Las Vegas Hotels

Las Vegas is a smorgasbord of sex, shows, super-clubs, great restaurants, booze and mind-boggling hotel-casinos. It is the ultimate city of excess, from the live lions that roam an exhibit inside the MGM Grand to the star-spangled ceiling of the Venetian.

The Paris Las Vegas is one of the most recognisable structures on The Strip – just look for the faux Eiffel Tower glistening amid the neon wonderland. Not content with making French visitors cringe, Las Vegas ruffles Egyptian feathers as well. The Luxor Casino is modelled on the Egyptian sphinx and pyramids.

Everything in Las Vegas is customised to help you make rash decisions, from slot machines that take $100 bills to quickie wedding chapels like the Little Chapel of the Flowers.

Las Vegas is the adult equivalent of Disneyland. It is unashamedly tacky, mind-bendingly extravagant and unstoppably brutal on the liver. When you arrive you’ll think you need to stay longer to see everything, but after a few days you’ll be clinging to sanity by your fingernails. Las Vegas chews you up and spits you out in a fog of smoke and booze – and while you’re sure to have a good time, just remember: The house always wins.

LAS VEGAS’ TOP 10

LAS VEGAS LOCAL

The Strip

This is what you see in the movies and probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Vegas. The Strip is pretty much casino-heaven, so grab those chips and try your luck at places like the Luxor, MGM Grand and Treasure Island. If your gambling is getting a little out of control, take a break and head to the Guinness World Records Museum or hit up Madame Tussauds for some less odds-focused entertainment. Be warned though, even the airport has slot machines, so don’t expect to be able to hide from it anywhere in this city.

If you feel like getting more value out of your holiday romance, don’t forget to head to the famous Little White Chapel (where crazies like Britney and Sinatra got hitched). Even if you don’t decide to tie the knot yourself, it’s a guaranteed good time to watch semi-coherent revellers promise eternity to one another.

Henderson

This area is away from the buzz of The Strip, but just as enjoyable. Get over to Ethel’s Chocolates, take the factory tour and then buy in bulk. This chocolate is truly worth the calories, so indulge. The plant is also home to the Ethel M Botanical Cactus Gardens and an M&M’s World (don’t forget to buy stacks of cocoa-pleasures there, too).

Once you’re done scoffing choccies, head to the Galleria on Sunset, one of Nevada’s biggest and most attractive malls (it’s got fountains and other pretty things). You’re sure to spend quite some time in here so make sure you take a break, have a bite to eat at one of the restaurants and remember to wear sensible shoes.

Downtown

This was the place to gamble before The Strip came along. Here you’ll find Fremont Street (the second most important street in the city), more bright casinos and the renowned Fremont Street Experience, a massive array of entertainment that draws in thousands.

If you’ve had your fill of bright lights, head on over to the Arts District, where you’ll find unique stores, galleries and quirky eateries. This district is home to the Arts Factory, Trifecta Gallery and the Brett Wesley Art Gallery, all of which house incredible exhibits. Plus, if you’re a bit of a vintage queen (or king), make sure you check out the biggest vintage clothing store in the world, The Attic, and the Red Rooster Antique Mall.

LAS VEGAS EAT & DRINK

LAS VEGAS EVENTS

Want to see some (faux) celebs? Catch the Reel Awards and the Celebrities Impersonators Convention in late February. Rub shoulders with ‘greats’ like Dave Letterman, Arnie Schwarzenegger and Marilyn Monroe. It’s odd but cool. (And if you can’t make Vegas in Feb, come at any time of year and head to the Elvis Chapel where jumpsuit-wearing celebrants are getter tender-loving couples to say ‘I do’.)

The beginning of May welcomes The Mini Moto SX, the biggest mini-bike race in the world. The race itself always manages to attract big crowds, as do the other sideshows and cool stunts.

June brings one of the creepiest conventions known to man: the Vegas Ventriloquist Convention. You’ll be treated to workshops, discussions and shows on ventriloquism.

Trekkies, unite! One of the world’s most famous and biggest conventions, the Star Trek Convention, takes over Vegas in early to mid-August. If you’re a fan, you’ll be in heaven and if you’re not, loiter around The Rio Suites Hotel for some comedy gold.

NYE in Vegas is legendary. Tonnes of celebs pile into the city every single year to host some of the most epic parties at various casinos and clubs. You need to check info closer to the dates to see who’ll be where, but rest assured, there will be a party hosted by someone you will wanna party with. If clubs aren’t your thing, the streets go just as crazy and the fireworks and buzz will keep you just as happy.

P.S. Don’t forget the plethora of shows, concerts and musicals that are on every single night at various casinos, hotels and venues across Vegas. Cirque du Soleil is the hottest ticket in town –a suitably surreal show to complement a surreal holiday!

WHEN TO GO

· The heat is intense during June to September and can exceed 40°C (104°F), so if you’re not a fan of the heat you might like to skip summer in Las Vegas. Having said that, almost every hotel has a lavish pool (not to mention superb air-con), so why not just embrace it and make it a pool party?

· Spring and autumn are still sunny but with much more comfortable temperatures of around 22-29°C (72-84°F), so head over anytime during these months.

· Winter is very mild in Vegas and the crowds dissipate a little, which means you can grab some excellent package deals around this time. The only downfall is that all the great pool parties such as Rehab in The Hard Rock Café are closed.

WHAT TO MISS

· It’s all fun and games, but there’s nothing light-hearted about how seriously the games dealers and security take their jobs. Don’t joke about cheating, keep your hands off the table and don’t try and take any photos while the game’s in progress. Hotel and casino security is tight and you’ll be thrown off a table faster than you can say ‘blackjack’ if you step out of line.

· Keep an eye on how much you’re drinking and spending. The casinos are not only windowless, but have oxygen pumped in to keep people alert, awake and spending for longer. Add to this the fact that if you’re at a cards table or slot machine you’ll be delivered an endless supply of free drinks, and you can easily find yourself penniless and trashed at 5am when you’d only intended to step out for a quick game of craps at 7pm. Two days earlier.

• Las Vegas has a zero-tolerance policy on drugs, so hold off on committing that particular sin in this city of sin.

GETTING AROUND

· The CAT buses are not only cheap as chips, but most of them also run 24 hours a day, so they’re your best bet for getting around.

· If you want something fun, there are plenty of scooter rental places scattered around, but remember that drunk-driving laws apply to you, too.

· Walking the strip is a must to properly take in all there is to see. You’ll get a better idea of the vastness of this city when you’re on foot, dwarfed by glittering buildings.a

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