Bellagio
Tourists line up early to catch a glimpse of an aquatic ballet choreographed to music and lights that plays throughout the day and night in the eight acre lake in front of the Bellagio.
The famous dancing fountains are another free show directly on the Strip (like those further north at the Mirage and Treasure Island) and should not be missed.
Cirque O, an underwater-themed Cirque du Soleil production has taken residence in the Bellagio.
The Italian-inspired Bellagio offers guests the ultimate in luxury accommodations, along with dancing fountains, an indoor garden, and works of art in the Bellagio's exclusive gallery—one of the Las Vegas attractions included with the Las Vegas Power Pass.
Cosmopolitan
Scheduled for an early 2010 opening the Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino just south of the Bellagio on the Las Vegas Strip will include a 3,000 room condo-hotel, convention and meeting space, a casino, a theater and retail, restaurant and entertainment space.
A unique feature of the twin tower Cosmopolitan will be a rooftop beach and swimming pool with views up and down the Strip.
Bally's
Bally's and the Bellagio are located at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Avenue on opposite sides of the Strip.
Bally's Las Vegas is home to Donn Arden's Jubilee! This classic Las Vegas production (topless showgirls) features costumes by Bob Makie, and if those two names sound familiar it's probably because the still popular show debuted over a quarter century ago.
Paris
Those wanting a front row seat for the dancing fountains at the Bellagio may want to head across the street to the Paris hotel and casino, where visitors can take in all the action from the top of the faux Eiffel Tower.
Paris Las Vegas features replicas of well known French Landmarks such as the Paris Opera House, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe and Hotel de Ville in addition to the 50-story half-scale Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower Restaurant on the 11th floor has great views of the Strip.
Clubs and lounges Le Cabaret, Risqué and Napoleon's enhance the Parisian theme.
Planet Hollywood
Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino (formerly the Aladdin) has been completely remodeled. A shopping, dining, entertainment and gambling destination that celebrates celebrity, Planet Hollywood features eight restaurants, a spa and all the gaming options you could desire in a three acre casino.
A major timeshare development, Planet Hollywood Towers, is behind and directly connected to the resort—a Las Vegas first.
Miracle Mile shops wrap around the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.
City Center
An ambitious multi-use complex, City Center is planned to open in phases begriming in 2010. MGM Mirage is developing the project on the former site of the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino.
$40 million worth of art and sculptures are planned for the 76 acre site with multiple high-rise buildings including ARIA Resort & Casino, Mandarin Oriental Hotel/Residences, The Harmon Hotel/Residences, Veer luxury condo twin towers, a Cirque du Soleil show called Elvis, The Crystals Mall, convention and meeting space, pool, spa, parking garage, fire station and power plant.
Monte Carlo
Las Vegas Hotels & Resorts
Although the Monte Carlo is designed (and named) to evoke the well known international playground in Monaco where nearly 85% of the population are wealthy expats this luxury hotel is actually quite family friendly and a good value.
Amenities at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino include a casino with all the table games, slots, poker room, race and sports book you would expect in an upscale Las Vegas hotel along with pool, spa and fitness center. Dining options range from steakhouse to food court with lots of options for quick meals for families heading next door to New York - New York or across the Strip to the Showcase Mall.
Showcase Mall
Right on the Strip and convenient to Monte Carlo, New York - New York and MGM, the small family friendly Showcase Mall features M&M World, Ethel M. Chocolates, Game Works, Adidas. World of Coca Cola and United Artists cinemas for first run movies.
The La Salsa Restaurant (good margaritas), food court and 24-hour internet cafe are also here.
New York - New York
The immediately recognizable New York-New York Hotel & Casino showcases reproductions of New York City Skyscrapers including the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Century Building, Segram's Building, AT&T Building, Liberty Plaza and the New Yorker Hotel plus the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.
The roller coaster is one of the best in Las Vegas and gives you a view of the skyscrapers that you can't get any other way.
The New York City theme is continued inside with shopping, several bars including Coyote Ugly and Bar at Times Square. Zumanity is the Cirque Du Soleil show and Rok Vegas is the nightclub. A Victorian-style bar, steakhouse, Il Fornaio and more reflect the diversity of food available in the Big Apple.
MGM Grand
Everything about the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip is… well, grand.
Four, 30-story towers, each rising 280 feet high provide a variety of up-scale accommodations, five swimming pools, three whirlpools and a river are surrounded by lush foliage, fountains and waterfalls.
Nightclubs and lounges; Tabu Ultra Lounge, Centrifuge, Zuri and Studio 54 plus the Grand Garden Arena, KÀ by Cirque Du Soleil, Crazy Horse Paris and Hollywood Theatre provide Grand entertainment. Many dining options are available.
Leo the lion has been featured in the opening of MGM movies for many years and real live lions welcome visitors to the MGM Grand at the lion habit a short stroll from the casino and shopping.
Excalibur
Get royal treatment that would impress King Author at the medieval themed Excalibur Hotel and Casino.
Dine at the Sherwood Forest Cafe 24-hours a day or sample the food court, Regale Ristorante Italiano or Steakhouse or get wild and wacky at Dick's Last Resort.
Kids will enjoy the Spongebob Squarpants 4D ride, pools with waterfalls and Midway while adults shop at Castle Walk, visit the Spa or casino.
Tropicana
The Tropicana has been around for a long time and what was once considered the 'Tiffany' can be a bargain for the location on the Strip and hotel size, just don't expect the same amenities (some say service also) as you'd find at the newer properties.
If you plan to spend time at the pool be aware that there is an additional daily 'resort fee' that will increase the cost of staying at the Tropicana. Tower rooms are generally more desirable than garden rooms as they are quieter.
Luxor
Famous for its unique pyramid shape, the Luxor is one of the most photographed hotels in Las Vegas.
The Luxor Hotel and Casino offers authentic Egyptian décor, from the registration desks to the casino floor to the inlaid wood panel furniture featuring hieroglyphics in each room.
The Egyptian theme is carried throughout the property, from the small stone pyramids on sale in the gift shop to the themed slot machines in the casino. The Luxor also features a recreation of King Tuts Tomb, and IMAX theater and arcade area.
Mandalay Bay, Four Seasons
Lush, tropical settings, exotic birds from around the world, and a beautiful, relaxing pool can be found at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. There are also several popular restaurants including Fleur de Lys - Las Vegas, Cafe Giorgio, Trattoria del Lupo and the Boarder Grill.
Don't forget to bring the kids and pay a visit to Mandalay Bay's indoor aquarium, Shark Reef, where you can stroll through glass tunnels where you will see sharks, jellyfish and piranhas close-up. You can even pet a baby stingray or shark in their touch tank.
Understated, especially by Las Vegas standards, the Four Seasons is a great place to relax and unwind, and many high rollers enjoy the different vibe of this great property.
With just 424 guest rooms and suites—all on the 35th to 39th floors of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino—the non-gaming atmosphere at the Four Seasons encourages guests to relax in luxurious surroundings and to enjoy the pool and spa.
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