Family Friendly Hotels in Las Vegas
If you are considering a family vacation to Las Vegas you should be aware that Las Vegas is definitely an adult playground more than ever. The nightlife, the “street” life and the shows are often rated R and it will be difficult to shield your child from all the sights and sounds. However, if you are determined to bring the kids there are a few hotels and options you should consider when making your travel arrangements.
Circus Circus Hotel
Among the most family friendly resorts is Circus Circus. It is a very large hotel with 3770 rooms which offer free wifi and cable TV. This hotel offers free stays for those 17 and under with an adult and kids under 12 eat free at the dinner buffet. Also, exclusive to this hotel is the only Strip-side RV park with 400 spaces. The real draw to Circus Circus is the AdventureDome with over 5 acres of amusement rides, mini-golf, rock climbing and laser tag. Rides can be bought individually or with a ride-all-day pass. Rides include the Canyon Blaster, the Sling Shot, Inverter, and Chaos. Inside the hotel is the Midway, full of jugglers, acrobats, magicians and other circus acts. All performances are free and will provided hours of entertainment as will the Arcade with over 200 games. A large outdoor pool is open year round for when the kids need to burn off some of their energy. For the parents there is a casino, but no child care so plan accordingly. Also, Circus Circus gives you access to Walter’s Golf.
Excalibur Hotel Las Vegas
Another great option for families is Excalibur, with its castle-like exterior and King Arthur theme the kids will feel like royalty. The 200 room hotel offers 24 hour room service and kids 12 and under stay free with an adult. There is a discount on kids meals and three meals a day are offered at the Roundtable Buffet. The Fantasy Faire Midway has carnival games and rides, including the Polar Express and SpongeBob in 4D. There is a dinner theater show appropriate for all ages, the Tournament of Kings, where you dine with the knights of the roundtable and are entertained by a jousting match. A full-service pool with water slide caters to families, while there is also an adult-only relaxation pool. Shop in the Castle Walk for medieval themed merchandise; kids can dress like royalty if you visit the Kids of the Kingdom store! Excalibur is also within walking distance of the Showcase Mall which houses GameWorks, M&M’s World and a large food court. The only thing to note is that Excalibur has an adult-themed all-male dance revue called the Thunder From Down Under which may not fit with some parents idea of what they want at a family friendly hotel.
Kids Quest Childcare
For those parents willing to stay off the Strip, the Station Casino hotels offer the best value. Many Station hotels offer Kids Quest Childcare. Kids Quest is a babysitting/play program for children from six weeks to 12 years at a per hour rate of $7, snacks and meals are provided also. Each Kids Quest offers different activities and prices so check with individual hotels for specifics. Station hotels which offer KidsQuest include Boulder Station, Santa Fe Station, Sunset Station, Texas Station and the more upscale Red Rock Resort. Most Station hotels offers movie theaters including IMAX screens, pool facilities, and arcades. Some are convenient to shopping malls and may even offer 24 hour bowling alleys. Fiesta Rancho also offers an indoor ice rink! Station hotels are a budget friendly, family friendly option for those not wanting all the action of being on the Strip.
MGM Grand Hotel Las Vegas
The MGM Grand is a popular family destination owing primarily to Grand Pool complex. The Grand pool area has five pools, a lazy river, fountains, waterfalls and grottos. Also known for the Rainforest Cafe, the MGM Grand has over nine restaurants to choose from. The Lion Habitat is open from 11am – 7pm daily and is a huge draw for all ages, as is KA by Cirque du Soleil. If that’s not enough to keep you occupied, the Showcase Mall is next door, New York-New York is across the street and the monorail has a stop at the MGM! The MGM Grand is one of the few hotels on the Strip which also offers daycare and children under 12 stay free at the hotel with an adult. Note that Crazy Horse Paris at the MGM Grand is an erotic cabaret show for adults only.
The Orleans offers Kids Tyme, a daycare facility for kids ages 3 – 12 with a multilevel gym, coin-free arcade, movie room, arts and crafts area and much more. A 70 lane bowling alley, 18 screen theater and large pool area are sure to please almost any kid. Children 12 and under stay free with an adult.
Mirage Dolphin Habitat
The Mirage is an attraction for the kids who like wildlife and nature. The volcano eruptions which occur nightly will dazzle the little ones. Visit the Wildlife Habitat, the Dolphin Habitat and the Secret Garden for spectacular sights of rare lions and panthers. The lagoon-style pool boasts a 1/4 mile shoreline entry and a children’s pool. Puppet shows are also staged to entertain people of all ages. The Flamingo has a wildlife habitat for, you guessed it, flamingoes! There is also a 15 acre water playground and the magic shows of Nathan Burton and Dirk Arthur.
The Luxor pyramid with its “Inclinators,” instead of elevators, which rise at a 39 degree angle will delight all guests. Inside there is a reproduction of King Tut’s Tomb and a two story arcade, with an IMAX motion simulator ride.
Mandalay Bay is an option for larger families with spacious suites and no fee for those 14 and under. The pool area has a wave pool, lazy river and real sand. If you dare, enter the Shark Reef with over 200 sea creatures on display.
New York - Roller Coaster
If roller coasters and amusement park rides are more your thing the Stratosphere and New York-New York might fit the bill. Stratosphere offers the world’s highest thrill rides which propel you high in the air and plunge you over the side of the tower in a thrill-seekers dream! New York-New York has a roller coaster which wraps around the resort in a 67 mph, 144 foot heart dropping rush that every kid will beg to experience. New York-New York also has a Coney Island style midway.
For families willing to splurge a bit on their accommodations there are several more exclusive family friendly options. The Four Seasons located at Mandalay Bay offers childproofed rooms based on the child’s age, and free goodies for all ages. There is no casino, but you have all the amenities offered at the Mandalay Bay resort including the Shark Reef and the large pool area. The Trump International Hotel is a nonsmoking off-strip hotel with no casino. The Trump Kids Program offers board games, books and toys, while housekeeping can provide cribs, bottle warmers, blankets, bibs and diapers. The Venetian caters to children who enjoy Madame Tussaud’s wax museum, the gondola rides and the excitement of the Blue Man Group.
Note that no casinos allow children to loiter. Often you must walk through a casino to reach an elevator for your rooms. Some casinos are nonsmoking or have good ventilation systems, but you will often have to walk through a smoky area. This is good to know if your child has allergies or asthma. Second, some hotels do not allow any children on the premises unless they are a hotel guest. Most notably, the Wynn and the Bellagio enforce this no child rule, even to the point of not allowing strollers even with paying guests! Finally, many hotels will charge an extra fee for children, particularly teenagers, so be sure to inquire and give the ages of all your guests when making reservations.
The best way to determine which of the hotels is the right one for your family is to determine your budget and your needs first and then see what fits the bill! There are so many hotels to choose from and the one that fits your family is sure to be there. Also Check our Hotel Promo Codes for a great deal. So pack up the family and head to Las Vegas for a vacation you are sure to remember forever!