Where to stay · Las Vegas · United States
Where to stay in Las Vegas
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Center Strip. Bellagio, Caesars Palace and the busiest stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard. Best alternatives — families: South Strip; budget: South Strip.
Key facts
- First visit
- Center Strip
- Families
- South Strip
- Budget
- South Strip
- Nightlife
- Center Strip
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Center Strip | Bellagio, Caesars Palace and the busiest stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard |
| Families | South Strip | Mandalay Bay, Luxor's pyramid and the Welcome to Las Vegas sign |
| Couples | Center Strip | Bellagio, Caesars Palace and the busiest stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard |
| Budget | South Strip | Mandalay Bay, Luxor's pyramid and the Welcome to Las Vegas sign |
| Luxury | Center Strip | Bellagio, Caesars Palace and the busiest stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard |
| Nightlife | Center Strip | Bellagio, Caesars Palace and the busiest stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard |
| Food lovers | Arts District | Galleries, vintage stores and craft breweries between Downtown and the Strip |
| Solo travellers | Downtown and Fremont Street | Vintage casinos, old neon and the Fremont Street light canopy |
| Quiet stays | North Strip | Wynn, Resorts World and Fontainebleau near the convention center |
Las Vegas neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, couples and luxury
Center Strip
The stretch around Flamingo Road holds Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas, The Cosmopolitan, The LINQ and The Venetian, so the fountains, the High Roller and dozens of restaurants and shows are within walking distance. The Las Vegas Monorail runs behind the resorts on the east side.
- Good
- Walk to the most famous sights; Huge choice of restaurants and shows; Monorail access on the east side
- Watch out
- Crowded sidewalks and long walks inside resorts; Resort and parking fees on top of room rates
- Nearby
- Fountains of Bellagio, High Roller, The LINQ Promenade, Caesars Palace
$$ · Best for families, first-timers and budget
South Strip
The southern end of the Strip has big resorts such as Mandalay Bay, with its wave-pool beach and Shark Reef Aquarium, Luxor's pyramid, Excalibur and MGM Grand, plus T-Mobile Arena for concerts and hockey. It is closest to the airport and the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, and a free tram links Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur.
- Good
- Closest to the airport; Good-value rooms at Luxor and Excalibur; Family-friendly pools and an aquarium
- Watch out
- Long walk to the Center Strip; Some resorts have dated rooms
- Nearby
- Shark Reef Aquarium, Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, T-Mobile Arena, Luxor
$$$$ · Best for luxury, couples and quiet stays
North Strip
North of The Venetian, the Strip spreads out around Wynn and Encore, Resorts World, Fontainebleau and The STRAT tower, close to the Las Vegas Convention Center. It is quieter on foot and more spread out, with high-end restaurants and pool clubs; the Monorail and the Vegas Loop tunnels serve the convention area.
- Good
- Newer, upscale resorts; Less crowded sidewalks; Close to the convention center
- Watch out
- Fewer sights within walking distance; Rates jump during big conventions
- Nearby
- Wynn Las Vegas, Resorts World, The STRAT, Las Vegas Convention Center
$ · Best for budget, nightlife and solo travellers
Downtown and Fremont Street
Downtown is the original Las Vegas, with older casinos such as the Golden Nugget and El Cortez under the Fremont Street Experience's LED canopy, and the Mob Museum and Neon Museum nearby. Room rates and table minimums are usually lower than on the Strip, and East Fremont Street has cocktail bars and a younger crowd.
- Good
- Lower room rates and table minimums; Walkable cluster of bars and casinos; Close to the Mob and Neon museums
- Watch out
- About 15–25 minutes by bus or car from the Strip; Some surrounding streets feel rough at night
- Nearby
- Fremont Street Experience, Mob Museum, Neon Museum, Arts District
$$ · Best for food lovers, culture and nightlife
Arts District
The 18b Arts District has galleries, antique and vintage stores, craft breweries and some of the city's most interesting independent restaurants, centred on Main Street and Charleston Boulevard. A monthly First Friday evening usually draws crowds. There are few hotels, so most visitors stay Downtown and walk or ride over.
- Good
- Independent restaurants and bars; Local, non-casino atmosphere; Close to Downtown
- Watch out
- Very few hotels; Spread out and hot to walk in summer
- Nearby
- Main Street, Charleston Boulevard, Fremont Street, Downtown Las Vegas
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, families and couples
Summerlin
Summerlin, about 20–25 km west of the Strip, is a leafy suburb with off-Strip resorts such as Red Rock Casino Resort, the Downtown Summerlin shopping district and quick access to Red Rock Canyon's scenic drive and trails. It suits travellers who want quieter hotels, hiking and golf.
- Good
- Close to Red Rock Canyon; Calmer resort hotels; Good shopping and dining
- Watch out
- You need a car; About 25 minutes from the Strip
- Nearby
- Red Rock Canyon, Downtown Summerlin, Red Rock Casino Resort, TPC Summerlin
$$ · Best for quiet stays, families and budget
Henderson
Henderson, south-east of the airport, is a separate city with off-Strip resorts such as Green Valley Ranch and the lakeside hotels of Lake Las Vegas. It is closer to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead and usually cheaper and calmer than the Strip.
- Good
- Closer to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead; Lower prices; Calm, local feel
- Watch out
- You need a car; 20–30 minutes from the Strip
- Nearby
- Lake Las Vegas, Green Valley Ranch, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Center Strip | $$$ | Fountains of Bellagio, High Roller, The LINQ Promenade, Caesars Palace |
| South Strip | $$ | Shark Reef Aquarium, Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, T-Mobile Arena, Luxor |
| North Strip | $$$$ | Wynn Las Vegas, Resorts World, The STRAT, Las Vegas Convention Center |
| Downtown and Fremont Street | $ | Fremont Street Experience, Mob Museum, Neon Museum, Arts District |
| Arts District | $$ | Main Street, Charleston Boulevard, Fremont Street, Downtown Las Vegas |
| Summerlin | $$$ | Red Rock Canyon, Downtown Summerlin, Red Rock Casino Resort, TPC Summerlin |
| Henderson | $$ | Lake Las Vegas, Green Valley Ranch, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam |
Getting to your hotel
Harry Reid International Airport is only about 5 km south-east of the Strip. Taxis and rideshares reach most Strip resorts in 10–20 minutes from designated pick-up areas at each terminal; RTC buses also serve the airport but are slower with luggage.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Las Vegas for first-time visitors?
Center Strip. The stretch around Flamingo Road holds Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas, The Cosmopolitan, The LINQ and The Venetian, so the fountains, the High Roller and dozens of restaurants and shows are within walking distance.
+Where should families stay in Las Vegas?
South Strip: Closest to the airport.
+Which area of Las Vegas is best for a budget stay?
South Strip ($$): Mandalay Bay, Luxor's pyramid and the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.