Las Vegas is a city like no other in the world where hotels try to persuade you to enter their casino by enticing you with delicious restaurants, epic nightlife, and party pool scenes. But one of the more fascinating ways they try to attract you is with their elaborate themes that will have you mesmerized. Some hotels are so detailed with their themes, they rival Disney World with their ability to transport you into the places they are modeled after. Here is the list of the best Las Vegas casinos based on theme.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links so if you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we might earn a small commission (but don’t worry, it is no extra cost to you).
11. Treasure Island
Treasure Island is a pirate-themed hotel and casino located between the Fashion Show Mall and The Mirage on the west side of Las Vegas Boulevard. As you walk to the corner of the hotel, the concrete sidewalks turn into wooden-planked walkways. Handrails are covered with netting to give the illusion you are walking on a pirate’s ship. As you walk into the center entrance of the casino, you can see two pirate ships in lagoons. One to your right, and one to your left. This hotel used to rank much higher on my best Las Vegas casinos list, but they cancelled their pirate show. Every evening at various times, sirens would call to sailors, and an epic battle between the two ships ensued. Even though the pirate ships are permanently berthed, Treasure Island still made the list.
10. Flamingo
Flamingo is a Caribbean-themed hotel located next to The Linq Promenade. The main entrances of the casino have a flashing neon pink Flamingo signs which is one of the last symbols of “old” Vegas that remains on The Strip. The hotel rooms, carpets, and wall color used to be drowned in hot pink. After renovating the hotel, the hot pink is now a tasteful splash. To add to the theme, the Flamingo also hosts Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville restaurant. Make sure to head to the back of the property when you visit to see the flamingos and other animals in the wildlife habitat.
9. The Mirage
The Mirage is a Polynesian-themed hotel and casino located just south of Treasure Island. In front of the casino is the volcano that erupts nightly. The volcano overshadows the rest of the property which has pools, waterfalls, and sculptures of dolphins. Inside the casino, visit Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. Here you can see bottlenose dolphins, white tigers, white lions, and leopards.
8. Excalibur
Excalibur is a medieval-themed hotel located on the south part of The Strip. Cross the bridge and transport to the Middle Ages inside the castle hotel named for King Arthur’s sword. This hotel is more family-friendly than other Las Vegas hotels. You can take your picture with knights and other themed characters throughout the casino. Get rowdy and eat dinner at the Tournament of Kings where valiant knights ride their noble steeds in an attempt to prove their might.
7. Cosmopolitan
Some would argue The Cosmopolitan has no theme. However, I would argue its theme is glitzy metropolis and is why it landed on the best Las Vegas casinos list. The sleek, black design of the exterior screams Metropolis. As soon as you open its doors, the glitz allures you. Shimmering chandeliers and twinkling lights invite you to come deeper into the casino until you hit the mother of all chandeliers. Sheets of glistening crystals drape from three stories high to encompass The Chandelier Bar.
6. Paris
The Paris Hotel and Casino goes all out with its Parisian theme and its replica Eiffel Tower, Montgolfier balloon, and Arc de Triomphe. See the best views of the Las Vegas Strip from atop the half-sized Eiffel Tower. Inside the casino, the theme is a night in Paris with a dusk sky painted on the ceilings. The cobblestone roads are lined with French building facades, and you can dine at the finest French restaurants. The beautiful Parisian theme is just one of the many reasons Why I Always Stay at Paris Las Vegas.
5. Luxor
Take the free tram from the Excalibur to the Luxor, an ancient Egyptian themed hotel and casino. Upon arrival, enter the casino underneath the replica Sphinx of Giza, which is actually larger than the original. Walk into the pyramid shaped hotel and take note of the elevators which travel at a 39-degree incline along the walls of the pyramid. The Luxor Sky Beam shoots up from the pyramid point and can be seen from lands far, far away.
4. Bellagio
Bellagio is an elegant Italian-themed hotel and casino modeled after the town of Lake Como, Italy. One of Bellagio’s most notable features is the lake in front of the building where you can marvel at the dancing water fountain coordinated to popular music over the ages. Inside the casino, you will find beauty and elegance in the shimmering chandeliers, tiled floors, and Italian architecture. When you walk into the lobby, look up to see the Fiori di Como, over 2,000 handblown glass flowers covering the ceiling. Keep walking past the lobby to find the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
3. New York-New York
New York-New York is a hotel and casino whose theme is based on the United States’ largest city, specifically during the roaring 1940s. The skyline that towers above the casino includes replicas of the Statue of Liberty, Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and more. Also, you can find replicas of the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, Grand Central Terminal, and other landmarks of The Big Apple. Inside the hotel, you can walk the dingy and dirty streets of old New York City and enjoy traditional New York style pizza.
2. Caesar’s Palace
Caesar’s Palace comes in second place on the list of the best Las Vegas casinos with its Roman empire theme. Depending on what entrance you enter, you will be greeted with replica Roman columns, marble statues, or the Trevi fountain. As you walk through the casino or the Forum Shops, you will come across many Roman statues, some of which are nude. The ceiling of the Forum Shop is painted with an evening sky, the streets are made of faux cobblestone, and the architecture of the shops will definitely make you feel like you have transported to ancient Roman times. The main performance venue is The Colosseum where some of the most iconic singers perform.
1. Venetian
Venetian is a hotel and casino inspired by the romantic city of Venice, Italy. In front of the casino, you will find a large waterway lined with striped poles and gondolas. A replica Rialto Bridge crosses the waterway and sits next to the St. Mark’s Campanile. As you walk inside the casino, you will immediately notice the ornate paintings on the ceiling as you walk toward the Grand Canal Shoppes. As you meander through the shoppes, take note of the bright painted sky ceilings and street performers posed as statues. The shoppes end at St. Mark’s Square where you can enjoy yummy gelato.
The Venetian pushed past Caesar’s Palace into the number one spot mainly because of its second story waterway. Here you can take gondola rides while gondola operators serenade the faux town of Venice. Combined with The Palazzo, the Venetian resort takes the top spot of the best Las Vegas casinos.
You May Also Be Interested In:
Two-Day Self-Guided Walking Tour of Las Vegas
Perfect Long Weekend Girls Trip to Las Vegas
42 Things to Do for Free in Las Vegas
The Ultimate Day Trip from Las Vegas
Valley of the Fire State Park: A Hiker’s Paradise near Las Vegas
