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STRATOSPHERE
Opened in May 1996 the Stratosphere quickly established itself as one of Las Vegas' leading landmarks. Being located at the north end of The Strip, this hotel/casino is said to offer better odds on craps and slots to lure gamblers that little bit further. Don't miss out on a ride to the top of the tallest free standing observation tower in the USA. Though vertigo sufferers may not want to stand too near the glass sides! The elevator costs $6.00 and for an extra $4.00 ride either the 'High Roller' coaster (the world's highest) or 'Big Shot' (similar to Blackpool's Playstation ride) too. The views over the valley are spectacular, especially at night - if you keep your eyes open long enough! The more sedate can dine in the revolving restaurant or sip cocktails in the bar.

CIRCUS CIRCUS
One of the oldest and cheapest places to stay on The Strip and continual winner of the 'best family hotel' award. There are tower rooms or manor rooms, both with their own swimming pool. As the name suggests, the hotel is based on a circus big top with live circus acts from 11.00 am until midnight on the Midway. Children can play traditional fairground games whilst adults can play the slots whilst trapeze artists swing above their heads. The hotel boasts the world's only five acre indoor theme park housed in a pink dome, the Grand Slam Canyon, featuring a looping roller coaster, water chute, laser tag game and motion master ride. Buy individual ride tickets or a day pass. The Circus Buffet is one of the best value buffets in town and you can eat as much as you like of soups, salads, entrees and desserts plus unlimited sodas for only $7.49.

THE MIRAGE
The Mirage is a sophisticated Polynesian themed hotel with a volcano that erupts every 15 minutes from dusk until midnight, a tropical rain forest and cascading waterfalls, not to mention gourmet dining experiences. Illusionists Siegfried & Roy appear in their own show (not Wednesday or Thursday) and you can visit their 'secret garden' displaying white Bengal tigers and bottlenose dolphins within the hotel. When you have tired of the 100,000 sq ft casino guests can relax in the health spa.

TREASURE ISLAND
Adjoined to its sister hotel The Mirage by a monorail, Treasure Island has themed restaurants such as The Black Spot Grille and a themed Battle Bar overlooking the lagoon. It's in this water that the spectacular Buccaneer Bay Show takes places every 90 minutes from 4.00 pm until 11.30 pm. Arrive early to get a good spot to view HMS Britannia being sunk by pirate cannons and all 20 cast members being thrown into the water amid flames. The hotel's theatre is home to the amazing Cirque Du Soleil who perform their 'Mystere' show at 7.30 pm and 10.30 pm nightly, except Monday and Tuesday. Tickets are pricey at $63.50, but worth it for the incredible acts you will witness.

CAESAR'S PALACE
Film location for 'Rain Man' as well as host to numerous boxing matches and big name pop concerts; Elton John and Tina Turner are appearing at Caesar's Palace on 30th December 1999. A moving walkway will take you inside the casino and a limo will take you home if you hit the jackpot! Eat in the food court whilst admiring the Roman style architecture and listening to the cling of hundreds of slot machines. At the Forum shops you can buy designer labels or just watch the stone statues of Bacchus and Venus spring to life on the hour. There is also the 'Race For Atlantis' 3D motion master ride complete with suitably attired attendants. Night owls can visit Cleopatra's Barge floating nightclub.

BELLAGIO
Though costing $1.7 billion to build and employing 8,000 staff, this new hotel is not the largest on The Strip, but it is the most luxurious. Inspired by the village of Bellagio, which overlooks Lake Como, the hotel offers chic boutiques and fine dining in a choice of 14 restaurants. A $260 million art gallery featuring Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Cezanne is open daily. The entertainment programme includes a new Cirque Du Soleil show called 'O' set on water. Tickets cost up to $100.00 each. Alternatively watch the free dancing fountains in the 10 acre manmade lake in front of the hotel which shoot up to the 24th floor! Performances take place every half an hour throughout the afternoon and evening.

MGM GRAND
Currently the largest hotel in the world (until the Venetian is completed), the MGM has it's own theme park with the world's tallest skycoaster ride. Originally guests entered through the MGM lion's mouth, but now there are normal doors beside a 45 ft polished bronze lion surrounded by water fountains. Nicknamed the 'city of entertainment' the hotel has 16 restaurants, 8 bars and a casino with 3,500 slot machines and 165 gaming tables! In the evening enjoy the 'EFX' show that originally starred Michael Crawford or bop the night away in the Studio 54 nightclub. One of the few Las Vegas hotels catering for children, there is a youth centre offering activities for 3-16 year olds. A monorail system links MGM to Ballys hotel/casino.

NEW YORK NEW YORK
Opened in January 1997 the New York New York hotel/casino is the Big Apple in miniature. Rooms are located in 12 skyscrapers built to one third the size of originals, so you may find yourself with a key to the Empire State Building or Chrysler Building! Outside there is a replica of the Brooklyn Bridge and a 150 ft Statue Of Liberty, whilst inside look out for smoke rising from the manhole covers! If you like roller coasters then don't miss a ride on the white knuckle 'Manhattan Express' that twists and loops its way over the rooftops. Tickets cost $8.00.

EXCALIBER
Once the world's largest hotel with 4008 rooms, it is based on King Arthur's castle. Though the Americans get their history a little muddled as several of the restaurants have a Robin Hood theme; the Sherwood Forest Cafe open 24 hours and Little John Snack Bar. But what difference does a few hundred years make when there is non-stop entertainment and wandering minstrels around the casino and medieval shopping village? The 'Tournament Of Kings' takes place twice nightly (or should that be knightly?) at 6.00 pm and 8.30 pm. Tickets cost $34.95 and include a medieval style meal, i.e. no utensils are allowed, whilst watching jousting, sword fighting and spectacular pyrotechnics. Seating is in sections and diners are encouraged to cheer for their own knight.

LUXOR
Luxor is the world's only 30 storey pyramid shaped hotel guarded by a giant Sphinx. Rooms here cost slightly more than others on The Strip, but are worth it for the luxury, hieroglyphics carved into the wardrobes, not to mention the ride in the 'inclinator' (as opposed to elevator). Be sure to request a room in the pyramid itself and not the newly added towers next door! Guests can relive the wonders of ancient Egypt by admiring the replica of Abu Simbel in the lobby, dining at the Pharaoh's Pheast Buffet, enjoying a drink in Nefertiti's Lounge, visiting the Tut Museum or dancing the night away in the Ra nightclub. Unlike other hotels, Luxor is not awash with neon at night, but makes it's presence felt with one strong beam of light from the apex that can be seen for miles around. If you can't be bothered to walk next door take the monorail to either Excaliber or Mandalay Bay.

And when you tire of The Strip itself, take a trip to the Liberace Museum, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Ethel M chocolate factory, cacti garden or even a flight to the Grand Canyon. You don't have to be a gambler to enjoy Las Vegas!

First published in VISA issue 34 (autumn 1999)