Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

If it’s been a few years since you’ve been to Las Vegas, you probably remember Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino as The Aladdin. Owned by Harrah’s Entertainment, Planet Hollywood is in an enviable position on the Strip and is, in many ways, a great starting point for exploring some of the best highlights on Las Vegas Boulevard.

At one time, the resort was just another hotel on the Strip, but in recent years it has become a hip place to hang out, especially with the addition of the Miracle Mile (a collection of fun and eclectic shops beyond the name brands, though you can find those too) and the PH Towers.

A Little History

The first hotel on this location was opened in 1963 under the name of Tally-Ho. Less than two years later it failed when it was denied the gaming license.

In 1966, the hotel was bought and renovated. The theme became Arabian Nights, and The Aladdin opened on April 1, 1966; there was even a 9-hole golf course within the resort. After several renovations and new additions to the building, the Aladdin reopened in 1976. In 1981 it was home to Iron Maiden’s first ever American concert. The property was closed in 1997 and imploded in 1998 to provide space for an entirely new casino.

The new Aladdin opened on August 17, 2000. Unfortunately it was in financial trouble from the beginning and sold in 2003.

After yet another renovation, new restaurants, bars and retail space were added. It opened on April 17, 2007, as Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Harrah’s officially acquired the property in February 2010, and a new wing of the resort—the PH Hotel Towers by Westgate—opened.

Location

Address: 3667 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas

Hotels/Resorts Located Nearby: Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino is located between Paris Las Vegas and MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, opposite Bellagio. It is a short walk to Caesars Palace, Bally’s, Monte Carlo and New York New York.

Rooms and Suites

Planet Hollywood offers a total number of 2,600 rooms and suites. The resort has 52 floors; each room is decked out in movie memorabilia. Hollywood hip rooms are 450 square feet in size while the larger suite rooms offer stunning views of the Strip. Stay in luxury with a reservation for an apex suite; at 1,900 square feet, you might never leave the room.

General Prices

The modern and luxurious theme of the resort appeals to those who are not on a limited budget, though midweek rates can drop as low as $70 per night. In general, though, prices start at $109 per night for the Hollywood hip rooms, $159 per night for the fountain view and resort rooms; $219 per night for the resort vista rooms; $259 per night for the Strip suite and $609 per night for the panorama suite. Expect to pay more than $1,500 for the apex suite.

Though you pay extra for a room with a view, it’s worth the splurge at Planet Hollywood. Because the resort is right in the middle of all the action, you’ll be able to see Paris’ Eiffel Tower and the Fountains of Bellagio from high above the Strip for the right price.

Planet Hollywood is one of the few properties on the Las Vegas Strip that does not have a resort fee.

The Casino

Planet Hollywood offers 100,000 square feet of gaming space and includes slots, table games and The Playing Field Race and Sports Book, which has 33 plasma screens, two jumbo screens and a VIP area. If you are new to the game of poker, visit Planet Hollywood’s poker room, which offers free lessons every morning at 9:00.

The Pleasure Pit features blackjack and roulette dealt by beautiful women in chic lingerie and go-go dancers who entertain the gamblers.

Planet Hollywood’s casino is decorated in rich colors with high ceilings and easy access from the Miracle Mile. Due to the design of the resort, it is very possible to avoid walking through the casino at all.

Dining

Planet Hollywood offers a great mix of fine and casual dining. The resort’s nicest restaurants are Koi and Strip House, while a variety of Mexican, Italian and Chinese restaurants offer a good selection of mid-priced meals, though expect to wait for a short period of time for seating, especially in the evenings and on the weekends. If you’re eating on the run, stop by The Earl of Sandwich and the famous Pink’s Hot Dogs (particularly popular with the party crowd on a rough morning). Spice Market Buffet is Planet Hollywood’s all-you-can-eat buffet.

And that’s all located in the casino!

Browse the Miracle Mile for countless other dining options. Lombardi’s Romagna Mia has wonderful Italian food, and if you request seating outside the restaurant, you can watch the fountains in front of the theater. Some people swear that Cheeseburger Las Vegas has the best burgers in town while others head to Blondie’s Sports Bar and Grill for pub grub. There are also a number of other restaurants and eat-on-the-go joints in the Miracle Mile as well. Grab gelato at Aroma d’Italia or fresh-baked cookies at Nestle Tollhouse Cafe.

>>read more about the restaurants at Planet Hollywood

Nightlife

Planet Hollywood isn’t known for its wild nightclubs, but there are a variety of bars and lounges throughout the casino and the Miracle Mile. Some close in the early hours of the morning while others, such as the Heart Bar, are open 24 hours a day. You can frequently find live music at Cabo Wabo Cantina.

>>read more about the nightlife at Planet Hollywood

Entertainment

What Planet Hollywood lacks in nightclubs, it makes up for in entertainment. Peepshow, a nursery rhyme-themed striptease, is a permanent fixture at the resort, as are several variety shows, magicians and hypnotists in the Miracle Mile. Planet Hollywood is also the site of the Theatre for the Performing Arts, and a variety of big-name concerts and shows frequently circulate throughout the venue. Movie premieres, Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, and other major events are also held here.

>>read more about the entertainment at Planet Hollywood

Things to Do

Planet Hollywood may be known for its shows and restaurants, but it also caters to those who want to golf, relax by the pool or be pampered at the spa. It is possible to spend hours in the Miracle Mile browsing through the eclectic stores, but take some time to enjoy the free fountain and laser shows as well.

>>read more about the things to do at Planet Hollywood
>>read more about things to do in Las Vegas

Ideal Visitors

Considering its prices and variety of activities, restaurants and entertainment, Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino is most ideally suited to college students and 30-somethings on vacation or visiting for a bachelor or bachelorette party. The resort isn’t necessarily catered to families (though there are some fun shows the kids would enjoy), its central location makes it a good place to stay on the Las Vegas Strip. Its location also makes it a good choice for people who are visiting Las Vegas for the first time.

Travel Tips

• Parking for Planet Hollywood is behind the building off of Harmon Avenue, and many locals park here when they visit the Strip because of its ease of access.
• There are timeshare booths set up throughout the Miracle Mile. You will likely be approached and asked if you’d like free show tickets for a couple hours of your time. Feel free to participate in the timeshare presentation (and, in fact, it is a great way to see shows for free), but do be aware of what these people are asking of you.
• There is a Test America in the Miracle Mile. They’re frequently looking for people to play video games, watch movie clips or take surveys in exchange for a small remuneration.

Photo credit: Ivi PC (feature photo), nellyfus (neon margarita)