Exquisite, opulent, magnificent—these descriptions convey Bellagio's appeal to discriminating world travelers who wish to vacation like royalty. Adult-oriented, Bellagio bars non-hotel guests under 18 after dark and permits strollers only for the children of hotel guests.

This Mediterranean-inspired hotel is located on the shores of a pristine, man-made lake, with 10 miles of quiet, desert shoreline. The The Ritz-Carlton offers personalized service, sunset views, and daily activity programs, attracting families and couples from around the world. Old-world charm pervades Italian gardens, ornate bridges, vine-covered balconies, waterside promenades, and romantic trellises.

With 4027 suites-the all-suite Venetian recreates the grandeur of Renaissance Venice at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Indulge yourself with its luxurious accommodations-19 critically acclaimed restaurants-the Canyon ranch SpaClub-the 80 boutiques of The Grand Canal Shoppes and the citys most exciting nightlife at Tao Nightclub. The Venetian also features world-class entertainment and attractions-including the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum-the world-famous Blue Man Group-Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Phantom of the Opera-opening Spring 2006.

After reducing a previous hotel to a shell and then rebuilding it, this property reopened, offering contemporary-style lodging for business and vacation travelers seeking easy access to Strip attractions.

Set back from the street behind formal gardens and accessible by a moving sidewalk through a cylindrical structure flanked by water flowing into ponds, the 2,814-room hotel presents a sleek art-deco appearance with glass towers accented by blue-and-white masonry. This hotel offers a traditional Las Vegas experience of stage shows, lounge entertainment, steakhouse, and low-cost buffet.

Billing itself as "The City of Entertainment," MGM Grand, indeed, resembles a teeming city where thousands of guests and staff converge—and the entertainment never stops. Clad in emerald-green glass and guarded by a 45-foot-tall lion (the largest bronze statue in the United States), the hotel draws families and couples from around the world.

In 1946, Bugsy Siegal overcame fellow mobsters' scorn for opening a hotel-casino in the desert, and every male employee at the Flamingo wore a tuxedo. The Mob, the glamour, and the original hotel are long gone. Only the Flamingo name (a nickname of Siegal's red-haired, long-legged girlfriend Virginia Hill) remains. Today, the Flamingo Las Vegas still appeals to non-stop partiers looking for a good time.

Atrium Suites is a half-mile from The Strip and offers business travelers a quiet headquarters for meetings. The tranquil lobby, with open atrium, modern art, and waterfall, is more conducive to a quiet discussion than a late-night party.

Rebuilt in 2000 and themed after several stories from the “Arabian Nights,” the Aladdin Resort and Casino offers gourmet restaurants, shopping at Desert Passage, and an abundance of entertainment. Plans are underway for further transformation into the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino in 2006. Above the main casino, the upscale London Club offers a posh ambience of evening-dress dealers, plush seating, and high-limit tables.

Fronted by waterfalls, the Mirage Resort and Casino is set on 102 acres and features a volcano which erupts every 15 minutes after dark. Inside, a 20,000-gallon coral-reef aquarium is home to many tropical fish. A domed atrium houses a rainforest with banana trees, palm trees, and pools.