I've been to Vegas a dozen times and think the best hotel is one with no casino. Here are 6 reasons why I stopped booking gaming resorts.

Emily HochbergMay 21, 2023, 16:52 IST

The author in her room at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, a non-gaming hotel on the Strip.Emily Hochberg/Insider

I've been to Las Vegas many times in the last 20 years, staying in a dozen different hotels.
And after experiencing both resorts with casinos and non-gaming hotels, I much prefer the latter.

When people think of Las Vegas, they likely think of the Strip, filled with big, iconic casino hotels like Caesars Palace, Bellagio, MGM Grand, and others.

The Bellagio fountains on the Las Vegas Strip.George Rose/Getty Images

And they're iconic. I've been visiting the Las Vegas Strip on and off for over 20 years and have stayed in at least a dozen hotels there, from Mandalay Bay and Luxor at one end, to the Venetian, Palazzo, and Wynn at the other.

The author at The Venetian Las Vegas in 2012.Emily Hochberg/Insider

And they're iconic. I've been visiting the Las Vegas Strip on and off for over 20 years and have stayed in at least a dozen hotels there, from Mandalay Bay and Luxor at one end, to the Venetian, Palazzo, and Wynn at the other.

I've also stayed at non-gaming hotels on the Strip over the years, like Waldorf Astoria, MGM Signature, Trump Hotel, and more. In doing so, I've come to one inevitable conclusion: the best hotels are the ones without on-site casinos.

The author on a casino floor in Las Vegas.Emily Hochberg/Insider

I've also stayed at non-gaming hotels on the Strip over the years, like Waldorf Astoria, MGM Signature, Trump Hotel, and more. In doing so, I've come to one inevitable conclusion: the best hotels are the ones without on-site casinos.

Of course, it all depends on what kind of trip you prefer. But for me, non-gaming hotels place you next to all the action, without any of the chaos. Here are six reasons why I only book Vegas hotels this way now.

The author in her Waldorf Astoria robe.Emily Hochberg/Insider

Of course, it all depends on what kind of trip you prefer. But for me, non-gaming hotels place you next to all the action, without any of the chaos. Here are six reasons why I only book Vegas hotels this way now.

I'm a light sleeper, but actually enjoy restful nights at non-gaming hotels. In big casinos, connecting room noise and late-night partiers keep me up all night. But when I stayed at MGM Signature or the Waldorf Astoria, which both lack casinos, I never heard a peep.

The author in her hotel room at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas.Emily Hochberg/Insider

I'm a light sleeper, but actually enjoy restful nights at non-gaming hotels. In big casinos, connecting room noise and late-night partiers keep me up all night. But when I stayed at MGM Signature or the Waldorf Astoria, which both lack casinos, I never heard a peep.

With a quieter vibe overall, I find non-gaming hotels to be more relaxing, too. I think their pools and spa are often calmer and tend to lack rowdy pool parties, and the huge groups flock to the casino hotels, in my experience.

The pool at Vdara Las Vegas, a non-gaming resort.Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock

With a quieter vibe overall, I find non-gaming hotels to be more relaxing, too. I think their pools and spa are often calmer and tend to lack rowdy pool parties, and the huge groups flock to the casino hotels, in my experience.

While most standard casino resorts are cheap, I've found better deals for luxury hotels when there is no gaming. I paid only $107 a night at MGM Signature. Bigger casino hotels like Wynn and Venetian have always cost me more.

A hotel room at MGM Signature.Alex Cimbal/Shutterstock

While most standard casino resorts are cheap, I've found better deals for luxury hotels when there is no gaming. I paid only $107 a night at MGM Signature. Bigger casino hotels like Wynn and Venetian have always cost me more.

Most Vegas casinos are part of groups like MGM or Caesars. For a Hilton or Marriott loyalist like me, this means losing possible elite-earning stays and points to use elsewhere. I'd rather stay somewhere like Marriott's Grand Chateau or Hilton's Waldorf Astoria when in town.

A hotel room at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas.Emily Hochberg/Insider

Most Vegas casinos are part of groups like MGM or Caesars. For a Hilton or Marriott loyalist like me, this means losing possible elite-earning stays and points to use elsewhere. I'd rather stay somewhere like Marriott's Grand Chateau or Hilton's Waldorf Astoria when in town.

Even when my non-gaming hotel's front door didn't face the Strip, it was still within walking distance. MGM Signature was connected by corridors to MGM Grand so everything I wanted was just a short walk away.

MGM Signature's towers seen here are connected to MGM Grand.LouisLotterPhotography/Shutterstock

Even when my non-gaming hotel's front door didn't face the Strip, it was still within walking distance. MGM Signature was connected by corridors to MGM Grand so everything I wanted was just a short walk away.

Lastly, in my opinion, there's really nothing you're giving up by going non-gaming. Gambling, entertainment, dining, and designer shopping are steps away, and then you can retreat back to a peaceful oasis. It's a win-win, and in a town like Vegas, that's not always guaranteed.

The author in Las Vegas.Emily Hochberg/Insider

Lastly, in my opinion, there's really nothing you're giving up by going non-gaming. Gambling, entertainment, dining, and designer shopping are steps away, and then you can retreat back to a peaceful oasis. It's a win-win, and in a town like Vegas, that's not always guaranteed.

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I've been to Vegas a dozen times and think the best hotel is one with no casino. Here are 6 reasons why I stopped booking gaming resorts.

When people think of Las Vegas, they likely think of the Strip, filled with big, iconic casino hotels like Caesars Palace, Bellagio, MGM Grand, and others.

And they're iconic. I've been visiting the Las Vegas Strip on and off for over 20 years and have stayed in at least a dozen hotels there, from Mandalay Bay and Luxor at one end, to the Venetian, Palazzo, and Wynn at the other.

I've also stayed at non-gaming hotels on the Strip over the years, like Waldorf Astoria, MGM Signature, Trump Hotel, and more. In doing so, I've come to one inevitable conclusion: the best hotels are the ones without on-site casinos.

Of course, it all depends on what kind of trip you prefer. But for me, non-gaming hotels place you next to all the action, without any of the chaos. Here are six reasons why I only book Vegas hotels this way now.

I'm a light sleeper, but actually enjoy restful nights at non-gaming hotels. In big casinos, connecting room noise and late-night partiers keep me up all night. But when I stayed at MGM Signature or the Waldorf Astoria, which both lack casinos, I never heard a peep.

With a quieter vibe overall, I find non-gaming hotels to be more relaxing, too. I think their pools and spa are often calmer and tend to lack rowdy pool parties, and the huge groups flock to the casino hotels, in my experience.

While most standard casino resorts are cheap, I've found better deals for luxury hotels when there is no gaming. I paid only $107 a night at MGM Signature. Bigger casino hotels like Wynn and Venetian have always cost me more.

Most Vegas casinos are part of groups like MGM or Caesars. For a Hilton or Marriott loyalist like me, this means losing possible elite-earning stays and points to use elsewhere. I'd rather stay somewhere like Marriott's Grand Chateau or Hilton's Waldorf Astoria when in town.

Even when my non-gaming hotel's front door didn't face the Strip, it was still within walking distance. MGM Signature was connected by corridors to MGM Grand so everything I wanted was just a short walk away.

Lastly, in my opinion, there's really nothing you're giving up by going non-gaming. Gambling, entertainment, dining, and designer shopping are steps away, and then you can retreat back to a peaceful oasis. It's a win-win, and in a town like Vegas, that's not always guaranteed.