Description: The Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is nothing if it is not emphatic in its attention to detail. Though virtually every hotel on the Las Vegas strip has a theme of some description - and the competition pushes each top the next, there is something overwhelming about this effect at the Venetian.

Quite possibly my favourite hotel in Las Vegas - the Venetian is in a class all on its own. Even after wandering through casinos of all shapes and sizes for a full, foot aching day - you walk through the doors of the Venetian and suddenly it's as if you weren't in Las Vegas at all.

And this is really saying something - if you have ever visited the strip then you can appreciate how impressive it is for one hotel to stand out as so different when so many of them having something superb to offer.

I find this especially true now when for me Las Vegas is losing its identity. Though the hotels are still very impressive, and the shows and dining extreme - the conglomerate buy out of the strip by the MGM Grand means that slowly but surely the strip is becoming one big Disney World attraction, with out the vital element of competition.

But once through the doors of the Venetian, I hardly wanted to return to the strip for the rest of my trip.

If you stand on the balcony outside the Venetian - even there you feel as if the rest of the strip is a show put on for you're benefit. As exciting as it may be, you still get to sit above it and watch from a much more pleasing distance.

The Grand Canal shoppes for me just epitomize this great experience at the Venetian. As you walk through the doors you are instantly taken by the European grandeur of the place. Decadence in every corner and infinitesimal attention to detail surrounds you. Where as some of the other themed hotels do feel a bit like you are on an upscale themed ride at an amusement park, at the Venetian you feel as if you've simply entered a world of Italian glamour.

You still feel as if you can partake in this little taste of other-worldliness here, something that is being lost in the other casinos, I think. You feel pampered and special - even if you are just walking through to see the place for yourself.

The canals open up and the gondolas make their way along them in crystal canals that run through the hotel - and the shops themselves are fantastic. It would be hard to find such magnificent (if expensive) shopping in the US outside of New York. It really is top notch, so don't bother coming here to shop unless you plan to spend a lot.

But browsing is good for any occasion, and you get a chance to visit shops here that would be hard to find in most places.

But best of all by far is the atmosphere here. Though almost always busy, there is a certain European flow to the 'streets' in the Venetian, and you can't help but feel swept up in the charm of stuccoed archways and glowing sunsets on the painted ceiling above.
You must have a meal at one of their 'street side' Italian Cafes, and try the Italian ice cream vendors as well.

You can easily lose hours just walking the streets of Venice here, and with the artificial sunlight above, you could find yourself still entranced till the very wee hours of the morning before you realize you are still in Las Vegas.
Close