Palms Casino Resort

The ultramodern Palms casino hotel, built in 2001, offers an eclectic mix of entertainment designed to seduce gen-Xers and -Yers. Known for its starring roles on MTV's Real World: Las Vegas reality series and Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, the Rio has a high-drama, neon-lit atmosphere equal parts sexy and sleazy – just like the pinup babes, the Palms Girls.

Drawing an equal number of tourists and locals, the 95,000-sq-ft casino has more than 2000 slot and full-pay video machines, table games, two poker rooms (one low-limit, one no-limit), and a 140-seat race and sports book featuring interactive TV terminals and specialty wagers. It's not just the spiffy casino that makes the detour from the Strip worthwhile. Almost everything here is done right, thanks to owner George Maloof; visionary developers Scott DeGraff and Michael Morton, nightlife innovators from Chicago; and Andre Rochat, one of Las Vegas' respected French restaurateurs. Fashionable places to dine include Alizé and N9NE steakhouse; southwestern-style Garduño's and poolside Simon are other hits.

Topping off the Palms (literally speaking) is ghostbar , located on the roof of the 55-story Palms Tower. It's a hip-hop and celebrity hangout with fantastic views of the Strip. Even more partying happens at Rain and Moon nightclubs, the former featuring fireballs overhead, the latter with a retractable roof. Pop-music superstars such as Gwen Stefani rock the Pearl , a state-of-the-art concert venue linked to an 8000-sq-ft recording studio. The Palms recently upped the bet by building Palms Place , a hip, high-rise hotel, condo and spa complex connected to the main casino hotel by the SkyTube moving walkway.