Las Vegas Hotel Tips by HotSpotJ

Caesars Palace: Hail Caesars! Caesars Palace Review

I would call Caesars Palace the "heartbeat" of the Vegas strip for many reasons. The Forum here provides some of the best shopping in Vegas, the casino, clubs, and restaurants are amazing and always popular with locals and tourists alike, the rooms are spacious and the views are astounding. I believe you could walk a mile in here without going outdoors, and the nice connection to Bellagio keeps you from having to cross the street when casino jumping. The decor has been done with some taste as well, I did not find anything about this place "cheesy" as I did in some of the other "Disneylike" hotels. It is located in the center of the strips action, unlike some others, such as beautiful Mandalay Bay, where I had to taxi it out of just to hit the action elsewhere.

Unique Qualities: Caesars is unique in that it always has something to do, and an A list crowd is always not to far away. The restaurants in here are magnificant, I would recommened Neros Steakhouse to anyone.. just an amazing, amazing place to stay, and if you do stay here try to get a room with a view of neighboring Bellagios fountains... makes for quite a night even when staying in the room!

Address: 3570 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Center of the Strip

Phone: 1-800-634-6661

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino: The IP baby! Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino Review

Imperial Palace was a very pleasant suprise, it was well worth the price, not only due to the fun I had in this smaller hotel, but because it is located in the center of the action just as much as Ceasars and Bellagio, I mean, they are only a short walk away. The casino here is one of my favorite, as you walk down into it, as opposed to walking up into it as you do in most of the others, you get this very authenitic old-style Vegas feel. The music and show biz "Legends" (Madonna, Elvis, Micheal Jackson) dealing cards gives this place a unique feel, as does their performances. The IP does lack shopping, but Embers is a nice dining spot on the 4th floor. This place might not appeal to the aristocrats of travel, but for the average American like myslef, I enjoyed my stay here and spent the money elsewhere that I saved by not staying at the Wynn another day!

Unique Qualities: This blue-lit hotel has a unique jazz-like feeling walking into the casino.. the legend performances are quite pleasant if you are in the mood, i mean, where else can Jimi Hendrix deal your flush while Elvis shakes his hips behind you?

Address: 3535 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Center of the strip

Phone: 1-800-634-6441

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Aladdin Resort and Casino: Go ahead- rub the magic lamp! Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Review

I did not stay here but played at some of the tables and drank at some of the bars, and took in a show as well. A very nice place, and affordable as well from what the reservation desk told me... some rooms on weekdays were under 100. The Desert Passage area had very nice shopping and dining as well.

-UPDATE- ALADDIN WAS RENAMED PLANET HOLLYWOOD IN SUMMER/FALL 2007. A NEARLY FULL RENOVATION OF THE EXTERIOR AND ALL OF THE COMMON AREAS TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE RE-OPENING. PLEASE SEE PLANET HOLLYWOOD ON HOTELS TIPS.

Address: 3667 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Comparison: about average

Phone: 1-877-333-WISH

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Bally's Las Vegas: Bally's Bally's Las Vegas Review

Bally's was a place I gambled at and had a few drinks at, but did not stay here. It is in the middle of the action on the strip, and I would definately recommend it based on what I saw alone. This place is a Caesars owned resort, so you can expect some class when staying here, as well as some very nice shows.

Address: 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Comparison: about average

Directions: Center of the strip

Phone: 1-888-742-9248

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Flamingo Las Vegas: Flamingo Flamingo Las Vegas Review

This place is right across from Caesars, so I did end up in its casino a few times... it seemed very nice and the show venue seemed nice as well. A very large casino and rooms that are affordable, and a great location, make this a great place to stay while in Vegas!

Unique Qualities: I enjoyed drinking at Margaritaville on the Flamigo property. this is the first time I have been to a Margaritaville not on an island somewhere, but I was wasting away just as if I was in Jamaica!

Address: 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Comparison: about average

Phone: 1-888-308-8899

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino: Rio! Rio All Suite Hotel And Casino Review

I spent an entire day at Rio and thoroughly enjoyed this spot. The buffet was the best, hands down, in Vegas, and I mean even better than the Bellagio buffet. The free "Masquerade in the Sky" show was nice, though a bit overdone with all of the hanging floats and jesters, but, all in all enjoyable. The shops here were nice, and with the World Series of Poker going on a very busy spot. The girls here were fabulous, not the drink girls, but just the waitresses in general, guys, you have to check out the refereee-clad cuties working at IBar, not to m,ention the cuties at Bikinis. Voodoo Lounge was very nice as well. i would recommend this suite-only hotel to anyone, and as a bonus the strip is not too far away as there are free shuttles to Harrahs on the strip.

Unique Qualities: This place is like Mardis Gras every hour... beads everywhere. But, seriously, the baby lobster tails in the buffet, mmm, with butter, mmmmmmmmmmm

Address: 3700 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Off of the strip on Flamingo Rd.

Phone: 1-800-PLAY-RIO

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

Paris Las Vegas: Vive la France Paris Las Vegas Review

Paris Las Vegas was very nice... lunch at the Eiffel Tower was awesome, the view while eating really made up for the pricy meal... the casino was nice, the tower legs actually come down through the casino ceiling into the gaming area itself. This place is one of the brightest and boldest at night, and the rooms here are also very affordable.. so pay less and stay in this nice spot at the center of the strip!

Unique Qualities: The bright hot air ballon and the Tower are nice, but you also get a birds eye view from the Bellagio fountains across the street.

Address: 3655 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Comparison: about average

Directions: Center of the Strip

Phone: 877-796-2096

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino: Hollywood in Vegas Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Review

Though named Planet Hollywood, the hotel should be Planet Times Square, as the amazingly high tech scrolling ads and Hi-Def screens on both the facade and the common area reminded me much more of Times Square than anything in Hollywood! Formerly the Aladdin, Planet Hollywood has some very hip scenes from the new Miami influenced Club Prive to the crazy-sexy-cool Tropicana Bar on the south end of the hotel. I've been told the rooms have not been redone since the Aladdin, so this means you're still getting a cozy place to stay at a decent price during your Vegas stay. The shopping here is nice as well in the Miracle Mile Shops. Planet Hollywood is definately marketed at the young and hip with tons of positive energy that I'd recommend being a part of no matter what age you are!

Unique Qualities: The Times Square facade almost outshines the Bellagio fountains at night.

Address: 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, Nevada, 891

Comparison: about average

Phone: 1-866-517-3263

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.planethollywoodresort.com/

Palazzo Resort and Casino: The New Kid in Town Palazzo Hotel & Casino Review

I did not know Palazzo existed until I noticed a billboard while stuck in traffic on the 405 in LA. I was suprised to see that it was on the strip, and then I remembered all of that construction noise when at the Wynn last year. A very pricy place to stay, first timers might want to check this out Sun- Thu for decent rates, the weekend was a fortune ($400+). The rewards program is that of Club Grazie, affiliated with The Ventian. The Hotel itself is both affiliated and physically connected to the Venetian. The suites here are gorgeous, with plush decor, down to the comfortable red couches in the sunken living area. The Casino is very easy to get around in, and the high ceilings and fountains make the common areas and shopping areas impressive to anyone. High Class, First Class.

Unique Qualities: I loved the main entrance and just the granduer of the ceilings. The detail in all of the mosiac is amazing.

Address: 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, NV 89109

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Between Venetian and Wynn, self parking off of Sands on the North end of the hotel.

Phone: 866.263.3001

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.palazzolasvegas.com/

Hooters Casino Hotel: Hooters makes you happy Hooters Casino Hotel Review

Being from Virginia, I actually felt at home in Hooters Casino. It was like being in Nascar country in Vegas, full of Dale Jr new merchandise having country boys just trying to get a glimpse of a scantly clad waitress. All in all, with the hardwood floors and decor, the casino had the same exact atmosphere as any Hooters restaurant. With my Dad being from Myrtle Beach (Hooters headquarters, it very much felt like a homecoming for me! I didn't stay here, just gambled here, but would consider a stay with the friendly staff and cool activites the casino had going on.

Unique Qualities: Hooters girls everywhere and some neat sports-affiliated activites and events.

Address: 115 East Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas, NV, 89109

Comparison: about average

Phone: 702.739.9000

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel