Just on a bit of a sideline here away from the spa scene of Vegas and more about the actual hotels. Which hotel would you guys recommend? I've visited Vegas twice, last time was about 6 year ago and we stayed in a gated resort type set up just a short walk from the strip, a really nice apartment with 2 or 3 bedrooms, living / dinning/ kitchen area. The time before that was about 15 year ago and we stayed at Circus Circus (we didn't know any better), shit hole and wouldn't go back.
So for you guys who have had multiple visits and stayed at various hotels my question is what would your hotel recommendations be, taking the spa out of the equation that is. My budget is in line with Mandalay but not as high as say Mandarin Oriental.
Having stayed at a number of resorts along the strip, if you can snag a deal, I'd most definitely go with Aria. As I've likely mentioned earlier, the vibe is classy, chill and refined. The rooms are great, the ventilation in the casino amazing (I *hate* smoke) and the staff there set the bar so damn high. I honestly can't imagine staying anywhere else now.
Though I know the spa wasn't really part of your question, even that's awesome. A mix of younger, fit professionals who can carry on engaging conversations and keep things discreet totally win over the creepy, leering, overweight slobs I consistently run into at Mandalay Bay who don't understand "no" and follow you everywhere you go.
Caesars Palace and Bellagio are also fine picks, but yeah...Aria tops them all for me at this point where the overall hotel experience is concerned.