Top 10 Newest Hotels on the Las Vegas Strip

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas mixes sophistication with imagery inspired by the surrounding Nevada desert. Renovated from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino just east of the Strip, the property is now under the ownership of Richard Branson and partners.

Much of the layout is the same with about 1,500 hotel rooms in three towers. The casino is operated by Mohegan Sun and the pool deck has been redesigned into a five-acre promenade with a lawn for concerts and other events. Restaurants include an off-Strip version of Nobu, One Steakhouse and the resurrection of Todd English’s Olives. However, the biggest surprise could be the SoCal-inspired Thai food at Night + Market. The in-house 4,000-seat Theater is one of the best concert venues in Vegas.

This north Strip property is having something of an identity crisis. It was the Sahara for years until it was sold and rebranded as the SLS in 2014. It was sold again and the property reverted back to the Sahara name in 2019 with yet another renovation.

It’s all good news, however. The rooms are brighter, more contemporary and now make much better use of what is often limited space. They’re spread out within three towers. The casino was given a modern upgrade and the property’s three pool decks have also seen improvements, including the rooftop Retro Pool.

Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres remains one of the best fine dining restaurants in Vegas while Uno Mas Street Tacos and Northside Cafe are more casual. The property is introducing more dining concepts in 2021 and will be the new home for Magic Mike Live once regular stage productions resume full operations.

The property long known as the Mandarin Oriental is now rebranded as the Waldorf Astoria. Not much has changed, but the rooms were redesigned to minimize the Asian theme.

The resort is one of the most luxurious on the Strip and the best option for those who want to avoid the chaos of a noisy casino. Most of the action is on the 23rd-floor Sky Lobby, where you’ll find the check-in counters, tea lounge, Sky Bar and Twist by Pierre Gagnaire, one of the best restaurants for French fusion on the Strip (but temporarily closed due to the pandemic).

The views are incredible and everything on site is upscale, from the pool deck and fitness center to the stylish collection of suites. There’s even a Moet & Chandon vending machine for Champagne. You may like the property so much, you can buy one of the 225 units in the separate condo tower.

The Monte Carlo, originally built in 1996, spent about two years slowly transforming into the Park MGM. No implosion. The 550-million renovation made the resort feel brand new, replacing sterile whites with warm pastels and rustic touches, including a tree-root ceiling fixture that hangs over the check-in lobby.

The 2,600 rooms were all given a much-needed makeover with quirky, modern decor. They’re still on the small side for the Strip, but that keeps prices reasonable. More compelling suites can be found on the floors dedicated to MoMad Las Vegas, a New York-inspired hotel-within-a-hotel concept that includes its own dedicated lobby, bar, restaurant and pool.

The sweeping renovations can be felt throughout the entire casino, lobby and pool deck. The restaurants are fantastic. Enjoy prime cuts of beef at Bavette’s Steakhouse or a playful fine-dining twist on Asian street food with Roy Choi’s Best Friend. Park MGM is also home to the first Eataly in Las Vegas. The retail and dining hybrid includes grab-and-go food stations and two sit-down restaurants.

Ultimately, Park MGM will be defined as an entertainment destination. It’s next door to the T-Mobile Arena and houses the 5,000-seat Park Theater, home to high-profile residencies by Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Cher and Aerosmith. On the Record is a different kind of nightclub, combining a lounge with karaoke rooms, a speakeasy-style bar and a retro theme.

This Caesars Entertainment property has been known by a number of identities over the years, from Flamingo Capri and Imperial Palace to The Quad. The resort seems to have finally found its groove as The LINQ, a name inspired by its outdoor promenade of shops, restaurants and attractions like the High Roller observation wheel and Fly LINQ zipline.

Though the rooms still fill the footprints of Vegas vacations past, the redesign ushers in a colorful, hip boutique vibe that buries its old look and feel for good. The biggest surprise is the 21+ pool deck, which features lily pads and daybeds flanked with bold colors that will awaken even the worst hangovers. The Influence pool party is free and open to non-hotel guests. Poolside cabana suites bring the boutique interior to the outside, impressing with cobalt blue and lime exterior walls. The Book is a modern refresh of the sportsbook with living room-style VIP areas and automated self-serve beer taps.