Lonely Planet Review

All guest rooms feature Art Deco Egyptian furnishings and marble bathrooms. If you're staying in the slant-walled pyramid rooms (which lack bathtubs), you get to ride the Luxor's unusual high-speed elevators, called 'inclinators' because they travel at a 39-degree angle. Newer tower rooms have better views and fully outfitted bathrooms.

Named after Egypt's splendid ancient city perched on the east bank of the Nile, the landmark Luxor may have the biggest wow factor of the South Strip's megaresorts. Out in front of the pyramid is a 10-storey crouching sphinx and a sandstone obelisk etched with hieroglyphics. It easily could have ended up a temple of gaudiness, but instead has resulted in an impressive homage to Egyptian art, architecture and antiquities. Exquisite reproductions of archaeological artefacts are displayed at the casino's King Tut Museum. Be sure to ask for a room with a view of glittering Mandalay Bay next door, instead of the faux-castle towers of Excalibur. The Luxor's outdoor pool complex is walled by concrete, but it's quite spacious. The Oasis Spa, offering Aveda facials and aromatherapy showers, is open around the clock.