Rumor Las Vegas Rating: 3.5 Pearls

Off the Strip, Las Vegas, Nevada

Grounds at The Rumor Las Vegas

With a bar, topless pool, and Jacuzzi open around the clock, huge in-room tubs equipped with scented bubble bath and surrounded by mirrors, and even free adult movie rentals, it's easy to see why Rumor doesn't allow guests under 18. And unlike the hip Vegas nightclubs with long lines and guest lists, Rumor is designed for the party to take place here, there, and everywhere: the chic lobby, the pool area, and the pool-facing patios and balconies. The hotel's 30,000-square-foot "backyard" area -- encircled by the white, two-story hotel building and complete with grass, palm trees, hammocks, cacti, and the pool -- can accommodate parties and special events of up to 2,400 people.

This is a relatively small property for Vegas, though, with no casino (just video poker at the lobby bar) and a lower-key scene than you'll find at the Hard Rock across the street -- a pro for some guests, a con for others.

Lobby at the Rumor Las Vegas

The Rumor opened in July 2010, and its attentive staff is still working out a few minor glitches: Guests on TripAdvisor have complained of reservation errors, housekeeping bungles, and non-functioning air conditioner remotes and in-room Jacuzzis. The positive feedback far outweighs the negative, however, and we were optimistic that the Rumor would get these issues sorted out in the future and as of Spring 2011 TripAdvisor comments, they have!

• Valets double as porters
• Room service available from Addiction restaurant 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• Front desk staffers double as concierges; available 24 hours a day
• Security guard on duty overnight on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends
• Same-day dry cleaning and laundry service available

View on a Larger Map

Rumor is located one mile (about a $10 cab ride) from the Strip on East Harmon Avenue. Since it's a small hotel, cabs won't line up at the entrance the way they do at the megaresorts, and you might have to wait a few minutes for the porter to get you one. But you also avoid the long taxi lines you'll find elsewhere.

Most visitors to Vegas head to the densely packed, three-and-a-half mile long stretch of hotel-casinos on Las Vegas Boulevard known as the Strip. It's easy to get around once you're there, although the cab fare to and from the Strip can add up.

• Every major hotel has a taxi stand where visitors can catch cabs at any time of day or night. Taxi lines are the only legal place to get a cab in Las Vegas (no hailing for a ride from the Strip).
• $10-$15 cab ride to hotels on the Strip, and a $5-$10 cab ride between hotels on the Strip
• 10- to 15-minute, $15 cab ride to McCarran International Airport (don't let your driver take the freeway -- the ride can cost up to twice as much)
• The Las Vegas Monorail stops at MGM Grand, Bally's/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah's/Imperial Palace, the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Hilton, and the Sahara. A single-ride ticket is $5; a one-day pass is $13.
• The Deuce double-decker bus runs up and down the strip 24/7 and costs $3 to ride
• The free City Center tram stops at the Crystals shopping center (connected to the Aria Hotel), the Monte Carlo, and the Bellagio.

King Suite at the Rumor Las Vegas

Rooms at Rumor start at 350 square feet -- not especially large by Vegas standards, but large enough -- and feature a bright, funky purple-and-white color scheme, and (in most cases) balconies or patios (a Vegas rarity). It's worth upgrading to a suite with a Jacuzzi and pool view.

All rooms include:

• 32-inch flatscreen TVs (plus a second 27-inch flatscreen TV in the two-room suites)
• Patios or balconies with plastic chairs (except for a small number of the rooms)
• Bright, funky white-and-purple color scheme
• Rain showerhead
• Robes
• Ice bucket
• Safe big enough for a laptop
• Mini-fridges available upon request for $25 per day.
• Iron and ironing board
• Premium cable channels and free adult channel
• iPod-docking alarm clocks
• Rollaway beds available for no fee
• No coffeemaker

Room types:

• Popular King Suite: 350 square feet; view of Harmon Avenue or adjacent buildings
• Popular King Suite with Beach View: 350 square feet; view of backyard and pool area
• Popular King Suite with Spa Tub: 350 square feet; big Jacuzzi; view of Harmon Avenue or adjacent buildings
• Popular King Suite with Spa Tub and View: 350 square feet; big Jacuzzi; view of backyard and pool area
• Favorite Two Room King Suite with Spa Tub: 500 sqaure feet; separate living room; big Jacuzzi; view of Harmon Avenue or adjacent buildings
• Favorite Two Room King Suite with Spa Tub and View: 500 sqaure feet; separate living room; big Jacuzzi; view of backyard and pool area
• Favorite Two Room Suite with Double Queen Beds: Two queen beds; 500 square feet; separate living room; view of Harmon Avenue or adjacent buildings

Jacuzzi at the Rumor Vegas

• Huge backyard featuring grass, hammocks, palm trees, cacti, a pool, a Jacuzzi, a plunge pool, cabanas, and daybeds; space can host parties and events of up to 2,400 people
• Pool area open 24 hours a day; topless lounging permitted
• Bar with video poker machines open 24 hours a day
• No on-site gym, but guests can use Hard Rock's gym across the street for $8 per day

Addiction Restaurant at the Rumor Las Vegas

• Addiction restaurant is helmed by Vic Vegas, a charismatic, tattoeed chef who has appeared several times on the Food Network. The excellent breakfast menu, available 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekends, includes bacon belgian waffles ($9) and Butterfinger-and-marscapone pancakes ($8). Lunch, served from 11 a.m to 3 p.m., features items such as the Cuban-Ruben sandwich ($11); dinner, served from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., features inventive American food such as French onion soup topped with mac & cheese ($8) and "Karmal Pork" ($32) with a whiskey butter glaze. Small plates dubbed "tapatizers" are served from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Friday through Sunday.
• Rumor Bar, located in the hotel lobby, is open 24 hours a day and features frequent drink specials and video poker machines. The stylish lobby doubles as a late-night lounge.

Rumor is one one of the only pet-friendly hotels in Vegas, and allows dogs under 25 pounds to stay for $25 per day. Dog bowls are available upon request for no extra charge and there is a small dog park on the property.