Las Vegas Vacation Picks: Paris Las Vegas

A perfect mid-strip location right in the middle of the Las Vegas Boulevard action, and a touch of old world Parisian charm in a clean and tidy Disneyesque environment, make the Paris Las Vegas Hotel a great vacation pick. This hotel boasts a two-thirds scale replica of the Arc de Triomphe and a half-scale Eiffel Tower that stands 540 feet tall and makes a striking visual landmark, especially at night with its vivid yellow lights.

The interior of the hotel is finished in a Disney Pirates of the Caribbean fashion with an artificial sky on the ceiling, walls and shops with Parisian building facades, and walkways finished like cobblestone streets. The deep blue sky sprinkled with stars and the subdued lighting make it feel like perpetual twilight. Very pleasant on the eyes. Le Boulevard, the main cobblestoned indoor walkway, runs from the main entrance past the registration desk and then past a series of shops and restaurants and eventually leads down a promenade to Bally's, a sister property located next door.

Fountain on Le Boulevard

The Paris Las Vegas has a number of notable features that set it apart from other hotel casinos. Not only does it have that half-sized replica of the Eiffel tower, but for a small fee you can ride to the top and enjoy magnificent views of the Las Vegas Strip and the Bellagio water fountain shows right across the street, as well as the entire Las Vegas Basin. The Eiffel Tower Restaurant is one hundred feet above the base of the tower and Las Vegas Boulevard and offers some of the best French cuisine in the city. Along with the Eiffel tower replica, the Montgolfier tribute balloon sign at the front of the hotel offers a knockout visual punch at night.

The Eiffel Tower replica viewed through the Bellagio water fountain show.

Paris, Palms and People

Paris Las Vegas also has the recently opened Sugar Factory. As a bit of counterpoint to the rest of the Paris/French themed hotel, the Sugar Factory is an American Brasserie serving traditional American dishes. It also boasts the Sugar Factory Chocolate Lounge where visitors with a hardcore sweet tooth can find nirvana with a huge selection of fine chocolates from around the world. There is also a chocolate fondue experience than can be paired with Champagne, cognacs, port or desert wine. This sugar head's experience can set you back from under $30 up to $1,000, depending on your hedonistic needs. Above the Sugar Factory is the Chateau Nightclub and Gardens where visitors can put their sugar rush into action.

One of the best and most affordable of the twelve dining experiences available at the Paris Las Vegas is Le Creperie. Located on Le Boulevard where you step up to an open window to order, Le Creperie offers a broad variety of main course and dessert crepes of nice proportions and reasonable prices. Once your belly is full of crepe it is just steps away to shops offering French imports such as Yves Saint-Laurent and Christian LaCroix, food and wines.

Entertainment highlights at Paris Las Vegas include a modest but attractive casino with all the usual games and typical stakes available. However, poker players will need to take the short stroll through the promenade to Bally's if they want to Hold 'em. The hotel also is home to the 1,200 seat Le Theatre des Arts where Barry Manilow is currently the featured long-term performer.