AAA just put out its first-ever ranking of casino hotels, and a Las Vegas Strip address took the top spot. The Villas at Caesars Palace, a set of six private luxury residences inside the resort, was named No. 1 out of 161 AAA-rated casino hotels and resorts across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and the Caribbean. Caesars Entertainment announced the news on Oct. 13, in the same year Caesars Palace is marking its 60th anniversary.
Key Takeaways
- The Villas at Caesars Palace ranked No. 1 among 161 casino hotels in AAA’s first casino hotel list.
- The Villas kept AAA’s top Five Diamond rating for a second straight year. Fewer than 1% of the nearly 23,000 AAA Diamond hotels hold it.
- Caesars Palace and Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace kept Four Diamond ratings, and the new Vanderpump Hotel earned Four Diamond within about three months of opening.
- Vital Vegas reports the villas run about $25,000 to $35,000 a night, and big players can also be comped into them.
What the Villas are
There are only six of them, each named for a Roman emperor: Claudius, Marcus Aurelius, Constantine, Hadrian, Titus and Trajan. According to Caesars, guests get private airport transportation, their own porte cochere arrival, 24-hour butler service, a pre-arrival concierge and in-villa dining. Select villas have private elevators, plunge pools, media rooms and direct access to the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis.
AAA hands out Diamond ratings after unannounced inspections and anonymous overnight stays, judging service, rooms, amenities and the overall guest experience. Properties are checked again every year.
How other Vegas hotels did
| Property | AAA rating | Note |
|---|---|---|
| The Villas at Caesars Palace | Five Diamond | No. 1 casino hotel; 2nd year at Five Diamond |
| Four Seasons at Mandalay Bay | Five Diamond | One of three Five Diamond hotels in Vegas |
| Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas | Five Diamond | No casino |
| Caesars Palace | Four Diamond | 2nd straight year |
| Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace | Four Diamond | 2nd straight year |
| The Vanderpump Hotel | Four Diamond | First rating, about 3 months after opening |
Vital Vegas adds that about two dozen other Las Vegas casino resorts hold Four Diamond ratings, including Bellagio, Wynn, Venetian, Fontainebleau, Aria, Cosmopolitan, Circa, Red Rock, Durango and M Resort. Those were not ranked by position in the reports we reviewed. On the food side, Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand and Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace are the city’s two Five Diamond restaurants.
What it means for you
- You can book it. The villas are not strictly invitation-only. Caesars says rates depend on the villa, dates and length of stay, and bookings go through caesars.com.
- Or play your way in. High-end players can be comped into the villas. Caesars doesn’t publish the play needed, so ask a casino host before you chase it, and never gamble more than you planned.
- Get the Five Diamond feel for less. A meal at Guy Savoy or a day at the Garden of the Gods pools costs far less than a villa night.
- Compare first. Check our booking page for Strip rates and our Comp Board for current casino offers.
Sources
- Caesars Entertainment via Business Wire: The Villas Caesars Palace ranked No. 1 casino hotel in AAA’s inaugural list
- Casino.org: The Villas at Caesars Palace ranked No. 1 casino hotel
- Vital Vegas: Caesars Palace Villas named best casino hotel by AAA
Vegas Daily Wire reports on Las Vegas news, deals and comps. Prices and ratings can change; check with the hotel before you book. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.