South Point

Description:

• Including the South Point in the South Strip category stretches the definition almost to the breaking point. Located about 6 miles south of Mandalay Bay, it is still on Las Vegas Boulevard but certainly not within walking distance to anything else of interest except for maybe a convenience store. Still, this hotel is a worthwhile addition both to the city and to this category, offering an "expensive" level of accommodations at a "moderate" price.

  South Point follows the same formula established by its ancestors: nice rooms at reasonable costs; plenty of low-priced food outlets; tons of entertainment options, including movie theaters, a bowling alley, and more; and a massive casino with lower-than-average limits on everything from slots to craps tables. There's also a giant Equestrian Center out back, large enough for just about any rodeo, complete with air-conditioned horse stalls and a pen for thousands of head of cattle. A unique offering to be sure, but we'd recommend you choose a nonevent time to stay here, if possible, because no matter how much odor-absorbing wood chips you throw at them, 2,000 head of cattle emit a less-than-pleasant odor that may make an afternoon by the pool rather unenjoyable.

  The overall scheme is Southern California modern, with plenty of sunny paint schemes and airy architectural details. Think Santa Barbara instead of Hollywood, and you're probably in the ballpark. Rooms are large and aesthetically pleasing, each over 500 square feet and crammed full with expensive and luxurious furnishings, 42-inch plasma televisions, and all the other pampering amenities one would expect in a room three times the price. Seriously, a weekend rate check had rooms here at $125 per night, while Bellagio and Wynn were well over $400. Although we wouldn't put these rooms on quite the same level as the ones at those two ultraluxe establishments, we have a hard time coming up with a $275 amount of difference. Venerable local restaurant Michael's recently relocated here, along with a number of other new restaurants, and a tower expansion should be completed by the end of 2008.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010

Other features:

A 4400-seater Equestrian and Events Arena used for various events in Las Vegas. 1200 climate-controlled seats.