The 10 best family-friendly hotels in Las Vegas for all-ages fun

Mandalay Bay is a prime example of a Vegas hotel where there is almost too much to say about it re: ‘extras’ for the family. So here are a few of the headlines: three huge and beautiful swimming pools (two all-ages, one adults-only) with a ‘beach’ made from real sand; a lazy river and a wave pool; the Shark Reef Aquarium; a Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show and the Michelob ULTRA arena. And that’s just some of them. Basics like a family-friendly restaurant and extra cots/beds are also provided but those considerations kind of pale in comparison to a massive aquarium, no? Adults-wise, there’s a world-class spa to check out.

Mood? Go big or go home (only don’t, because there’s so much to do here).
Location perks? The resort has its own 11-acre beach.
Budget range? Marginally less than you’d expect.

Four Seasons hotels always feel a little odd on a family-friendly list of hotels. How can it be that something this glam is good for multi-age groups? But Four Seasons hotels have become somewhat legendary within parenting circles thanks to their practical approach to childrearing and their well-loved kids clubs. Their family-friendly approach includes not just cots and roll-aways, but the availability of childproofing equipment, children’s toiletries, baby bathtubs, blankets, thermometers, strollers and high chairs. There are also child-friendly menus and a range of games and books. In fact, these guys are so welcoming they’ll even give you free diapers! Families are welcome to use the pool facilities at Mandalay Bay and visit the Shark Reef Aquarium. And when you want some time out (read: need to visit the spa), the hotel can provide safe and reliable babysitting services. Lovely.

Mood? Beautiful. 
Location perks? Take a short trip to the Children’s Museum.
Budget range? Not going to lie, it’s quite steep.

Compared to the huge hotels in town, the Tahiti Village basically feels like a boutique. But by any other metric, it’s actually a pretty large resort with a lot of points-scoring facilities for families. Boring-but-very-useful things include a fully equipped kitchen with each suite (plus the option of some with washing machines). There’s also a family-friendly pizzeria and an all-ages pool (and an additional seasonal one), barbeque facilities and a garden to use. But here’s why we really love this place for kids. The resort offers a range of super cute additional activities such as bracelet-making, cookie decorating, sand castle competitions and bingo. What’s not to like?

Mood? A hit of sunshine.
Location perks? Free, regular shuttle bus to the Strip.
Budget range? The lower end of mid-range.

Another ‘where do we start’ Vegas institution, Bellagio’s range of treats include five outdoor heated swimming pools (four open to children), the 1,400ft botanical gardens and conservatory with changing installations, a Cirque du Soleil show, an art gallery and THE FOUNTAINS! Yes, that’s right, if you’re coming here don’t forget to spend ample time getting to know those famous water jets. It’s possible to book both a room and a dinner table with views of the water feature, which could be pretty fun. There’s also a kid-friendly buffet and extra beds are available. For adults, there’s the spa, the casino and a beauty salon.

Mood? Classic Vegas.
Location perks? One of the most iconic sites is just in front of your doorway.
Budget range?  Well, you can’t take it with you…

This New York-themed hotel scores high when it comes to kids-friendly attractions. Aside from the inherent fun found in its kitschiness - there’s a 150 ft replica of the Statue of Liberty - there’s also a roller coaster that turns you upside down, another Cirque du Soleil show (those guys love it in Vegas), an arcade, rodeos, a nice all-ages pool and an indoor play area. It also delivers well when it comes to food options for those with simpler tastes, with burgers, pizzas and shakes all available as part of a massive amount of choice restaurant-wise (Many of the 16 onsite restaurants are explicitly family-friendly). We also rate the relaxed but cool decor of the rooms, which make them feel inherently more welcoming to all-ages than many hotels.

Mood? Big Apple meets Vegas pizzazz. 
Location perks? You’re in two cities at once.
Budget range? Another high-end choice.

Another mainstay of the Strip, the Excalibur’s kids-focused selling points include four heated outdoor pools (three of them all-ages and one with water slides), a ‘Fun Dungeon’ arcade, a huge array of different live shows including a King Arthur-themed immersive dining experience, karaoke and rodeo. Did we also mention that it’s shaped like an actual Disney castle? Perfect for any real-life Princesses you might know. Its 14 restaurants include more family-friendly choices than seems possible, including Italian, Mexican and American menus. There’s also a kid-friendly buffet for those little ones going through a ‘me-do-it’ phase. Extra cots and beds (inc. for over-ones) are available for a small extra cost.

Mood? A cartoon castle on The Strip.
Location perks? Right in the centre of the action.
Budget range? A little cheaper than other comparable ones.

Let’s cut to the chase, the big hitter here is the MGM Grand Garden Arena which hosts a plethora of concerts, comedy, sporting events and - that is correct - a Cirque du Soleil show (this one combining martial arts with the mind-bending acrobatics the company are famous for). There are also four tropical-themed pools (three out of four welcome all-ages), a lazy river, cabanas, and a kid-appropriate buffet. Their restaurants trend towards American classics, with plenty of places open to younger diners, but there’s also Japanese, Chinese, French and Italian available too. 

Mood? Super-shiny modernity.
Location perks? Proximity to a huge arena.
Budget range? Varies.

An alternative to the world of MGM mega hotels on the Strip, the Hilton Vacation Club Desert Retreat doesn’t have the glitz and glam of those big-name ones but it does have a lot of genuinely practical plus points for families. These include the full kitchen in each room, the on-site minimarket, a games room, billiards, a picnic area and barbeque, family rooms, laundry services and an all-ages pool. They’ll also give you an extra cot for free. Way more low-key than most on this list, but we rate it nonetheless.

Mood? Bright, light, relaxed, fun. 
Location perks? An off-the-Strip alternative.
Budget range? Middle-ish.

Another offering from the Hilton brand, but this time back on the Strip and with rather more bells and whistles. The seven pools that make up the Strip’s biggest pool complex include not just all-ages ones but an exclusive kids-only facility. There’s also a regular line-up of live music and other shows, plus two floors of luxury shopping in what is essentially an in-hotel mall. That might not be quite the right fit for bored kids, but there’s also a whopping 24 restaurants onsite (Mexican, sushi, Cantonese and American included) which surely - surely - means even the world’s fussiest two-year-old could find something they’ll eat for dinner?

Mood? Poolside life given the Vegas sheen.
Location perks? Add some pink to your life at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat.
Budget range? Getting high-er but not too high.

In the eyes of a child, what is better than a hotel? A hotel shaped like a pyramid! One of Vegas’s most iconic hotels, the Luxor has four beautiful pools for use by anyone of any age. There’s also a range of in-house shows (although not all are ‘family-friendly’) and exhibitions that, at the time of writing, include one about the sinking of the Titanic and the world-famous ‘Bodies’ exhibition. OK, maybe both are a little better for older kids but, hey, if you’ve got a teenage goth in your family maybe this is the place for you! 

Mood? A pyramid!
Location perks? Make use of the hotel’s gorgeous spa.
Budget range? Middle-to-higher.