Location: 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South (The Strip)

What makes it Special? Like its other half at the Palazzo, it’s hard to pick just one thing about what is arguably the best hotel resort in Vegas. There is the $275 million Venezia Tower, which is home to a private pool garden and Thomas Keller’s restaurant Bouchon. We think that qualifies as special.

Entertainment Attraction: A lot of people don’t like Dane Cook and they’re entitled to that opinion…we’ll just never trust them to babysit, housesit, pet-sit or car-sit. Nor will we sit next to them at dinner. But we might consider checking out Human Nature: The Motown Show with them instead.

Number of Rooms: 4,027

Overview:

We counted 17 different suite packages offered by the hotel. There are a couple that stood out as ones we would be more likely to splurge on if we were so inclined: ‘Guys Ultimate Getaway Package’ and ‘Romance Getaway Package’. Unfortunately, we find ourselves not presently inclined to splurge to that extent.

While the Bouchon may be the most high-profile restaurant at the hotel, the Ventian has more culinary delights than you can shake a breadstick at. AquaKnox offers a high-end seafood menu from the mind of Chef Tom Moloney, while Chef Mario Batali and winemaker Joseph Bastianich team-up at B & B Ristorante to bring their Italian flavor to the Strip.

We mentioned Dane Cook at the top but if he really isn’t your thing you can check out other options in the form of David Spade, Rita Rudner, Tim Allen and Craig Ferguson. This is where we would normally say that the Venetian is certainly good for a laugh – but that would be a pretty lame joke.

The Venetian has a handful of nightlife options unto itself, with more waiting for you over at the Palazzo. Based on its reputation, the easy recommendation here is V Bar.

Between the Venetian pool deck, Canyon Ranch SpaClub, Madame Tussauds and gondola rides down the Grand Canal, you shouldn’t have any problems keeping busy. In addition to the regulars, you will usually be able to find one or two special events taking place. For example, at the time of writing, the Venetian is playing host to Carnevale 2013 and a National Geographic photo exhibit.

The Venetian is a great place to stay and offers easy access to lots of food and fun. But can you afford it?

Hotel website: The Venetian Las Vegas

*Key to Rates

$ – Up to $100

$$ – $101 to $130

$$$ – $131 to $190

$$$$ – $191 to $250

$$$$$ – Above $250