You see it from miles away. That massive, 350-foot tall black glass pyramid piercing the Mojave sky. It's the Luxor Hotel Las Vegas NV, and honestly, it’s one of the most polarizing buildings on the Strip. People either love the kitschy, high-concept Egyptian theme or they complain that the "Inclinators"—those weird diagonal elevators—make them feel a bit motion sick.
But here is the thing.
Most people booking a room here don't actually understand how the building is laid out. They see the pyramid in photos and assume every room has that sloping window view. It doesn’t. If you end up in the Twin Towers (the two high-rise buildings next to the pyramid), you’re basically staying in a standard Marriott-style room. It’s fine, but you lose the "I’m sleeping in a tomb" vibe that you probably paid for.
The Luxor opened in 1993. At the time, it was the height of the "Family Friendly Vegas" era. It had a Nile River tour that literally circled the casino floor. It had an animatronic camel. It was glorious and ridiculous. Today, a lot of that heavy-handed theming is gone, replaced by more corporate, modern finishes. But the bones of the place? Still wild.
The Inclinator Situation and Why It Matters
Let’s talk about the elevators. They don’t go up; they go sideways at a 39-degree angle. It’s a bit of a trip. If you have a sensitive stomach, you’ll feel that slight lateral pull every time you head up to your room.
The pyramid rooms are unique because the outer wall is slanted. This means your window is at an angle. It sounds cool—and it is—until you realize that dust likes to settle on the outside of those windows and the desert wind isn't exactly a squeegee. Sometimes the view of the Las Vegas Strip is a little... fuzzy.
Still, there’s nothing like the atrium. It’s one of the largest open spaces in the world by volume. Standing on the walkway of the 22nd floor and looking down at the casino floor is enough to give anyone a mild case of vertigo. It’s massive. 29 million cubic feet of nothingness.
Staying at Luxor Hotel Las Vegas NV: The Tower vs. The Pyramid
If you’re looking for a more modern experience, you stay in the towers. They were added in 1998. The rooms are bigger, the bathrooms are more functional, and the elevators go straight up like normal human machines.
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But if you want the "Vegas" experience, you have to go for the Pyramid Premier rooms. They’ve been renovated recently—thankfully—because for a while there, the rooms were looking pretty tired. Now they’ve got a cleaner, more minimalist aesthetic that nods to Egypt without feeling like a movie set for The Mummy.
- Pyramid Rooms: Great for the "wow" factor of the architecture. Slanted walls. Lower ceilings in some corners.
- Tower Rooms: Better for business travelers or people who actually want a desk and a large shower.
- The Price Point: Usually, Luxor is one of the most affordable spots on the South Strip. It’s connected by a free tram to Excalibur and Mandalay Bay, which makes it a strategic home base.
The Sky Beam: A Lighthouse for Aliens
You can't talk about the Luxor Hotel Las Vegas NV without mentioning the light. The Luxor Sky Beam is the strongest beam of light in the world. It uses 39 xenon lamps. It costs a fortune to run every hour.
Fun fact: it has created its own ecosystem. The light attracts moths. The moths attract bats. The bats attract owls. On any given night, if you look closely at the beam from a few blocks away, you’ll see a literal food chain swirling in the light.
Technically, the beam is visible from 250 miles away. Pilots use it as a navigation point. It’s the ultimate "I'm lost in Vegas" north star. If you can see the light, you know where home is.
What’s Actually Inside? (Beyond the Slot Machines)
Gambling is gambling. The Luxor floor is huge, but it feels a bit darker than the bright, airy floors at Wynn or Bellagio. It’s the black glass; it sucks in the light.
But the real reason people come here now isn't just the slots. It's the "Attractions Level."
- Bodies: The Exhibition. This has been there forever. It’s fascinating, slightly haunting, and definitely not for everyone. Seeing real human systems preserved in polymer is a stark contrast to the neon lights outside.
- Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. Honestly? This is one of the best museums in Vegas. They have a massive piece of the actual hull (the "Big Piece"). You get a boarding pass with a real passenger's name on it. At the end, you check the wall to see if you lived or died. It’s surprisingly emotional for a casino attraction.
- HyperX Arena. This is for the gamers. It’s a massive esports arena. If there’s a major League of Legends or Fortnite tournament in town, it’s probably happening here.
The Food Scene: Manage Your Expectations
Look, you aren't coming to the Luxor for Michelin-star dining. You go to Caesars or Bellagio for that. But Diablo’s Cantina is solid for tacos and a massive margarita before a show.
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Public House is where you go if you just want a burger and a beer while watching the game. It’s loud, it’s reliable, and the portions are huge.
If you want something "fancy," Tender Steakhouse is surprisingly good. They source some really specific wild game and aged beef that you wouldn't expect to find in a pyramid. Is it the best steakhouse in Vegas? No. But it’s the best one within a 5-minute walk of your bed if you’re staying at Luxor.
The Reality of the Location
The Luxor is on the far south end of the Strip. This is the biggest "gotcha" for first-timers.
You look at a map and think, "Oh, I'll just walk over to the Sphere or the Flamingo."
Don't.
Vegas blocks are deceptive. They are enormous. Walking from the Luxor to the center of the Strip in July is a recipe for heatstroke. You’re going to be using that tram to Excalibur, then walking across the bridge to New York-New York, and then probably Ubering from there.
The upside? It’s close to the airport. You can be off your plane and checking into your room in 15 minutes if the traffic gods are smiling.
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Is it worth it?
Kinda depends on what you want.
If you want luxury, marble everywhere, and a butler, go to the Encore.
If you want a "only in Vegas" experience that doesn't cost your entire life savings, the Luxor Hotel Las Vegas NV is a win. It’s iconic. It’s weird. It’s a bit rough around the edges in some spots, but it has more personality than the glass boxes being built today.
There is something genuinely cool about sitting in the pool—which is at the base of the pyramid—and looking up at those black glass walls. It feels like you’re in a sci-fi movie from 1982.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
- Check the Resort Fee: Like every MGM property, the resort fee is a killer. Factor in about $35–$45 extra per night on top of whatever price you saw on Expedia.
- Request a High Floor in the Pyramid: If you’re going for the pyramid room, ask for a floor above 15. The views of the Strip are way better once you get above the parking structures and the monorail tracks.
- The "Secret" Walkway: There is an indoor, climate-controlled walkway that connects Luxor to Mandalay Bay (The Shoppes at Mandalay Place). It’s full of decent shops and a Fat Tuesday. Use this instead of walking outside in the sun.
- Parking: If you have an MGM Rewards credit card or certain status, parking is free. Otherwise, you’re paying by the hour. The Luxor lot is huge but can be a hike to the lobby.
- Avoid the "Promoters": You’ll see guys in suits near the elevators trying to give you "free show tickets." They are selling timeshares or vacation clubs. Unless you want to spend four hours of your vacation in a high-pressure sales meeting, just keep walking.
Moving Forward
If you've decided to book, do yourself a favor and download the MGM Resorts app before you arrive. You can skip the massive check-in line—which can be brutal on Friday afternoons—and use your phone as a digital key. Head straight to the Inclinators, feel that weird diagonal pull, and go find your room in the corner of the pyramid. It’s a Vegas rite of passage.
Once you're settled, head to the Titanic exhibit or grab a drink at the Centra bar in the middle of the casino. You’re in a giant black pyramid in the middle of a desert. Lean into the absurdity of it. That’s why you came to Vegas anyway.