Three of the Best Las Vegas Hotels: Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, and Luxor

For those of you planning to go to Las Vegas anytime soon, your most difficult decision will be deciding which hotel to stay at. There are many factors to consider when choosing a hoter. You will want to compare rates, acitivites, cleanliness, restaurants, and much more. Having stayed at Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, and Luxor, I can easily pick my favorite hotel, but it may not necessarily be the one that you would think. Let's start with Luxor.

Luxor's pyramid rises in the Las Vegas desert like a shrine to the Egyptians. From the colossal light that illuminates the sky at night, to the Sphinx standing guard at the entrance, you know that you have entered another world. Who would have thought it create a hotel, with rooms set at such angles as Luxor's are. The higher you get up in the pyramid, the less rooms there are. To get to your room, you must travel on the inclinator, a ride that would make a strong stomach queasy. Once you make it to your room, you will be surprised at the elegance that you will find. The windows are not very large and they slant at a steep angle near them, but it is quite fun knowing your sleeping in a pyramid. Unlike many other Vegas hotels, when you step out the door of your room, you can look right down at the casino, but don't look for long, you may get dizzy. Luxor has a large casino with many tables for those who like to gamble. For those who enjoy buffet's, you definitely cannot miss theirs. The buffet is located in the "basement" and it feels like you are going on a Disneyland ride when you step on the escalator. The buffet is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but I would recommend the breakfast. Go early, because there will be a line. Luxor has a tram that connects to Mandalay Bay and Excalibur, so on those one-hundred plus, degree days, you can take the tram, or the indoor walkways connected to both hotels. The average summer rates are $120-150, depending on the days you stay.

Mandalay Bay sits right next door to Luxor and it is the first hotel that makes up the Strip when you are coming from 15 North. It sits like a golden goddess, becking you to come play. From the moment you walk into the hotel, you are in a lush forst, a London square, a tropical sanctuary. The architects did everything to make Mandalay Bay a visually appealing hotel. They have a large casino and many table to play for those who gamble. There is a House of Blues that holds concerts nightly and Shark Reef, an aquarium for children and adults of all ages. The pool area is something to be awed. There is a wave pool, lazy river, and several swimming pools. Mandalay Bay built a mini waterpark in their own backyard and what better place than Las Vegas? The hotel rooms are quite luxurious and every room has floor to ceiling windows, a definite plus. Mandalay Bay has many different restaurants to choose from Raffles Cafe; Red, White, and Blue, to nightclub Rum Jungle. For those who want luxury, and variety, Mandalay Bay is the place for you. The average summer rates are $200, depending on if there is a big event going on.

Lastly, is Bellagio. Sitting almost in the middle of the Strip, it is a great location for those who want to walk from hotel to hotel. When you enter the lobby, you'll notice the eye catching glass blown flowers that adorn the ceiling and the visuals do not stop there. Bellagio has an area, right near check-in, that is constantly changing. It has been decorated with country themes, trains, and flowers. It's under a glass ceiling so the light poors in. Definitely something you do not want to miss and the best part.....it's free. Bellagio, being a higher end hotel, has a beautiful casino and many tables to choose from. Not many, if any $5 minimum tables at this establishment. Their pool area is grand and fit for a king, Bellagio would not have it any other way. When choosing a room to stay in, definitely splurge and get a lake view room. From my room I was able to watch the Bellagio fountains and they are quite a site to see. Make sure you view them right from the street as well, gives you a completely different perspective. The average summer rates for a lake view room are $300, but worth the splurge.

So next time you're heading out to Vegas, choose your hotel carefully. It may just make or break your trip. But then again, losing all your money in Vegas may not be such a great thing.