Prime Strip
Great Places to Stay: The Venetian
The developers of this massive hotel and casino complex in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip spared no expense in creating convincing facsimiles of famous Venetian landmarks and street scenes, along with a whopping 4,049 suites decorated in elegant European style. While it’s no substitute for a real trip to Italy, the Italian Renaissance theme park atmosphere that pervades the hotel and its Grand Canal shopping promenade can be good fun.
Accommodations at the all-suite property average a generous 700 square feet, with rich décor and posh marble bathrooms. Premium rates apply if you choose to stay in the new Venezia Tower, which offers a more exclusive environment and five floors of "concierge-level" suites.
In addition to a large casino, the Venetian’s long list of recreational facilities includes a branch of Madame Tussaud’s wax museum; an impressive fine art museum exhibiting works from the Guggenheim in New York and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia; and a 69,000-square-foot Canyon Ranch SpaClub, which features spa services, a 40-foot indoor rock-climbing wall and five acres of rooftop gardens, decks and swimming pools. Dining options range from casual fare to big-ticket menus by big-name chefs Wolfgang Puck (Postrio), Thomas Keller (Bouchon), Pierre Selvaggio (Valentino) and others.
As with most Vegas hotels, rates vary widely depending on the specific dates of your stay. Price tags in the $200 to $400 range are typical, though it’s sometimes possible to book special rates as low as $129 per night on the hotel’s website.
The Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino
3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-414-1000 or 877-883-6423
www.venetian.com
| 
)
