The Palazzo

Description:

• An expansion of the impressive Venetian but one that functions as a separate hotel, with its own massive grand lobby, own restaurants, and own rates. It's even more expensive for roughly the same experience, so choosing this one over the other isn't a must-do. Though if we had to say it, the rooms are a wee bit nicer. Which is saying a lot since The Venetian has some of the nicest rooms in town. Like its sister property, The Palazzo's rooms are "suites" -- a bedroom plus a sunken living room, with a sectional couch perfect for crashing and channel surfing. Three flatscreen TVs (two quite big, one smaller one badly positioned in the bathroom), a particularly squishy white bed with superior linens and pillows, remote control curtain and shades, and a deep bathtub in a generously sized, gleaming bathroom add up to the kind of accommodations that are hard to leave. Stay here only if what you mostly wanted to see in the city is your fabulous hotel room. On the other hand, they face the same problem as any behemoth Vegas hotel; it's luxury but for a luxury price, and it's luxury on a large scale, which doesn't permit the kind of personal pampering that price ought to bring.

  Should you leave, there are 14 restaurants including Table 10, the new eaterie by Emeril, and Carnevino, a steakhouse from Mario Batali, while Grand Lux Café is a moderately priced alternative to the mostly higher end offerings. Hip hop star Jay Z is behind sports bar/club 40/40, while the high-end shopping area (covered in the shopping chapter) is anchored by Barney's New York. And there is still more of all of that accessible in the adjoining Venetian. The pool area is unmemorable and the excellent Canyon Ranch spa and health club will set you back an additional $35 a day.

  Facilities: 15 restaurants; casino; showroom; 7 outdoor pools shared w/Venetian; health club and spa shared w/Venetian; concierge; tour desk; car-rental desk; business center; extensive shopping arcade; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010