PHOTO: © Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

The Las Vegas Strip has long been the goliath of the hospitality universe, home to 15 resorts with more than 3,000 rooms. Recently, however, several properties have tried to scale down and personalize the experience for visitors who don’t like feeling lost in the shuffle. Smaller wings at existing hotels, upscale rebrandings, and repurposed properties in the shadows of their gigantic neighbors are all offering a more intimate experience. To be fair, these wouldn’t qualify as boutique hotels anywhere else, but in a “bigger is better” city like Las Vegas, these properties are offering truly unique experiences.

by Steve Friess

Steve Friess is a freelance writer based in Ann Arbor, Mich. From 1996 to 2011, he lived and covered Las Vegas for dozens of major publications including Conde Nast Traveler, The New York Times, The L.A. Times and Travel + Leisure. He was author of three guidebooks about Las Vegas including the first and only one for LGBT travelers, Gay Vegas. And yes, he is aware it gets cold in Michigan. Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevefriess.

PHOTO: Caesars Entertainment

The 188-room Cromwell, which opened this spring after a $186 million makeover of the ultra-seedy Barbary Coast, trades heavily on its status as, at least by Vegas standards, a “boutique” hotel. The Cromwell’s small size allows for sit-down check-in stations, complementary coffee and flavored waters on every guest floor, free daily newspaper delivery, and a fabulous, cozy 11th floor rooftop pool with great views of the Bellagio Fountains. The decadent Parisian décor bespeaks intimacy, with dim-lit hallways leading to rooms of textured lavender wallpaper, furniture resembling vintage leather-studded luggage, and a one-way shower glass that doubles as a full-length mirror in the room. One thing that is big at the Cromwell: Giada, the spectacular 260-seat Italian restaurant from celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis.

Insider Tip: Unique among casino-resorts here, guests are treated to free breakfast at a buffet in the casino bar area that includes an omelet station, fresh-squeezed juice, and an impressive oatmeal bar.

PHOTO: Caesars Entertainment

Nestled at the center of the sprawling, 4,000-room Caesars Palace is an oasis in the form of the renovated, rebranded tower now known as Nobu Hotel. The famed Japanese chef and restaurateur’s first hotel has 181 rooms designed by Rockwell Group to evoke Far East zen, complete with cherry blossom art, rosemary-and-white-tea Natura Bissé bath products, and oversized walk-in showers with multiple showerheads and a teak stool. Check-in sets the tone, with complimentary green tea in a lobby adorned with hand-carved blocks of wood from three types of Japanese wood. Co-owner Robert DeNiro is a frequent guest.

Insider Tip: Guests receive priority seating at the adjacent 12,775-square-foot Nobu Restaurant and lounge, the largest of the namesake chef’s 30 eateries worldwide. Also available only to Nobu room guests is a 24-hour, in-room dining menu featuring highlights from the Nobu menu.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas

The 47-story non-gaming Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas boasts just 392 rooms (there are also 20 floors of private residences) in a gleaming silver tower. Veteran hospitality designer Adam Tihany brings all the elegance and Asian touches you’d expect from a Mandarin, most notably ubiquitous geometric shapes and lines as well as headboards fashioned from mother of pearl. Shanghai Tang makes the toiletries, Frette supplies the plush bathrobes, and French molecular gastronomy pioneer Pierre Gagnaire provides the property’s luxury dining at Twist.

Insider Tip: The 23rd-floor Mandarin Bar has become one of the hippest places on the Strip to have a cocktail and watch the sun set or, this being Vegas, rise.

PHOTO: Courtesy of MGM Resorts International

The 29th and 30th floors of the gigantic MGM Grand boast 51 two-story flats appointed like modern loft apartments, complete with an average of eight TVs per unit, 24-hour butler service, 15 different styles of pillows to choose from, a champagne-bubble tub, and a shower-turned-steam room. Guests are fetched from the airport in Rolls-Royce Ghost limos and whisked through a private entrance and up a VIP elevator to be greeted by the butler to familiarize them with the many high-tech gizmos therein. Most impressive is the Crestron environment console from which guests control the climate, lights, TV, and drapes.

Insider Tip: Guests of the SkyLOFTS get their own business cards and personalized stationery during their visit.

PHOTO: Courtesy of MGM Resorts International

Perhaps only in Vegas would a fire that engulfed the upper floors of a casino-resort become an opportunity to reposition a property, but it is from that auspicious event—in which nobody was hurt—that these 50 rooms would become “a boutique hotel atop Monte Carlo.” Occupants of the other 2,950 rooms are decidedly excluded from the private elevator and on-floor “suite assistant,” as well as access to the private lounge where free drinks, breakfast, snacks, and evening hors d’oeuvres are served. Hotel32 guests are also entitled to free clothes pressing and shoe shines, and the rooms are equipped with Keurig machines as well as Kiehl’s bath amenities.

Insider Tip: A proprietary Hotel32 app lets guests order drinks poolside, buy tickets, or request turndown service. Guests without mobile devices, in fact, can borrow them from the property for free, too.

PHOTO: Courtesy of MGM Resorts International

The original hotel-within-a-hotel on the Strip is the Four Seasons, which elegantly occupies floors 35 to 39 of the Mandalay Bay. With 400 rooms, including 81 suites, it’s now on the large side of the “boutique” trend but all the hallmarks are there, from the separate entrance and check-in, to two secluded restaurants including Charlie Palmer Steak that is open to all, but caters to Four Seasons guests. The Four Seasons Las Vegas also boasts a quiet private pool where attendants will spritz water on sunbathers upon request.

Insider Tip: The Four Seasons positions itself as an upscale, kid-friendly antidote to Sin City, with children’s menus in the restaurants and board games and DVDs available from the house library, as well as complementary popcorn and soda at check-in.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

Palms Place is technically a 58-story, 599-suite luxury condominium building, but on any given day, most of the owners open their fully appointed, hardwood-floored units for rent. Palms Place is connected to the always-trendy Palms Casino-Resort by a covered walkway, so it’s close enough to the action without being immersed in it. The tower’s Drift Spa & Hammam offers Vegas’ only Turkish co-ed steam bath.

Insider Tip: The Sunday Pajama Brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Simon Restaurant & Lounge on the sixth floor is among Vegas’ trendiest events. The menu ranges widely from stuffed French toast to fresh-rolled sushi to cotton candy.

PHOTO: © Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

Sensing that some once-young hipsters were aging out of the traditional rock ‘n’ roll conceit of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the owners spent new $750 million on a 374-suite tower with its own porte-cochère, concierge, and a VIP lounge adorned with a photo of a 1970s-era Bruce Springsteen holding his finger to his mouth, as if to tell visitors they’re now in on a secret. The HRH tower caters perfectly to its clientele, complete with hardwood planks in the foyer, dimpled black porcelain walling, a gigantic cast-iron tub-for-two, and the requisite nostalgia-inducing classic rocker photos. In line with the music-centric theme is the most impressive in-room tech feature: wall panels that allow guests to slide in their iPods and play it through speakers throughout the suite. Or, use the touch screen to select from one of the preset, ever-changing song lists.

Insider Tip: Reliquary Spa, also in the HRH Tower, is known for its 1,500-square-foot Roman Bath and a gym where women can take a stripper class.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Rumor Boutique Hotel

RUMOR, the product of a $4-million makeover of a defunct Palm Springs-style hotel across the street from the Hard Rock Hotel, has replaced the SoCal vibe with a charcoal-and-deep-purple color palate, a white marble lobby, and chrome accents. The unusual layout—150 suites in low-slung buildings that surround a lush courtyard—allows for a certain intimacy and solitude that’s rare elsewhere in Vegas.

Insider Tip: RUMOR is known as being among the most pet-friendly Vegas offerings and proves it with Yappy Hour, a third-Thursday open invitation for guests and locals to congregate with their pooches on the courtyard green for appetizers, live DJ music, and a complimentary bag of doggie treats.

PHOTO: Barbara Kraft

Steve Wynn has said his biggest regret about his masterwork, Bellagio, was that it was too big, wide, and impersonal. So when he built Wynn Las Vegas, he made the building tall and skinny to reduce walking distances and left a southerly column as an exquisite sub-hotel known as the 296-unit Tower Suites. Tower Suites guests are given white-glove treatment that includes a separate entrance and check-in, access to a Tower Suites pools and private terrace, and daily breakfast for two at Tableau. The suites are adorned in sleek cream and beige tones with expansive bathrooms that boast super-large Turkish bath towels and a proprietary line of lemongrass-scented toiletries called Bambu.

Insider Tip: The ground floor of the Tower Suites feature the Fairway Villas that open onto the Tom Fazio-designed Wynn Golf Course. Wynn himself lives in the 4,500-square-foot villa, featured in Architectural Digest.

Before this past August, the last major resort to pop up was was The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in December 2010. By Vegas standards, that’s a long time for the Strip skyline to go unchanged—but fall 2014 could mark the beginning of one of the city’s biggest transformations in more than 10 years. Here’s our guide to what you need to know if you’re visiting Las Vegas soon.

Since the early 2000s, Las Vegas has undergone a series of reinventions in fits and starts. First was a short-lived attempt to turn Vegas into a family destination—that approach didn’t work out. Sin City quickly recovered its adult-excess ethos, and a luxury-resort building boom took place from 2003–2007, when Wynn, Palazzo, Encore, and Trump ascended to cater to the pampered. In 2008, when the economy crashed, Vegas was hit particularly hard and virtually all construction was halted. CityCenter finally broke through in 2010, adding Mandarin Oriental and Aria, and Vegas has been growing ever since.

With visitors increasingly spending their money on dining, shopping, and entertainment rather than gambling, many resorts over the past few years have changed from within, renovating and adding a host of new shows, restaurants, and clubs. But this fall, you’ll see some top-to-bottom developments that have reshaped both the skyline and the street-level view.

Change is in the air, literally, as a number of new properties soar from Strip. With three towers on the site of the former Sahara resort, the SLS Las Vegas introduces some much needed vivacity to the far north end. Opened in August and featuring design elements by Philippe Starck; high-end suites by Lenny Kravitz’s Kravitz Design Inc.; and three nightclubs, including an outpost of L.A.’s Sayers Club; the SLS could inject a hip quotient to the north Strip much like the Palms did to the West Side in the early 2000s. The SLS features nine unique dining concepts that are overseen by chef José Andrés, the property’s culinary director, as well as a10,000-square-foot retail space from Fred Segal.

The all-suite 1,100-room Delano Las Vegas, which opened in September, blends elements of South Beach with desert motifs such as petrified wood sculptures and Mojave Desert boulders. Guests of the Delano enjoy access to all the amenities of Mandalay Bay from a boutique-y home base that includes quiet retreats for rest and repast. The Delano’s BATHHOUSE Spa features locally inspired treatments such as the Desert Stone—a warm-stone, sage, and lemon-blossom massage—and the Red Rock Anti-Aging Body Treatment. Della’s Kitchen presents a menu of locally sourced ingredients and vegetables from the Delano’s greenhouse, as well as entrees created from sustainable, grass-fed beef, and hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken. At the elegant Franklin lounge, craft cocktails and select spirits such as Woodford Reserve Double Oaked bourbon and Black Barrel Mt. Gay rum are served in a sophisticated space with hues of deep blue and bronze.

In early November, Caesar’s will open the doors to the LINQ Hotel and Casino, a complete reimagination of The Quad Resort. According to Caesar’s president of hospitality, the modern LINQ resort is designed for the “socially engaged traveler” and promises a “digitally curated resort experience.” Technological amenities include automated check-in, a concierge touchscreen, and free Wi-Fi everywhere (a first for Vegas resorts). The 2,256-room resort will integrate seamlessly with the LINQ promenade, the outdoor entertainment streetscape that has everything from bars to bakeries, self-serve margarita joints, clothing stores, and Brooklyn Bowl, an exciting concert venue/bowling alley.

Towering above the LINQ complex is the High Roller. The giant Ferris wheel has been spinning high (550 feet high, making it the tallest observation wheel in the world) above the center Strip since March 2014. It’s a hugely popular attraction, and starting in September a Family Hour Package is available on Saturday mornings: For $49.95, families can ride the wheel before it opens to the general public. The price includes two adult and three children’s tickets, three High Roller binoculars, which riders can keep, and three juice drinks from the Sky Lounge.

Changes to the Strip are on the ground as well as in the air. Strolling Las Vegas Boulevard and taking in its outdoor spectacles has long been a favorite pastime for visitors. Free attractions such as the Volcano at the Mirage and the Bellagio Fountains have made self-guided walks a must-do activity. But navigating the Strip on foot isn’t always easy. There are bottlenecks in many spots, cars (particularly taxis) whiz across to get in and out of resort entrances, and crowded pedestrian bridges are the only way to cross multi-lane avenues. But this fall the sidewalks are expanding considerably, with a number of spaces that will give Las Vegas Boulevard a much-needed series of spacious squares and plazas for pedestrians to shop, eat, dine, relax, and people-watch.

On the south Strip, Monte Carlo and New York-New York have converted their entrances to create a “vibrant patio culture” that introduces a number of casual bars, eateries, and shops. Look for new-to-Las Vegas establishments such as Double Barrel roadhouse, Japanese street-food restaurant Yusho, and BLVD Creamery fronting Monte Carlo. Among New York-New-York’s additions are a two-story Hershey’s Chocolate World and an extension of the popular Nine Fine Irishmen bar. The expanded entryways are the first phase of The Park, an 8-acre oasis with natural landscaping, water features, and plenty of cafés and bistros, scheduled for completion in 2016.

At the center of the Strip, Bally’s is due to open the Grand Bazaar Shops in December. It remains to be seen if this two-acre “outdoor shopping mecca” will improve or impede foot traffic. If it’s properly laid out, it will give visitors an opportunity to effortlessly browse more than 100 new stores and improve the flow of one of the busiest sections of the Strip. If not, it still promises to deliver a unique shopping experience that reproduces the feel of international open-air markets.

In addition to the many large-scale projects reshaping the Vegas landscape, there are a number of exciting individual events happening around town this fall.

Victor Drai, considered by many to be the king of Las Vegas nightlife, recently opened Liaison Nightclub, the first LGBT club on the Strip.

In early September, chef Tony Hu opened Lao Sze Chuan at the Palms Casino. Its menu expands on Hu’s original Chicago restaurant’s offerings with a selection of Mandarin, Cantonese, Hunan, and Shanghai dishes made exclusively for the Palms.

Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla, creators of local favorite Honey Salt, introduced Made.LV to the growing number of restaurants at Tivoli Village in Summerlin. Described by Blau as a casual American tavern, Made.LV features creative comfort foods and an extensive beer and wine list.

Downtown, which has been enjoying a renaissance of its own since Zappos.com renovated the old City Hall and installed their headquarters there, welcomes a new restaurant from chef Kerry Simon. Nearby, Carson Kitchen opened in late August inside the old John E. Carson Hotel. All entrees are under $20, and the menu features such crowd-pleasers as the butter burger, short rib sliders, and a cocoa-espresso NY strip steak.

In music news, KISS will establish their first-ever residency, KISS Rocks Vegas, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, starting November 5. And the Venetian will present Georgia on My Mind: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles from September 18 through October 29. The Charles tribute is an all-star affair, featuring Clint Holmes, TAKE 6, and Nneena Freelon, accompanied by the Las Vegas Mass Choir.

PHOTO: The Aquarium at Silverton Casino

In recent years, Las Vegas has shied away from its Sin City reputation and opened its velvet ropes to more family-friendly fare. Bring the kids along to one of America’s top tourist destinations as you explore the very best the city has to offer in the daytime hours. From mega-aquariums to world-class arcade halls to an active volcano, these 10 free activities are perfect diversions for families looking to add some affordable fun to their next getaway.

By Zachary Laks

PHOTO: MGM Resorts International

Erupting on the half hour every night since 1989, The Mirage Hotel Volcano is a spectacle of fire and water, visible from Las Vegas Boulevard. Having had a $25 million overhaul in 2008, the new volcano brings an intense fury to The Strip. Crowds gather for each eruption of the fiery mountain as it sends fireballs 12 feet into the air alongside waterfalls bursting with water. Stake out a space close to the railing to feel the radiating heat from the flames and get the best view of the dozens of cannons that pummel water and flames in every direction.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Las Vegas Travel Guide

PHOTO: Flamingo Las Vegas

A rare and fine collection of birds, fish and, of course, flamingos, populate the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Covering 15 acres of the hotel’s centrally located complex, the tropical flora and waterfalls create a serene setting for its exotic inhabitants. The flock of Chilean flamingos stand tall in the pond as colorful koi and goldfish swim about. It’s hard to miss the resident parrots that radiate with verve; try your best to get one of them to repeat a word or a phrase for a guaranteed laugh.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Las Vegas Travel Guide

PHOTO: pinballhall.org

A true gamer’s paradise, the Pinball Hall of Fame is home to the world’s largest collection of pinball machines. Games from the ’50s through present day populate this large amusement hall. Established as a non-profit organization, the Pinball Hall of Fame has dedicated 10,000 square feet to the flippers that keep the steel balls in play. Look for rare favorites, such as “The Pinball Circus,” which is a vertical pinball game, and the original Star Wars pinball machine. At a rate of 25 to 50 cents per game, your family will be able to win big without putting your wallet through the wringer.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Las Vegas Travel Guide

PHOTO: Arina P Habich / Shutterstock

Ethel’s Chocolates, the beloved confectionary that produces some of Nevada’s favorite chocolates, opens its doors daily to visitors looking to get a behind-the-scenes peek at their sole factory. Only 15 minutes outside of Vegas, in Henderson, the chocolatier makes a wide array of milk and dark chocolate morsels. With a bag of chocolates (and a cold pack) in tow, check out the three-acre cactus sanctuary where 300 types of cacti line the pathways. Flowers bloom atop the cacti in the month of May, and come November and December, 600,000 lights adorn the prickly plants for a true desert winter wonderland.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Las Vegas Travel Guide

PHOTO: Brian Doben

An oasis in the desert, the 117,000-gallon Mermaid Aquarium at Silverton Casino is a modern marvel. A quick 5 miles from the main Vegas strip, the massive aquarium and its 4,000 exotic fish preside over the hotel casino’s lobby. Sit on one of the benches surrounding the tank to watch the vibrantly colored fish swim among the heralded tiger sharks and stingrays. Come most afternoons, mermaids descend into the tank to dazzle guests with playful moves and friendly waves. Each mermaid is able to stay underwater for 15 minutes via a specialized breathing port.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Las Vegas Travel Guide

PHOTO: kan_khampanya / Shutterstock

Old Vegas comes to life each night with the vibrant lights of the Fremont Street Experience. Harkening back to the Golden Era of affordable buffets, $1.50 shrimp cocktails, and weathered lounge singers holding court, Fremont Street is a five-block entertainment district that fuses the best of the classic Vegas scene with modern flourishes. A 24-hour destination, Fremont Street is a hub of entertainment and gaming covered by a pavilion that forms the canvas for its nightly, hourly light show, Viva Vision, which illuminates the street in vibrant LED lights and images. For the best view of the light show, the daring can zip-line through the streets.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Las Vegas Travel Guide

PHOTO: Courtesy of CBS Television City Research Center

Assert your tastemaker status as you get to call the shots at the CBS Television City Research Center. Built exclusively for the MGM Grand, this research facility offers unique opportunities to view new and in-development TV shows and give your feedback in real-time. Providing guests with devices that allow you to track your interest in the program, this cutting-edge market center sheds light on the shrouded world of television research and development. Revel in the opportunity to voice your opinion straight to TV executives and impact change through the airwaves.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Las Vegas Travel Guide

PHOTO: MGM Resorts International

Step right up—to the midway! The three-ring spectacle expands beyond the tent at the interactive playground at Circus Circus. In the center of the midway is the world’s largest permanent circus, a daily, fully-operating array of incredible feats of human agility and bravura. Acts such as flying trapeze troupes, hand balancers, jugglers, and hula hoop masters take the stage for this free show every 30 minutes throughout the day. With 28 classic carnival games, such as the dime toss, Chicken in a Pot, and camel races lining the midway, compete to take home one of the loveable plush animals.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Las Vegas Travel Guide

PHOTO: Courtesy of M&M’s World

For visitors with a sweet tooth, check out M&M’s World, a four-story emporium dedicated to the classic chocolate candies. Sure, the first three floors are a dedicated shopping haven with floor-to-ceiling souvenirs, but the real gem of this store is the great NASCAR exhibit on the top floor. The official NASCAR M&M Toyota racecar is on display, amidst special NASCAR-themed memorabilia as well as the quintessential M&M apparel and gifts. Make your way to the one-of-a-kind personalization station, where it’s your chance to write a special message on the candy, as long as fits the space. Make a pit-stop at the interactive 3-D film, I Left My M in Vegas, a 10-minute candy adventure through Vegas.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Las Vegas Travel Guide

PHOTO: The Auto Collections

The world’s largest classic car collection, The Auto Collections Car Display, brings 250 rare automobiles together under one roof. Race cars, presidential cars, prototypes, and one-of-a-kind roadsters show the very best of four-wheeled style. Favorites among the collection include a 1963 Lincoln Convertible used to chauffeur President Kennedy, Johnny Carson’s 1939 Chrysler Royal Sedan, and a 1936 BMW 319 Cabriolet. Add to that an impressive array of vintage cars for sale, including a 1923 fire truck and a 1962 MG A 1600 MKII Deluxe Roadster. If you win big, these fine cars can be yours with your grand jackpot winnings.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Las Vegas Travel Guide