Vegas

Las Vegas is famed for its glamour and luxury, but there are remarkably affordable experiences and bucket-list encounters that don’t break the bank once you step into Sin City

I lay down on the table, bashed my chosen intensity and music choice into a tablet, and two extendable metallic arms started to twitch. And then they swivelled and swooped down on me. Within minutes, my worries had melted away.

I was not involved in some strange AI torture chamber. I was, in fact, in Las Vegas. Putting a futuristic massage robot through its paces. Aescape Robotic Massage Experience at Qua Spa in Caesars Palace is the Strip’s first AI robotic massage ($44 for 15 minutes) and delivers impressively good back and shoulder massages.

Still, I watched beadily as my robot masseuse worked each touchpoint, not quite sure whether to fully trust the machine. Certainly, it was different from a typical massage and one I won’t forget in a hurry. But I wasn’t just in Sin City to be pummelled by an android in Caesars Palace. I was there to discover if it really was possible for the Entertainment Capital of the World to offer serious bang for your buck.

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Las Vegas is notoriously expensive, with its iconic Strip serving as the backdrop, towering mega resorts lining the vibrant streets and the catalogue of luxury casinos that buzz with excitement. Not to mention all the extras of America’s playground, thanks to its around-the-clock nightlife, remarkable entertainment venues, famed attractions and celebrity restaurants.

Yet, among its dazzling scenes, there’s a lot more to Las Vegas than first meets the eye, with bucket-list encounters and remarkable experiences that don’t break the bank, and where you’d only ever appreciate in the Nevadan. My initial encounter with Las Vegas’ sheer magnitude came as I checked into the five-star Vdara Hotel & Spa, situated in the heart of the city and boasting 1,400 suites. My room ($131 per night + tax) was just as impressive as its towering scale, with a kitchenette, a generous living area, two TVs, and a stylish bathroom complete with a freestanding bath and a cosy cloud-like bed that helped keep jet lag at bay. Its panoramic windows, stretching across the width of the suite, were a highlight, allowing me to admire the iconic Strip, day or night, against its mountainous desert backdrop.

For two nights, I stayed at the luxurious Resorts World Las Vegas, comprising over 3,500 rooms across three of Hilton’s brands, Hilton, Crockfords, and Conrad. I checked into a sprawling room at the latter ($184 per night) with a sleek bathroom that had an enormous rainfall shower and carefully curated furnishings, including a king-sized bed, that felt like a home away from home. While it’s farther from the Strip, I was still able to marvel at the dazzling city skyline and enjoy a quieter night’s rest. It’s easy to spend time wandering the vibrant streets of the Vegas Strip, soaking up the lively ambience and themed establishments that transported me to Paris, New York, and Disneyland. But beyond the glitz, I explored the desert surrounding the city on a guided hiking tour through the Valley of Fire with Love Hikes ($129 per person).

I was instantly awestruck by the dramatic orange rock formations, miles of golden floor and towering valleys that made up this striking landscape. It felt as if I was walking through a Hollywood film set in the state park, a far cry from the casinos, but just a few hours’ drive away.

In Las Vegas, it’s not all casinos and Adele residencies. In the Arts District, you’ll find colourful graffiti adorning the streets, which are lined with antique shops, art galleries, coffee joints, and eateries, including the mouthwatering Good Pie, where I devoured a Detroit-style pepperoni pizza. For a reality-altering experience, head to Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart at Area15, a fun immersive gallery filled with quirky art installations, including a surreal supermarket. The store is stocked with unusual products, from butter-freshening spray and tattooed toy chickens to egg carton sliders. Open the right hidden fridge door and you’ll find yoursef led to otherworldly realms… Vegas is also brimming with history. At the Mob Museum (from $34.95pp), the rich stories of organised crime and law enforcement in the area are explored, while at The Neon Museum (from $25pp), you’ll have to squint to take in the splendour of old casino and business signs.

As expected, the nightlife was extraordinary. Music seeped from buzzing bars, including at Ole Red, where I listened to a live country band before admiring the Strip from their rooftop terrace.

On another night, I attended THE PARTY at Superfrico in The Cosmopolitan ($150), where I watched an intimate, immersive cabaret-style show featuring skilled circus performers from Spiegelworld and hosted by Laurie Hagen. It was a fun-packed evening like no other, where I was also treated to a three-course Italian-American meal and a welcome drink, all included in the price. It’s easy to find somewhere to grab an affordable cocktail, including during happy hour at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, but Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas was by far my favourite spot. The pedestrian-only area blew me away as I gazed at the 1,500-foot LED ceiling screen, which displayed their renowned Viva Vision Light Show, and wandered around listening to free live music from three different stages.

It’s known as ‘Old Vegas’ for its high-energy party atmosphere and affordable drinks, which is loved by Brits and Aussies – and it’s easy to see why. Another highlight was taking a ride on the iconic High Roller at The LINQ during their happy half hour ($60), which offered breathtaking views across Vegas and its never-ending array of dazzling lights, along with unlimited drinks. But its nightlife doesn’t just revolve around partying into the early hours. One evening, I took to the sky during a Maverick Helicopter ride ($139pp), gliding over the glistening Vegas Strip with incredible views of the notable Sphere, Caesars Palace and The STRAT. It was unbelievable and definitely a bucket-list experience.

Another moment that left me speechless was witnessing the world-renowned Fountains of Bellagio. I was mesmerised by the free fountain show, set to music, that soared up to 460 feet and across the 8.5-acre lake in front of the Bellagio resort.

Inside the five-star Bellagio, which sits centre stage along the Strip, is the famous Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. This is a free attraction open to everyone, beautifully designed and decorated with a different theme five times a year.

I visited during its Lunar New Year, with hundreds of fresh flowers, trickling water features, various sculptures suspended in the air and colourful lanterns. The Bellagio resort is also home to one of the world’s biggest chocolate fountains. The food scene in Vegas was nothing short of perfection, as I was treated to an array of flavours from Japan and Mexico. One of the highlights was eating at celebrity chef Roy Choi’s Best Friend bar and restaurant. It was a shop-style bar with a main restaurant where I sampled sharing-style dishes of tacos, BBQ, shrimp, and Korean wings.

I also dined with locals at Tacos El Gordo, where I had pork, beef, and chicken folded tortillas (from $4 each) before devouring a mouthwatering tasting menu of Italian dishes at LAGO by Julian Serrano. Elsewhere, I sampled a selection of innovative Japanese dishes at Kusa Nori, from sushi, seafood, sashimi, nigiri and robata meats – it was nothing short of showstopping, with smoking plates and melting slices of tuna. On the last night, I sat down for a sensational meal at High Steaks, with oysters, crab, a melt-in-the-mouth filet mignon, and their signature Tomahawk.

After a thrilling five days and experiences I’ll never forget, I can only describe Las Vegas as wild! It blew me away with its atmosphere that captivates you the moment you touch down in the Nevada city.

I found that you can absolutely make it affordable, pop $20 in the slot machines without a win, and still have the most unbelievable time in Sin City. Take advantage of the happy hours, wander around the city of lights, watch a show with dinner, and explore the desert – there’s no need to miss out on experiences or its vibrant nightlife this city has to offer. The party really is wherever you want it to go.

Book it

Resorts World hotels has three hotels in Las Vegas:

• Hilton – Starting from $154 per night
• Conrad – Starting from $184 per night
• Crockfords – Starting from $324 per night

A standard Studio King room in Vrada costs $131/night + tax. Return flights from London Heathrow to Las Vegas cost from £423 with Virgin Atlantic. Visit the Las Vegas website for more information.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Everyone told me how spectacular Las Vegas would be, with its mega resorts, huge entertainment venues and bustling casinos, but there was something no one warned me about

Mega resorts towered over me as I walked along the iconic Las Vegas Strip, the echo of country music seeping from a four-storey bar, colourful signs flashing in every direction and the Bellagio fountains taking centre stage every 15 minutes.

Inside the sprawling resorts, I was met with the vibrant, blinking slot machines, elaborate interior themes and celebrity restaurants, along with impressive nearby venues that make up ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’. This was everything I expected from the city of Nevada, and so much more.

With its bustling, energetic and chaotic atmosphere, it felt as though I had stepped into a parallel universe. After all, I was at the heart of America’s playground. Yet, amid all of the expected madness, there was something that completely took me by surprise during my first time in ‘Sin City’.

OPINION

Amy Jones

OPINION

Amy Jones

Las Vegas is situated in the Mojave Desert, the smallest and driest desert in North America. Beyond the glitz of the Strip, you can see the rugged mountains and sprawling golden desert that make up this striking landscape. But what I didn’t factor in was how dry the air would feel.

Of course, I knew deserts were dry, offering hot days and cold evenings, but it was nothing like I had experienced before, especially while walking around such a built-up city. It left me constantly thirsty, made my knuckles crack, and my lips were as dry as the Mojave Desert itself!

I needed to constantly carry a bottle of water around with me to quench my thirst at any given moment, moisturise my knuckles multiple times a day, and apply lip balm as if my life depended on it. I panicked when I accidentally left my lip balm in my hotel room one day, and saw my knuckles become redder and redder as the days went on.

It bewildered me how much it affected my skin and thirst. I could feel the dry air around me, even though it was only around 20C during the day, and I can only recall the air feeling fresh once during my five-day trip. Yet, it only added to the experience and reminded me that I really was in the heart of a desert.

While I was taken aback by the climate change, it appears that other travellers are familiar with the Las Vegas air. One shared on TripAdvisor: “I have a real problem with dry skin in Vegas and always take crack cream. Seems to help.”

Another advised: “HYDRATE – you cannot drink enough water. This is your best defence. (If you are enjoying those wonderful free cocktails while gambling, ask for a bottle of water with each drink.)

I had another encounter with the desert during a guided hiking tour through the Valley of Fire with Love Hikes, just a few hours’ drive away. Here, I was instantly amazed by the dramatic orange rock formations and miles of golden floor as I wandered through towering valleys.

Notably, the majestic desert in the state park has been used as a movie filming set, including for Transformers, Star Trek: Generations, The Professionals and Viva Las Vegas, which starred Elvis Presley. While it’s a far cry from the casinos, you can still find some glamour in the rugged terrain.

Yet, there was something else that surprised me during my trip, and that was how much smaller Las Vegas felt than I had expected, even while wandering around the iconic Strip. I thought it would feel like a gigantic city, but the span of the Strip, despite its enormous towering resorts and gigantic landmarks, was more compact than I had imagined.

There was so much to see and explore, but with its Strip measuring approximately 4.2 miles, you could easily walk its length, something I really didn’t think about until I saw it for myself. Although it would take around two hours to walk the extent of it, it felt like nothing compared to the streets of New York or London.

The population of Las Vegas was 641,903 at the 2020 census, but is thought to have increased since then. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas metropolitan area has an estimated 2.4 million residents across an estimated 7,891 square miles. This is in contrast to New York, which has an estimated population of 8,478,072, as of July 2024, spanning across a whopping 300.46 square miles.

However, while I think the Strip was more compact than I had expected, the city stretches far beyond the glitz with neighbourhoods scattered across the desert right to the edge of the mountain backdrop.

To book your trip, you can check out the Visit Las Vegas website or find direct flights with Virgin Atlantic.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

As a first-time visitor to Las Vegas, there were expectations to the vibrant desert city with its towering mega resorts, yet there was something that completely took me by surprise

Las Vegas is a city like no other, with its iconic Strip boasting mega resorts, buzzing casinos, and incredible entertainment venues, offering 24/7 nightlife every day of the week. It never darkens, with its glimmering signs lighting up the roads, yet there was one element of ‘Sin City’ that surprised me, and it was far from what I was expecting.

I was lucky enough to visit Las Vegas for the first time this month – the ideal time to beat the January blues! I was staying for four nights and around five days, excited to experience and immerse myself in the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’.

My first sight of the shimmering city came when I landed on Wednesday evening, capturing a glimpse of the towering buildings lining the Las Vegas Strip and the neighbourhoods scattered beyond in the desert. At first, I was bewildered by the close proximity of the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) – we were landing adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip, and on my right, I had a spectacular view of The Sphere!

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In other locations, airports are typically situated farther from the main city, so the location of the LAS airport caught me a little off guard. I found myself in the heart of it all from the moment we touched down. But that was just the start.

As I travelled to my hotel and later walked along the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, I was surprised by how much smaller it felt than I had expected. Having never travelled to the Nevada city before, I thought it would feel like a gigantic city, where you get lost finding the nearest supermarket or need public transport to explore different areas.

Yet, what I found was that the span of the Strip, despite its enormous towering resorts and gigantic landmarks, was more compact than I had imagined. There was so much to see and explore, but with its Strip measuring approximately 4.2 miles, you could easily walk its length, something I really didn’t think about until I saw it for myself.

Although it would take around two hours to walk the extent of it, it felt like nothing compared to the streets of New York or London. The population of Las Vegas was 641,903 at the 2020 census, but is thought to have increased since then.

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas metropolitan area has an estimated 2.4 million residents across an estimated 7,891 square miles. This is in contrast to New York, which has an estimated population of 8,478,072, as of July 2024, spanning across a whopping 300.46 square miles.

While I think the Strip was more compact than I had expected, the city stretches far beyond the glitz with neighbourhoods scattered across the desert right to the edge of the mountain backdrop. Plus, there is undoubtedly a lengthy list of attractions to explore in Las Vegas and plenty to do, whether you’re looking to soak in history at the Mob Museum, ride the High Roller at The LINQ, take a Maverick Helicopter ride by night or listen to free music in its popular Fremont Street.

Elsewhere during my trip, I was impressed that I could walk freely through hotels and resorts, despite not being a resident there. Inside, I discovered vibrant, bustling casinos, restaurants, bars, and attractions that felt like I was on board a cruise ship.

Plus, many of the resorts are linked together, so you rarely need to leave as you wander through them, admiring their distinct features, atmospheres, and themes. This made it even easier to travel through the Strip, something that also took me by surprise.

For more information, you can check out the Visit Las Vegas website or book direct flights with Virgin Atlantic.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com