Planning your first trip to Las Vegas in 2021? Good choice. The bright lights of “Sin City” in the heart of the Nevada desert attract tens of millions worldwide each year. It’s not just a place to sit down and play cards anymore. It’s become an all-out entertainment paradise.

If you are unsure of where to stay on the Strip – or ‘Downtown’ on Fremont Street – read on as we outline the newest casino resorts to use as a stylish, contemporary base for your stay.

Many of these resorts now specialize in extensive dining and retail experiences too. As we explored at https://www.athleisuremag.com, where else on the planet can you dine indoors looking out to an ancient Romanesque replica of the Trevi Fountain like the hugely popular? That’s before we even mention the city’s state-of-the-art entertainment, spanning comedy, theatre shows and live music performances. However, most first-time visitors to Las Vegas also want to sample the thrill of playing casino games. The new casino resorts listed below contain tens of thousands of square feet of casino floor space, spanning table games like blackjack and roulette, as well as hundreds of low and high-limit slots.

If you are new to playing slot machines, it’s always recommended to get a feel for slot dynamics before you travel by playing online first. https://www.vegasslotsonline.com/ is a reliable starting point. This portal lists thousands of free slots available to try without having to pay a cent using ‘play money’. Many of which are iconic slots still played on the casino floors of resorts on the Vegas Strip, including Aristocrat’s Buffalo and Bally’s Quick Hit slots. This site even offers a FAQ for those who want to look into this more.

The following five casino resorts are the newest kids on the Las Vegas block, bringing contemporary style and sophistication to your casino gaming, nightlife and all-round entertainment on vacation:

Waldorf Astoria (opened in 2018)

Set back on its mid-Strip location beside The Cosmopolitan, the Waldorf Astoria is one of the most extravagant resorts for anyone with deep pockets. Formerly known as the Mandarin Oriental, this resort has undergone a significant transformation. The jewel in the crown for the resort is its 23rd-floor Sky Bar, which affords panoramic views of the Strip day and night. It’s easy to tell how ‘upscale’ this resort is by revealing that guests can make use of the Moet & Chandon champagne vending machines on-demand. Can you get any more decadent?!

Park MGM (opened in 2018)

The former Monte Carlo casino resort dates back to 1996 and 20 years on, it already desperately needed a revamp. Fortunately, the Park MGM renovations have transformed it into a warmer, more rustic resort, with entertainment oozing out of its every pore. A stone’s throw from the hotel is the new Park Theater, which plays host to some of the world’s biggest pop stars including Lady Gaga. Meanwhile, the T-Mobile Arena is also just around the corner, playing host to the Los Angeles Golden Knights NHL ice hockey team. The Eataly food court is also well-received, spanning cheap eats and delectable delights in equal measure.

Sahara (opened in 2019)

Located at the north end of the Las Vegas Strip, the Sahara, formerly known as the SLS, opened its doors in 2019. It is a 21st-century rebuild of the classic Sahara casino, which was one of the oldest on the Strip when it was closed due to its lack of viability as a commercial concern in 2011. The recent renovation was completed by Meruelo and the hotel was rebranded as Sahara Las Vegas in August 2019. Although it’s slightly off the beaten track of the Strip, this hotel boasts its own station on the Las Vegas Monorail, taking you up and down the four-mile-long network in a matter of minutes.

Circa Resort (opened in 2020)

If you are someone that would prefer to stay in the old-school ‘Downtown’ district of Las Vegas’ Fremont Street, the region recently welcomed the new Circa Resort with open arms. Overlooking classic casinos like the Golden Gate, Circa Resort opened at the end of October 2020. It’s the first brand-new casino resort in the Downtown area for over 40 years. With 44 stories and 777 rooms, it’s a major boost for the area. Its most striking area is the outdoor pool area, which boasts a magnificent viewing area of all the best live sports. Imagine taking a dip in the pool and kicking back watching the big game, with the desert sun on your back – bliss!

Resorts World Las Vegas (opening in 2021)

The next big opening is due to occur in summer 2021 with the much-anticipated Resorts World Las Vegas. Constructed at $4 billion, this Asian-inspired resort will become the next big mega-resort after the launch of Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in 2010. It will comprise the trio of Hilton’s premium accommodation brands under one roof – LXR, Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Conrad.

Hopefully one of these casino resorts will whet your appetite for your Vegas adventure but, if not, rest assured there’s at least another 30 resorts to peruse on the Strip alone!

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