6 Las Vegas hotels that are basically theme parks

These six Las Vegas hotels rival theme parks with their pools, indoor attractions, entertainment hubs, and more. Plus, you won’t leave with a sunburn.

Theme parks are what dreams are made of—who could resist roaring waterslides, extravagant drinks, indulgent carnival-inspired fare, and stomach-dropping rides?—but you don’t actually have to leave the city limits to have an experience like this in Las Vegas. No, you don’t need to find the closest Six Flags, which is good because it’s a state over, anyway.

Las Vegas boasts more than a handful of expansive hotels that double as entertainment institutions, bringing carefree swimming, decadent food, fun activities, and more to the masses. It’s no wonder that Sin City had over 41 million visitors in 2024, according to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. This was a 2.1% increase from 2023’s visitors, showing that the city’s tourism isn’t slowing down anytime soon—and it might just be because of Las Vegas’ hotels.

Now, whether you’re interested in a week-long vacation, a weekend getaway to see Las Vegas’ gorgeous public gardens, or even just a night out on the town, look no further than these six hotels. You might just find yourself having more fun than you would at a theme park.

1. Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino

Address: 3667 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Price Range: $191-$1,139 per night

Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino has so much fun jam-packed inside of it that you won’t need to leave the premises to make the most of your time in Sin City. Plus, with rates starting at $191 per night, Planet Hollywood has a room for everyone. One must-do at his hotel is the rooftop pool—or, rather, pools. Planet Hollywood has both a 21-and-up pool for those who want adult beverages and perhaps a little less chaos and an all-ages pool that promises to be fun for the full family. The fun doesn’t end there, though. This hotel also has a FlowRider, which simulates endless ocean waves for rooftop surfing. Yes, you read that correctly! If you’re looking for a more relaxed stay, you can rent a poolside cabana that comes equipped with lounging furniture and a TV. Take a sip, dip into the pool, watch an episode of your favorite show, and repeat!

When you’re done lapping up the sun, head indoors for a tantalizing show—current and upcoming offerings at the time of writing include “Criss Angel MINDFREAK,” “Jeff Dunham: Artificial Intelligence,” and sets by singer Tito Double P—or go for a spot of golfing at one of two glorious golf course, Cascata and Rio Secco Golf Club, to which Planet Hollywood has easy access. Of course, there are also the myriad casino games you can dive into back at the hotel if you’re feeling lucky.

Hungry after a day of swimming, seeing, and golfing? You’re in luck. Caramella Italian Restaurant & Lounge and Gordon Ramsay Burger are both on-site, though there are many other eateries in the direct vicinity. “The hotel has everything you need. Friendly staff and helpful. The pool area is fantastic as you have a child friendly pool area,” one Tripadvisor reviewer wrote, adding, “Lot’s of places to eat … Must try is [Gordon Ramsay Burger. Tastes amazing.] The rooms are a good size.” 

The exterior of Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood hotel brightly lit at night, showing how extravagant it is. (Jim G/CC BY 2.0)

2. Bellagio Hotel & Casino

Address: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Price Range: $224-$3,300 per night

The Bellagio Hotel & Casino is a staple among Las Vegas hotels—and for good reason. It has everything you could possibly want during a fun getaway, though prices for it are hard to nail down. The Bellagio appears to use dynamic pricing, so when we looked into booking a room, we were presented wildly different prices on different days, with the above numbers encompassing what we were offered. We don’t say that to discourage you from staying here, however. In fact, the Bellagio has some of the best fun in Sin City.

Like many other Las Vegas hotels, the Bellagio contains a full casino, including tabletop games, slot machines galore, and designated poker areas. As with Planet Hollywood, the pool area is particularly noteworthy here. The hotel’s website notes that the area was designed after “enchanting Italian gardens,” and the pictures certainly prove that with their topiary sculptures, ample greenery, and intricate sculptures, including lions’ mouths that rain water down into the pool below. Here, too, you can rent cabanas for extra lounging space. After lounging, you can check out live entertainment in the form of a Bruno Mars concert or Cirque du Soleil performance, among other events. You could also head to the hotel’s spa, which is equally as gorgeous as the pool area, if not even more so. 

“Our stay at your facility is always first class, we enjoy the atmosphere as well as the employees that greet us from registration and then throughout our days. …  The pool location is most likely one of our most favorite on the Vegas strip,” wrote one Tripadvisor reviewer. “The bedroom and bathroom is one of our favorites as the bed gives us such a great deep sleep each night…” With a review like this, you might just leave Vegas more rested than you entered it. Who’d’ve thought?

The Bellagio’s pool shimmers under the warm Las Vegas sun with guests swimming and lounging freely. (Studio Sarah Lou/CC BY 2.0)

3. Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Address: 2777 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Price Range: $160-$1,905

Fontainebleau Las Vegas is another magical hotel option that will leave you feeling like an angel in the city of sin. That said, we’re starting to think that dynamic pricing is the real sin in this city, with Fontainebleau’s prices being all over the place, similar to the Bellagio’s. At the time of writing, the range above is what we were presented with, though it could differ when you go to book your stay. Still, the sporadic prices might be worth it, especially if you’re a swimmer. Fontainebleau’s pool is—wait for it—six acres in size, boasting six distinct pools and a gaming area that spans 2,300 square feet. The pool area contains several bars and restaurants, so you never have to cut your swimming, tanning, or lounging time short to go do that essential thing we all have to do every day.

It’s no secret that Fontainebleau trumps most Las Vegas hotels in the pool category, but did you know this hotel beats many others in food as well? From casual spots like Vida and The Tavern to signature Fontainebleau joints like Don’s Prime and Chyna Club—nonetheless the aptly named La Fontaine—there is no shortage of options when dining at this hotel. That’s not even to mention the lounges that offer delicious plates or the food hall, which contains El Bagel, Capon’s Burgers, and more. Outside of swimming and dining, Fontainebleau offers a variety of salon services, as well as its Signature Series, which lets you learn directly from experts. At the time of writing, options include learning how to make the best sushi, how to master your grill skills, and how to put together Mother’s Day arrangements that your mom will never forget. For an extra adventure off of the premises, you could also check out one of Las Vegas’ many arcades.

“Best property in Las Vegas. Great rooms. Very clean and well kept. Casino is fantastic,” wrote one Tripadvisor reviewer after visiting. “We loved the pools. Cabana service was incredible. Quality of restaurants and food is above and beyond. Phenomenal staff also made my trip so enjoyable.” 

An aerial view of the casino floor at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. (Dialh/CC BY 4.0)

4. The Venetian

Address: 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Price Range: $135-$1,079

The Venetian is one of the most gorgeous Las Vegas hotels, bringing Italian flair to the Southwest U.S. with ease. In fact, The Venetian is so Venice-inspired that a man-made river flows through it, and you can hitch a ride on a gondola that’s steered by a professional gondolier. If you haven’t been to Vegas before, you should know that these hotels are massive, and being escorted via boat through one isn’t as shocking as it sounds. The Venetian is a steal, too. Its regular hotel rooms are some of the cheapest on The Strip, depending on when you go, leaving you with more pocket money for gondola rides, endless fun food, and more.

The architecture in The Venetian makes it particularly akin to a theme park that takes its inspiration very seriously—think Holiday World, where all of the decorations and structures are themed after specific holidays, for instance. Still, the fun goes so much further. The famous Las Vegas Sphere you’ve seen everywhere online? It’s also at The Venetian, meaning you can watch concerts in state-of-the-art technology like nowhere else. At the time of writing, upcoming shows include the Eagles and Kenny Chesney. There’s also TAO Beach, a stunning 47,000-square-foot expanse where you can swim, drink, and even catch live performances. Interestingly, TAO Beach’s design is based on Asian architecture, making it a fun and interesting contrast to the inside of the hotel.

Finally, the restaurants in The Venetian range from the Japanese spot Nomikai to the very-Vegas HaSalon and CUT by Wolfgang Puck—need we say more? “If you’re thinking of staying somewhere else in Vegas – DON’T,” wrote one pleased Tripadvisor reviewer. “Casino was fantastic. … There are too many amenities to mention, especially for dining and shops. You could happily spend your entire Vegas trip here without ever leaving the resort.” The reviewer went on to add, “The pool area was crowded, but drinks could be ordered on the app. Service was quick, and drinks/food were great. … The Tao beach club was just over the wall, and if you’re looking for serenity, go to a pool further away (there are at least 6).” It doesn’t get much better than that!

5. Caesars Palace

Address: 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Paradise, NV 89109

Price Range: $383-$4,824

Caesars Palace is another of Las Vegas’ hotels that has it all—and you customize your stay to fit your lifestyle and budget. With rooms beginning in the $300 range at the time of writing, there’s something for everyone. Like other Las Vegas hotels, too, Caesars Palace is a choose-your-own-adventure resort where guests can escape from everyday life at the pools, the fitness center, the spa, the casino, and more. To be precise, Caesars Palace has seven pools, and like the other hotels on this list, there are cabanas for the ultimate pool day. 

The food scene at Caesars Palace is also noteworthy. Celebrity chefs Bobby Flay and Gordon Ramsay both have restaurants on the property, with the former having three (Amalfi, Brasserie B Parisian Steakhouse, and Bobby’s Burgers) and the latter having two (Hell’s Kitchen and Chicken Guy). There’s also Stanton Social Prime, Dominique Ansel, Bacchanal Buffet, Pronto by Giada, and more. Between meals, check out Caesars Palace’s casino, where more than 1,300 slot machines wait to be fiddled with. 

“Our hotel stay at Caesars was amazing! The room was beautiful and clean (with very comfy beds!) and the hotel itself had so much to offer at a great price,” one Tripadvisor said of their stay. Another said, “… [W]e were impressed by the cleanliness of the Casino floor at all times.” Reviews of the restaurants at Caesars Palace are all also sound, with the latter reviewer adding, “We didn’t expect much from [Amalfi by Bobby Flay] but we were blown away by the freshness of the produce, pasta, and fish, as well as the super warm and memorable service.” 

The facade of The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is bright and gilded, welcoming in shoppers. (Pedro Szekely/CC BY-SA 2.0)

6. Excalibur Hotel & Casino

Address: 3850 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Price Range: $69-$899

Las Vegas hotels are notoriously expensive, especially if you stay in a large suite. However, Excalibur Hotel & Casino is one of the most affordable options on The Strip, even beating The Venetian’s comparatively lower prices. You don’t even have to sacrifice amenities to stay here. Excalibur has four pools for guests to swim in style, as well as luxurious cabanas to rest with a certain flair. Did we mention it has a waterslide, too? With 30,000 square feet to wander, chat, laugh, and reminisce, the pool area is where dreams go to flourish. There’s also a restaurant in this area for the best poolside sips and bites. 

Like Planet Hollywood, Excalibur is partnered with a golfing paradise—Paiute Golf Resort, in this case. That said, the resort is 26 miles from downtown Las Vegas, so it’s more of a commitment than Planet Hollywood’s golfing. Still, that extra distance means more peace of mind as you swing under the Nevada desert’s warming, entrancing sun. Then, when you get back, you can dine lavishly at Buca Di Beppo, The Buffet, or TAP Sports Bar.

“I like the [Excalibur] because it’s affordable and right at the beginning of the Strip. Everything is within walking distance,” one Tripadvisor reviewer explained. “I really enjoyed their pools. I prefer to stay here, it’s luxurious without breaking the bank.” If this sounds like your speed, Excalibur may be your best bet!

Las Vegas’ Excalibur hotel stands brightly lit at night, including its fairy-tale-like castles. (Jason Wong/CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.