Top 12 cool and unusual hotels in Las Vegas

For upon |With fun and craziness very high on the agenda, America’s original Sin City is home to some of the most unusual places to stay in the world. From old-school quirky kitsch to ultra-cool design boutiques hotels, here is our collective choice for the best Cool and Unusual hotels in Las Vegas (in no particular order)…

The LINQ Hotel – high-tech decadence

The rooms at the highly rated 4-starLINQ Hotel offer a classic decadence, with modern furnishings and a bright, airy atmosphere which contrasts with the craziness of the strip outside. The splashes of colour are a nod to the vibrancy of downtown Vegas and it boasts one of the most central locations on the strip, only a stone’s throw from the High Roller Ferris Wheel which – standing at 550 feet above the skyline – offers unparalleled views of the area. Amenities at this hip Vegas hotel include a fantastic spa and gym, a unique museum/gallery showcasing classic cars, a number of excellent restaurants and bars, a cool outdoor pool, lashings of funky decor and a casino…of course! Opt for an upgraded room if you can, as well as free WiFi and cable TV you’ll also be treated to the Strip or beautiful mountain views – wonderful! 

• Prices from $50pn
• To book, check prices or availability for LINQ Hotel

Las Vegas Vdara Hotel and Spa – cutting edge boutique

Located in the CityCenter complex just a block from the Strip, the very highly rated 5-star Vdara Hotel has one mission, to entertain you – without a casino – and it does not fail! The luxurious Vegas boutique hotel has a cutting-edge designed pool and spa, secluded plunge pools and stylish cabanas and even a cool dog park. Of course, there’s a numerous amount of restaurants (including Thai, Tapas and Chinese) and chic bars to choose from and the upscale rooms offer free WiFi, flat-screen TVs as well as living and dining areas, soaking tubs and kitchenettes if you spend a bit more. Opt for a room with a view of the Bellagio Hotel fountain if you can! Expect a stylish décor and a vibrant energy that encapsulates its surroundings with rooms sumptuously designed to cater to every traveller’s need, you’ll probably never want to leave!

• Prices from $80pn
• To book, check prices or availability for Las Vegas Vdara Hotel and Spa

The Bellagio – famous Italian chic

The on-strip chic hotel made famous by Ocean’s Eleven is modelled on the picturesque Italian lakeside village of the same name. Both inside and outside of the much loved and exceptionally rated 5-star Bellagio Hotel you can expect huge attention to detail with Italian style gardens, an art collection that runs to Renoirs, elaborate mosaic floors, top-end designer boutique stores and that’s not forgetting their huge sprawling casino, spa, no less than five outdoor pool, gym, multiple plush restaurants and bars and legendary dancing fountains shows. Their rooms and suites? Well expect very elegant rooms with marble bathrooms, tasteful art and at the top-end, private elevator access, whirlpool tubs and even personal butlers – phew! 

• Prices from $120pn
• To book, check prices or availability for The Bellagio

Artisan Hotel – intimate arty boutique

If hotels with casinos aren’t really your thing then the highly rated Artisan Hotel is a hip Vegas boutique hotel with a difference. It’s an adults only hotel with a unique gothic underworld of a theme, complete with deep red velvet furniture, candlelit areas and ornate gilded statues. Reproductions of Cezannes, Chagalls, Rembrandts, and Van Goghs adorn the walls and even the ceilings (at very peculiar angles) and outside there is a ‘European-style’ pool with cool cabanas where going topless isn’t frowned upon if that’s your thing.

There is a farm-to-table restaurant and the rooms feature free Wi-Fi, iPod docks and flat-screens as well as some funkily fabulous decor. Opt for a suite can you can expect wet bars, walk-in wardrobes and pool tables. Want to step it up a gear? Then the nightlife, numerous bars, weekend parties and live entertainment at this hip place won’t disappoint! A unique choice in Vegas only two blocks from the main Strip!

• Prices from $40pn
• To book, check prices or availability for Artisan Hotel

The Cosmopolitan – swish 5 star glamour

With a motto like ‘Less is Bore’, you know that the 5-star exceptionally rated Cosmopolitan Hotel of Las Vegas will not disappoint! A myriad of bars and restaurants mean that global gastronomy is at your fingertips and you can surround yourself with glamour at their Moroccan inspired spa which comes with a hammam. Rooms are bright and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows, a clean-cut design, many come with terraces and there is, of course, the option to have the world-famous Bellagio fountain view.

Treat yourself to a suite and you’ll find yourself immersed in pure luxury with dining areas and kitchenettes, private pools, terraces and a butler service. Other highlights at this trendy Las Vegas hotel, include no less than three outdoor pools, a gym, a casino, a wedding chapel and even an area for alfresco performances. Centrally located on the main Strip, it also means that you don’t have far to go to indulge in all the decadence that Vegas has to offer before retreating back to this immaculate haven! 

• Prices from $70pn
• To book, check prices or availability for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas 

The Luxor – Egyptian magic

Arguably the most unusual hotel in Las Vegas (and in Vegas that’s really saying something)! The ever-popular Luxor Resort located on the main Strip is an Aladdin’s cave of kitsch where a gigantic Sphinx welcomes you to a 30-storey Egyptian pyramid made of black glass, and into the world’s largest lobby. Rooms at this vibrant Nevada stay are designed to represent the interior of a pyramid – giant pharaoh statues adorn the lobby and a huge pool is framed by towering temple columns. Want more? Then the fun casino, spa, great range of drinking and dining options and the sumptuous suites complete with soaking tubs and wet bars should more than please you!

• Prices from $40pn
• To book, check prices or availability for Luxor Resort

The Cromwell – the strip’s first boutique hotel

This vibrant on-Strip hotel and casino offers plush accommodation, fine dining and non-stop parties – surely what a trip to Vegas is all about? The very swish 4-star and exceptionally rated Cromwell Hotel juxtaposes classic Parisian décor with a vibrant, effervescent energy including rooftop entertainment and palm-tree lined pools. Not to mention, Giada – one of Vegas’s hottest eateries. Snag a one-of-a-kind souvenir from its unique gift shop or embrace the excitement at the casino parties. The classy fun at this very cool Vegas hotel is endless.

• Prices from $80pn
• To book, check prices or availability for The Cromwell

Grand Red Rock – award-winning opulence

There is something timeless about the award-winning 5-star and exceptionally rated Grand Red Rock, with its plush furnishings and attention to detail, that seems to hark back to a Vegas-era gone by. Located two miles from the Red Rock Canyon National Recreation area, the rooms are fully equipped and have a cosy, sumptuous vibe with marble tops and upscale accessories. Of an evening guests can sip cocktails at the bar or enjoy fine dining at the hotel restaurant. A three-acre outdoor pool and cabana space offer plenty of relaxation time, but if that’s not enough, have a bowl in their popular bowling alley, catch a film at their 16-screen cinema and book yourself into their spa and wellness centre for a rejuvenating massage. Don’t worry about not being located right on the Strip either – a shuttle service will whisk you there and back daily if you wish!

• Prices from $80pn
• To book, check prices or availability for Grand Red Rock

Serene Vegas Hotel – funky mid-range boutique hotel

The Serene Hotel is a funky mid-range option for those who don’t like the sprawling casino hotels. The rooms are decorated with a colourful dramatic design which offers a touch of glamour without breaking the bank. The outdoor pool offers respite from all the chaos outside and the suites come with a balcony or patio, allowing you to observe the action without having to join the milieu. Some rooms are even equipped with their own Jacuzzi bath, what could be more decadent than having a bubbly soak, sipping champagne delivered by room service while looking out over the Vegas skyline at night?

• Prices from $40pn
• To book, check prices or availability for Serene Hotel

Flamingo – old school kitsch

Old school kitsch is probably the best phrase to describe the much-loved Flamingo Hotel and if you like your Vegas hotels just how they were back in the 1950’s, then the pink emblazoned establishment set on the main Strip is a whole lot of fun. It first opened its doors in 1946 and today it still pulls the punters with a pretty special retro quality and a lively atmosphere. Expect a vibrant black and candy-pink vintage style decor, live shows galore, a lagoon-style outdoor pool, plenty of eateries, rooms with all mod cons (and suites with lots of luxury!) and dancing girls on the casino floor – a place that has to be seen to be believed!

• Prices from $40pn
• To book, check prices or availability for The Flamingo

The Venetian – elegant Italian inspired style

They seem to have a thing about Italy in Vegas and this much loved and consistently highly rated five-star hotel strangely manages to be both themed and elegant at the same time. Located in the middle of the main Strip, The Venetian Resort is a seemingly endless place with a visually striking exterior and gulp-inducing interiors that look spookily similar to the famous Italian city which it’s based on. Aside from lush rooms and suites (which come with soaking tubs and all mod cons) expect no less than 20 restaurants, 10 outdoor pools, a swanky spa, a lively casino, a swish shopping mall, elaborate frescoes, gondoliers meandering down shop-lined canals and detailed sculptured figures that look very much like the real thing. With huge attention to detail, this chic Vegas hotel has even trained pigeons to flap around its piazza!

• Prices from $120pn
• To book, check prices or availability for Venetian Resort Las Vegas

New York New York – a big bite of the apple

This is another quirky Las Vegas hotel located in the midst of all the craziness of the Strip which has gone all out of the theme – the architecture is meant to evoke the New York City skyline and inside you’ll find scaled-down replicas of New York landmarks including the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and Statue of Liberty! No detail is forgotten at the 4-star very highly rated New York New York and in the main lobby, the streets of ‘Greenwich village’ have their very own fire hydrants, fake graffiti and New York-style delis. Lux lovers will love the sophisticated rooms with marble bathrooms, party-goers will go wild for the weekend DJs and go-go dancers and adrenaline junkies will lap up the roller coaster that swoops and swirls around the exterior buildings!

• Prices from $70pn
• To book, check prices or availability for New York New York

ARIA Resort and Casino – from spas to fine art

The 5-star exceptionally rated ARIA resortis set in a sleek complex of multiple buildings on the main Strip and offers a plush casino floor complete with every attraction from traditional slots to more high-stakes cards (so there is something for every indulgence)! The chic and modern rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows which show off the stunning views of the surrounding strip – especially at night – and the décor is trendy and minimalist, allowing the sublime panorama to talk for itself. Facilities at this contemporary Las Vegas accommodation are endless and include indulgent spa treatments, three outdoor pools surrounded by palm trees, a super luxe mall, live entertainment, a wide range of restaurants, rounds of golf to fine art collections. There is seemingly nothing that the ARIA can’t turn its hand to! 

• Prices from $90pn
• To book, check prices or availability for The ARIA resort 

Las Vegas Golden Nugget Hotel – classic Vegas luxury

Located in Downtown Las Vegas, just north of The Strip on Las Vegas Boulevard, the 4-star exceptionally rated Vegas Golden Nugget lives up to its name –  it especially stands out with its brightly lit façade. The inside of this award-winning hip Vegas hotel is pretty golden too, it prides itself on bringing an air of elegance to your trip and offering a stay dripping with both luxury and charm. Enjoy the stunning views from your bedroom window, relax in their gorgeous spa, down drink at their tequila bar, whizz down the water slide at ‘The Tank’, hang out at the lush poolside cabanas or simply float around the infinity pool. The gaming experience is pretty epic too, with a substantial casino space and keep your eyes peeled for celebrities, the Golden Nugget is a hotspot with the stars too. So if it’s good enough for them…

• Prices from $60pn
• To book, check prices or availability for Vegas Golden Nugget 

Hotel32 at Monte Carlo – live like a celebrity

This is one of the highest rated places to stay in Las Vegas. Hotel 32 is a gorgeous boutique hotel located on the top floor of the Monte Carlo on the Las Vegas Strip and promises to give you the ultimate celebrity VIP treatment. Suite assistants at the Monte Carlo Resort Casino are hired to act on your every command and you’ll even be given an iPhone that acts as your “mobile concierge.” Rooms are no less impressive with spa-like bathrooms, huge plasma HDTVs and make sure you don’t leave without checking out the scenic rooftop view of the main strip, the swanky outdoor pools, the elegant spa, their acclaimed Asian restaurant and no less than three chic bars – bliss! 

• Prices from $100pn
• To book, check prices or availability for Monte Carlo Resort Casino

Nobu Hotel at Caesar’s Palace – Eastern inspired chic

A hotel within a hotel, this is a tasteful Japanese-style boutique hotel located right in the middle of Caesars Palace on the Strip that offers a pure lux escape. The rooms at the upscale 5-star and highly rated Nobu Hotel are beautifully appointed with a chic Eastern-influenced decor which includes black lacquered furniture, carpet textured to resemble rake lines in a sandy zen-like garden and traditional Japanese woodblock prints. The sophisticated rooms offer flat-screen TVs and sitting areas and other hotel highlights at this trendsetting Vegas hotel include a complex of beautiful swimming pools, an upscale spa, a rooftop villa which has a deck with Strip views, a bar, and a Zen garden with a hot tub. Also, make sure you don’t miss their restaurant, it’s the world’s largest Nobu Restaurant and the first to offer teppanyaki in the USA!

• Prices from $120pn
• To book, check prices or availability for Nobu Hotel

Hotel SkyLOFTS at MGM – pure opulence

The 5-star exceptionally rated Hotel SkyLOFTS at MGM is the physical embodiment of the phrase “have your cake and eat it”. A stay at this on-Strip plush Nevada resort means lounging in the most beautiful surroundings while highly-trained, expert staff see to your every need. A particular highlight is the Bang and Olufsen ® electronics in the rooms and the 24-hour personal butler. Not to mention a host of other amenities like a Spa Butler, infinity edge spa tub and the video game consoles, all of which ensure that this is a stay like no other in Vegas!

• To book, check prices or availability for Hotel SkyLOFTS 

Hardwood Suite at The Palms – sporty fun

Las Vegas is full of bizarrely themed suites and the Hardwood Suite at The Palms Resort definitely falls into that category. It has its own basketball court complete with a locker room, three large beds and even its own dance floor. It also has space big enough to at least 350 people to party – wallflowers will probably want to give this one a miss though! Alternatively, just opt for stay at the gorgeous 4-star highly rated Palms Resort instead (where prices start from a very reasonable $40 a night).

• To book, check prices or availability for The Palms Resort

Stratosphere Hotel – for the thrill seekers

Rise above it all at the Stratosphere Hotel…that’s what they say! This award-winning Vegas hotel offers an on-Strip stay with a difference; six themed restaurants from Italian to a milkshake bar, you won’t be stuck for nibbles. An 80,000sqft casino space will see to all your gaming needs while the theatre features MJ Live, the World’s Great Rock Show and the LA Comedy Club – the entertainment opportunities are endless. However, perhaps the most pertinent perk is the discounted access to the Stratosphere Tower, the tallest freestanding observation tower in the US which, of course, has Top of the World fine dining and a Chapel in the Clouds wedding chapel as well as the famous SkyJump Las Vegas. Something for every type of adrenaline junkie!

The article was originally published here.