5 Incredible Themed Hotels That Should Exist in Las Vegas
Hot take: Las Vegas needs more themed resorts because a conventional high-end excursion isn't for everyone.
Why aren't there more new themed resorts in Las Vegas?
Although the latest luxury stays like Resorts World and Fontainebleau are alluring, I miss when Sin City’s hottest tourist spots transported me to places I’ve only visited in my dreams. Sure, they may be a little cheesy, but isn’t that part of Las Vegas’ charm?
As a Las Vegas native, even after 35 years of living here, I still have a long list of things I want to experience. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more offbeat attractions. Here are 5 themed hotels I think should exist in Las Vegas.
Cosmic Escape
Nevada is the home of Area 51. Aliens are part of our culture. It makes sense for us to have a Strip hotel embracing this cosmic cliché. It’s also worth mentioning that many locals and visitors miss the shuttered Star Trek Experience. Consider all the galactic artwork, otherworldly attractions, and celestial entertainment that could ensue.
Star Wars captured this concept with its casino city, Canto Bight. If you aren’t privy to this reference, Canto Bight is set in the desert world of Cantonica. It’s an opulent playground for the galaxy’s high rollers. Similar to Vegas, it’s a place of both great potential and high stakes, including gaming halls, racetracks, and lavish diversions.
Alice in Wonderland
An Alice in Wonderland resort is within the realm of possibility. From Absinthe to Cirque du Soleil, Vegas continues to enchant audiences with fantasy-driven productions. The classic tale of Alice going “down the rabbit hole” is a relatable metaphor of the Vegas experience for many first time tourists.
Envision playful tea parties, talking flowers, and giant food art installations. For adults, there could be a rabbit-themed nightclub featuring the hottest DJs serving fanciful cocktails. For children, there could be a Cheshire Cat maze offering dazzling desserts set in a dreamy outdoor sculpture garden to explore in the daytime.
Vampires & Vinyls
Vegas, vampires, and rock stars share pop culture relevance, sex appeal, and liberation. Leveraging the popularity of vampires and heavy metal music has the potential to tap into global audiences. A dark fantasy resort would give locals and tourists alike a new temptation to sink their teeth into year-round.
Las Vegas has already established itself as a hub for niche markets, catering to a similar audience with its annual Las Vegas Fetish and Fantasy Ball and Sick New World Festival. Neon city is nocturnal by nature, with a vibrant nightlife and sensual adult entertainment, which is all too fitting for a gothic resort.
Kawaii Dreamland
Las Vegas could use more family-friendly experiences. So a Kawaii-themed resort, inspired by Japanese anime embracing pastel colors, cutesy characters, and simplistic art, would provide an endearing alternative from a traditional Vegas trip. Think of all the whimsy shops, photogenic restaurants, and heartwarming shows it could bring.
Hello Kitty attractions have proven to do well here, so sprinkling in more light-hearted activities could do wonders for the Strip. Unfortunately, Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, which has been the go-to spot for a kid-friendly stay since the late sixties, isn’t what it used to be. We’re way overdue for a new resort that caters to all ages.
Jurassic Jackpot
Think Jurassic Park meets the Adventuredome. If executed well, an immersive dinosaur-themed resort could attract visitors from around the world. This would be a unique addition to our city’s entertainment hub. The resort could also consult with the Las Vegas Natural Museum’s paleontologist to make historically accurate exhibitions.
Blending history, science, and mythology, a Stone Age spectacle would not only be entertaining, but also educational. Guests could venture on immersive digs to uncover fossils, or unearth rare artifacts in a Jurassic-themed escape room. We can all agree that resurrecting extinct creatures (virtually, of course) would be wildly epic.
Vampires & Vinyls!