Las Vegas Hotels

No property exemplifies this transition better than TI. Once known as Treasure Island, it dropped its pirate theme to embrace a more sensual motif—one with scantily clad dancers gyrating upon the very same pirate ships once used for family-friendly shows.

Some of these rebranded resorts have been more successful than others. A $300 million renovation at Luxor Las Vegas has resulted in one of the most popular clubs (LAX), popular restaurants (Tender), and popular lounges (Noir Bar) on the entire Strip. Improvements at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino have had a similar impact; lines for Koi, a sushi joint, and Privé, the property's nightclub, regularly run dozens deep.

Other newcomers like the Palazzo have established new benchmarks in amenities. When it opened in early 2008, the Palazzo welcomed the first new Barneys New York in 25 years. Encore, Steve Wynn's newest property, boasts some of the town's most spacious and richly appointed rooms and suites. Then, of course, there's City Center, which cost $8.5 billion and boasts four separate hotels, a high-end shopping mall and one of the most remarkable collections of public art ever assembled.

Despite competition from these up-and-comers, the old standards still pack 'em in. Bellagio's rooms still carry cachet, and the Mirage—the hotel that started the megaresort trend 20 years ago—continues to sell out. At Wynn Las Vegas and the Venetian, two of the priciest properties on the Strip, guests rave about everything from comfy beds to exquisite restaurants and great shopping. At Caesars Palace the constantly evolving Qua Baths & Spa might be one of the tops in town. And for overall experience, the Four Seasons-Las Vegas, which occupies top floors of the tower at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, is still one of the best.