Score big at these specialty "hotels inside hotels."
Leave the cookie-cutter digs for someone else. Did you know there are special hotels inside some of Sin City's mega-casinos with VIP perks like private check-in, amped-up service and awesome amenities? Here are six of the best.
MGM Grand
This giant complex has two elite hotels to choose from. The Signature at MGM Grand is a 1,728-room, three-tower enclave with three distinct lobbies and pool areas, one for each tower. Accessed via a private gated entrance, the chic suites have separate living areas, king beds and whirlpool tubs. From $200. At Skylofts at MGM Grand (pictured left) , a chauffeur-driven Maybach whisks guests from the airport to these posh penthouse floors favored by celebrities. Starting at 1,400 square feet, the duplex lofts feature multiple plasma TVs, massage tubs, steam rooms, do-it-all Crestron remotes, Frette linens and personal butler service. Guests are granted VIP access to all MGM properties, including Bellagio. From $600.
Mandalay Bay
TheHotel was one of the city's first specialty retreats. The Soho-esque wing sits apart from the casino, engulfing you in sleek style and top-notch service. Nonsmoking rooms boast three plasma TVs and soaking tubs for two. From $150. Floors 35 through 39 of the main Mandalay Bay tower belong to the 424-room Four Seasons Hotel, Las Vegas that has its own entrance, restaurant and hotel staff. Express elevators whiz you to residential-style (more than 1,000 square feet) suites where perks include hand-delivered phone messages, stunning floor-to-ceiling views, and a serene pool deck with shaded arbors and Evian-spritzing pool attendants. From $320.
The Venetian
One of Vegas' most romantic hotels is building big buzz with the opening of the $1.9 billion Palazzo Las Vegas. Technically The Venetian's sister property, The Palazzo caters to urban sophisticates with attractions like The Shoppes at The Palazzo (Barneys New York, Tory Burch, Christian Louboutin), LAVO nightclub, a swanky new pool area and a massive Canyon Ranch SpaClub. The 3,066 all-suite accommodations have sunken living rooms with separate bedchambers, oversized marble bathrooms and remote-control Roman shades. From $199.
Caesars Palace
Joining the specialty scene in summer 2009 is Caesars' long-awaited Octavius tower. The $1 billion addition brings 665 rooms, raising the overall count from 3,349 to a whopping 4,014. In-room perks will include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks and whirlpool tubs, with three floors devoted entirely to suites. Three new swimming pools and an exclusive outdoor-garden wedding venue (a rarity in Vegas) are bonuses. Rates not yet released.
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