After five trips to Vegas, I’ve managed to stay in a good number of hotels on the Strip, but the hotel that I’d been jonesing for was always out of my price range. For some reason, all the stars fell into alignment and I was able to secure a $199 rate for a Thursday and Friday night so I pounced on a reservation at the four-star Venetian. (Although, the Saturday night rate was $500, so we packed up and went down the Strip to the
Luxor). As a matter of fact, I had made a reservation for $219 per night the day before, and when I called back to make a change, the rates had dropped. Just goes to show you that Vegas reservations are random and change on a dime.
The room was by far the largest I’ve ever stayed in on the Strip. At 700 square feet, it was almost as big as my condo at home! It had 2 queen beds (though you can get a lower rate with a king bed instead) and a sunken living room. Strip views cost more, and the hotel’s location wouldn’t be worth the extra money – put it in the slots instead!
The staff falls all over itself to make you happy. Request the daily turn down service and they’ll come in while you’re off winning money and leave you chocolates (they’re good!) on your pillow. Also, request a refrigerator – and then head down to the Cheesecake Factory and stock up!
A note on what room to request: Stay as far away from the elevator as you can. It was a holiday weekend, and we were right off the elevator, so every drunk asshat on our floor shouted at 4am, tried to use their key on our door, knocked on the door, etc.
My one complaint about the Venetian, which is minor at the least, was that they really had the low lighting thing going. I’m a woman! I need to see to put on my makeup! Seriously, if I was trying to make a move on my man, the low light would help. But some actual lighting options would’ve been great.
So, my two cents on the Venetian is this: I’d place it in the top 2 hotels I’ve stayed in on the Strip, and WAY better than the Bellagio. The hotel is beautifully designed, the casino is fun, the rooms are huge, the staff is great. But I would certainly not pay over $275 a night.