Megahotels in Las Vegas can quickly become the same because of the glitz, glam, never-ending buffets, and those oceans of slot machines.
But let’s be clear: Not all Las Vegas resort areas are the same. Some resorts thrive at providing excellent casino options, while others excel in food and drink. Some are fantastic for non-gamblers, while others feature amazing spas.
Caesars Palace is the best casino for sports betting.
Caesars Palace’s sports book, the casino area where you can place bets on sporting events, is a haven for sports fans. It attracts large crowds and offers a tailgating-style atmosphere during major games in its 15,580-square-foot area.
A 138-foot LED video wall with six extra-large 12-by-15-foot screens, 12 50-inch plasma screens, and a 20-by-50-foot LED board showing current betting odds on all the games is the pride and joy of the book.
Because of this setup, the casino’s oddsmakers can choose to broadcast dozens of sporting events at once. A bar and 140 comfortable chairs were added during renovations in 2017, and a new app allows bettors to order food from a small menu and have it delivered right to their seats.
ARIA is the top casino for slots.
Not only does ARIA have one of the most extensive gaming floors on the Las Vegas Strip, but it also has one of the most upscale high-limit slot rooms in Nevada.
Some of the machines in that high-limit area, known as SPIN, cost up to $5,000 per pull. It was created by New York-based architect Peter Marino and has butler service to attend to each guest’s requirements, private toilets, a full-service dining area, and a separate space to exchange slot tickets for cash.
Bellagio is the best poker casino.
Both seasoned players and beginners enjoy the Bellagio poker room. There are 40 tables next to the sports book, offering limit and no-limit Hold ‘Em, Omaha, and other games.
At any time of day or night, players can order drinks, meals, and, would you believe it, tableside back and neck massages while they are still playing.
The biggest stakes games occur in Bobby Baldwin, a former World Series of Poker champion and CEO for MGM Resorts International, in a back room known as Bobby’s Room. Looking back late at night, you might see professionals competing for millions.
MGM Grand is the best casino for non-gamblers.
To have a memorable night at MGM Grand, you don’t need to bet a lot of money at the craps table. The immense establishment includes plenty of entertainment options for non-gamblers, even though the casino is well-known for its sizable table gaming pits and one of the stingiest slot machines in Las Vegas history.
Next to the golden lion is a pretentious adult arcade named LEVEL UP. See it. Along with beer pong, the fun zone has Pop-A-Shot, billiards, one of the largest Pac-Man games on Earth, and an exclusive Sigma Derby horse racing slot machine.
Golden Nugget is the best casino offering a variety of table games.
The swankiest casino downtown is also the most excellent location to try a wide range of table games.
The Nugget’s floor managers welcome table-game pilots, so you may find one or two new games during your visit.
Free Bet, a blackjack variant that lets players profit from ties when the dealer gets 22, debuted here (as opposed to regular blackjack, in which a 22 would mean a dealer bust and a win for the players).
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is the best casino for foodies.
At The Cosmopolitan, the restaurant selection is jam-packed with eateries run by celebrated chefs, making foodies feel at home. Tapas and other Spanish-inspired dishes are served at Jaleo. Momofuku marks David Chang’s entry into the Vegas industry. Chris Santos’ eccentric sharing dishes are served at the newest restaurant in the group, Beauty & Essex. Nothing beats a slice of Secret Pizza’s New York-style pie after a night of drinking and partying.
The resort also houses The Chandelier, a bar with a menu that features contemporary takes on traditional cocktails and drinks you can eat, created by mixology whiz Mariena Mercer. Yes, you read that correctly: Mercer’s current edible drinks include alternatives with edible paper and a popular off-menu drink that is essentially a margarita with a dried flower that temporarily numbs your taste senses.
