Outsiders might not believe this, but we Las Vegans sometimes forget where we live. It’s kinda easy to do. Do you wanna think about work on your days off, even if you work in one of the world’s biggest, brightest and most lavish resort districts? We do our jobs and go home to the other Vegas—the one that’s, you know, a permanent home to nearly 3 million people—bypassing the ultramodern nightclubs, lushly landscaped resort pools and five-star restaurants. They’re in our backyard, but they’re not made for us.
Vegas Staycations
Unless … and just hear us out on this … what if they were? What if we locals, instead of conceding this territory to the tourists, decided to claim it for ourselves? What if we checked into a hotel not 10 miles from our home and took advantage of everything it offers to visitors—the restaurants and bars, the nightclubs, the attractions, the huge freaking pools? Can we do that? Should we do that? Hell yes, we can and should.
Taking a Vegas staycation is a great way to confront the oppressive heat of our summers. It’s a great way to mix it up with friends visiting from out of town, with everyone enjoying the city on an equal footing. And it’s a great way to explore parts of the city you might not know well, even though you work in them five days a week. C’mon, let’s go visit Las Vegas.
MANDALAY BAY
Mandalay Bay Beach
Nearly 25 years old and still one of the most recognizable Las Vegas Strip resorts around the world, Mandalay Bay has always offered a total-package experience. Between the House of Blues, Cirque du Soleil’s decade-strong hit show Michael Jackson One and the 12,000-seat Michelob Ultra Arena—home to your very own WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces—the entertainment options alone are tough to top. Throw in the wave pool, the lazy river and the rest of the game-changing Mandalay Beach, and it’s easy to see why this place has been the preferred Strip staycation option for many locals for years.
In fact, because Mandalay Bay has everything, it’s easy to forgot how many things one can only find there. Shark Reef is a legit aquarium like we’d visit on any vacation, and it just opened its new Rocky Coast exhibit with four rare shark breeds. Aaron Benward’s Nashville Unplugged, every Friday night at 8 p.m. at the Rhythm & Riffs Lounge, takes a deep-dive into songwriting and musical creativity, with talented guest performers each week. And the casino space and the Shoppes at Mandalay Place—a promenade that conveniently connects to the Luxor—remain packed with interesting places to snack, imbibe or just look around: the friendly Rí Rá Irish Pub, the recently renovated Stripsteak, stylish streetwear at Suite 160, swanky cocktails at S Bar, and the fantastically elevated Skyfall Lounge and Foundation Room. –BR
GREEN VALLEY RANCH RESORT & RED ROCK RESORT
greenvalleyranch.com; redrockresort.com
Station Casinos’ two luxury properties have been among the most popular staycation destinations in the Valley since they opened.
“Our whole business model is built on locals, and they are the reason we’ve been able to build our properties to the level they are,” says Joe Yalda, vice president of guest experience. “Both [properties] see guests coming to visit from around the world, and we want to bring the same quality and attention for our most important local guests doing a staycation. We want to ensure locals have the best time.”
The sparkling “backyard” pools at the Henderson and Summerlin resorts are a top attraction but comfy rooms, top-notch spas with discount deals for locals and family activities like movie theaters and Kids Quest playspots also tip the scales. Free parking and valet service also help a lot.
Red Rock is the top staycation spot in the Station portfolio, probably because locals, like those world travelers, want to spend time at the nearby Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. And you can walk to Downtown Summerlin and the Las Vegas Ballpark to catch an Aviators game, makings for a fun summer stay. –BR
THE COSMOPOLITAN
A Bungalow suite at the Cosmopolitan
The cool factor has always been a powerful force for Las Vegans deciding whether to spend time at a casino resort. It was there for the Hard Rock Hotel, then for the Palms, and then for the Cosmopolitan, where it has lingered longest. There’s just something about this place that draws us back and builds an appetite for more than one night.
Some of those things are easy to define: the well-scattered art collection that sets the mood; the hidden bar and stage at the Barbershop; the Dive In Movies summertime series at the rooftop pool; irresistible eats at Block 16 Urban Food Hall; and the one-two punch of Superfrico and OPM. Cosmo is also one of the most dog-friendly resorts on the Strip, in case you can’t bear to be without your furbaby for even a few days. –BR
THE ENGLISH HOTEL
Food from the Pepper Club at the English Hotel
Taken on its own merits, the English Hotel, located on the edge of Downtown’s 18b Arts District, is a solid overnight stay—a 74-room boutique property with modern; stylishly-appointed rooms; a 21-and-over guest policy; an inviting pool area; outer walls covered in beautiful street art; and the Pepper Club, an Asian fusion restaurant with a menu created by the hotel’s namesake, James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef Todd English.
But the English’s strongest amenity, the aspect that truly makes it staycation-worthy, lies just outside its doors: the Arts District itself. This fast-growing neighborhood has all the walking-distance goodies we travel to other cities to experience: art galleries, lively bars, terrific dining, freshly brewed beer, live music, offbeat retail and more. There are probably at least half a dozen places in the District you likely haven’t visited yet, and should (for starters: 1228 Main, Garagiste, Silver Stamp, Recycled Propaganda and Horse Trailer Hideout.)
Underneath the string lights of Main Street, you can catch interactive plays at Majestic Repertory Theatre, delve into the history of bump ’n’ grind at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, learn to roller boogie at Fresa’s Skate Shop, venture to the District-adjacent Beverly Theater for some indie or revival cinema, or simply wander the streets looking for surprises and miracles, which are becoming more commonplace as new businesses open their doors. –GC
NOMAD HOTEL
A cabana at NoMad Hotel
Guests wanting to be surrounded by Vegas without feeling put upon by it have long had options for a more escapist experience: Four Seasons or Delano at Mandalay Bay, Waldorf Astoria or Vdara at CityCenter, for example. But the NoMad Hotel at Park MGM provides stylish separation (New York-ish hotel rooms designed by Jacques Garcia) without actual distance. And these three words make the biggest difference: entirely smoke-free.
The NoMad Bar
Check-in night should be spent absorbing the character and atmosphere of the NoMad Bar and Library Restaurant, indulging in classics like Oysters Rockefeller and the famous roasted chicken stuffed with foie gras and black truffles. On day two, after splashing around in the Marrakesh-inspired pool and classy casino—both for hotel guests only—you’ll be ready to explore the Strip surroundings, the Park, check on the headliners at Dolby Live, and maybe go get some fresh VGK gear from the Armory at T-Mobile Arena. If we really want to feel like we’re visiting Las Vegas from some other place, NoMad has the right stuff. –BR
THE RETREAT ON CHARLESTON PEAK
Formerly known as the Resort on Mount Charleston, this boutique 64-room gem in Kyle Canyon has been steadily renovating and updating its offering since North Carolina hotel operators Deanna and Colin Crossman purchased the property in 2018. Locals who regularly escape to the cooler temps and woodsy environs of Mount Charleston and the surrounding Spring Mountains National Recreation Area might not be aware of this chic-but-rustic, peaceful resort.
Just 45 minutes away from Downtown and surrounded by hiking and biking trails, the Retreat allows guests to connect with nature while still enjoying the necessities of modern life (i.e. high-speed internet). Suites offer electric fireplaces and balconies with beautiful views, pets are welcome and the Canyon Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers live music on Friday nights. It’s easy to see why more Las Vegans are planning weddings and other events here; as soon as you pull up to this striking destination and spy the tall, stone-and-wood lodge buildings, you’ll feel miles from home. –BR
RESORTS WORLD
Famous Food Street Eats at Resorts World
The Genting Group created Resorts World Las Vegas in the grand tradition of Strip hotels, not to appeal to a specific tourist demographic but to provide an experience for everyone.
That includes locals. If the decadent but approachable dining at Famous Food Street Eats, Crossroads Kitchen, Wally’s and Brezza hasn’t lured you back for a more thorough exploration of the city’s newest megaresort, you might be missing out on a robust staycation experience that includes: the unbelievable Awana Spa & Salon, the 66th floor Alle Lounge and private casino; a shopping district with Judith Leiber, Fred Segal, Herve Leger and Twila True boutique stores; and one of the coolest swimming pool setups in the history of Las Vegas (see sidebar).
Take your pick from three Hilton hotel concepts with different layers of luxury, and customize your stay to your heart’s content. –BR
VIRGIN HOTELS
The Spa at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Maybe you’ve been hesitant to check out this completely refreshed spot because you miss the old Hard Rock Hotel from your hard-partying heydays. It’s understandable. But Virgin is a whole other vibe, relaxed and sophisticated, almost like an oasis retreat in some other desert town.
With One Steakhouse, Night + Market and Kassi Beach House, the food alone is worth a weekend. And you might be planning to catch a summer performance from The Australian Pink Floyd Show, Deon Cole, Danzig or The Revivalists with Band of Horses anyway, so why not make a few nights of it? The accommodations won’t disappoint. –BR
BELLAGIO
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
There are two kinds of locals: people who can’t believe the iconic Bellagio resort is about to be 25 years old and are ready to revisit a Vegas classic, and people who just did that.
Residents are used to this Strip trek to watch the fountains with visiting friends or family, or to check in with Cirque’s legendary O show and dine at the glamorous Mayfair Supper Club. But have you stayed there? The center-Strip location has obvious advantages; it’s steps away from Absinthe at Caesars, RuPaul’s Drag Race Live at Flamingo and the tasty stretch of the Linq Promenade. But there’s so much to do and see and eat on property with the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, Spago and Yellowtail, and a resplendent pool complex that doesn’t get talked about enough, you might not want to leave the premises. –BR
M RESORT
Not unlike Red Rock Resort as Downtown Summerlin has blossomed around it, the M Resort has transitioned to a different identity in recent years. It’s the official headquarters of the Las Vegas Raiders: The team’s Henderson practice facility is just down the street, and the resort’s new Raiders Tavern & Grill and Knight Time Hockey Bar have captivated local sports fans.
But this sprawling property is a truly complete neighborhood casino resort loaded with live entertainment—mostly from local musicians—at the M Bar and the pool, and elite amenities like the open-daily Spa Mio and the welcoming gem DayDream Pool Club. You could make a case that all of M’s restaurants are underrated, from Anthony’s Prime Steak to Marinelli’s Authentic Italian. And as with Stations, the crew at the M knows locals are the priority. –BR
JW MARRIOTT
Most of the parts have changed since this relaxing resort, also home to the Rampart Casino, first opened in Summerlin proper in 1999. And the regulars have already made the rounds at newer restaurants Hawthorn Grill, Jade Asian Kitchen and Spiedini Fiamma.
But if you live in a different part of the Valley, it’s likely this resort isn’t on your rotation, which means it’ll feel more like a true vacation when you settle into one these lavish rooms, take advantage of the spectacular Spa Aquae and eat everything at the Market Place Buffet. Stroll down the street to Tivoli Village for even more options. –BR
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