ARIA Sky Suites

The ARIA Sky Suites is a hotel-within-a-hotel. It is located atop the huge ARIA Resort & Casino (guests get access to all of the resort’s features), but the Sky Suites section offers exclusive perks that make it a popular option among high-rollers and travelers seeking something more special than the standard Strip experience. The vibe is quieter than at the main resort as well, with its own private pool, a private lounge with free soft drinks, food, and cheese and wine hours, and even its own private elevator bank. 

It’s all about quiet luxury here rather than extravagant common spaces and over-the-top decor, and it’s the attention to detail and excellent services that keep guests coming back to the ARIA Sky Suites. The special treatment begins even before guests arrive in Vegas -- concierges from the different departments contact guests in advance to inquire about personal preferences and potential special requests. On arrival, guests are treated to free airport transfers in luxury limousines, and check-in is done in the private lounge.

As can be expected, the Sky Suites are at a higher price point than the average upscale hotel in Vegas, but room rates are cheaper than at other top luxury properties in town, such as the SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand, which has a similar concept -- and the most luxurious suites in town. Travelers wanting to party may prefer the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Autograph Collection, which is known for its phenomenal nightlife options and trendy atmosphere. Families with young kids, however, will probably do better at the iconic Venetian, featuring huge rooms and a Disneyland-like feel.  

ARIA Sky Suites is located inside the CityCenter complex, a massive resort and shopping center situated on the southern end of the Strip, the town’s main artery and tourist center. Although most travelers come to Vegas to experience the Strip’s nightlife scene and entertainment options, the hotel also offers easy access to other parts of the city, as it is just a short walk from two tram and Monorail stops. There is also a cab stand right outside the main entrance, and Sky Suites guests have their own preferential line with virtually no waits. The Deuce double-decker bus runs up and down the Strip 24/7 and can be cheaper than taking a taxi, depending on the destination. The airport is a 10-minute drive from the hotel, and guests receive free limousine transportation.

The hotel offers a total of 442 suites, ranging from One-Bedroom units to Three-Bedroom Villas with full kitchens and private fitness rooms. Decor varies between room types, but the overall look is elegant and classic rather than sleek and chic. Some suites do have a more modern style, with large padded headboards, black-and-white carpets, and pops of lime-green, but most feature a subdued neutral palette, velvet seating, and carpets in earth tones. Design buffs may not be blown away by the decor, but they’re undeniably smart and upscale, and feature a wide array of high-tech amenities, including tablets that can be used for controlling the lighting, opening and closing curtains, ordering room service, and making spa and restaurant bookings. 

Additionally, all rooms are outfitted with a range of great amenities, including 52-inch HD TVs, connectivity panels for electronic devices, free access to thousands of online newspapers, free Wi-Fi, and wonderfully stocked minibars. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic Strip or mountain views both from rooms and living areas. Custom-made mattresses topped with three sheets and four pillows are top-of-the-line, and guests can find robes and slippers in the closets. 

Bathrooms are huge and beautiful, with sliding wooden doors, separate jetted tubs and glass rainfall showers, and double sinks. Backlit mirrors make for great lighting, and all bathrooms come equipped with swiveling 20-inch TVs and high-end LATHER toiletries. All suites feature as many bathrooms as bedrooms, plus a spacious powder room; Penthouses have steam rooms. 

Guests staying at the ARIA Sky Suites get access to all of the ARIA Resort & Casino’s amenities, including its 19 restaurants, nine bars and cafes, three pools with cabanas, casino, spa, fitness center, nightclubs, and parking lot. Additionally, the Sky Suites section has its own private pool, featuring padded loungers, cabanas, and lots of greenery. Staff come around the pool every couple of hours with free non-alcoholic drinks, face misters, and cold towels. 

Check-in is done at the Sky Lounge, a private living room for Sky Suites guests that also offers free non-alcoholic drinks, small bites, and free daily wine and cheese hours. Sky Suites guests also get a number of great perks, including preferential tee times at a local golf course, preferential dining and nightclub reservations, and priority seating at the ARIA’s buffet and cafe.