Hotels in Las Vegas

Las Vegas rises out of the Mojave Desert in southern Nevada, a city built on entertainment unlike anywhere else in the United States. Its centrepiece is the Strip, a four-mile stretch of mega-resorts, themed casinos and dancing fountains where replicas of Venice, Paris and ancient Egypt stand side by side. Beyond the neon, the city has reinvented itself as a destination for world-class dining, residency concerts, championship sport and headline shows, all running 24 hours a day under near-constant sunshine.

While the casinos and nightlife draw the crowds, Las Vegas offers more than gambling. The revitalised Downtown around Fremont Street showcases the city's vintage neon heritage and a growing arts and craft-cocktail scene, while celebrity-chef restaurants and lavish buffets make it one of America's top food cities. Spectacular productions, from acrobatic spectacles to magic and live music, fill theatres every night, and the city's hotels are attractions in themselves, complete with pools, spas and shopping.

The Strip and Downtown are walkable in sections, linked by a monorail, trams and rideshares, though the desert heat makes summer days challenging. Las Vegas is also a natural base for exploring the dramatic Southwest, with Red Rock Canyon on the doorstep and the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Death Valley all within reach as day trips. Expect hot, dry summers and mild winters, with spring and autumn offering the most comfortable weather for sightseeing.