World City Guide

Hotels

Hotel sales tax in Las Vegas is 9%. Some hotels also regularly charge a small energy surcharge fee to offset the increased cost of electricity. A notice describing this surcharge must be posted in a visible location, either in the room or in the hotel’s reception area. Due to the recent slowdown of the tourism industry, however, some hotels have elected to temporarily waive the fee, in an attempt to encourage business.

In addition, it is normal to tip porters (around US$1 per bag), cabstand attendants (US$1-3 depending on the number of people per taxi), valet parkers (US$2) and housekeepers (US$2-5 per night).Seasonal prices tend to vary considerably in Las Vegas, with higher rates being tied to Las Vegas’ milder spring and autumn seasons, holidays and special events. Travellers are advised to book well in advance for the best rates and availability.

The prices quoted below reflect the lowest standard rate for a standard double room; they do not include sales tax or electricity charges. Breakfast is not included, unless otherwise specified.

Business

Alexis Park Resort
Located three blocks east of the Strip, Alexis Park offers quiet luxury business accommodation. The 500 one- and two-bedroom bungalow suites are framed by attractive garden paths and an ornate swimming pool and are offered in five different layouts, ranging from single level to double. The Regal suites are split-level, containing two bedrooms (one on each floor), a fully stocked mini-bar, two bathrooms and a living and dining area for four people. Smaller, but equally comfortable, one-level floor plans have the traditional marble wet bar, a spacious living room and a writing area. Some units have sunken whirlpools. Business services, meeting and convention rooms and a full-service spa are also located on site. There is a porter service to offset the fact that there are no lifts for the upper-floor suites.

375 East Harmon Avenue
Tel: (702) 796 3300 or 800 582 2228. Fax: (702) 796 3354.
E-mail: info@alexispark.com
Website: www.alexispark.com
Price: From US$109.

Clarion Emerald Springs
The Emerald Springs is one of the city’s few non-gaming hotels and caters for business and convention travellers; it was formerly a Holiday Inn. Rooms are equipped with modem points, a refrigerator and a coffee maker. Seven meeting rooms of various sizes are on site, along with a restaurant and lounge. Exercise facilities include a workout room and a swimming pool; some suites are fitted with a Jacuzzi. The hotel is located to the east of the Strip but within walking distance, and less than 10 minutes’ drive from the airport. The Emerald Springs also offers free limo or shuttle service to and from McCarran International Airport.

325 East Flamingo Road
Tel: (702) 732 9100 or 800 732 7889. Fax: (702) 731 9784.
E-mail: hotelhelp@choicehotels.com
Website: www.choicehotels.com
Price: From US$59.

Four Seasons Hotel
The Four Seasons Hotel’s location at the south end of the Strip gives the appearance of a secluded resort in the middle of Las Vegas’ busiest commercial sector. The sculptured garden driveway and the absence of noisy slot machines help to enhance this appearance. The hotel has no delusions about its clientele: most guests come here to take advantage of their impeccable business services and elegant French decor, rather than a full casino floor. Accommodation ranges from the 75-sq-metre (810-sq-ft) Las Vegas Room, furnished in rich wooden tones with a king-size bed, living room, marble bathroom and large walk-in closet, to the 409-sq-metre (4,000-sq-ft) Presidential Suite, featuring a full living and dining room, multiple bedrooms and an expansive view of the Strip and mountain scenery. Each bedroom in the Presidential Suite has its own marble bathroom and some suites feature a private study. Each suite or room features a high-speed modem point and can be networked to other rooms and meeting areas. The hotel’s ballrooms and meeting rooms are designed with large conventions in mind, although smaller meetings can also be accommodated. The Four Seasons’ catering service can meet a wide range of dietary needs, including kosher dishes.

3960 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 632 5000. Fax: (702) 632 5195.
Website: www.fourseasons.com/lasvegas/index.html
Price: From US$250.

MGM Grand
Located on the Strip, the MGM Grand features full conference facilities with a business centre and banquet services. The business centre has computers on site for customers to use and provides a full range of ancillary services, including a notary public and photocopying and faxing facilities. The 5,034 guest rooms feature a contemporary decor in bright tones and tasteful furnishings, with nine floor plans from which to choose and 29 private villas, available within The Mansion at MGM Grand. The hotel can also arrange conference calls for guests. Guests are requested to advise the hotel at the time of booking if particular services are required during their stay.

3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 891 7777 or 877 880 0880. Fax: (702) 891 1030.
E-mail: mgmres@lv.mgmgrand.com
Website: www.mgmgrand.com
Price: From US$89.

Luxury

THEhotel at Mandalay Bay
A sleek, chic, cosmopolitan haven nestled deep inside of the Mandalay Bay; THEhotel offers an airy alternative to the visual overload that most Vegas hotel casinos promote. Catering to a stylish clientele, THEhotel’s 1,117-suites are decorated in calming neutral tones with separate living and sleeping areas and suite amenities include a wet bar, 42-inch plasma screen TV, high speed Internet access and fax/printers and features marble and granite bathrooms with separate tub and shower. The rooms offer up Las Vegas’ version of the ultimate Manhattan dream apartment and fans of the ‘boutique hotel’ trend in service and design have been flocking here since its opening in December 2003. THEhotel also has a business centre facility, restaurants, and provides 24-hour room service along with access to all of the property features at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 693 7111 or 877 632 7800.
Website: www.mandalaybay.com
Price: From US$159.

Bellagio
As the name suggests, Bellagio hotel and casino is designed with beauty in mind. The hotel is located on the Strip but separated from it by a driveway and a 3.24-hectare (8-acre) lake, featuring more than 1,000 exquisitely timed water fountains, as well as botanical gardens and a fine arts gallery. Bellagio’s 316 suites and 3,005 guest rooms are equally impressive, designed with both the business and leisure traveller in mind. Standard rooms include two-line phones with high-speed internet access, fax and computer modem points. Suites include a fax machine, wet bar, refrigerator, icemaker and entertainment centre. On-site meeting rooms have telephones with dual lines and modem points and are complemented by a full audio-visual department. Bellagio’s business centre also provides a full range of clerical and word-processing services.

3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 693 7111 or 888 987 3456. Fax: (702) 693 8546.
E-mail: roomres@bellagioresort.com
Website: www.bellagio.com
Price: From US$249.

Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace, with its enormous Roman pillars and canopy bedchambers, would seem ostentatious to some, yet it remains one of the Strip’s big-name luxury hotels. The expansive suites have mini bars, marble bathtubs and spacious views of the Strip. Both the suites and the guest rooms are equipped for special needs, Along with all of the usual amenities: two family pools, one European-style pool (topless), a new heated pool, two outdoor Jacuzzis, numerous restaurants and a full line of casino entertainment, the newly constructed Colosseum contains a 4,100-seat state-of-the-art entertainment venue custom designed for the production ‘A New Day’, starring Celine Dion, and redefines the idea of ‘showroom’ for Las Vegas. Caesars Palace also has four tennis courts, squash shops and an expansive shopping mall on site.

3750 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 731 7110 or 877 427 7243. Fax: (702) 967 3890.
Website: www.caesarspalace.com
Price: From US$89.

Moderate

El Cortez Hotel
One of the more modest casinos in Las Vegas, El Cortez’ roots actually go back to the era of ‘Bugsy’ Siegel, one of the city’s founders. In 1963, the old hotel and casino were purchased by a Las Vegas newcomer and remodeled to reflect a Southwestern theme. These days, the hotel advertises a modest selection of rooms with rates that cannot be beaten, featuring a range of floor plans. The hotel’s least expensive rooms are only accessible by stairs. The ‘mini suite’ is conveniently close to the casino and includes a living area with a sofa, coffee table and chairs. Furnishings are generally sparse but comfortable. The friendly atmosphere and central location to Downtown attractions have long been one of the draws of this small casino, which is now outmatched by the grandiose casinos of the Strip.

600 East Fremont Street, Downtown
Tel: (702) 385 5200 or 800 634 6703. Fax: (702) 385 1554.
Website: www.elcortezhotelcasino.com
Price: From US$30.

Frontier Hotel and Casino
Situated on the Strip, the Frontier was originally completely Western in theme, although recently many of the hotel’s rooms have been renovated to reflect a more contemporary setting. Standard rooms feature oversized closets, a king or two queen beds and a small sitting area. Deluxe two-room suites are equipped with a mini bar, coffee maker, refrigerator and two TVs and overlook an indoor atrium. There are also one- and two-bedroom penthouse suites available, with a dining area, mini bar and Jacuzzi.

3120 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 794 8200 or 800 634 6966. Fax: (702) 794 8327.
E-mail: res@frontierlv.com
Website: www.frontierlv.com
Price: From US$59.

Other Recommendations

The Palms Hotel and Casino
The Palms is one of the newer hotel/casino resorts in Las Vegas and caters mostly to the young, moneyed celebrity and wanna-be crowd as attested by the suites specifically designed for the physical requirements of NBA players and the showcase ‘Real World Suite’, made notorious on the MTV series Real World. This is the resort that won 17 Las Vegas Review Journal 2005 ‘Best of Vegas’ awards including ‘Best New Restaurant’ for Little Buddha, the Vegas counterpart of the world-famous Buddha Bar located in Paris, France. Chicago’s famous Nine and Ghostbar are transported here and are the gathering spots for the beautiful. With over 95,000-sq-ft of casino space, 1,800 slot machines, the Palms boasts every type of game for every type of player. Guest rooms feature the usual amenities as well as items such as in-room refreshment centres, dual-line telephones, data ports and on-screen television Internet. Valet parking is available.

4321 West Flamingo Road
Tel: (702) 942 6832 or 866 942 7770. Fax: (702) 942 7001.
E-mail: info@palms.com
Website: www.palms.com
Price: From US$89.

Green Valley Ranch Resort
Located in Henderson, a short drive outside of Las Vegas, The Green Valley Ranch Resort puts the focus on luxury and pampering and provides a break from the pace of The Strip. Fashioned in a rambling Mediterranean Hacienda style and housing 50,000 sq ft of meeting space, eight restaurants, a cinema and a European-inspired intimate casino, the main buildings open onto the pool area which offers a small sand beach, private lounging beds in a more modern European setting. Deluxe guest rooms feature the usual amenities including high-speed Internet, while the Presidential Suite offers a breathtaking view of Las Vegas. The Green Valley Ranch is a favourite with locals and celebrities seeking relaxation at the ‘Dolphin Court Grand Spa’, a uniquely designed facility offering glass-ceiling treatment rooms underneath a gentle indoor waterfall. Shoppers will delight in ‘The District’, an outdoor pedestrian shopping village featuring smart retail shops and some restaurants just steps from the resort. The Green Valley Ranch is also close to four of the nation’s most challenging golf courses.

2300 Pasco Verde Parkway, Henderson
Tel: (702) 617 7777 or 866 STAY GVR (782 9487). Fax: (702) 617 7778.
Website: www.greenvalleyranchresort.com
Price: From US$300.