New flights make 24-hour Las Vegas even more appealing. Alice Barnes-Brown picks the best places to stay, for every type of traveller
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Sin City, Neon City, even Adult Disneyland – Las Vegas goes by many nicknames. But it’s not just about partying and casinos: there really is a Vegas trip for everyone.
New flights from the UK highlight just how popular this city is. Low-cost carrier Norse Atlantic has recently announced it will fly from Gatwick three times per week, starting on September 12, while Virgin Atlantic is relaunching its thrice-weekly Manchester service from June 2 – making the city even easier for clients from across the UK to reach.
To make the most of a Vegas getaway, choosing the right base is essential. Whether it’s a day spent lounging under the desert sun or some themed fun, one of these six hotels is sure to strike the right note.
1. Luxor
Best for… fun and games
The pyramid-shaped Luxor is hard to miss, with a giant Sphinx marking the entrance. Inside the pyramid/lobby – the world’s largest atrium by volume – is an ancient Egyptian world, with mockups of Abu Simbel and Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Besides stalwart entertainers (comedian Carrot Top has been performing here since 2005), the Luxor is also home to Vegas’s first e-sports arena, HyperX, where a 15-metre TV wall helps virtual footballers and Formula One drivers get on top of their game.
Book it: Kuoni offers five nights room-only in a Pyramid Two Queen room from £1,356 per person, based on two sharing, including flights from Heathrow on June 5.
kuoni.co.uk
2. Golden Nugget
Best for… families
Built in 1946, the Golden Nugget hotel is a taste of old Vegas. The star of the show is the 200,000-gallon shark tank; daring kids and grown-ups can journey through the enclosure on a tube slide.
With plenty of family attractions in the Fremont Street area, from the 11-storey SlotZilla zipline to the fascinating Mob Museum, kids won’t be short of things to do in downtown.
Book it: Tui sells a seven-night room-only stay for a family of four for £3,615 per person, including flights on July 3.
tui.co.uk
3. Wynn Las Vegas
Best for… foodies
This June, the Wynn (above) is hosting its first Revelry food festival, bringing together acclaimed chefs, sommeliers and mixologists from the ‘World’s 50 Best’ awards for four days of dinners, masterclasses and demonstrations.
In fact, the Wynn is home to some of Las Vegas’s top fine-dining restaurants. Wing Lei was North America’s first Chinese restaurant to earn a Michelin star – when the crispy imperial Peking duck arrives at the table and seems to melt as it’s carved, clients will see why.
Book it: Inspiring Travel sells a five-night room-only stay in a King Room from £1,755. The price includes flights from Heathrow on November 25 and private transfers.
inspiringtravel.co.uk
4. Planet Hollywood Las Vegas
Best for… the cool crowd
Do your clients crave the celebrity life? Planet Hollywood – sandwiched between the Paris Las Vegas’s faux Eiffel Tower and MGM Grand’s green lights – is a taste of the A-List. This summer, country songstress Shania Twain has her own residency. Meanwhile, Gordon Ramsay Burger offers hardwood-grilled hamburgers, beer flights and London gin-based cocktails for a taste of home.
For after-dark activity, Planet Hollywood’s five hotspots each offer something different: there’s a rock bar, sports bar, beer bar, casino bar and even a self-serve daiquiri bar.
Book It: America As You Like It sells a five-night room-only stay for £1,295 per person, including flights from Heathrow on September 25.
americaasyoulikeit.com
5. Caesar’s Palace
Best for… shopping
The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace is the most distinctive shopping district in Las Vegas. Connected to the Caesar’s Palace hotel via a walkway onto the casino floor – and an ornate entrance directly on the Strip – this Roman-themed galleria features 160 shops to browse, including many premium brands. Clients can pick up high-end souvenirs, from elegant Louis Vuitton handbags to statement Gucci shoes.
Sky-painted ceilings that change from day to night (thanks to clever lighting), a life-sized replica of Michelangelo’s David and spiral escalators make The Forum an attraction in itself, but don’t miss the fountain-filled hourly Fall of Atlantis free show, where pyrotechnics, animatronics and a dragon with six-metre wings briefly distract from the designer boutiques.
Book it: Gold Medal offers a five-night room-only stay in a Julius Deluxe room from £899 per person, including flights from Heathrow on January 25, 2025.
goldmedal.co.uk
6. Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Best for… wellness
The Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened last December, and its 5,100sq m Lapis Spa is the last word in Vegas-style pampering. The modern facility doesn’t segregate genders, so people don’t get separated when moving through the hot-and-cold hammam rooms, vitamin-enriched plunge pools and steam rooms.
Wellness is holistic here, with nail and hair salons offered beside beauty and body treatments. There’s also an IV drip lounge, where guests can take rejuvenating nutrients straight into their bloodstream to help with jet lag and hangovers.
Book it: Elegant Resorts sells a five-night room-only stay from £2,115 per person, based on two sharing a Bleau Room. The price includes private transfers, $100 food and beverage credit and UK lounge passes.
elegantresorts.co.uk
Ask the expert
Michelle Osborne senior account manager, Virgin Atlantic
- Back by popular demand, our seasonal summer service from Manchester to Las Vegas returns on June 2, flying on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
- Twilight check-in is available at Manchester, enabling customers staying near the airport to check in the night before their flight. We’ll validate their passport, tag their bags and make sure they get loaded on to their flight.
- Virgin Atlantic is the only airline to fly from Manchester to Las Vegas. This means direct flights to the US’s West Coast, allowing you to offer clients trips incorporating Vegas.
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Kobby Dagan, Barbara Kraft
