You’re standing on the Strip, staring at the sheer mass of the Venetian complex. It is massive. Most people don't realize it’s actually the second-largest hotel in the world, trailing only behind the First World Hotel in Malaysia. But there’s a specific nuance here that trips up first-timers. You aren't just booking "The Venetian." You’re choosing between the original tower and its younger, sleeker sibling. The Palazzo at Venetian Hotel Las Vegas is technically its own entity, even if they share a massive canal-filled floor plan and a casino that feels like it never ends.
If you want the old-school, frescoes-on-the-ceiling vibe, you stay at the Venetian. If you want a modern, refined, and slightly quieter version of luxury, you walk a few hundred feet north to the Palazzo. It's a distinction that matters.
Why the Palazzo at Venetian Hotel Las Vegas Feels Different
The Palazzo opened in late 2007. It was a $1.8 billion bet on the idea that Vegas visitors were getting tired of the themed-to-death kitsch of the 90s. While the Venetian is all about recreating Renaissance Venice—think Rialto Bridge and singing gondoliers—the Palazzo feels like a high-end boutique that just happens to have 3,000 rooms.
The rooms are the clincher. At the Palazzo at Venetian Hotel Las Vegas, every single room is a suite. You won't find a cramped 350-square-foot box here. Even the entry-level Luxury King Suite clocks in at roughly 720 square feet. That’s nearly double the size of a standard room at many other Strip resorts.
You walk in and the first thing you notice is the sunken living room. It’s a signature move. By dropping the seating area down two steps, they created a psychological divide between "where I sleep" and "where I hang out." It works. You’ve got L-shaped sofas, remote-controlled Roman shades, and bathrooms clad in Italian marble that are large enough to be New York City apartments. Honestly, it’s ruined other hotels for me. Once you get used to having a dining table and three TVs in your "basic" room, a standard Marriott feels like a closet.
Navigating the Food Scene (Beyond the Buffets)
Forget the idea of a cheap Vegas buffet. The Palazzo doesn't really do that. Instead, it’s home to some of the most technical and celebrated kitchens on the Strip.
Take Mott 32. It’s arguably the best high-end Chinese food in the city. The applewood smoked Peking duck is a ritual; they only make a limited number per night, and if you didn't pre-order it when you made your reservation, you’re probably out of luck. It’s expensive. It’s flashy. It’s also incredible.
📖 Related: Where to Actually See a Space Shuttle: Your Air and Space Museum Reality Check
Then there’s CUT by Wolfgang Puck. Everyone knows the name, but this specific location focuses on the hard-to-find stuff—true Japanese Wagyu and dry-aged ribeye that’s been sitting in a cellar for 35 days. If you're looking for something more low-key, LAVO Italian Restaurant has a terrace that overlooks the Strip. It’s great for people-watching, though it gets loud. Very loud.
The Grand Canal Shoppes connect the two towers, and that’s where things get blurry. You’ll find Bouchon by Thomas Keller tucked away in the Venetian tower (Venezia wing), which is a hike from the Palazzo side but worth it for the sourdough and the roast chicken. Pro tip: if the main Palazzo elevators are packed, the walk through the Shoppes is often faster than waiting for a crowded car during checkout time.
The Pool Deck and the Canyon Ranch Paradox
The Palazzo pool deck is distinct from the Venetian's. It’s generally a bit more "adult." Not in a "Euro-style-topless" way, but in a "I want to read a book without a toddler splashing my gin and tonic" way. They renovated the pool deck recently, adding more cabanas and a cleaner, Mediterranean aesthetic.
But the real heavyweight here is the Canyon Ranch spa + fitness.
This isn't just a hotel gym with a few treadmills. It’s a 134,000-square-foot monster of wellness. It’s one of the largest day spas in the world. They have a rock-climbing wall. They have an igloo room (yes, it snows inside). They have a "Conservatory" where you can just sit and exist in silence.
The downside? It’s pricey. Even if you’re a guest at the Palazzo at Venetian Hotel Las Vegas, you usually have to pay a daily fee to access the full spa facilities unless you’ve booked a treatment. Is it worth the $50 or $60? If you’re hungover and need the "Aquavana" thermal suite to sweat out the bad decisions of the previous night, then yes. Absolutely.
👉 See also: Hotel Gigi San Diego: Why This New Gaslamp Spot Is Actually Different
What People Get Wrong About the Location
Vegas is a city of optical illusions. Everything looks closer than it is.
Staying at the Palazzo puts you on the northern end of the central Strip. You are right across from the Wynn and Encore. You are next to Treasure Island and the Fashion Show Mall. But if your heart is set on spending all your time at the Bellagio fountains or Caesars Palace, be prepared for a long walk.
The Palazzo entrance is set back from the street. It’s a hike just to get to the sidewalk. If you're heading south toward the "heart" of the Strip, you’re looking at a 15-to-20-minute trek just to get to the Flamingo or the Linq. In the July heat, that’s a death march. Use the rideshare pick-up under the Palazzo—it’s one of the most organized in the city.
The Casino Culture
The Palazzo casino floor feels airier than the Venetian. The ceilings are higher, and the layout is a bit more intuitive. While the Venetian has that dark, smoky, classic feel, the Palazzo is bright.
They share a loyalty program—Grazie Rewards. If you're gambling at one, you're earning at the other. The table minimums here are notoriously high, though. On a Friday night, don't expect to find a Blackjack table for less than $25, and often it’ll be $50 or $100. If you want $10 minimums, you’ll need to walk across the street to Treasure Island or head Downtown to Fremont Street.
Sustainability and the "Hidden" Tech
Here is something nobody talks about: The Palazzo is one of the "greenest" buildings in the world.
✨ Don't miss: Wingate by Wyndham Columbia: What Most People Get Wrong
It was the largest LEED Silver-certified building in the US when it opened. They have a massive solar thermal system that heats the hot water for the suites and the swimming pools. They even have an on-site laundry facility that recycles water in a way that would make a desert survivalist proud.
Most guests don't care about the plumbing, but it’s a feat of engineering considering the Palazzo at Venetian Hotel Las Vegas is basically a small city operating in the middle of a literal desert. It handles its own waste, filters its own air, and manages to keep thousands of people cool when it's 115 degrees outside.
How to Actually Get a Deal
Vegas pricing is algorithmic and chaotic. If there’s a massive convention at the Sands Expo (which is attached to the hotel), rates will quintuple. If it’s a random Tuesday in February, you can sometimes snag a Palazzo suite for under $200.
- Avoid the Resort Fee Surprise: Like almost every Strip hotel, there’s a daily resort fee. It’s usually around $45-$50 plus tax. It covers high-speed Wi-Fi and gym access, but it’s a bitter pill if you didn't budget for it.
- The Prestige Club: If you’re offered an upgrade to the Prestige Club Level, think about it. It’s a private lounge on the 23rd floor. You get a private check-in (huge time saver), daily continental breakfast, and—the kicker—a cocktail hour with free booze and appetizers. If you drink two martinis, the upgrade usually pays for itself.
- The "Front Desk Sandwich": The old $20 trick (slipping a twenty between your ID and credit card at check-in) still works occasionally in Vegas, but at the Palazzo, the staff is highly trained. They might not take the cash, but they will often look for "complimentary view upgrades" if you're just nice to them.
Final Practical Takeaways
The Palazzo at Venetian Hotel Las Vegas isn't for everyone. If you want a wild pool party with EDM blasting at 10:00 AM, go to Wynn’s Encore Beach Club or Caesars. If you want the cheapest bed on the Strip, look at the Flamingo or Circus Circus.
But if you want a room that feels like a home, a bathroom that feels like a temple, and some of the best food in Nevada, this is the spot.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the Sands Expo Calendar: Before you book, Google "Las Vegas Convention Calendar." If a group like CES or NAB is in town, the Palazzo will be packed and overpriced. Pick a different week.
- Join Grazie Rewards Online: Sign up before you arrive. Sometimes they send "member only" rates to your email within 24 hours that beat the public prices on Expedia or Booking.com.
- Map the Walk: If you have dinner reservations at the Venetian side, leave your room at the Palazzo 15 minutes earlier than you think you need to. The distance is deceptive.
- Book Mott 32 Duck: If you want that duck, call the restaurant the moment your hotel room is confirmed. They sell out every single night.
The Palazzo remains one of the few places on the Strip that manages to feel massive without feeling like a factory. It’s sophisticated, it’s expensive, and it’s arguably the best "standard" room experience in the city. Just make sure you bring comfortable shoes—even luxury has a high step count in Vegas.