My Top Ten Favorite Las Vegas Strip Hotels, Rated

When you come to Vegas, there’s a 99% chance you’re visiting for the nightlife. Having lived here for a few years, I’ve spent quite a bit of time on the Las Vegas Strip, either as a regular person enjoying a night on the town, or working as a Las Vegas elopement photographer. Either way, the Strip is a lot of fun, especially if you hit some of these great places!

Please note that these hotels are in no particular order. Obviously there are a million hotels on the Strip, but these 10 are my favorite for a variety of reasons! I’ve rated them out of 10, based on their hotel rooms, restaurant options, and how easy they are to navigate. Also, I don’t receive any kickbacks for this list, and this is purely just meant to help out-of-town visitors!

Found your perfect hotel and you know where you’re staying? Then it must be time to plan your Las Vegas elopement!

Park MGM – 9.5/10

The Park MGM used to be known as the Monte Carlo until it was bought out by MGM in 2018. With this buyout came a half-billion dollar renovation job. The reason I love Park MGM so much? The food. Honestly. They have some of the coolest bars and restaurants on the Strip that are a bit more low-key. Some favorites include Eataly ($), Best Friend ($$), Bavette’s ($$$$), and Mama Rabbit. Plus, with this casino being the first smoke-free on the Strip, and as someone who’s allergic to cigarettes, it’s a win-win for me.

Aria – 9/10

I’ve stayed in the Aria Sky Suites quite a few times, and truly, nothing compares. From the limo that picks you up at the airport, to the private elevators and concierge service available at all times, the Aria clearly prioritizes the comfort of its guests above all else. Other perks include a private pool area specifically for Sky Suites guests, and a pool day club open to anyone. The Buffet is also a big favorite, as you get quite a bang for your buck.

Cosmopolitan – 9/10

The Cosmo was the first Strip hotel I ever stayed in, which helped get it on this list. But truly, what solidified this hotel on this list was the food options inside. Some favorites include the Momofuku Milk Bar for some sweets, Holsteins for some incredible burgers and boozy shakes, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (even approved by my southern fiance), and Secret Pizza – the pizza itself isn’t anything to write home about, but it’s fun to search for this hidden restaurant. And of course, the thing that makes it all top tier is the Chandelier Bar. It’s bright purple and smack in the middle of the casino, so it’s not like you could miss it. Head there and order the Verbena for a wild drink!

Excalibur – 5/10

Okay, truly, the only reason this hotel made it was because of how fun and cheesy it is. Vegas spent the 90s trying to appeal to a more family-oriented crowd, which is when these themed hotels came to fruition, similar to New York New York. Excalibur clearly hasn’t been updated much since it was built, thus keeping that retro-Vegas feel to it. But man, all those years of cigarette smoke soaking into the carpet? I’ll pass. This is, however, a great place to stay if you want to be on the Strip for cheap.

Bellagio – 9.5/10

You know it. You love it. You’ve seen those dang fountains in all the photos. Bellagio is a classic, and has earned itself the recognition it receives time and time again. This hotel is home to my favorite Cirque du Soleil show, ‘O,’ and it has some of the best restaurants you’ll find on the Strip, like Yellowtail ($$$), Michael Mina ($$$$), and the newest of them all: The Mayfair Supper Club ($$$). Go shopping in their insane luxury mall, stop by their incredible seasonally-changing botanical garden, and get a fountain facing room if you can – it’s worth the splurge.

Caesars Palace – 8.5/10

I swear, the number of times I have walked the length of Caesars back and forth, I could practically do it with my eyes closed at this point. So many of my clients choose to stay here because it’s such a staple in the Las Vegas skyline. Caesars is also a quick walk away from Bellagio, Flamingo, and Paris, putting you right in the middle of the Strip and giving you that ultimate Vegas experience. Plus, their buffet, the Bacchanal, beats out any other buffet on the Strip.

Mandalay Bay – 8/10

If you’re looking for something a bit further away from the hustle and bustle, I always recommend Mandalay Bay. The Shark Reef Aquarium alone is enough reason to stay at this hotel, but the incredible pool is also a huge benefit. With a tram taking you from the hotel to the Luxor and the Excalibur, you won’t have to do too much walking to get to the main part of the Strip. Attached to the main building are also the Delano, the Four Seasons, and the Convention Center, so you might need a map to keep from getting lost!

Venetian / Palazzo – 8/10

I grouped these two together because in my mind, they’re basically the same hotel. Same owner, same vibe, same location! But what I love about these two is the shopping mall between them. These hotels do an excellent job of leaning into the Italian inspiration, complete with a gondola boat ride around the mall and outside of the building. Plus, they’ll even sing to you on these trips.

The Mirage – 7/10

I’ve only spent a little bit of time in this hotel, but I really enjoy how much attention was paid to the decor. The atrium hosts a whole rainforest in the middle of the desert, the aquarium behind the registration desk has more than 1000 different kinds of aquatic critters, and it was known for being the home of Siegfried and Roy’s show until 2003. The outdoor entertainment includes an active water-based volcano, which will keep cars parked along the strip for minutes at a time to watch (ask me how I know 🙄😂).

The Strat – 8/10

And last but certainly not least, the Strat has started to make a comeback in recent years. For a while, it felt really out of the way for minimal perks, but they’ve lately been working on re-establishing themselves as a staple of the Strip. With the space needle design towering over the actual Space Needle, it holds a full, 360º rotating restaurant, a bar, and three roller coasters on the top area, all overlooking the Las Vegas Valley. Level 107 Lounge has one of the best happy hours on the Strip, and the Top of the World restaurant is a primo date night spot.