Want to visit Venice, Italy without traveling outside the United States? For the record, I’m not saying the Venetian Resort is the same experience as visiting Venice, but there is a touch of Italy in Vegas. My Venetian Resort Las Vegas review will give you a first-hand look at what to expect at this 5-star Nevada resort.
Is Venetian Resort Las Vegas a 5-star hotel?
Located 3 miles from Harry Reid International Airport, the Venetian Resort is rated a 5-star hotel in Nevada for several reasons. If you are looking for a luxury hotel experience with high-end accommodations and amenities, the Venetian fits the bill. Every single room in this hotel is a suite. At nearly double the size of your average hotel room on the Las Vegas strip, the Venetian hotel is 5-star worthy. However, with that luxury comes the dreaded resort fee. More about the resort fee below.
With over 7,000 suites in two Italian-inspired hotel towers, the Venetian Resort Las Vegas offers luxury in every suite. The Las Vegas resort is composed of two towers; The Venetian and the 3,064 suites in the Palazzo Tower. Additionally, the 12-story, ultra-exclusive Venezia sits quietly within the Venetian tower.
The Nevada resort is certified as environmentally sustainable due to its water conservation programs, energy efficiency and recycling programs. I do want to point out that we were never successful in locating any hydration stations within the hotel to fill our reusable, non-plastic water bottles that we brought from home. As an IHG Hotel Rewards Club members, we were given 2 plastic water bottles upon check in.
What are the rooms like at Venetian Las Vegas?
Our luxury king suite, room 227 on the 33rd floor of the hotel was very elegant. As IHG Rewards Club members, we were upgraded to a select view room. This upgrade was a $40 value. While I was hoping for an upgrade to the Venetian Prestige Club Lounge on the 36th floor, we did experience the Invited Guest check in, to the left of the main check in. During our stay, an upgrade to the Prestige Club Lounge cost an additional $125 per person.
Our oversized king size bed was fit for an Italian renaissance man and woman. The sunken living room was spacious and the fancy electronic drapes kept the sun out for the late night party animals.
We did enjoy lounging in our suite. However, we were warned not to touch anything in the mini bar unless we wanted to purchase said item. Same goes for the snacks and bottled water on the counter of the mini bar. The ice machine down the hall did provide free ice.
My husband utilized the white cotton robes in our suite. I waltzed around the all marble bath and had every intention to use the oversized tub, but enjoyed the stand-alone shower instead. The White Tea and Rose aromatherapy bath amenities were nice.
Venice, Italy re-created at Venetian Resort Las Vegas
If you enjoy Italian inspired architecture and art with Renaissance frescoes, you’ll get your 10,000 steps in while roaming the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. The 5-acre pool and garden deck will attract the sun-worshippers, as well as Venetian gods and goddesses. For those wanting to stay out of the hot desert sun, try the 10 poolside cabanas or the Canyon Ranch Spa.
The 134,000 square foot spa features Aquavana Wave Room with Thermal Spa cabins, as well as a conservatory. Unfortunately, this travel writer couldn’t afford access to Canyon Ranch Spa. Maybe I’ll win big on my next trip to Las Vegas?
Dining within the Venetian Hotel
With over 20 restaurants and bars within this Las Vegas resort, you will not go hungry. We dined at Grand Lux Cafe at the Venetian and a couple of fast food restaurants, in addition to dining off property. We wanted to use our $20 food credit from IHG, but it was only valid at a few select bars and wasn’t worth keeping our credit card open with the front desk. This was an IHG problem and not the fault of the Venetian.
As I mentioned earlier, I was not happy with the mandatory resort fee. Currently the resort fee was $49 per night, not including tax. What does the mandatory resort fee cover; “complimentary” WiFi, access to the fitness center, press reader and the printing of your boarding pass. Complimentary parking is also included in the resort fee. During our visit the state of Nevada charged 13.38% tax. That adds up quickly when the cost of the hotel room is $126.75, not including the mandatory nightly resort fee, in addition to room tax.
What is there to do in Las Vegas?
There’s plenty to love in Las Vegas if you enjoy high-end dining, entertaining shows or people watching. We enjoyed walking around the Grand Canal Shoppes and St. Mark’s square. The Campanile Tower, Bridge of Sighs and Rialto Bridge replicas reminded me a bit of Venice. We experienced the 15 minute gondola ride on the artificial canal outside the resort.
If you enjoy Cirque du Soleil shows, we watched the new Mad Apple show located inside New York New York, an MGM Resorts International property. With a little comedy, a lot of dance and good music, we were impressed with the newest Cirque show to join the Las Vegas strip.
Venetian Resort Las Vegas (702) 414-1000
3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
Venetian Resort Las Vegas review and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. All opinions are my own.