Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
595
Bellagio's fountains across the street. Overall, not a bad place to stay but a great place to
visit.
3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109.
&
888/BONJOUR
(266-5687) or 702/946-7000. www.
parislv.com. 2,916 units. $110 and up double; $530 and up suites. Extra person $30. Children 17 and
under stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC. V. Free self- and valet parking.
Amenities:
12 restau-
rants; casino; concierge; health club & spa; outdoor pool; room service; executive-level rooms; show-
rooms; 2 wedding chapels.
In room:
A/C, TV w/pay movies, hair dryer, high-speed Internet access (for a
fee).
The Venetian
The Venetian falls squarely between an outright adult Disneyland
experience and the luxury resort sensibility of other Vegas hotels. The hotel impressively
re-creates the city of Venice, including the outrageous prices. Rooms are the largest and
probably the most handsome in town. They are all “suites,” with a good-size bedroom
giving way to steps down to a sunken living area, complete with pullout sofa bed. Bath-
rooms feature glassed-in showers, deep soaking tubs, double sinks, fluffy towels, and lots
of space. A branch of the famous Canyon Ranch Spa is on the premises. If there's a weak
point, it's the hotel's pool area, which is disappointing and bland.
3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109.
&
888/2-VENICE
(283-6423) or 702/414-1000. Fax
702/414-4805. www.venetian.com. 4,027 units. $169 and up double. Extra person $35. Children 12 and
under stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free self- and valet parking.
Amenities:
18 restau-
rants; casino; concierge; health club & spa; 6 outdoor pools; room service; executive-level rooms; show-
room; 3 wedding venues.
In room:
A/C, TV w/pay movies, fax, fridge, hair dryer, high-speed Internet
access (for a fee).
EXPENSIVE
The Flamingo Las Vegas
Gradually, all the Flamingo's dated rooms are getting
upgraded. Rushing headlong into the Dean Martin/Rat Pack retro vibe, they are kicky
candy modern, with hot pink accent walls, hot pink lights in the bathroom where you
can also find TV screens embedded in the mirror, candy striped wallpaper, black and
white photos of the Flamingo from its early days, squishy white beds with chocolate
accents and vinyl padded headboards, huge flat screens with HDTV, iPod docking sta-
tions, and more. Two-bedroom suites scream classic playboy bachelor pad. The Flamin-
go's exceptional pool area encompasses fishponds, two water slides, five swimming pools,
two whirlpools, waterfalls, and a flamingo enclave—plus its spa and tennis courts are a
big draw.
3555 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (btw. Sands Ave. and Flamingo Rd.), Las Vegas, NV 89109.
&
800/732-2111
or
702/733-3111. Fax 702/733-3353. www.flamingolv.com. 3,517 units. $70 and up double; $130 and up
suite. Extra person $30. Timeshare suites available. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free self- and valet parking.
Ame-
nities:
8 restaurants; casino; health club & spa; 5 outdoor pools; room service; executive-level rooms;
showrooms; 3 night-lit tennis courts; 6 wedding venues.
In room:
A/C, TV w/pay movies, hair dryer, high-
speed Internet access (for a fee).
18
Golden Nugget
The Grande Dame of Downtown got some much-needed
attention, with new restaurants, remodeled rooms and public spaces, a big new pool, and
even an entire new hotel tower going in across the street (or more specifically, on the
street—they got permission to take over a small, rarely used lane just to the north of the
existing property). The completed phases look terrific; a new color scheme has given it a
rich, deep look that is most posh and fresh. Everything feels brighter, lighter, and more
spacious. Rooms are comparable to midrange on the Strip, which makes them quite good
for Downtown. You don't have to walk through the casino to get to your room, but you
do have to walk a distance to get to the pool, which has an aquarium where you can get
