Best Las Vegas Hotels for Families

By Bob Sehlinger

Luxury Las Vegas hotels are more affordable than ever, but some of these classic Vegas hotels are actually better suited for families.

Complete with spacious suites, on-site bowling alleys, mini golf, and kid-friendly pools, check out these affordable family-friendly Vegas hotels both on and off the Strip.

Photo Caption: The Las Vegas Strip at night

Both Excalibur and its North Strip sibling, Circus Circus, were designed with families in mind and feature regularly scheduled free entertainment and large arcades. Circus Circus edges out the Excalibur with its own theme park (including rides for all ages) and miniature golf.

For toddlers, Circus Circus offers a midway, clowns, and jugglers. The Excalibur also has jugglers and throws in puppet shows and story times as well.

More Info: Excalibur (tel. 800/937-7777 or 702/597-7777; www.excalibur.com); Circus Circus (tel. 800/634-3450 or 702/734-0410; www.circuscircus.com)

Photo Caption: Disk'O at The Adventuredome Theme Park, Circus Circus, Las Vegas

The Orleans has a bowling alley with 70 lanes and an 18-screen movie theater. On-site child care means that parents can easily escape to the spa or for a dip in the pool. A free shuttle to the Las Vegas Strip runs about every 30 minutes.

More Info: tel. 800/ORLEANS (675-3267) or 702/365-7111; www.orleanscasino.com

Photo Caption: The bowling alley at the Orleans, Las Vegas

Unless you are on a low floor, at night, you should get a view of something sparkling no matter where you stay. But the view standing on the tower atop the Stratosphere, located at the northernmost end of the Strip, tops them all.

More Info: tel. 800/998-6937 or 702/380-7777; www.stratospherehotel.com

Photo Caption: Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas

The Carriage House offers plenty of room for families in a nongaming environment a block from the Strip (you'll find this property between the Planet Hollywood and MGM Grand hotels).

A full kitchen in each suite also makes eat-in meals an option. And unlike some other Vegas hotels, there's full cable TV with over 40 channels, along with Nintendo at an hourly rate, plus free board games.

More Info: tel. 800/221-2301 or 702/798-1020; www.carriagehouselasvegas.com

Photo Caption: The pool at The Carriage House in Las Vegas

You can bob on a lazy river ride or bodysurf the gentle swells in the pools at both the (otherwise not quite kid-friendly) Mandalay Bay or the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, but the best pool scene for kids is at The Flamingo, where five pools, two whirlpools, a kiddie pool, and water slides are set in a tropical environment complete with exotic birds and koi ponds.

The Flamingo also has one of the best hotel buffets for families: Kids 7 and under can eat for a discount price at breakfast, brunch, and dinner, with a view of birds, habitat, and fishponds.

More Info: Mandalay Bay (tel. 877/632-7800 or 702/632-7777; www.mandalaybay.com); Monte Carlo Resort & Casino (tel. 800/311-8999 or 702/730-7777; www.montecarlo.com); The Flamingo (tel. 800/732-2111 or 702/733-3111; www.flamingolasvegas.com)

Photo Caption: The free Flamingo Wildlife habitat at the The Flamingo, Las Vegas

Staying in Henderson at the Green Valley Ranch resort will give you plenty of peace and quiet in luxurious surroundings, plus entertaining activities for the children (including an on-site multiplex). There's a casino, but adults can avoid it completely and just play golf or sun by the pool.

More Info: tel. 866/782-9487 or 702/617-7777; www.greenvalleyranchresort.com

Photo Caption: The pool at the Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino in Las Vegas