Some of the Strip's largest and plushest suites are found at this elegant, gilded resort that's a hit with foodies, shoppers, and high rollers. It's all about glitz and wow effect here, which makes it a popular property if you're celebrating a special occasion or looking for the quintessential over-the-top Vegas experience. The 700-plus-square-foot guest quarters, richly adorned in a modified Venetian style, have a sunken living room with dining table and convertible sofa, walk-in closets, separate shower and tub, three telephones (including one in the bathroom), and 27- or 36-inch TVs. The even posher Venezia Tower has a concierge floor, private entrance, fountains, and gargantuan suites with mosaic walls, vaulted ceilings, and carved marble accents. Service here, at one time a bit uneven, has improved markedly in recent years.

The Casino. The underwhelming gaming area almost seems like an afterthought compared to the more interesting peripheral elements of the Venetian. You almost get the idea the gaming is there only because people expect it to be. Still, players can benefit from the casino's "boutique" status -- in terms of its individual ownership, not sprawling acreage -- for treatment of repeat customers and high rollers. The blackjack tables in particular have very good odds for high-level players; it's hard to find a single-deck game, but the double-deck games come with the once-standard, but now rare payoffs and rules.

There's an open lounge with live music at one end of the casino and a food court not too far from that. A high-limit slot area is nestled into a subdued corner, and the player's club employs an ultrahigh-tech tracking system that enables you to comp yourself using your slot club points at any machine in the casino. The Venetian kept up with the poker craze by adding a room with more than two dozen tables in 2006.

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