The Monte Carlo

If you go to the Monte Carlo you're getting up into the more expensive places on The Strip. They have times when prices come down, but this isn't a bargain hotel by any means. However, you get quite a bit for that money.

My favorite thing about this hotel is the layout of the ground floor. The guest elevator is central to the layout, so you can eat without having to walk through the casino. You can even check in, go to your room, come back down, and go to Vegas Blvd without entering the casino. If you've got teens with you this is a great feature (although I have to ask why you'd bring minors to a place known for gambling, drinking, and whoring.) It's also nice if you just want to go out without hearing "WHEEL! OF! FORTUNE!" the whole way.

The whole exterior is decorated with classical-looking statues of naked women, naked men, naked horses, naked dolphins. It's a really cool look, although you might want to cover the young-un's eyes while you admire just how shapely women apparently were in old Europe. To be honest, it kind of makes me wonder why the Pilgrims left; The entire continent must have been a never-ending Playboy Mansion party.

The interior decor is relatively muted, the walls are the typical beige, the carpet is very non-obtrusive. The ceiling, in contrast, is resplendent with mirrors and cut crystal and security camera smoked glass domes. Overall the effect is pretty. There isn't really a theme to the interior, but it's got one of the classier looks of just about any casino in town.

Nothing really outstanding or terrible in the room themselves. They are clean, the beds are nice and comfy, the furniture is typical for the upper-scale Strip casinos. However, if you have a chance to get a Strip view, by all means do it! The views border on spectacular for some rooms.

The location is good, you are within walking distance of a huge chunk of strip, and you can take a monorail to The Bellagio if you want to get your fill of snooty exclusivity in action, or pick up really expensive hookers.

Room service is good (but expensive, as usual), and the staff was plenty friendly. The Brew Pub here is one of my favorite places to eat, and the other food joints are good as well.

Also, if you are a fan of magic, the Lance Burton show is here, along with my favorite bar/lounge in Las Vegas.

Nice hotel, well worth staying at, especially if you can find a lower priced date to go...