Frommer's Review
A dramatic fire in 2008 charred the top of part of the Monte Carlo, but the hotel has not only fully recovered, it's using the incident as an excuse for long-overdue room makeovers. By the time that's done, in mid-2009, this should once again be a viable Strip location. When it was built, the massive Monte Carlo was the world's seventh-largest hotel. It's now considerably overshadowed by its high-profile, all the more luxe-intensive brethren. Entering it is still nice, as it comes off as a European casino hotel alternative, replete with Corinthian colonnades, triumphal arches, and big and busy statuary, with an entranceway opening onto a bustling casino. A separate entrance in the rear of the hotel leads to a splendid marble-floored, crystal-chandeliered lobby evocative of a European grand hotel. We love that the guest rooms are accessible without going through the casino, but we don't really love the rooms themselves, since they are smaller than what we've grown accustomed to, especially in terms of bathroom square-footage. Still, the revamp should help. The pool area, once the very last word in local pool fun, is now put to shame by better versions (including superior lazy rivers) at Mandalay Bay and the MGM Grand. It does have a number of child-/family-/budget-friendly restaurants. Note that it's right in the path of the massive CityCenter construction and so the noise from that could be a factor during your stay.
There is a highly recommended branch of the classic Downtown French restaurant Andre's. There's also a large and overly ornate casino, plus a lavish showroom that currently hosts the recommended show by magician Lance Burton.
Monte Carlo's health club and spa are nothing special and at $23 a day, not cheap.
Facilities: 7 restaurants; food court; casino; showroom; wedding chapel; outdoor pool w/wave pool and lazy river; health club; spa; Jacuzzi; watersports equipment/rentals; video-game arcade; concierge; tour desk; business center; shopping arcade; salon; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
