Hotel Guide

Location: 221 N Rampart Blvd, Las Vegas (Greater Las Vegas)

What makes it Special? Aside from the sophisticated Spa Aquae, the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort is connected to the world-class TPC Las Vegas golf course.

Entertainment Attraction: Local bands play in the resort’s two bars.

Number of Rooms: 469 rooms and 79 suites

Overview:

Situated in the scenic Vegas suburb of Summerlin, the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa is a 30-minute drive from the Strip, so you won’t want to stay here if you plan to spend much time on Sin City’s glitziest boulevard.

Why stay here then? Well, although this resort places more emphasis on its spa, the Mariott’s affiliation with the TPC Las Vegas golf course is more impressive. Designed by pro-golfer Raymond Floyd, the TPC has a size of 7,063-square yards and the spectacular scenery of the Red Rock Canyon (photo above) provides a spectacular backdrop to your game. Perhaps the only disappointment is that the golf course isn’t the exclusive property of the Marriott

The Marriott’s second attraction is the Spa Aquae, where guests are pampered beside cascading waterfalls. Attached to the spa is a state-of-the-art fitness center. Both facilities give resorts on the Strip a run for their therapeutic money.

Talking of money, the JW Marriott isn’t cheap. Rooms however are elegant, though their Tuscan décor lacks imagination when compared to some of the more flamboyant hotels on the Strip. Similarly, a better range of fine dining options can be found in town, though this resort has a couple of decent haute cuisine restaurants, Italian specialist Spiedini and the Japanese-themed Shizen.

The resort’s big disappointment is its limited range of entertainment options. The Marriott offers guests a well-equipped casino, but live music is restricted to unknown local bands in just two bars, Addison’s Lounge and J.C. Wooloughan Irish Pub.

Guests’ evenings at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa will be quiet, so they’ll likely yearn for the brouhaha of the Strip, but if they do they’ll have quite a drive ahead of them. Perhaps this resort is best left to golfers and those seeking the tranquility of a spa next to waterfalls.

Hotel website: JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa

*Key to Rates

$ – Up to $100

$$ – $101 to $130

$$$ – $131 to $190

$$$$ – $191 to $250

$$$$$ – More than $250

*All nightly rates based on first weekend of October (excluding resort fees).