Caesars Palace

Like the MGM Grand or the Venetian, the guiding principle of Caesars Palace seems to be excess, with the largest poker room in Las Vegas, a 50,000-square-foot spa, a long labyrinth of a shopping mall, and several pools forming the Garden of Gods Pool Oasis. The grandeur starts from the entrance, where fountains, classic Roman sculptures, and well-manicured trees lead to the lobby, which has a striking sculpture at its center. Large marble columns, classical paintings, and arches continue the look. On December 31, 1967, stunt performer Evel Knievel (unsuccessfully) attempted to jump the hotel’s fountains on his motorcycle.

Built in 1966, Caesars Palace is one of the Strip's first giant hotel-casino stunners. It was packing its over-the-top house with high-profile entertainers well before current Vegas visionary Steve Wynn took the glitzy behemoth hotels concept to the next level -- and still is, with Celine Dion, Jerry Seinfeld, and Mariah Carey currently packing in audiences at the Colosseum. But the downside of the hotel's age is that its base-level (appropriately named) "Classic" rooms are smaller and far more basic than what you'd find in the newer, mid-tier-luxury properties like Mandalay Bay or the MGM Grand. Even so, Caesar's Palace is still a Vegas powerhouse.

Caesars Palace is in the middle of the densely packed three-and-a-half mile long stretch of hotel-casinos known as the Strip. The Bellagio (with its famous, street-facing fountain shows) is to the south, and the Mirage (connected to Caesars by a free tram) is to the north. The Flamingo and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant are directly across the broad street.

Most Las Vegas visitors want to explore all of the big properties along the Strip. Cabs are easy to find at virtually any time of day or night. A generally less expensive option is the Deuce, a double-decker bus that runs up and down the strip 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There's also a monorail system, which stops at MGM Grand, Bally's/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah's/The LINQ, the Las Vegas Convention Center, Westgate, and SLS. If you're traveling along the Strip with at least one other person, a cab is often the least expensive option. Ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft are available in Las Vegas as well.

Virtually every hotel on the Las Vegas Strip is a 10- to 15-minute cab ride from McCarran International Airport.

Rooms occupy six different hotel towers -- Julius, Forum, Nobu, Palace, Laurel Collection, and Octavius -- and vary greatly across categories. Starting at about 350 to 400 square feet, the base-level rooms are larger than the standard rooms in just about any other city in the world, but they're fairly small by Vegas standards. Beds -- either a king or two queens in the entry-level rooms -- are plenty comfortable and come with high-quality linens, heavy cotton comforters, and oversized throw pillows. There's no pillow-top padding on the mattresses (unlike some of the other luxury hotels on the Strip) but the bed is still perfectly comfortable.

Rooms in the Palace and Laurel Collection towers are significantly larger -- 525 square feet in the Palace rooms; 648 square feet in the Laurel Collection rooms -- and have deep-soaking jet tubs in the bathrooms. The Octavius Tower is comprised of suites (starting at 550 square feet) and villas. Rooms have king-size beds, large flat-screen TVs, sitting areas, and work desks.

All rooms feature large Panasonic flat-screen TVs, iHome alarm clocks, Keurig coffeemakers, motorized drapes with bedside controls, waffle-weave bathrobes, and dual rainfall showerheads, and Wi-Fi (for a fee). Hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and toiletries are provided.

Around 160 stores and restaurants call the labyrinth-like Forum Shops home -- from H&M and Planet Hollywood to Louis Vuitton and Fendi. The Colosseum's live-entertainment lineup has featured superstars such as Rod Stewart and Elton John, and big names currently performing shows include Celine Dion and Jerry Seinfeld. For world-renowned DJs, visitors can head to Omnia Nightclub, but entrance is only free for guests on certain nights.

Caesars' Qua Baths & Spa is massive: the 50,000-square-foot space includes 51 treatment rooms and 35 massage studios. If it's not the best spa in Vegas (that might go to the Canyon Ranch Spa at the Venetian), it's at least one of the biggest. Guests getting any treatment can access to Roman baths, Laconium steam baths, snowing ice room, and the tea lounges for free. The on-site hair salon, Color Salon by Michael Boychuck, has an Old Hollywood vibe, with elaborate chandeliers and vanities, and the large fitness center feels even bigger thanks to its especially high ceilings. Access to the gym is included in the daily resort fee.

Caesars Palace is happy to host children -- the rooms are large, the pool is excellent (and mellow), and the concierge can arrange babysitting services, but it doesn't specifically target families. Unlike the other theme-centered hotels like Excalibur or the Venetian, there are no exciting, Roman-inspired performances for the kids. Cribs and rollaway beds both cost an additional fee. (Note that Caesars is one of the very few hotels that charges extra for a crib.)

Wedding, event, and meeting spaces are available. Wi-Fi is included under the daily resort fee while parking incurs a charge.

The hotel's network of pools -- called Garden of the Gods -- spans 4.5 acres and three levels, with Roman columns, elaborate marble and granite mosaics, and cabanas. Each pool is named for a god or goddess and has its own personality: one has a swim-up blackjack table, one has cabanas only for invited VIPs, and one features an 18-foot waterfall. The Venus Pool Club includes secluded couches, cabanas, and food and drink options for an entrance fee that increases on weekends.

Caesars closes all of its pools, except for Venus, during the off-season.

All of the standard games, slots, and cards are available, as well as a 250-seat race and sports book. Aside from the giant TVs mounted on the wall of the race and sports book, each table is equipped with its own monitor. Caesars is also home to a large, 14,000-square-foot poker room -- one of Las Vegas' biggest. The casino isn't as fancy as the casino at the Bellagio or the Venetian, but it's on par with the casino at Mandalay Bay and much nicer than the casino at the Flamingo.

What Restaurants are Available at Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino?

Fast-food and fine-dining options abound, including Bacchanal Buffet, a steakhouse, and Nobu.

Unlike many upscale Vegas hotels, like the Bellagio or the Wynn, many of Caesars' on-site restaurants are fairly affordable. But there are plenty of high-end options, too.

• Bacchanal Buffet offers an over 500-plus-item spread including truffle deviled eggs, lump crab avocado toast, and red velvet pancakes. Prices vary by day and time, ranging from approximately $40 to $65.
• Beijing Noodle No. 9, a northern Chinese restaurant, serves authentic dumplings and house-made noodle dishes
• Rao's is the Las Vegas edition of the famous New York Italian restaurant -- complete with its own bocce court
• Mesa Grill, a southwestern restaurant run by celebrity chef Bobby Flay (of Food Network fame), serves brunch, lunch, and dinner
• Old Homestead Steakhouse serves seafood and steak for dinner only
• Renowned Japanese restaurant Nobu is open for dinner
• One of France's most acclaimed chefs, Guy Savoy, (who was awarded a Legion d'Honneur from the French Minister of Agriculture) helms the two-Michelin-star Restaurant Guy Savoy, the most prestigious (and most expensive) of Caesars' restaurants. Many regard it as one of the best restaurants in Vegas. Reservations are highly recommended.
• Room service (with a very extensive menu) is available 24/7