In a nutshell
- If you’re going to Las Vegas, do it right! We’ve rounded up 8 of the most famous hotels in Las Vegas — stay at one of these and you’ll get the full, gloriously over-the-top Vegas experience.
- Every hotel on our list sits right on the Strip. You’ll be centrally located, within easy reach of the major casinos, shows, and attractions.
- This doesn’t have to break the bank. At New York New York, for example, you can find rooms for under $100 per night on weekdays.
Bellagio
The Bellagio is hands-down the most famous hotel in Las Vegas. It served as the backdrop for Ocean’s Eleven, among other films.
The feature everyone knows about the Bellagio is the massive artificial lake with the Bellagio Fountain right out front. Between 3 PM and midnight, the Bellagio puts on a water show several times per hour — 1,200 nozzles and 4,000 lights performing a perfectly choreographed display. We watched several of the shows. Super cool!
Beyond the fountain, the art museum featuring works by Monet and Picasso, the Cirque du Soleil shows, and of course the casino are among the top draws at the Bellagio.
The Bellagio is one of the most luxurious hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. Room rates start at around $350 per night.
Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace is one of the oldest hotels in Las Vegas, having been here since the 1960s. It became especially well known again through “The Hangover” films.
The entire hotel is designed in the style of the Roman Empire, with columns, statues, and fountains everywhere. The theme is carried through consistently even in the names — the pool, for example, is called the Garden of the Gods.
Major artists like Celine Dion and Elton John have performed at the Caesars Palace theater (The Colosseum). And no other casino hotel in Las Vegas has as many slot machines as Caesars Palace — a whopping 4,000.
Caesars Palace is also our top pick if great restaurants are high on your priority list. There’s a seriously excellent Gordon Ramsay steakhouse right in the hotel, for instance.
New York New York
As total New York fans, this is naturally one of our favorite hotels in Las Vegas. The hotel took the Big Apple as its theme and recreated the New York City skyline on its façade — complete with highlights like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty.
Inside, everything looks like you’re strolling through the streets of Brooklyn. We’ll be honest, though: the whole thing really comes into its own at night. During the day it can look a little plastic and kitschy.
The second big draw at New York New York is the roller coaster. Yep, you read that right! The Big Apple Coaster doesn’t just loop around the hotel — it goes right through the middle of it. Buy your ticket in advance so you don’t have to wait in line.
Compared to other iconic Las Vegas hotels, there aren’t as many shows here. But New York New York is also considerably cheaper because of that. On weekdays, you can sometimes grab a room for around $100.
Get your Big Apple Coaster ticket
The Venetian Resort
From New York to Venice: The Venetian recreates the lagoon city, complete with the Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Basilica, and winding waterways.
Around 80 boutiques and restaurants line the alleyways, so you really do feel like you’re wandering through Italy. You can even ride in a real Venetian gondola — though at quite a hefty price.
If you’ve been to the real Venice, this will probably feel very kitschy. Either way, it’s honestly incredible how detailed everything at The Venetian is.
The Venetian is one of the most luxurious 5-star hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. If a large pool area and a spa are important to you, you’re in the right place.
Circus Circus
You already know there’s a hotel in Las Vegas with a roller coaster. But Circus Circus has topped New York New York by building an entire amusement park — called Adventuredome — right inside the hotel.
There’s everything you’d find at a carnival: several small roller coasters, rides like Freefall, bumper cars, and a circus carousel. Keep in mind that even as a hotel guest you’ll need to buy a separate ticket for Adventuredome.
Alongside the amusement park, circus shows are also performed at Circus Circus — fitting for the name. And the pool area is like a mini water park complete with slides and a diving tower.
In short: if you love Disneyland and theme parks, Circus Circus is the right pick among the most famous Vegas hotels for you.
If you want to see more attractions or special activities in Las Vegas, a Las Vegas Pass might be worth considering.
Book Circus Circus Casino Hotel
Luxor
Can it get even crazier after New York and Venice? Absolutely! At the Luxor, you sleep inside a black pyramid. The entire hotel is designed in the style of ancient Egypt. Massive sphinxes guard the entrance.
At night you’ll spot the Luxor from miles away — a huge xenon light beam shoots straight up from its peak.
We especially recommend the Luxor if you want to keep an eye on your budget. It’s “only” a 3-star hotel, and sometimes you can get a room for as little as $60 per night. You still get the full experience: casino, shows, a spa, and pools.
Paris Las Vegas Hotel
After New York and Venice, the Paris Las Vegas Hotel couldn’t be missing from our list. A replica of the Eiffel Tower was even built right in front of the hotel — though only half the size of the original in Paris.
There’s a restaurant and an observation deck in the tower. From up there you get a spectacular panorama over the Strip — and especially of the Bellagio fountain. The tower also makes our list of the top attractions in Las Vegas.
Inside, everything revolves around France as well: restaurants arranged around a small plaza, decorated with classic checkered tablecloths. Kind of charming!
Book Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
Get your Las Vegas Eiffel Tower Observation Deck ticket
MGM Grand Hotel
The MGM Grand is simply one of the most iconic hotels in Las Vegas. And with 5,000 rooms, it’s also the largest hotel in the entire city.
The theme is Hollywood — and as befits Hollywood, the MGM Grand is especially famous for its entertainment lineup. There are Cirque du Soleil shows and magic performances by David Copperfield.
