Whether you're planning your very first trip to Las Vegas or are a seasoned Sin City aficionado, lodging choices in this vast hotel and casino mecca can be daunting. Hotels and resorts outdo themselves with attractions. Some resorts offer incredible nightlife and entertainment or the world's finest restaurants. Others go with aesthetics: a replica of the Eiffel Tower, a Venice canal complete with gondolas or the Empire State building, and that's just to name a few.
We decided to review one of Las Vegas's newest resorts alongside some of the Las Vegas Strip mainstays to help our readers make an informed accommodation decision via a close and intimate look at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and similar properties, such as Planet Hollywood, ARIA Resort and Treasure Island. Whether you're in town for business, entertainment adventures, or just some R&R at a luxe pool, the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is a fine option for all those things and more.
What Is Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino?
Go West, young man (or woman)! Or rather, when in Vegas, stay at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, formerly the LVH - Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. It belongs to Westgate Resorts, a hotel brand that specializes in affordable luxury escapes with world-class and family-friendly amenities. This property enjoys a central location just one block from the world famous Las Vegas Strip. It is conveniently situated right next door to the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino features 1,200 remodeled signature rooms, eight restaurants, a fantastic pool deck, a casino, live entertainment venues and its claim to fame, the world’s largest race and sports betting complex, SuperBook®.
How It Compares to Similar Las Vegas Hotels
We picked a handful of similar properties in Las Vegas to see how the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino compares. We looked at price (always a crucial factor), location, amenities, ambience and entertainment, and for business and even travellers, proximity to the Convention Center (a key point).
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Planet Holleywood Las Vegas Resort and Casino
ARIA Resort & Casino
Treasure Island
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Where do we begin? Let's start with the casino and entertainment options. The 95,000 square foot casino features 24-7 gaming via classic table games, state-of-the-art slots and the world's largest racing & sports book, SuperBook®. Guests can also enjoy free slot play and comps with your Players Club Rewards Points.
As far as entertainment, musical acts like Barry Manilow and musicals such as SOUNDTRACK: Your Songs. Our Stories.The Show, an homage to legends such as Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Prince, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. Guests will also find comedy, mind-boggling magic, and sizzling acts such as SEXXY, Las Vegas' newest Topless Revue.
Accommodations range from signature and premium rooms to intimate studio suites, villas, and luxury suites. Ask about rooms featuring stunning views of the Strip, wet bars and parlors for hosting guests. Amenities include Serenity Day Spa, a brand new pool area with daybeds and cabanas, fitness center, business center, wedding chapel and great dining such as world-famous Benihana. The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino also has its very own on-site Las Vegas Monorail station for convenient access to everything on The Strip, from nearby casinos, restaurants, shows, nightclubs and more.
Accommodation Type:5 stars
Price: $50-$200/night
As many travelers know, room rates fluctuate wildly in Vegas based on time of year, large-scale events in town and type of room. The Westgate Resort & Casino has a wide range of price points for a wide range of rooms, and the dates we checked showed a scale of between around $50/night for what the resort calls a Premium Room to about $200/night for a deluxe suite.
There are levels in between those rates with differing sizes and amenities. One notable and fun-sounding option is a "Signature Concierge Level" room, which has specialized and very luxe-looking decor and comes with complimentary food and cocktails at happy hour in the Concierge Lounge. This option is around $150 and with the extra food and drinks seems like a great option. Also to note: parking at the Westgate Las Vegas is always free! Guests should call the resort for pricing and availabilitiy on higher-end suites and villas.
Number of Rooms & Suites: 2,956
Amenities: Shows, Dining, and Betting
The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is known for its world class shows. At the time we were researching this article, The Westgate Las Vegas was hosting Las Vegas icon Barry Manilow as well as blues rock icon John Prine. They also have a Broadway-style show called Soundtrack: Your Songs. Our Stories. The Show. where two of the country's leading vocalists take audiences through a tour of hitmakers like Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Prince, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra.
Like sports betting? In addition to a world-class casino, The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is home to Westgate SuperBook®, the world's largest Vegas sports book. This 30,000 square foot complex has over 350 seats and a 220-by-18-foot football wall for patrons to watch the game they bet on. The complex hosts "Las Vegas Supercontest" and "Football Central" and has a fully stocked bar, clubhouse and sports and racing VIP areas. It's everything a sports fan could want under one roof and definitely a major attraction of The Westgate Resort & Casino.
Going to Las Vegas for some R&R? There are lots of ways for guests to treat themselves at The Westgate Resort & Casino as well. The newly renovated pool deck features luxury cabanas for rent, a full bar, 15-seat hot tub, morning yoga, and even mermaid lessons! There is also a world-class fitness center and six tennis courts on the grounds and a luxury spa called Serenity. There couldn't be a more perfect name for a spa! For even more pampering, the iBlowdry salon located inside Serenity Spa has a huge menu of hair and makeup services to make sure guests stay Vegas fabulous!
Finally, The Westgate is its own foodie destination with almost a dozen fine dining destinations right within its walls. From the always fun Benihana to Edge Steakhouse, world-class Italian dining a huge daily buffet and even sushi and a robata grill headed by renowned chef Masa Shiga, food lovers can get a tour of the foodie world without even leaving the resort grounds.
Location: Off-Strip
The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is located a block away from the Las Vegas Strip, with a dedicated monorail stop which takes guests directly to the strip for more Vegas fun.
Notable Highlights
One of the big highlights for this resort is the shows. Barry Manilow's run at The Westgate is near legendary and John Prine is also a huge treat for blues lovers. SuperBook® is also a dream for sports and betting fans. While this resort may not be on the strip, with these highlights plus the fine dining, spa and fitness amenities and world-class casino, it almost seems like The Westgate Resort & Casino is its own mini Vegas!
Perfect For...
Sports fans! SuperBook® is the world's largest sports book and sounds like a great time with its full bar. Also foodies and music lovers will love the convenience of shows and world-class dining just steps from their rooms. The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino also has a huge amount of space for conventions and events, so it's perfect for large parties as well as intimate getaways.
Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort and Casino
Las Vegas is a little bit like another planet, a glitzier and shinier one where night and day merge. Planet Hollywood Resort has captured that "other planet" feel with its Hollywood theme. Located on The Strip, Planet Hollywood has grown into one of Vegas's biggest resort destinations. It's home to the Zappos Theater, which hosts star-studded shows almost every night. It's also a shopper's dream with literal miles of shopping between the PH Shops and the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. The resort is also home to some of Vegas's best dining and nightlife, with destination clubs and restaurants.
Accommodation Type: 5-star Hotel
Price: $79-1500
Planet Hollywood is another resort in Vegas whose prices depend on time of year and the types of deals that can be found. When we researched pricing for this article, we found and "Extend Your Summer" deal, which offered certain rooms at a discounted rate of $59. Always shop for rates at resorts! Planet Hollywood also has a large range of types of rooms and rates, so guests can customize their room experience.
Number of Rooms & Suites: 2,567
Amenities
The big draws for Planet Hollywood are the shows, dining, and shopping. At the time of this article, Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood was hosting shows by Jennifer Lopez, The Backstreet Boys, Gwen Stefani, and Lionel Richie. Talk about a packed lineup! The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood are also quite a spectacle, with over a mile of shopping plus the Planet Hollywood Shops, for all fans' Hollywood and show-related memorabilia.
Dining is another big feature of Planet Hollywood, who hosts celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's Gordon Ramsay Burger, Koi, a celebrity favorite transplant from LA and the famous P.F. Chang's.
Planet Hollywood is also known for its chushy pampering, nightlife and fun. Sporting the world-renowned PH Spa and Salon by Mandara, guests can get glammed up before heading to party at one of the resort's famous pools or to the sexy HEART BAR®. Planet Hollywood also contains Vegas's first Flowrider on The Scene Pool Deck, which also happens to be one of the city's hottest party and concert spots during the summer. Amenities? This resort has a planet's worth!
Location: Las Vegas Strip
Notable Highlights
The biggest highlights of Planet Hollywood are of course Zappos Theater with its world-class shows and the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Its destination dining and famous party pools are also a huge draw to this legendary resort.
ARIA Resort & Casino
We're not going to compose an aria about this fine hotel, but we could! ARIA Resort & Casino was built recently in 2008 but has already earned a reputation as one of the classiest resorts on the strip, with style and decor of operatic proportions! ARIA is famous for its gorgeous Sky and Tower Suites, the ultra-cool Jewel Nightclub at ARIA and its already well-known party pools. As part of the MGM Grand family of resorts, guests at the ARIA also have access to deals in the world class entertainment offered at the T-Mobile Arena and the other resorts owned by MGM.
Accommodation Type: 5-star Hotel
Price: $199-$2500
ARIA's prices range greatly because of all the different types of rooms available. The legendary Sky and Tower Suites are obviously at the higher end of this range, and while rooms start a little higher than other resorts on The Strip, ARIA like many others has deals and packages available so that guests can customize their stay.
Number of Rooms & Suites: 4,004
Amenities
The Sky and Tower Suites at ARIA are a destination in themselves, with luxurious one-and-two-bedroom penthouse suites which include all levels of concierge services and often include drinks and meals in their packages. Guests who stay in these suites are given private access and are waited on for their every need. The other suites and rooms at ARIA are also considered to be very high-end, marrying a touch of high culture with the glitz and fun of Vegas.
ARIA has quickly gained status for its amazing pool parties. The renowned Jewel Nightclub at Aria and the Liquid Lounge have become destinations all their own. Looking for a little more culture? ARIA also hosts a huge art collection right inside the resort with works by painters, sculptors and installation artists from all over the world. Since ARIA is part of the MGM family of resorts, guests can also easily book room and ticket packages for shows at T-Mobile arena, the MGM Grand and the Bellagio.
ARIA's dining and spa services are the stuff of legend as well. The world-renowned Spa at ARIA is not just a place to get treatments but an immersive experience similar to a very, very nice Korean spa. With hot stone beds, crystal salt rooms and a separate outdoor therapy pool, there's a reason why this spa offers not only day passes but three-and-five-day passes. ARIA's dining experience is a veritable who's-who of foodies, with restaurants by celebrity chefs Shawn McClain, Julian Serrano, Michael Mina, Mario Carbone and the incomparable Jean Georges.
Location: Las Vegas Strip
Notable Highlights
Above all else, ARIA is a destination for those who want sophistication, excellent food and beautiful aesthetics with their Vegas experience. ARIA is class, VIP and pampering from the moment guests step onto the property. The only problem is they may not ever want to step off, except for a show that is.
Treasure Island
Searching for treasure? The Treasure Island Resort on the Las Vegas Strip has been entertaining adults and families alike for so long it has become a Vegas Institution. With pirate-themed shows going on all day, a beautiful aquarium and lots of fun, family-friendly shows, Treasure Island is also one of the most affordable resorts on the strip. This is the place to take the kids, and they may never want to leave this enchanted resort!
Accommodation Type: 5-star Hotel
Price: $79-179
One of the most affordable resorts on The Strip, Treasure Island offers many packages with airfare and attractions as well. Treasure Island does also house some higher-end suites, but guests must call ahead for those prices.
Number of Rooms & Suites: 2,664
Amenities
About as family-friendly as The Strip gets, Treasure Island has fun for the kids around every corner. Their concert hall hosts world class talent, including comedy by Whoopie Goldberg and Stephen Wright and lots of concerts. Most notably, Mystère by Cirque du Soleil makes its home at Treasure Island. What's more, a new show has just opened up for kids and adults alike who love the Marvel Universe: the interactive wild ride that is Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.!
Want pampering and fun all at the same time? Check out Treasure Island's award-winning pool and cabanas and its famous Oleksandra Spa and Salon. Not only is this spa luxe, but it offers a wonderful "Princess Parties" feature for girls who want to be pampered like a princess. Whether for a birthday or just for family bonding, Oleksanrda does pampering princess-style.
Dining at Treasure Island has family fun in mind once again with Señor Frog's Mexican eatery, which has a splash-out drag brunch buffet on Saturday and Sunday. The resort also has lots of fun food like Phil's Italian Steak House, Gilley's BBQ, a Pho shop, pizzeria, sub shop, seafood shack and Marlena's Frozen Yogurt. With so much selection, even the pickiest eaters in the family will find something they like.
Location: Las Vegas Strip
Notable Highlights
Afforable, kid-friendly and fun for the whole family, Treasure Island is a great first experience for kids and adults alike who have never been to Vegas. The quintessential Vegas experience, including shows, Cirque and silly food can all be had under one roof at Treasure Island!
Conclusion
In this article, we looked at the new Westgate Resort & Casino and compared it to three different resorts on the strip. While the Westgate is a bit off the strip, they seem to have made up for that with their dedicated monorail stop, so that may be the only detractor in terms of proximity to attractions. Is it, however, closer to the Las Vegas Convention Center than the strip resorts, so it will be ideal for guests traveling specifically for a Convention Center event.
When comparing to Planet Hollywood, ARIA and Treasure Island, it seems The Westgate Resort & Casino is just as stacked with amenities as the other three but it also strikes a balance between luxury on par with the ARIA, entertainment similar to Planet Hollywood and the family-friendly atmosphere of Treasure Island. It also has something none of the other resorts have: the SuperBook® sports betting complex.
At one of the lower price points in Vegas year-round, The Westgate Resort & Casino is definitely a competitor with any resort in Vegas, on-strip or off. Easily 5 stars for this one; The Westgate Resort & Casino is definitely worth checking out (and checking in)!