Travel: casino-free Vegas

Sunset, Sept, 2005 by Lisa Taggart

There comes a moment for most Vegas visitors when the jingle jangle of a jackpot just jangles the nerves. But where can a person wanting peace find it along the famously boisterous Strip? This is, after all, the city that invented the walk-through-the-casino-first approach to bathroom placement. These four hotels, all on or near Las Vegas Boulevard, remarkably offer casino-free lobbies and soothing rooms for a truly restful night's sleep.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

THE SPOT                IN THE LOBBY                  ZEN FACTOR

Four Seasons            Old World glamour--think      Hidden behind
Las Vegas               glossed marble and lots       gardens at the
From $275; 3960 Las     of swirls in gold and         Strip's south end;
Vegas Blvd. S.; www.    cream. Overheard (amid        decor exudes
fourseasons.com/las     flurry of kissy-kiss          elegance in a rich
vegas or 702/632-5000   greeting): "You look          kind of way, and
                        fabulous!" "No, you look      let's face it--
                        fabulous!"                    there's something
                                                      very calming about
                                                      luxury.
Hilton Grand            You don't have to be a        The family scene
Vacations Club          member of the Grand           isn't always quiet
From $119; 2650 Las     Vacations Club to stay        and the location
Vegas Blvd. S.; www.    here. Road-tripping families  is at the far
hilton.com or 702/765-  save cash with the            north end of the
8300                    kitchenettes.                 Strip, but the
                                                      large rooms offer
                                                      well-priced
                                                      refuge.
Renaissance             The nine-month-old hotel      In the building's
Las Vegas               goes for tropical Zen chic,   center, a glass-
From $159; 3400         with tomato red and parsley   walled inner
Paradise Rd.;           green accents topping         court-yard has a
www.renaissancelas      hardwood furniture.           small pool and
vegas.com or 702/733-                                 leafy potted
6533                                                  plants; rooms are
                                                      done in sedated
                                                      retro colors.
THEhotel                Abstract squiggle art,        A separate
From $169; 3950 Las     black-lacquered wood, and     entrance offers
Vegas Blvd. S.; www.    diffused golden light give    sanctuary from the
mandalaybay.com or      a glow to this new uber-      Strip hubbub,
877/632-7000            elite hotel on Mandalay       though the the
                        Bay's 60-acre property.       thing--
                                                      THEcoffeebar and
                                                      THEcafe too--
                                                      dampens our mellow
                                                      buzz just a bit.

THE SPOT                CASINO ALTERNATIVE

Four Seasons            Guests can check out the
Las Vegas               adjacent wave pool and
From $275; 3960 Las     river run at Mandalay
Vegas Blvd. S.; www.    Bay, then retreat back to
fourseasons.com/las     the quieter Four Seasons
vegas or 702/632-5000   pool (where Mandalay
                        Bay guests can't follow).
Hilton Grand            Downstairs from the circular
Vacations Club          lobby, the activities
From $119; 2650 Las     room has air hockey,
Vegas Blvd. S.; www.    foosball, and pool tables.
hilton.com or 702/765-
8300
Renaissance             Envy Steakhouse ($$$$)
Las Vegas               serves lunch and dinner
From $159; 3400         and specializes in well-
Paradise Rd.;           dressed meat and potatoes.
www.renaissancelas      Extensive wine list
vegas.com or 702/733-   and creative cocktails
6533                    available at the bar.
THEhotel                On the 64th floor, Alain
From $169; 3950 Las     Ducasse's Mix ($$$$) offers
Vegas Blvd. S.; www.    tremendous views
mandalaybay.com or      each evening in a white
877/632-7000            dining room with a curtain
                        of glass baubles.