The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that many people have had to forgo holidays over the past year, with travel limited to essential journeys only and many luxury hotels and other high-end accommodation choices shut down as part of nationwide lockdowns around the world. If you’re anything like us here at LLM, then the chances are that by now, you just can’t wait to get yourself booked on that next first-class flight – and with the world set to gradually reopen again over the coming months, there’s no better time to start planning your escape.
One place in particular that is looking to bolster its tourism industry in due course and may therefore make a great choice for a glamorous getaway in 2021 is Las Vegas. Otherwise known as ‘Sin City’, Vegas has a vibrant reputation thanks to its bright lights and sophisticated casinos, which attract high-rollers from around the world – and is almost certainly set to be top of many affluent individuals’ lists for a five-star trip later this year, be they US residents or foreign travellers.
If you’re one of them then you might be wondering where the best places to stay in Las Vegas are in 2021 – and what you can expect from them when you visit. With the city’s ever-changing landscape and plethora of ritzy casino super-resorts, the good news is that you’ll have little trouble finding the perfect base, and with plenty to do nearby, it’s certain to be a getaway to remember.
Sahara Las Vegas
The Sahara Las Vegas hotel is located on the northern end of the famous ‘Strip’, and has been going through something of a change of ownership in recent times, so though it isn’t one of the city’s newest hotels, it has had a refreshing rebrand and now boasts a revamped look and feel, making it one of our top picks for visitors to Vegas in 2021.
Known as the Sahara for many years before it was first sold back in 2014, it briefly became the SLS – but in 2019, it was put on the market once again, later reverting back to its original name – and the one we all know and love.
The chopping and changing has not taken anything away from the hotel itself, though – and if anything, it is now in better shape than ever. The rooms, which are spread out across three towers, have each been refurbished with brighter, lighter interiors, and there is now a brand new pool deck, with additional improvements having been made throughout the resort. The hotel also now features the Bazaar Meat restaurant, which is perfect for fine dining lovers, while Uno Mas Street Tacos and North side Café provide a much more casual atmosphere for meals.
Nearby attractions include the Foxtail Nightclub, the Life and Beach Life clubs, the Stratosphere Tower and casinos in the form of Wynn Las Vegas and The STRAT hotel, casino and skypod.
Resorts World Las Vegas
Due to open in mid-2021, Resorts World is nearing the end of its completion, and is set to be one of the most exciting openings of the year. This $4 billion project, which was funded by Malaysian developer Genting, will be the first new resort to be built from the ground up for more than 10 years and will feature two 59-storey hotel towers, which are already making quite the impression on the landscape thanks to their visually stunning digital video exterior. A 5,000-seat theatre will feature inside, along with the Zouk nightclub and the RedTail sports bar to complete the evening entertainment line-up. An infinity pool overlooking the Strip is set to become one of the Resort’s most iconic features, and will no doubt become a popular spot for glamorous Instagram photos, too.
The rooms will be divided between Hilton, Conrad and Crockfords, with the latter set to be the most luxurious offering of the three. And when you throw in the large shopping complex that currently remains under construction but will soon be another stand-out feature, there is no doubt that this will soon be a great location to stay at in Las Vegas.
If you can tear yourself away from all of the on-site attractions, there are also plenty of great nearby attractions for you to enjoy, including the various casinos that can be found within the MGM Grand, the Bellagio and the Westgate Las Vegas Resorts.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
The Virgin Hotels Las Vegas was actually tipped to open its doors in January of 2021, but this date was pushed back to April due to the ongoing pandemic. Formerly the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, renovations began after Richard Branson and his Virgin brand took over proceedings. The vast majority of the site’s layout has remained the same, featuring around 1,500 hotel rooms across three separate towers.
The casino within the hotel is operated by Mohegan Sun, offering top-notch high-rolling entertainment right on site. The pool deck, meanwhile, will feature an expansive layout and an immaculately maintained lawn on which various events will take place throughout the year. Inclusive restaurants come in the shape of an off-Strip version of Nobu, One Steakhouse and Olives. And to add to the delights of this Virgin hotel, it is also home to a 4,000-seat concert venue – which will undoubtedly be one of the best locations in Vegas for attending a show.
As well as the casino within the establishment (and those within nearby walking distance, too), a stay here will put you in close quarters to the T-Mobile Arena. The Joint nightclub is also close by, so you can party throughout the night.
Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino
Even though a few new hotels and resorts are set to open their doors in 2021, some of the classics will never falter when it comes to providing an exceptional Las Vegas experience. Caesars Palace is one such location, being a legitimate classic sight to behold. Situated on the Strip’s busiest intersection, it is at the epicentre of Vegas’ main highlights, and perfectly located for exploring the city. From here, you can check out the Bellagio fountains, multiple other big-name casinos and hop on one of the Deuce buses for a tour around the Strip.
Automated check-in kiosks will assist you with accessing your room at Caesars, while countless on-site facilities and amenities will keep you entertained throughout your stay – including a pool complex in the style of Roman baths, the Forum, a comprehensive shopping mall and an on-site theatre, known as The Colosseum. Caesars is home to around 4,000 hotel rooms in varying degrees of luxury, and there are multiple dining options available, with one for almost every night of the week.
The Bellagio, the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino and The Mirage are all close by if you can tear yourself away from all that this impressive hotel has to offer, and you can also easily visit the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the Mob Museum and the Stratosphere Tower from here.