You can't miss Luxor, the giant glass pyramid at the south end of the Strip. It's home to artifacts from the Titanic and a giant sphinx statue.
The vibe: King Tut at the disco, a mid-range themed hotel, family-friendly without being a circus.
What we love: It's a freakin' pyramid. From the bat-attracting megawatt light on top to the sphinx out front, we love the Egyptian touches -- especially now that the kitschy décor has been dialed back from what the resort opened with in 1993.
Luxor routinely offers some of the more affordable hotel rates on the Strip and the property is packed with things to do (the HyperX ESports Arena is our favorite). It won't break your budget, but you won't feel like you're staying in a budget hotel. Luxor has a large pool (and we're not just talking about the massive 125,650-square-foot deck). Their 19,000 square feet of sparkling water is bigger than the postage stamp-sized vanity pools you see at some resorts. Our only sadness is that it's closed seasonally from fall to spring.
Insider tips: Enclosed, and more importantly, air-conditioned corridors connect the Luxor to Mandalay Bay and Excalibur so you'll never need to step outdoors in 100-degree weather.
Good to know: The pyramid rooms have the added bonus that you get to ride an inclinator (a 39-degree angled elevator) to your room. Mark that off the bucket list. Pyramid rooms also open directly onto hallways that overlook the pyramid's atrium. Rooms on higher floors have a great view and also less noise.
All the restaurants and the check-in desk are along the perimeter, with a food court) on the second level. At the center beneath the pyramid's apex is the casino. What shows and concerts are playing at the Luxor?
Keep in mind: All of the rooms are non-smoking. Guests who smoke in any room will have to pay a $300 cleaning fee upon checkout. Save yourself some money and smoke in designated areas like the casino. Want a cup of coffee in the morning? The Luxor, like many Las Vegas hotels, has eliminated coffee pots in their standard rooms. So if you need a java infusion in the a.m. head to the Starbucks located near the hotel lobby. Luxor has a massive casino (even by Vegas standards) so it's easy to get turned around. Just remember that while this is a pyramid, the bottom is a square (finally high school geometry pays off). If you get lost, head to the edge and follow it around.
Shows playing at Luxor include: Fantasy, Blue Man Group, America's Got Talent Live, and Carrot Top. What is there to do at the Luxor? : Bodies... The Exhibition takes an in-depth look at the human body while Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition examines the ocean liner's fatal trip and HyperX Esports Arena immerses you in a gamer's paradise.
What makes the Luxor unique?: The pyramid-shaped Luxor gets its name from a city in Egypt along the Nile River. The pyramid has become a Vegas skyline staple for its unique shape.