Bally’s bills itself as “the classic Las Vegas experience.” Targeted to the gamer of any age, the emphasis is clear when you step inside the main entrance from under the broad, sky-lit porte cochere. On your right, a football-field-long casino stretches beyond you. The casino is immense, open, and elegantly modern—sophisticated in a formal, understated way, like a tuxedo. Active without being claustrophobic, and classy without being stiff, Bally’s captures the style of modern European casinos without sacrificing American informality. On the left of the same great room is the registration desk, and a coffee bar and newsstand are conveniently located directly in the lobby area. Originally themed for Hollywood, now Bally’s doesn’t bear much of a specific visual motif. This is not a shortcoming. Bally’s simply carries itself with a certain forthrightness, with a kind of class that says, “We are confident to be who we are—timeless Las Vegas.”
The fully renovated Jubilee (South) Tower rooms are more spacious than the norm at 450 square feet. These rooms dazzle with signature shades of chile red, white, and brown, creating an upbeat and contemporary look. All rooms have plenty of lighting and feature flat-panel TVs and Wi-Fi, and many have wet bars and refrigerators. Updated marble bathrooms feature walk-in showers (but no tubs), with a make-up counter beside the bathroom. The Indigo (North) Tower will undergo the identical makeover, but until the renovations are complete, the decor may be dated. Indigo rooms are the same size as the Jubilee rooms. One-bedroom grand suites have king-size beds and a whirlpool spa. To enjoy this layout, you should be very comfortable with your traveling partner, as most of the bathroom is exposed to the sleeping area.
Bally’s is blessed with exceptional restaurants and one of the better buffets in Las Vegas. Dining options are BLT Steak, SEA: The Thai Experience, Tequila Taqueria, Buca di Beppo, Nosh, Nathan’s, and LavAzza. Nightlife venues include Evening Call, Indigo Lounge (fashionable attire required), and Sully’s Bar.
Although quite spread out, Bally’s is easy to navigate. Amenities include a 13,000-square-foot health club and spa. Bally’s was one of the first hotels to create an extensive retail arcade, located in the basement level but easily accessible from the casino and conference center. There’s also a small parking lot nearby and a bank of entry doors so shoppers can easily access the shops and bypass the casino. Among the Bally’s Avenue vendors are home decor, clothing and bling, and a food court.
The spacious acreage in front of the Strip entrance to Bally’s is now occupied by the Grand Bazaar Shops Las Vegas, an eclectic mix of approximately 120 shops, including retail, fast food, full-service dining, and watering holes. The complex is divided along three west-to-east pedestrian walkways that all lead to the Bally’s entrance.
For those who drive, the guest parking is all valet out front. There is limited self-parking in the back, but it is mainly for oversize vehicles. The hot tip is to park at Bally’s sister property, Paris Las Vegas (the hotels are internally connected). Demonstrating legitimate concern about the traffic congestion on the Strip, Bally’s joined with the MGM Grand in constructing a monorail that was the first link in the Las Vegas Monorail line. Subsequently, the monorail was extended north along the Strip, with a loop over to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Bally’s also offers a free shuttle every 30 minutes to take you to Rio and Harrah’s (both Caesars Entertainment properties).
Bally’s caters to meetings and conventions and is one of the few hotels where you will not feel out of place in a business suit. Guests are frequently under age 40 here and come from all over, but particularly Southern California, Chicago, and elsewhere in the Midwest. Bally’s also has a loyal Spanish-speaking clientele.
For more Las Vegas hotel reviews, check out The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas by Bob Sehlinger. If you enjoyed this post, sign up for our newsletter here.
