It can be a bit intimidating walking into Resorts World Las Vegas. I was aware of all the can’t-miss spots, but the list was long (a $4.3 billion property tends to have a lot of them). I just wondered how I would be able to check them all off.
It took a couple visits and an overnight stay, but I was able to experience everything that makes this property so unique, from the infinity pool, Awana Spa and Ayu Dayclub to its many restaurants and bars, including a stunning neon nightcap from my window seat at Starlight on 66.
Constructed by Malaysia-based gaming operator Genting Group, Resorts World, which opened in June 2021, was the first new resort to be built on the Las Vegas Strip in more than a decade. The megaresort is located on the old Stardust site on the north end of the Strip.
The first thing to know is that Resorts World’s 3,506 guestrooms and suites fall under three Hilton brands. The Las Vegas Hilton has 1,774 rooms ranging from base accommodations of 400 square feet to a two-bedroom, 3,300-square-foot presidential suite.
My stay at the mid-level Conrad brand property (with 1,496 rooms) was in a one-bedroom suite. The room was spacious, included a sofa bed and workspace, had a rain shower and featured all the latest tech along with floor-to-ceiling windows with a spectacular Strip view.
For even more luxurious accommodations and personalized service, steer clients to Crockfords. The lavish boutique hotel within a hotel offers 236 rooms and suites with upscale amenities. For those who really want to splurge and stretch out, there are villas and palaces from 3,300 to 7,000 square feet.
The lobby at Crockfords
Credit: 2021 Resorts World Las VegasWhat’s most impressive about Resorts World is the sheer size of it: It’s massive. The casino is larger than two football fields and the resort’s 5.5-acre pool complex is the largest in Las Vegas. For gamers who want more privacy, there is a VIP Crockford’s Casino & Lounge off the main casino floor and an intimate James Bond-esque Sky Casino located on the 66th floor.
The roster of entertainers is just as big. Deejays Zedd and Tiesto play at Zouk Nightclub, while Celine Dion, Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan are all resident artists performing in a 5,000-seat theater.
The Best Restaurants at Resorts World Las Vegas
But perhaps the most eye-catching (or mouth-watering) are the more than 40 restaurants and bars on the property. I had the opportunity to sample many at the resort’s opening, but going back to fully experience a few has been a delight.
One of the most buzzed-about sections of the property is Famous Foods Street Eats. It’s meant to remind visitors of the street stalls and markets found across Southwest Asia, and to “celebrate cuisine from around the world,” as Zouk Group’s CEO Andrew Li explains. It’s a cool way to share and sample a couple of plates you normally don’t see on the Strip.
Here, you order from central kiosks, grab your ticket and head to the counter to retrieve your food. I found the hardest decision at Famous Foods was deciding where to start. The best advice is to just follow your tastebuds, knowing you can’t go wrong.
Options include sushi at Nori Bar; Peking duck burritos at Fuhu Shack; traditional Shandong dumplings and hand-pulled noodle dishes at Ah Chun; Hainanese chicken rice at Boon Tong Kee; and hot honey and chicken and waffles from James Beard Award-winner Marcus Samuelsson at Streetbird. One of my favorites was Pepita’s Kitchen, the first Filipino restaurant on the Strip. The lechon with truffle rice is superb and was even featured on “Secret Eats With Adam Richman" on the Travel Channel.
While at Famous Foods, don’t ignore Mamak, a tiny sundry store selling snacks and gifts. Head for the back wall where the maneki-neko “lucky cat” figurines beckon, and the cashier will follow to open a secret door to the Here Kitty Kitty speakeasy. Step inside the dark den and enjoy a cocktail in the calm away from the busy casino.
Guests can find the Here Kitty Kitty speakeasy for a quiet drink.
Credit: 2021 Resorts World Las VegasSpeaking of drinks, Wally’s Wine & Spirits is a must for any serious wine connoisseur. The restaurant, wine bar and retailer has more than 8,000 wines and spirits to enjoy on site or to purchase.
Aside from the food stalls, the resort has dozens of restaurants worth exploring. The breakfast spot, Sun’s Out Buns Out, is quick and casual with a comical design and picturesque spaces. Brezza serves up Italian favorites, while Carversteak is the go-to for steaks and Japanese-certified wagyu. Another highlight is Viva from chef Ray Garcia, who elevates Mexican and Latin dishes and offers nearly a dozen vegan and vegetarian choices.
Awana Spa
After running around the property, you’ll need some time to relax, and you can find it at Awana Spa. The spa has several unique treatments and experiences, including the first Art of Aufguss in the U.S. In the communal dry sauna, guests gather in a heated circular room — and then the show begins. Aromatherapy, choreographed music and lighting set the mood and a Sauna Meister, with distinct movements, spins a towel overhead to circulate the air. Not a bad way to wind down.
Awana Spa features a unique dry sauna with choregraphed music and lighting, along with aromatherapy and more.
Credit: 2021 Resorts World Las Vegas
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Resorts World Las Vegas