2 Best Hotels in Summerlin and Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas

If you have a penchant for pampering and personal service—or if your plans include golfing or hiking—this stunner in Summerlin is for you. The sterling resort overlooks two golf courses, and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is only a few miles away. Enormous rooms (starting around 560 square feet) have marble bathrooms with separate whirlpool tubs and raindrop showers. The small, low-key Rampart Casino is popular with locals (and was renovated in 2014). The waterfall pool is a relaxing place for sun and swimming, and at 40,000 square feet, Spa Aquae is one of the biggest and best in town.

Way out on the western edge of the Las Vegas suburbs, this swanky golden-age Vegas property looks out on the ocher-red Spring Mountains, just a stone's throw from Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Inside, dozens of crystal chandeliers contrast with earthy sandstone walls and teak-marble floors. Rooms upstairs are among the nicest in all of Vegas, mixing modern touches such as mini-sculptures and USB ports with traditional elements such as couches. Suites take accommodations to another level, with pool tables and private patios (some even with private pools). Red Rock has a large public pool area, a 16-screen movie theater, a bowling alley, a vast selection of excellent restaurants (some with outdoor patios), and rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. Even the gaming area is exquisite; the sports book has its own VIP area and three video walls that can combine into one huge screen. There's also a poker room. Factor in the live music in the hopping Rocks Lounge, occasional ticketed concerts in the backyard pool area and walking distance to baseball and other attractions in the Downtown Summerlin shopping district, and you can see why a lot of repeat visitors decide to skip the Strip.