Las Vegas is the most amazing place on earth. Where else in the world can you experience an Egyptian pyramid, the sights and sounds of Paris and New York, the canals of Venice, or the magic and fun of the Circus all in one place? The best themed Las Vegas hotels are fun and unique, and many of them have been around for years.
Of course, some of the best themed hotels don’t embrace their themes as much as they did in the past. For example, Treasure Island has scaled back their pirate theme over the years. There was a day when you could get a drink at the bar in a super cool skull mug (it was a really heavy, high-quality glass mug), the staff were dressed in pirate-themed costumes, and an exciting pirate battle took place daily out front. The Luxor had a boat ride that simulated riding down the Nile, and the MGM Grand focused on their movie making history. Although these things are gone, you can still easily be transported to unique and different locations by enjoying the themes of these Las Vegas hotels (listed in no particular order).
LUXOR – The Luxor is a unique resort that draws inspiration from ancient Egypt. The Luxor’s main building is a 30-story pyramid which is about 75% the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza, and at night a powerful beam of light shoots out from the top of the pyramid creating a spectacular sight that can be seen from miles away. The resort also has two ziggurat-shaped towers. The Luxor’s entrance is guarded by a massive replica of the Great Sphinx which is 46 feet taller than the original one in Egypt.
CAESARS PALACE – The majestic Caesars Palace Hotel features columns, fountains, statues and artwork from the Ancient Roman Empire, including a statue of Caesar, the goddess Venus and Emperor Nero. It also features a replica of the Colosseum where you can watch world-class performers, and the Forum Shops – a mall that mimics the ancient Roman marketplace.
NEW YORK-NEW YORK – The New York-New York is one of the most distinctive themed hotels in Las Vegas. It recreates the atmosphere and landmarks of New York City, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square. The hotel tower consists of several skyscrapers that resemble the Manhattan skyline. In addition, the food court area is a replica of New York City streets that at one time even included steam coming out of the manhole covers on the floor.
PARIS – The theme at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas is inspired by the city of Paris France and its famous landmarks, architecture, and culture. The hotel features a half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower where you can dine or get a great view of the Strip; a sign in the shape of the Montgolfier balloon; a two-thirds size Arc de Triomphe, and a replica of La Fontaine des Mers. The front of the hotel suggests the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Paris Opera House. In addition, the shopping mall is reconstructed in the style of Parisian streets.
VENETIAN – The Venetian is a stunning tribute to the beauty and culture of Venice Italy. It features Italian Renaissance architecture and art, including the hand-painted ceiling of the Grand Colonnade, the Armillary Sphere, the Campanile Tower, the Rialto Bridge, and of course the canals and gondolas of Venice. The hotel also boasts a magnificent collection of Renaissance paintings, sculptures, and frescoes that adorn the walls and ceilings.
EXCALIBUR – The Excalibur is a medieval-themed castle inspired by King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Its castle facade and turrets stand out among other properties on the Strip, and the medieval theme even carries through to their Tournament of Kings show where guests can enjoy a feast while watching knights compete in a thrilling spectacle.
CIRCUS CIRCUS – Circus Circus is a big top-themed hotel that encapsulates the circus with its free daily circus acts, a Carnival Midway and amusement rides at the Adventuredome. It’s the perfect place to bring out the kid in everyone!
TREASURE ISLAND (TI) – TI’s theme is inspired by the classic novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. This Caribbean-themed hotel features a replica of a pirate ship that was once part of an original pirate show called Battle of Buccaneer Bay, and then the Sirens of TI. The pirate show no longer operates but the ship offers a great place to take photos.
MGM GRAND – MGM Grand is a Hollywood-themed hotel covered in emerald green glass (like the emerald city in the classic movie, The Wizard of OZ) and guarded by the Metro Goldwyn Mayer lion (the one that roars at the start of MGM movies). In 1996, the hotel underwent a major renovation that changed its theme to an Art Deco style inspired by Hollywood’s golden age; a theme that reflects its connection to the MGM film studio and its legacy of producing some of the most memorable movies in history.
COMING SOON: HARD ROCK – The Mirage, a Polynesian-themed hotel, will be replaced with the Hard Rock Hotel which will feature a guitar-shaped tower to go with its music theme. The resort will also feature music memorabilia, including concert outfits and guitars that once belonged to a number of musical rockstars.
Over the years, there have been rumors that some of the themed hotels were going to be destroyed and replaced with newer opulent mega-resorts, like Resorts World. Thankfully these were just rumors and the themed hotels remain. The next time you visit Las Vegas be sure to check out these amazing themed hotels. Not a fan of themes? You can always book a stay at one of the city’s other amazing resorts.