Key West Aquarium

Isn't this exactly the kind of hotel you think about -- or dream about or fear -- when you think "Las Vegas"? There it is, a jumbled pile mock-up of the venerable Manhattan skyline -- the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Public Library -- all crammed together, along with the 150-foot Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, all built to approximately one-third scale. And as if that weren't enough, they threw in a roller coaster running around the outside and into the hotel and casino itself.And inside, it all gets better. There are details everywhere -- so many, in fact, that the typical expression on the face of casino-goers is slack-jawed wonder. If you enter the casino via the Brooklyn Bridge (the walkway from the Strip), you'll find yourself in a replica of Greenwich Village, down to the cobblestones, the manhole covers, the tenement-style buildings, and the graffiti. (Yes, they even re-created that. You should see the subway station.) The reception area and lobby are done in an Art Deco, golden-age-of-Manhattan style; you'll feel like breaking into a 1930s musical number while standing there. It's a wow! all right. The word subtle was obviously not in the lexicon of the designers. We will leave it to you to decide, based on your own aesthetic values, if all this is a good or bad thing. Let's just say that to us, it's very, very good indeed. Because . . . this is exactly what we come to Vegas for -- unbridled, unrepentant, theme-gone-wild.Upstairs -- oh, yes, there's much more -- is the arcade, which is Coney Island-themed (naturally), and just as crowded as the real thing. Kids play boardwalk games in the hopes of winning tickets redeemable for cheap prizes. (You're never too young to start learning about gambling.) The line for the roller coaster starts here. There are many restaurants, all housed in buildings that fit the theme of whatever New York neighborhood is represented in that particular part of the hotel.Rooms are housed in different towers, each with a New York-inspired name. The place is so massive and mazelike that finding your way to your room can take a while. There are 64 different layouts for the recently redecorated rooms, with the original Deco-inspired decor having been replaced by something they call '40s inspired. We don't see it, but we do find it a sophisticated modern color scheme of earth tones and pale pastels, with dark, rich wood furniture and even padded headboards. Overall, it's sufficiently urbane, for a mass-market room. The lamps and armoires reflect the skyscraper theme, TVs are now larger, the lighting is bad, the work desk is fine, and pillows and mattresses are surprisingly comfortable for this level of hotel room, while the bathrooms are small, though done in a pleasing gray marble. Upgrades did not include better towels or water pressure. There can be a loooonnnggg walk from the elevators, so if you have ambulatory issues, you had best mention this while booking. (Rooms in the single digits seem to be in the Empire Tower, if that helps give you a clue to location.) Light sleepers should request a room away from the roller coaster. There's a small health club and spa, and the mediocre pool is right next to the parking structure.In addition to a particularly nice food court and a number of more-than-decent restaurants, including reliable Italian chain Il Fornaio, there are several festive and beautifully decorated bars throughout the property. Coyote Ugly is a party-hearty bar where dancing on furniture is encouraged and the female bartenders are hired just to be sassy. At The Bar at Times Square, a lighted ball drops every night at midnight to re-create the famous New Year's Eve event in the real location. New Year's Eve every night: a terrific promotion or hell on earth? This is home to the topless and adults-only Cirque du Soleil production Zumanity, which we think is overrated.The main casino area is done as Central Park, complete with trees, babbling brooks, streetlamps, and footbridges. The change carts are little yellow cabs. Facilities: Casino; showrooms; 9 restaurants plus a food court; outdoor pool; small health club & spa; Jacuzzi; video-game arcade w/carnival midway games; concierge; tour desk; business center; salon; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms. Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Total Rooms:

2023

Rooms:

2,033 units

Price

$79 and up double. Extra person $30. No discount for children, P

Credit Cards Accepted

AE, DC, DISC, MC, V

Area

At Tropicana Ave

Parking

Free self- and valet parking

Dining

Y

Information by Frommers