Las Vegas Hotel Reservations and Family Friendly Hotels

Las Vegas Reservations - All Hotels

Las Vegas Family Friendly Hotel/Casinos

Back in the early 1990's, Las Vegas embarked on a mission to transform itself from a city that could best be described as "opulent sleaze", to a family-oriented destination, following the lead set by Circus Circus fifteen years earlier.

Many of the larger casinos added elaborate arcades and other activities for children and guests were encouraged to bring the kids. The theory was that more people would visit if there were attractions and facilities for children.

But then a funny thing happened - the plan backfired. The visitor count soared as people flocked in with the kiddies, but gambling revenue per person actually dropped. It seems the parents spent more time with the kids and entertaining the kids than gambling.

After the turn of the century, the "family friendly" commercials quietly stopped, many casinos pulled out the arcades and kids activities, and the advertising theme became the strictly adult-oriented "what happens here stays here." So much for the short-lived "family destination" promotion.

Today, if you bring your children, there are really only four family-friendly casino hotels, which still welcome children and provide activities for them. Here are the four we recommend, in order.

Number One: Circus Circus

Circus Circus was the first casino to provide an atmosphere that is as welcoming to kids as it is to adults. The casino is designed to look like a circus big top and there is an almost endless array of activities for children.

The Adventuredome Theme Park is five fully enclosed and climate controlled acres of rides and attractions. There are life size animatronic dinosaurs, 16 rides - including a double loop, double corkscrew roller coaster, and other carnival type attractions, all surrounded by a desert canyon theme and heavily landscaped with streams and waterfalls. Admission is free and rides are $3-$5 or $12.95 unlimited for kids under 48" and $18.95 unlimited for kids over 48".

The Circus Midway on the upper level is huge and circles the entire casino. There are dozens of midway games and arcade games, along with a full McDonalds and a Krispy Kreme. Kids can easily spend several hours in here (if you give them enough money!).

There is also a seating area off of the Circus Midway from which you can see the free circus acts that go on all day and all night. It's a good place to relax, have a drink and watch the circus acts. Many of them are quite good.

There is a large security presence on the midway, in the theme park and throughout the hotel to ensure there are no incidents and that the hotel doesn't become a teenage hangout. Even so, you will find there are kids running around everywhere at all hours of the day and night, so don't expect a quiet and relaxing stay.

Also, the hotel complex is veryand you will not want to let younger children roam by themselves. Kids in their early teens will be okay in the theme park and on the midway, as they are always crowded and security is plentiful. But the midway is large and confusing for smaller children and there are several entrances and exits, so caution is always a good thing.

All in all, if you bring children, this is where they are going to want to stay. For adults with no children, you'll definitely want to stay somewhere else. Price wise, Circus Circus will have the best room rates of our four choices.

Number Two: Excalibur

With its medieval theme, children will find the Excalibur enchanting. It is owned by the same company that owns Circus Circus and while it does not have the sheer number of activities for children, it is still very kid friendly.

There is a medieval village on the third floor with shops, restaurants and strolling magicians and jugglers. The food court is ideal for kids, with McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Quiznos, Cold Stone Cremery, Krispy Kreme and more.

On the lower level, there is a large and very good carnival games midway. It has many midway games, arcade games, and two excellent motion sensor rides. From a security standpoint, we especially like its location on the lower level. There is only one way in and out - via the stairway and escalator. So if you're kids get away from you, there really is no way for them to get lost or taken away by a stranger without being noticed. Excalibur also has one of the very few kid friendly shows. Their "Tournament of Kings" features jousting with live horses, invading armies, dragons and fire wizards. Oh yes, and you also get dinner.

The Excalibur is also an easy walk to the Luxor, New York, the MGM Grand and the Tropicana.

All in all, Excalibur is a good choice for families and a bit quieter than the Circus Circus. Price wise, it's more expensive than Circus Circus, but slightly less than New York New York and the MGM Grand.

Number Three: New York New York

New York New York makes our list of family friendly hotels primarily because of its excellent Family Entertainment Center. It's on the upper level and based on a New York Coney Island theme, with lots of midway and arcade games. It also has the Manhattan Express - a wild, Coney Island style roller coaster that winds inside and outside the hotel.

This is probably the most expensive of the children arcades, but also the most elaborate. We do have one security caution: the back of the arcade is the entrance to the parking garage, so it would be fairly easy for a child to wander in there from the arcade. This is not an arcade for letting the kids roam unattended unless they are older.

On the casino floor, there is a very realistic recreation of New York City streets and older children will probably enjoy it. Smaller children will want to stay in the arcade.

In spite of the excellent arcade, New York New York is still more of an adult hotel than a kid's hotel than the Circus Circus and Excalibur, but kids will still enjoy it as long as your pocketbook can support the arcade attractions.

Number Four: The MGM Grand

Several years ago, the MGM Grand would have been number one or number two on our list for being kid friendly. They used to have a full-blown theme park in the back of the property, complete with Disney-like rides, shows and attractions, including a movie lot tour. However, it was all pulled out as Las Vegas converted back to an adult oriented environment.

Still, it's a huge complex and contains much for the kids. There is a lion habitat where real lions can be viewed up close. The arcade is medium sized and fairly bland, but can still occupy the kids for a few hours. There is also a supervised youth center where the older kids can stay, with a game room, video games, foosball, air hockey, etc.

The pool is one of the best, complete with waterfalls, slides and a lazy river. This is where your kids will undoubtedly want to spend much of their time.

There is a food court with the usual selection of fast foods, plus a Rainforest Café. The other 15 restaurants on the property will be enjoyed more by adults.