Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa

Set in the dusty terra-cotta hills of Red Rock Canyon in suburban Summerlin, the posh and off-the-beaten-path Red Rock Resort and Spa opened in 2006 as the first billion-dollar luxury resort off the Las Vegas Strip. The luxury is in the details, from the 32-foot-long lobby chandelier made of Swarovski crystals to the burled wood of the casino's Lucky Bar. Station Casinos, the company behind the hotel and its sister property in nearby Henderson, Green Valley Ranch, specializes in creating luxury environments without the crowds and over-the-top glitz of the Strip.

Local residents flock to the resort's sleek casino, but vacationing families dominate the scene, especially at the large pool. Families also enjoy kid-friendly extras, like the on-site cinema, 72-lane bowling alley, kids' club, and babysitting service. This resort's desert setting, modern decor, and considerable features make it an all-around excellent pick, but with few other attractions nearby, the hotel is best for travelers who plan to stay on site or explore the nearby canyon.

Red Rock Resort is located in Summerlin, an upper-middle-class and largely residential suburb of Las Vegas. The area, home to numerous retirement communities, is known for the stunning natural beauty of Red Rock Canyon, where outdoor enthusiasts can find great hiking, biking, and kayaking. Plus, several golf courses dot the region.

• Six-minute drive to Shops at Boca Park
• Eight-minute drive to Arroyo Golf Club
• 11-minute drive to Siena Golf Club
• 20-minute drive to McCarran International Airport
• 20-minute drive to Springs Preserve
• 25-minute drive to the Strip

Decorated in earth tones that complement the desert landscape, the 816 modern and stylish rooms feature wood-grain-print carpeting, platform beds, all-marble bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the canyon views. Standard rooms -- called Deluxe here -- come in at a whopping 500 square feet (suites range from 1,100 to 7,500 square feet) and have either one king-size or two queen-size beds. Beds in every room feature comfortable Serta mattresses and Sobel Westex linens, and are flanked by tiny chrome reading lights.

All rooms come with 42-inch flat-screen TVs with 40-plus cable channels (including HBO), iHomes, mini-fridges, and bathrobes. The large bathrooms are true knockouts, with beautiful two-tone marble floors and surfaces (including double-sink countertops), leather walls, glass shower stalls, flat-screen TVs above the separate tubs, and Gilchrest and Soames toiletries.

Rollaway beds are available for a nightly fee; cribs, playpens, and babyproofing are available upon request.

Red Rock has a wide array of pools throughout a three-acre complex. The "Backyard" pool area has a main wading pool with a spray fountain in the center, as well as several medium-sized pools, smaller splash pools, and whirlpools scattered about. Free weekly silent yoga classes are offered poolside. The main pool is larger than the one at the nearby JW Marriott Las Vegas and as impressive as the main pool at the Green Valley Ranch. It has the glitzy feel of many big Vegas pools, but is more welcoming to kids. The pool is seasonal, and has food and drink service. Note that cabanas and cabana beds can cost hundreds in food and beverage minimums, depending on the day of the week and time of year. The pool bar is one of the 10 on-site drinking spots, including Rocks Lounge, which hosts live music just about every night.

Like the spa at sister hotel Green Valley Ranch, Red Rock's spa specializes in Eastern-influenced techniques (Thai and Ashiatsu massages are available) and innovative modern treatments. Prices here tend to be lower than what spas on the Strip charge. Spa facilities -- which guests can access for free -- include a quiet pool (great for laps), cold plunge pool, whirlpool, sauna, and steam room. Fitness and wellness group classes include wall yoga and meditation. Adjacent to the spa is the fitness center, which is clean and well maintained, with plenty of Nautilus and cardio equipment. There's no golf on site, but concierge can arrange for a day of golf at nearby courses, including Arroyo Golf Club -- just 10 minutes away -- and Siena Golf Club.

Other features here are impressive for their scale: The amphitheater has 10,000 seats, the movie theater has 16 screens, and the bowling alley has 72 lanes (it's the biggest in the area). The multiplex and bowling alley are great amenities for kids, and there's also an extensive arcade and Kids Quest, Red Rock's kids' club featuring an indoor playground with a giant maze and jungle gym and supervised activities, from arts and crafts to karaoke. Kids Quest charges an hourly rate based on age (the club welcomes children from six weeks to 12 years). The daily resort fee covers access to the spa and fitness facilities, the shuttle to the Strip and the airport, Wi-Fi, local phone calls, and a shoe shine.

Red Rock's casino boasts more than 3,000 games, including hundreds of penny slots and $100 slot machines. Some of their gaming highlights include an around-the-clock poker lounge, bingo room (which hosts eight hour-long sessions daily), and keno lounge. The sports book bar area has a 96-foot video wall.

There are 10 Red Rock restaurants, ranging from quick-bite options for eaters in between rounds of poker to an upscale steakhouse. The food court has a Starbucks, Auntie Anne's, and Panda Express, while mid-range options include the 24-hour Grand Cafe, the great-value Feast Buffet, and the regional chain Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Cue, which has an outpost at the resort. Hearthstone serves New American (whole-pig feasts are available) and Libre has a selection of nearly 70 tequilas and mezcals to pair with its menu of classic Mexican dishes. Room service is available 24 hours a day.