The Mirage Las Vegas

Character and identity

The Mirage is the Polynesian-themed Strip resort that, on opening in 1989, recalibrated what a Las Vegas hotel could be. Inside, expect a tropical atrium with rainforest planting and a kitschy-fun lobby; outside, the volcano still erupts on schedule. The 3,044 rooms have been refreshed relatively recently, and the property sprawls across 65 acres with a 90,000-plus square foot casino floor. Dining punches above the room rate, with Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak, Carnegie Delicatessen and sports bar The Still. Attractions include the Dolphin Habitat and Secret Garden of white tigers and lions, plus yoga sessions beside the dolphin tank.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The room category you book matters more here than the hotel itself: standards are tight and the bathrooms underwhelm, while suites are genuinely among the better-value large rooms on the Strip. Book a Tower Suite (recently around $459 a night for 1,628 square feet) rather than a Resort King, and call a reservationist directly to lock in view and layout.