Review: The Palazzo at The Venetian Resort

How did it strike you on arrival?
The Palazzo is the extravagant younger sibling of The Venetian (both a part of The Venetian Resort) and was planned all around the same kind of Renaissance Italian notion. Each of the hotels has its own rotunda entrance; on the Palazzo side, rather than being all gold, there's an amazing crystal sculpture of women that's actually a two-level fountain. It's both modern and reminiscent of classical sculpture.

What’s the crowd like?
There are so many guests in The Venetian and Palazzo, whose combined rooms number around 7,000—and many visitors may just be there to see a show, dine in one of the 40 restaurants or gamble—that it's impossible to tell what the demographic is just by looking around. What is apparent, though, is that it's a hugely diverse crowd. It does have one of the more upscale crowds.

The good stuff: Tell us about your room.
I stayed in one of the Luxury Suites, which are the standard rooms. They're remarkable because they're huge for standard rooms. Considering the fact that you can actually score one of these rooms for $199 (depending on the season and which conventions and events are in town at the moment), these are some of the best deals in town. They're about 100 square feet bigger (and feel wider) than their Venetian counterparts, and the largest standard rooms on the Strip. They were last upgraded in 2018, and are much brighter and feel more modern than the Venetian side.

We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?
The beds, like Venetian's beds, are sky-high pillow tops and are some of the best beds on the Strip.

How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?
The mini-bar, like most in Las Vegas, is expensive and electronically monitored. I loved, though, that it had its own special packaging for offerings like little canisters of gummy bears and Godiva chocolates.

Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.
The bathrooms in Palazzo's luxury suites (the standard suites) are some of my favorite among standard rooms in Las Vegas. They're big, with 17-inch TVs (in case you like to watch TV while you're getting ready), and like Venetian, have a great little makeup table with an additional lighted makeup mirror that you can turn to different settings for daytime and evening light.

Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?
Wi-Fi is covered in the daily $45 resort fee.

Room service: Worth it?
Palazzo has the same in-room dining menu as Venetian (and the same 18% included gratuity plus $7 delivery fee). If you don't mind the extra cost, this is one of the in-room dining menus in Las Vegas that's really good. Much better than the expected chicken/salmon/steak entrees, you can order from a really creative vegan menu, plus get unexpected items like tiramisu pancakes, chicken and waffles (hangover food!) and a whole prix fixe Italian menu. "Seaside in Venice," a five-course menu, is a great reason to stay in and have an intimate evening a deux.

Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?
I think the in-room dining staff, who flawlessly execute deliveries for 7,000 rooms, some several times a day, are the real heroes of Venetian and Palazzo.

Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.
Since you're likely staying in Palazzo because you love the Venetian/Palazzo complex but are looking for an upgrade, I think the best idea is to book one of the Prestige suites on the concierge floor (23), which gives you access to the Prestige lounge, plus little perks like afternoon tea, Champagne at check-in, and personal concierge assistance (which can be invaluable when you're trying to get hard-to-book show tickets at the last minute). One of my favorite things about Palazzo is that is has recently gotten into public art, installing some incredible pieces in the Waterfall Atrium. It's an ever-evolving collection that makes the Palazzo feel relevant and fresh.

What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?
Venetian and Palazzo have always had SO many dining options, but in recent years, they've really turbo-charged the hip options, like Rosina (an intimate, Art Deco lounge right at the base of the guest room elevators in Palazzo). You can also stay at Palazzo and have a wildly different experience than your partner. For instance, the elevator bank at Palazzo goes straight to Canyon Ranch (it spans Palazzo and Venetian, but the spa side is on the Palazzo side). You don't have to wander a casino floor in your bathrobe; you could go spa all day while your partner gambles, and you'd feel like you're at a destination spa (because you are!). Palazzo also has more upscale shopping options than the Venetian (although they're connected), and the Atrium—which is a curated luxury shop of accessories, watches and cosmetics—is such a fun place to find something special for yourself (or as a gift) without all the wandering you'll do around Venetian.

Bottom line: worth it, and why?
Palazzo, especially the Prestige upgrade, is well worth the money. It has the largest standard rooms on the Strip, and it still usually clocks in at less money than a room in most other cities.