palazzo brings Italian-inspired design with a more understated approach than its showier neighbors.

If you’re on a family vacation

Despite its adult reputation, Las Vegas has plenty to entertain the whole family. Budget-conscious travelers often land at Circus Circus, where kids can enjoy a water park, amusement rides and circus acts, all under one roof. Over at New York-New York, kids love the taxi-themed roller coaster and Big Apple arcade, while parents admire the detailed replica of the iconic New York City skyline.

If you're aiming for a quieter, higher-end experience for your family, Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas provides a luxurious retreat with a kids’ program, babysitting services and even complimentary kids’ toiletries. The giant, pyramid-shaped Luxor has kid-friendly dining and entertainment that reflects its Egyptian theme. And for spacious suites and family-oriented activities like gondola rides, the Venetian is another classic Las Vegas resort that kids will also love.

If you’re here to party

For a younger crowd looking for nightlife, Instagrammable design and a cool factor that can’t be faked, Vegas delivers in spades. Inside Park MGM, the boutique NoMad Las Vegas is a Strip newcomer, kitted out with lush, deluxe textures, plus a top-shelf bar and restaurant. In the middle of the Strip, The Cromwell announces its presence with a throwback-inspired decor that says “I’m cool” – then says it again.

With a fun-chic, museum-like design, the Cosmopolitan is a favorite of a younger, cashed-up crowd. In revitalized Downtown, the Oasis at Gold Spike reinvents the classic motel with music-themed rooms and a laid-back pool scene. And if you’re after an amped-up retro-cool experience, the historic El Cortez next door brings that classic Vegas vibe into the modern era.

If you want a world-class pool

Vegas doesn’t do pools half-heartedly. In fact, these amenities – perfect for the scorching desert heat – often feel like destinations in their own right. The “beach” at Mandalay Bay consists of 2700 tons of imported sand, artificial 6ft-high waves, a “beachfront” casino and lazy river. It doesn’t get more exotic or exclusive than the decadent beach club at Encore; book a cabana and soak up the ambience. Over at Caesars Palace, the Garden of the Gods pool complex offers seven Roman-inspired pools with everything from swim-up blackjack tables to pre-bookable cabanas. 

Like something out of a Bond villain’s lair, the 200,000-gallon shark tank at the Golden Nugget has a slide running through it (don’t worry – it’s enclosed). And for those who prefer relaxed lounging with a DJ soundtrack, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas boasts four inviting pools and a beach club with warm, soft sand and DJs spinning bangers.

This article was adapted from Lonely Planet’s Southwest USA guidebook, published in August 2025.