Sky Suites are located at Aria, which is in the heart of City Center with easy access to restaurants and shopping.

The Bellagio is centrally located on the Strip and is the perfect place to stay for someone who wants to be in the heart of the action.

At Indagare, we use the phrase “sense of place” frequently, describing hotels that embody their destination’s ethos and feel. In Vegas, of course, that phrase takes a looser approach: Sin City’s most emblematic properties take entirely-un-subtle design cues from ancient Egypt, ancient Rome, Renaissance Venice and the New York or Paris skylines. Here, a sense of place seemingly means a sense of someplace else, perhaps in another time. How refreshing then, that Crockfords, a hotel-within-a-hotel inside Resorts World, has a more accurate sense of place.

That place, of course, is the new Vegas: A city that’s become one of the world’s entertainment and sporting meccas, with a sophisticated restaurant scene and a high-roller attitude without the need for gambling. When it opened in 2021, Resorts World was the first new-build to debut on the Strip in more than a decade. So while other hotels have pivoted to embrace Vegas’s newer, less-sinful city vibe, Resorts World was purpose-built for it. Guests at its three interconnected properties (a Hilton, a Conrad and Crockfords) can spend an entire stay without stepping foot inside a casino at all. Of the three, Crockfords is the most intimate, with 236 ultra-luxe rooms and suites (out of a staggering 3,500 total at Resorts World).

Guests enter via a private lobby, gated from the outside and accessible via key-card from the Conrad, Hilton or public spaces. It is a soaring, light-filled space, with fresh floral arrangements, comfortably-spaced seating and quiet (!) music playing. At check-in, receptionists welcome new arrivals with a custom butterfly pea-flower tea with a tincture. If you don’t know what occurs when you add acid to pea-flower, I won’t ruin the surprise—but it is a sweet, whimsical moment shared between guest and staff (and perhaps a nod at the city’s penchant for magic tricks). Off the lobby, there is an elegant private casino exclusive to Crockfords guests, but it has such an incognito entrance it took me three walk-bys to notice its existence.

A private elevator bank leads guests to the rooms and suites, nearly all of which are on the top six floors of the 66-story Resorts World building. Accommodations range from a comfortable 550 to a whopping 7,000 square-feet. All of them have a similar aesthetic (from Las Vegas-based Steelman Partners) using white marble, cream and gray walls with pops of maroons and browns. In-room refrigerators, along with teas and Nespresso coffee  (plus access to complimentary pastries and fruit in the lobby in the morning) are amenities that while simple, are extremely rare in Las Vegas. Marble bathrooms feature double vanities and large showers with Byredo products, plus a bluetooth speaker built into the cosmetic mirror (perfect for singing along to your favorite artist’s tracks before heading to see their show). All rooms feature a Theragun as well. One- to four-bedroom suites come with soaking tubs, and top categories have automated toilet seats, plus some with an ensuite gym, private dining rooms, media rooms and a private terrace. From their wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows, guests in the Strip View accommodations can look out at the Bellagio fountains, the Venetian’s Campanile and the Luxor’s glass pyramid. And they’ll also be able to look at Resort World’s own curved facade, which doubles as the world’s largest video screen, projecting light shows and event promotions across more than 160,000 square-feet of LED lights. Across the wide, well-lit hallway, City View rooms and suites look towards the Stratosphere tower and Downtown Las Vegas. There are several “villas” and “palaces” on the fifth floor, which is where the main pool deck is. In lieu of a skyline view, these sprawling suites have private pools and hot tubs.

The main pool deck has multiple pools (including the all-year, heated Bellini pool with its hot tub) open to guests from all three Resorts World properties. Cordoned off is a VIP, Crockfords-only pool (not open in the winter). There is also an expansive Resorts World fitness center, as well as a large spa, plus around 40 restaurants and bars within Resorts World.  The 66th-floor Allē Lounge, serving up cocktails and light bites with a view, is the only venue directly accessible from a Crockfords eleveator. The rest are scattered around Resorts World. Highlights include Carversteak (a buzzy, classic steakhouse), Kusi Nori (a Japanese restaurant that has an exclusive partnership with a family-run wagyu beef provider in Japan, making it the only restaurant in the world to serve that steak), Brezza for Italian, Crossroads (an outpost of L.A’s vegan fine-dining institution) and Famous Foods, a food hall with more than a dozen pan-Asian options. Look for a blue kitten here to find Here Kitty Kitty, a swanky, first-come-first-served speakeasy inspired by 1930s Singapore. Resorts World also has a day club and nightclub, plus a theater that hosts major artist residencies plus visiting acts.

Sister property and “encore” to Wynn Las Vegas, Encore provides a more contemporary vibe than Wynn but with the same dedication to service and luxury.

The Four Seasons sits on the top five floors of Mandalay Bay, at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip.

The SkyLOFT experience begins with an airport pick up in a private Rolls Royce. Upon arrival at the hotel, guests are guided to private SkyLOFTS-only elevators that transport them directly to an intimate lobby for a personal check-in - a welcome bypass to the mayhem that defines many Las Vegas check-in experiences.

In the Tony Chi-designed rooms, guests can opt for one- to three-bedroom suites that feature quintessential skyline views of Las Vegas. For a splurge, consider the Two Bedroom + Plunge rooms, with private gyms, billiard/foosball tables, plunge pools, and outdoor patios. The SkyLOFTS provide every home-away-from-home convenience thanks to the twenty-four-hour butler service. SkyLOFTS guests also receive preferred access to MGM Grand restaurants, nightclubs, and shows.

MGM Grand dining options include some of the Strip’s best dining at Joel Robuchon, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, and Hakkasan. In addition to being a restaurant, Hakkasan is also one of the hottest nightclubs featuring a rotating set of world famous guest DJs that include Tiesto, Calvin Harris, and Steve Aoki. During warmer months, guests can enjoy day clubbing at Wet Republic with luxurious cabanas, bungalows, and VIP bottle service.

For guests looking for additional entertainment options, MGM Grand offers the legendary Cirque du Soleil show KA and a risqué variety show at newly opened Beacher’s Madhouse.

Opened in December 2010, The Cosmopolitan is one of the newer properties on the Las Vegas Strip. Ideally situated in the center of the Strip next door to the iconic Bellagio, the Cosmo may lack the famous fountain but features its own Vegas-worthy spectacle - a three-story chandelier at the heart of the hotel, and three separate bars built within it.

There’s no bad room at the Cosmopolitan, but the suites, bungalows, and penthouse provide some of the most unique accommodations for contemporary jetsetters. The best of the bungalows and penthouses have multi-level rooms, private patios with Jacuzzis, butler service, and outdoor kitchenettes perfect for entertaining.

Although The Cosmopolitan lacks a Cirque du Soleil show like many of the other resorts, it provides a unique musical lineup. Look for performances from big name Grammy Award-winning performers like Bruno Mars to indie bands, who perform at The Boulevard Pool and The Chelsea, an intimate (by Vegas standards) theater inspired by historic glass factories and built with vintage industrial materials.

In addition to a music acts, The Cosmopolitan features some of the best dining on the Strip. José Andrés’ only Las Vegas outposts (China Poblano and Jaleo) are here. Other top restaurants include Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill, David Myers’ Comme Ca, Scott Conant’s D.O.C.G. and Scarpetta, and the Rose. Rabbit. Lie. Marquee, one of the city’s hottest nightclubs, is a plus for guests who prefer to keep the after party on property. Be sure to check out the beach club during warmer months to see what the day party trend of the last couple years is really all about.

Connected to sister property, The Venetian, the Palazzo is a suite-only property with over 3,000 Italian-inspired rooms. While they all have the same classically upscale look as the Venetian, those looking for an extra level of luxury should book a Prestige Suite, which provides guests with concierge lounge access.

Some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas - such as Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, where you can order real Japanese Wagyu, and Mario Batali’s Italian steakhouse Carnevino - are located at the Palazzo. For sports fanatics who love food, Lagasse’s Stadium provides a plush setting for watching sports while dining on celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse’s menu.

The Venetian has remained one of the top Strip hotels and tourist destinations since its opening in 1999. Although it’s elaborately decorated with scenic frescos and replica landmarks to feel like Italy, it’s become an internationally recognized landmark in its own right. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, stop by to see the indoor/outdoor canal waterway with gondolas and singing gondoliers.

The accommodations at The Venetian fit the majestic exterior of the property. Every room on property is a suite, and they range from 650 square feet to 8,000 square feet. Décor is traditional, with crown moldings, plush linens and heavy draperies. Spa-like bathrooms are laid with Italian marble and contain Roman soaking tubs.

Most of the restaurants are located in the adjacent Grand Canal Shoppes, which offer a wide variety of shopping outlets and dining options as well as street performers in St. Mark’s Square. Restaurants include Mario Batali’s B&B Ristorante, Thomas Keller’s Bouchon and Daniel Boulud’s DB Brasserie.

Vdara is an all-suite, smoke-free property located in City Center across from Aria, but with direct convenient access to the Bellagio. Due to the lack of gaming and dining options, Vdara is a more conventional hotel than most in Vegas. For visitors looking for more of a hotel than a busy, bustling casino resort, the Vdara is the ideal place to stay.

The rooms at the Vdara are condo properties and available for sale. Those that are not sold are used as hotel rooms, and condo owners can also elect to rent their rooms through Vdara. Accommodations include gourmet, high-end appliance kitchens, and with the exception of the Deluxe Suite, all other suites also come with washer and dryers. Hospitality suites, Penthouses, and Lofts include complimentary round-trip limousine service to and from the airport as well as Spa Facility passes.

Although amenities on-site are limited, spa, salon, pool, and gym facilities are available as well as the nearby offerings of Aria and Bellagio. If you feel like staying on property, Bar Vdara and Market Café Vdara are decent restaurants, and there is twenty-four hour in-room dining.

The Waldorf Astoria is one of the smaller hotels on the Strip and provides for a relaxed, intimate and upscale Las Vegas experience. The 392 rooms have a contemporary design aesthetic as well as Frette bathrobes, televisions in bathrooms and tech-forward finishes like integrated entertainment systems compatible with smart phones. Higher-end suites include Nespresso machines, Bang & Olufsen systems and private gyms. A non-gaming venue, the Waldorf is one of the more family-friendly hotels on the Strip, and children receive a special welcome gift as well as access to kids' menus and Sony PlayStation 3 consoles.

There are several dining outlets at the Waldorf if you are looking to stay on-site, such as Twist by Pierre Gagnaire, Tea Lounge, Zen Kitchen and Skybar. The Tea Lounge serves an excellent English afternoon tea with a variety of pastries and nibbles, and there is also a kids’ afternoon tea menu. The 27,000-square-foot spa is a particular highlight.

The Wynn is one of the most elegant properties on the Las Vegas Strip and is located on the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard. The lush landscaping and waterfalls transport guests from the boisterous Strip to a serene resort-like atmosphere. Accommodations are divided into Wynn Resort and Wynn Tower. The Tower Suites, located on the quieter side of the property, feature expansive windows with sweeping views of Las Vegas, as well as a separate check-in and reception. The rooms have a lavish residence feel, modern but not the hip high-design of some other properties. All suites include complimentary breakfast for two at Tableau, but the Fairway Villa exceeds the offerings of the other suites with its very own private massage room.

Fine dining is a focal point of the restaurant offerings at Wynn and the options run the gamut: Italian at Bartolotta, Japanese at Mizumi, Chinese at Wing Lei, and classic steaks at SW Steakhouse. Nightlife is centered around Tryst, a unique, alfresco club experience. The nightclub opens up to a lagoon and cascading waterfall, allowing guests to get fresh air (unlike most other Strip nightclubs, which are fully enclosed).

For avid or even occasional golfers, the Wynn is the ideal property—thanks to the only golf course on the Strip. The par-70 course, designed by both Steve Wynn and Tom Fazio, offers a beautiful retreat from the craziness that can be Las Vegas. And don’t worry about packing golf clubs and shoes – they’re complimentary.