The 16 best Las Vegas hotels on the Strip

Once the stuffy sophisticate of the Strip, the Wynn has traded its elitist atmosphere for a more energetic vibe without sacrificing any of the luxury. And luxury is what you’ll find the moment you step inside: Hotel rooms start at 640 square feet and offer floor-to-ceiling windows, signature Wynn Dream beds, fine linens and marble bathtubs. Steve Wynn’s famed attention to detail is evident everywhere you look, but perhaps especially in the Wynn’s Fairway Villas, which come with his-and-her bathrooms, bars, living and dining areas and even their own massage rooms.

No smoking. No gaming. No one lugging around yard-long margaritas. The Mandarin Oriental feels like an oasis amid the Strip’s chaos and clamor, with 392 guest rooms and suites ranging from 500-3,100 square feet. The decor is minimalist without feeling austere and floor-to-ceiling windows present panoramic views of the Strip and the surrounding mountains. Be sure to grab a cocktail at the alluring Mandarin Bar on the 23rd floor before retreating to your tub for a soak while watching Las Vegas’ nightly light show.

If the Strip had a grand dame, this MGM Resorts property would be it. It exudes a sort unself-conscious elegance, evident in the lobby’s Chihuly glass ceiling, the observatory’s horticultural wonderland and the iconic fountains, which never fail to captivate. You can enjoy all these sights without booking a room, but stay the night and Bellagio rewards you with spacious rooms and suites kitted out with mood lighting and soaking tubs, as well as a garden poolscape that feels straight out of Tuscany. For a fee, you can even bring the dog along.

At this Italian-themed destination, opulence is the overriding aesthetic, from grand pillars to muraled ceilings to the turquoise canal that winds through the shopping esplanade complete with singing gondoliers. The same holds true for the all-suite accommodations, which feature separate sitting areas and grand bathrooms and start at a size larger than most New York apartments. And with a sprawling Canyon Ranch spa, Tao nightclub and restaurants from Mario Batali and Thomas Keller all under one roof, the Venetian might be the coolest city block ever.

One of the largest hotels in the world, Aria has 4,004 rooms, including 568 suites and two distinct AAA Five Diamond hotel products. Regular rooms and suites are well appointed with modern decor and cutting edge tech, while the hotel-within-a-hotel Sky Suites offer a luxurious level up. Accessed via private check-in and elevator, these 1,000-7,000-square-foot suites come with entry to a dedicated lounge and pool, not to mention a personal concierge to make sure your Vegas experience is everything you want it to be. Under Aria’s roof, you’ll also find top-notch eateries (hello, Jean Georges Steakhouse and Bardot Brasserie), a thumping club and a dessert shop to tempt even the strictest dieter.

The Cosmopolitan set out to be different from anywhere else on the Strip, and it has achieved that goal with style, sophistication and plenty of wit. The choice of the hip “curious class,” as well as in-the-know locals, Cosmo attracts a younger, more urbane crowd with its poolside concerts, art-infused interior and buzzy restaurants, including recent additions Momofuku, Milk Bar and Zuma. Spend the night and you’ll enjoy spacious, boldly decorated rooms with amenities like Japanese soaking tubs and some of the only balconies on the Strip. Twenty-one new ultra-luxury Boulevard Penthouses, created by a trio of world-class designers, deliver a high-end experience that doesn’t feel generic.

Attached to Mandalay Bay on the south side of the Strip, the Four Seasons describes its rooms as “luxury skyboxes,” set on floors 35-39 of the Mandalay tower. Venture downstairs (well, down elevator) and the hotel has its own enclave separate from the casino hubbub that’s a favorite of locals and tourists in the know thanks to the Forbes Five-Star spa, lovely pool and Verandah restaurant, which serves a decadent weekend brunch complete with fresh donut machine. With easy access to Mandalay’s energy and amenities, it’s a best-of-both-worlds kind of booking.

Why do we love the Wynn’s sister resort? Because it manages to balance luxury and fun for a Las Vegas experience that feels simultaneously high-end and high-energy. On a Saturday, the property is practically buzzing with beautiful people on their way to and from a trio of stylish nightspots and, when you need a break from the thumping bass lines and bottle popping, the resort’s lovely pool and transportive spa beckon. Of course, no one would blame you for retreating to your 745-square-foot suite. Everyone needs to sleep sometime.

Italy enters the 21st century at the Venetian’s sister hotel. Yes, there are still over-the-top entranceways with marble floors and soaring ceilings, but step beyond the main resort spaces and the Palazzo feels a bit less, well, themed. What the property lacks in costumed characters, Italianate squares and faux waterways, it makes up for in modern luxury, from the baseline 720-square-foot suite to Wolfgang Puck’s excellent Cut steakhouse to the outpost of Barneys New York. Spoil yourself with a club-level upgrade to Prestige at the Palazzo, which comes with private prosecco check-in, evening cocktail receptions and reserved pool chairs, because what happens in Vegas should be wonderful.

The casino resort that redefined Las Vegas more than 50 years ago continues to be one of the Strip’s top destinations, with a stunning pool area, a hot nightclub, an excellent spa and a massive shopping center in the adjacent Forum Shops. Recent renovations have updated many of the nearly 4,000 rooms and suites, which range from the Forum Tower’s classic design to the Julius Tower’s polished aesthetic to Nobu Hotel’s sleek Japanese sophistication. And because Caesars has long been synonymous with luxury, the hotel also boasts a handful of ultra-exclusive villas, starting at $15,000 per night. The best of the bunch is the 10,300-square-foot Nobu Villa with a massive terrace, steam shower and game room, which has hosted Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and Drake, among others.