It’s Vegas baby! The one-and-only, world-famous Las Vegas is a truly mind-numbing site to see. From the megalith casinos to the extravagant shows featuring the world’s biggest celebrities, from the professional sporting events now including the Raiders and F1 and don’t even get us started on the pool parties! Yep, we hate to ask our dear friends in Texas to step aside, but everything is much much bigger in Las Vegas.
And when it comes to the infamous Las Vegas Strip, the idea of going “big” knows no limits. The Strip is what happens when the world’s wealth congregates into a single street and bubbles up into an oasis of opulence in the middle of the Mojave Desert. A far cry from the Vegas of yesteryear, Sin City has unabashedly asserted itself as the undisputed epicenter of over-the-top extravagance and excess (where else will you see a Ferrari dealership inside a hotel??), and we’re here to help you navigate this ever-changing oasis of awesomeness.
The first step is to decide between having an “on-strip” vs “off-strip” lodging and event experience. The Strip is the beating heart of the Las Vegas valley, so if you want to be in the center of all the energy and excitement and don’t mind crowds, the strip is where it’s at. Of course, there are a few on-strip options that can deliver a little more privacy and personal touch such as Nomad at the MGM Grand, The Four Seasons located in the Mandalay Bay or the Mandarin Oriental located in City Center, but this level of accommodation on the strip comes at a premium price.
For a more mainstream experience, consider the on-strip stalwarts, which are truly some of the most magnificent structures in the world. At the north end of the strip – the Wynn and Encore, still the crown jewels of the entire gaming world, and The Venetian and Palazzo (our picks for best overall). To the south, Aria and Cosmopolitan (best for corporate conferences and conventions), and right smack dab in the middle, The Bellagio – the OG Las Vegas rainmaker extraordinaire.
Of course, there are a number of pros to hosting an event or getting hitched in Las Vegas besides the strip. Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport is the 5th busiest airport in the world which means your guests will not have any problems finding reasonable flight options, and because the city is so new and still relatively small, getting around once you’re on the ground is a breeze.
Perfect for a wedding weekend getaway or a sun and shorts-style corporate retreat, going off-strip in Las Vegas offers the option of replacing busy city streets with sweeping natural views and replacing the constant buzz of a city that never sleeps with a taste of peace and serenity.
No respectable list of off-strip resorts could exclude Green Valley Ranch, the first off-strip property to command the respect (and rates!) of its on-strip counterparts. Green Valley delivers everything you might want in a Las Vegas hotel experience and more with the convenience and calm of being located 10 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes off the strip. For more of a sprawling golf style resort, look no further than the JW Marriott Las Vegas in the affluent neighborhood of Summerlin for more of a Palm Springs-esque escape, and oft overlooked (or under-appreciated?), the Hilton Lake Las Vegas, where you can relax in an uniquely beautiful setting and take in the magical lake and mountain views.
Are you planning on making Las Vegas the destination of choice for your next event? Let’s talk!
