Whether it’s the sheer money poured into the build, the weight of history behind the walls, or the kind of luxury that stops conversation, these casino hotels are on another level. Each one has its own gravity—some built for legacy, others for scale, and a few that feel more like museums than accommodation.
Preferences vary, but for many, the journey still begins in Las Vegas, where iconic places such as Caesars Palace and the Bellagio defined what a casino resort could actually be.
It Starts in Las Vegas
The city lives for excitement and luxury, and the Bellagio is what that looks like on a full scale. With nearly 4,000 rooms, a 156,000-square-foot casino, and restaurants led by big names such as Le Cirque and Picasso, it’s built to impress from every angle.
Still, not everyone’s showing up in person anymore.
Nights In Are Paying Out
Glamorous casino hotels still have their place, but more players are choosing the speed and control of UK casino platforms. With full game libraries, sharp promos, and no dress code, online tables are pulling in a crowd that prefers playing on their own terms.
It’s part of a wider move toward digital setups that value access, pace, and a more focused experience. Online is both the present and the future, but the pull of iconic venues isn’t going anywhere—and few prove it better than:
Marina Bay Sands – Singapore
Opened in 2010 with a $5.6 billion price tag, it was one of the most expensive casino resorts ever built, designed to anchor Singapore’s integrated resort model—high-class tourism with tightly regulated gaming. The 120,000-square-foot casino houses over 600 tables and 1,500 machines, drawing a global mix of high-stakes players.
Above it, the SkyPark stretches across three towers, offering a 360-degree view of the city and hosting the world’s longest elevated infinity pool. Every part of the complex was built to scale—fast turnover, elite service, and a layout engineered to keep high rollers moving.
Sun City Resort – South Africa
Away from the glass and glare of Asia or the Strip, Sun City carved out its identity in South Africa’s North West Province. Launched in the late 1970s, it stirred political backlash but also redefined entertainment in the region. It wasn’t just a casino—it was a destination built around contrast: African bush meets Vegas energy.
The Palace of the Lost City still delivers on that drama, complete with themed architecture, wildlife reserves, and international events. The gaming space may be modest by today’s global standards, but Sun City’s legacy as a full-package resort remains unmatched on the continent.
Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo – Monaco
Monaco doesn’t chase attention—it curates it. And no place reflects that more than the Hôtel de Paris. Since 1864, it has stood at the heart of Monte Carlo, just steps from the iconic casino, offering something closer to theatre than hospitality.
Marble corridors, Belle Époque elegance, and suites reserved for royalty or those who behave like it. The dining alone—think Alain Ducasse at Le Louis XV—cements its reputation. Gaming may happen next door, but the hotel frames the entire experience. In a city built on presence, not noise, this is where legacy still holds the upper hand.
Encore at Wynn – Las Vegas
We’ll stay in Vegas, because it feels right. Although the original Wynn set a new standard, the Encore complex went a step further—this is a hotel that feels calmer, sleeker and perhaps a little more intentional. Opened in 2008, Encore brought 2,000 all-suite rooms, a high-limit casino layout, and design choices that leaned darker and richer than its sibling. It’s the part of the Strip that doesn’t shout, because it doesn’t need to.
The real pull is in its control—the way Encore filters its energy, keeps the experience elevated, and still delivers on the high-stakes atmosphere Vegas is built on.
The Venetian Macao – Macau
Opened in 2007 on the Cotai Strip, The Venetian copy is still one of the largest buildings on the planet, covering 10.5 million square feet. Its 550,000-square-foot casino floor holds over 800 tables and 3,400 machines, split into four zones that keep traffic and betting organized.
The rest of the complex pushes just as hard—3,000+ suites, a 15,000-seat arena, and a huge retail section built to keep visitors moving between games, shows, and spending. Modeled after its Vegas sibling but scaled for Asia’s gaming appetite, it played a big role in shifting global attention toward Macau.
Wynn Palace – Macau, China
If The Venetian is about size, Wynn Palace is about precision. Opened in 2016, this resort came in at $4.2 billion and aimed directly at the top end of the market. Think choreographed fountains, a SkyCab cable car gliding over a performance lake, and suites that look more like private residences.
The casino follows Wynn’s signature layout—curved paths, velvet textures, and high-limit rooms that feel sealed off from the outside world. Wynn Palace is where control meets theatrics. And in a city that thrives on movement, it’s a space built for those who want the game on their terms.
Atlantis The Royal – Dubai, UAE
Dubai doesn’t do anything halfway, and Atlantis The Royal makes that point clear. Opened in early 2023 on the Palm Jumeirah, this $1.4 billion resort goes beyond the original Atlantis—with sky villas, suspended infinity pools, and celebrity restaurants stacked across its split-tower design.
While gambling remains illegal in the UAE, there’s ongoing speculation about regulated casinos being introduced in designated zones—and Atlantis is widely rumoured to be a front-runner if that happens. Even without a gaming floor, it plays in the same luxury league, offering the kind of spectacle and exclusivity that casino travellers look for.
The Ritz Club – London, UK
Technically closed for renovation, but this is The Ritz—it doesn’t vanish, it waits. Located beneath the iconic hotel in Piccadilly, The Ritz Club has long been a discreet hub for ultra-high-net-worth gaming in the UK.
Membership was by invitation, and the rooms felt more like a private estate than a casino floor. As of now, there’s no official reopening date, but reports suggest the club will return with a reworked format aligned to changing UK gaming laws. When it does, expect the same old-school discretion and tailored service. Until then, it holds its place as a name that still carries weight.
