A hipper, quieter sister to the attached Mandalay Bay, THEhotel attracts a younger crowd that prefers urban chic to ornate luxury. Huge suites, solid service, and fine art on the walls make it a sophisticated haven from the Vegas circus; but access to Mandalay's amenities -- including its pools -- means you can have a foot in each world. But expect changes in 2013 when the hotel converts into a Delano similar to its sister South Beach Delano property.

Like the Paris and New York-New York hotels, the 5,030-room Venetian is an enormous and extravagant tribute to a place far from the desert, complete with gondola rides and a replica of Saint Mark's Square. Compared to the other theme-driven Vegas properties, the Venetian distinguishes itself with enormous guest rooms, a world-class spa, and heaps of premier restaurants.

Big, elaborate, and packed with the kind of luxuries you see at the Bellagio and the Wynn, the Palazzo has some of the best and biggest standard rooms on The Strip. Its world-class spa, seven pools, busy casino, and name-brand fine dining all connect to its sister property, the Venetian, via an haute couture mall. Less theme-y than many Vegas hotels, but right at the top of the list in terms of glitz and extravagance.

Remote-controlled drapes in the giant rooms, eight premier restaurants, an 18-hole golf course -- the 2,716-room Wynn is one of the Strip's most extravagant luxury hotels. But service is a bit impersonal, and there's a hefty fee to use the fitness center.

Opened in December 2008, the 2,034-room Encore is about pure opulence; not surreal, family-friendly showmanship. Its giant rooms one-up even the Wynn's (Encore's sister next door) and include such snazzy features as bedside curtain control, beautiful design, and an enormous bathroom. The rooms stand toe-to-toe with the Palazzo's and THEhotel's as the best in Vegas.

After roaring back from the brink of death after its construction was stalled for years, the Cosmopolitan quickly established itself as one of the trendier spots on the Strip. The typical Vegas kitsch has been swapped out for aggressively modern design and futuristic touches (guests sign in on an iPad). Fanfare aside, rooms are large and feature comfortable, designer furnishings and modern, open bathrooms. All types of travelers seem to come here, from frat boys to gambling grandmothers, but the nights decidedly belong to the younger crowd at BOND and Marquee -- as do the days, during Marquee's seasonal "dayclub" party poolside. It's certainly not the most family-friendly option, but couples looking for a phenomenal spa and nearby action won't be disappointed.

For the price, the Golden Nugget is a steal, provided you don't mind staying in Vegas' older downtown neighborhood instead of the newer, livelier Strip. In exchange for giving up the prime location, guests can enjoy clean, well-appointed rooms, excellent service -- and a top-notch pool complete with a shark tank.

The swank Hard Rock is off the Strip, but it knows how to throw a party -- Rehab, Vegas' best pool party; go-go dancers in the casino; live music at The Joint; partying at Vanity nightclub; stylish cuisine at Nobu or Ago.

This 2,916-room, City of Lights-themed hotel pulls in families with campy French attractions and a prime location across from the Bellagio. Standard rooms are disappointingly un-French, and the buffet is overhyped -- but it's easy to be romanced by the cool Eiffel Tower pool and affordable room rates.