There’s a long running debate about what actually makes a hotel great. Some people think it’s the bed, others feel it’s the moment you walk through the lobby and the building does something to your mood before you have even checked in. Casino hotels win that argument every time. The best ones create an atmosphere that no ordinary property can replicate and they do it from the second you arrive.
These properties represent some of the most complete travel experiences available. Not just for the gaming, which is part of it, but for the architecture, the restaurants and the sheer ambition of what happens when serious money meets serious vision.
Many hotel guests have never set foot in a real casino before, and walking up to a table in Monaco with no idea what you’re doing may feel intimidating. Something that can help settle the nerves is spending a few evenings beforehand on a properly regulated UK site. Working through their slots online is a fun way to learn how the games actually feel, so by the time you reach an actual floor none of it will be a mystery. If you fancy giving it a whirl in person, here are four destinations that are worth the journey.
Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Probably the most famous casino in the world, Monte-Carlo’s Monaco offering takes some beating. Arriving at dusk when the building is all lit up, with glamourous cars pulling in and guests dressed to the nines is quite an experience. The glittering harbour behind sets the scene, and as you step over that threshold it feels like becoming part of a movie.
Charles Garnier built Casino de Monte-Carlo in 1863 (he also built the Paris Opera House if you’re into fun facts!). The Hotel de Paris opposite has just finished a 280 million euro renovation and inside, Le Louis XV is great place for a refined meal before you try your luck at the tables.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Some buildings are worth flying to just to see in person and this is definitely one of them. Three towers topped by a rooftop SkyPark with an infinity pool that appears to float above the Singapore skyline. Every photograph of it undersells it, and standing on that roof for the first time is a genuine moment. It’s one of the most memorable things to do in Singapore.
The casino inside Marina Bay Sands runs across six levels and 15,000 square metres, but honestly, the Singapore experience around it is what makes this the most complete destination on this list. Immediately below, the Gardens by the Bay are lit up at night, while The ArtScience Museum is just next door. Celebrity chef restaurants are the icing on the cake, adding an extra element of glam to your night out.
The Venetian Macao
Nothing prepares you for the scale of the largest casino in the world, and with its indoor canal, the gondoliers, and the painted ceiling made to look like open sky, it really does feel like you’re in Venice. Many first-time visitors will enjoy spending their first moments inside just wandering around and taking in the sights and marvelling at the enormity of the building.
Macao itself often surprises visitors, who come away having fallen in love with the city. The Portuguese colonial quarter around the Ruins of St Paul is genuinely lovely, there’s nothing like the Cotai Strip, and the food there is some of the most interesting in Asia. Don’t make the mistake of spending all your time inside the resort, because the city outside it is worth the trip on its own.
Wynn Las Vegas
There are lots of big names on the Strip but many visitors tend to gravitate towards the Wynn. Not because it is the flashiest, it isn’t, but because it is the most comfortable to actually be in. It’s more peaceful inside, the spaces are well thought out, and the art collection is worth more than just a few lingering moments as you pass by.
Natural light cascading through the skylights makes the space feel open and airy, which feels a world away from the windowless gaming floors in other venues. The spa is exceptional and a great way to get relaxed and prepare for a busy night of anticipation ahead.
One Last Thing
You don’t have to be into gaming to enjoy a stay at a casino hotel. Many first-time visitors have preconceived ideas about garish interiors and pushy staff, but in fact the world’s best properties are none of those things. They offer a complete hotel experience, with everything you need right there in front of you. Once you’ve experienced that, it can be hard to go back.
All four of these are worth the trip whether you intend to game at all or not. For UK travellers planning any of them, the travel inspiration section here has practical guidance on luxury destinations worldwide.
