Explore the World at These Themed Las Vegas Hotels (No Passport Required!)
- Maria DiCicco
- Aug 26, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
Las Vegas to many is a city of sin, a no-fly zone for bringing children, and a hub for bright lights and big money. But peel back the layers of the very complex onion, and there is a certain allure to the kitsch of it all - the over-the-top, larger than life depictions of real life places, and the fantasy behind it.
Roller coasters roar in and out of hotel buildings, musicians and magicians take the big stages, and international cuisine invites foodies and oenophiles to take tasting adventures. Las Vegas is a playground for all ages.
Here I've compiled a list of some of the coolest Las Vegas hotels, ones that I like to seek out when I visit simply for the feeling of globetrotting without leaving US soil.
These themed Las Vegas hotels are a perfect introduction to traveling the world, and I've even shared links out to info on their real-life counterparts, should you feel so inspired to book a trip abroad.
Note: Always Pack Tissues represents many tried and tested travel sites as what is called an 'affiliate' partner. That means if you click on my ads I may get a commission from a resulting sale. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For information on how this may impact your privacy rights, please consult my privacy policy.
In a hurry? This article covers the coolest Las Vegas Hotels inspired by global adventures. Check them out for their attractions and shows, spend the night or visit to transport yourself to another country!
Best Themed Hotels in Vegas
Most Popular Las Vegas Shows
(From this List of Themed Hotels):
The Bellagio: Cirque du Soleil's "O"
Mandalay Bay: Cirque Du Soleil's Michael Jackson One
Sahara Hotel: The Magic Mike Show and MJ Live Michael Jackson show
Treasure Island: Cirque Du Soleil Mystere
Rio Hotel: Penn & Teller and Chippendales
Luxor: Blue Man Group or Carrot Top show
Best Las Vegas Deals:
Best Las Vegas Tickets Discounts: Go City Las Vegas pass
Cheap Las Vegas Hotels under $100: Check these great options in Las Vegas here
Las Vegas Attraction Tickets from This List:
Best Italian Themed Hotels in Las Vegas
Inspired by Venice, Italy
If a slow gondola paddle is what you're after, the Venetian is sure to charm you and your family. The barber pole peppermint sticks (the red and white canal poles) line the lanes along the Venetian canal, which runs in and out of the building. The canal floats past open air piazza dining and shops magnify the atmosphere tenfold. It's a beautiful place to explore.
Also at the Venetian, find Madame Toussad's classic wax museum, the much talked about Sphere, and numerous shows.
Pro tip: save money and do both the gondola and the wax museum with this combo ticket
The Sphere, if you are unfamiliar, is one giant projection ball and event venue offering up immersive shows, concerts and more. Think of it like the IMAX cinedome at your local observatory or science center, but amped up. Feel the movements of the 167K speakers in your seats, and groove to tunes as if you were there live in concert.
Meanwhile, dining at the Venetian is full of opportunity for hearty Italian fare, or light appetizing bites paired with an apertivo. A negroni or aperol spritz perhaps? Let your worries wash away in absolutely tantalizing plazas, and choose from the below options when you are ready to eat:
Wakuda
Cote
Brera Osteria
Bouchon
Buddy V's Ristorante
Mercato della Pescheria
Canonita
Grimaldi's Pizzeria
Trattoria Reggiano
Inspired by Rome, Italy
Another Italian gem, Caesar's is known for its hot shows at the Colosseum and the infamous Forum Shops. With a second Nobu location, the Forum food hall and Pronto by Giada, this makes for a great home base with Italian flair.
Inspired byLake Como, Italy
The Bellagio's claim to fame here is the regular fountain show in front of the building, along with its famous Chihuly glass ceiling, which is quite the spot for photos.
The Bellagio is also one of several partners offering packages for the annual Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix event, which comes up the weekend before Thanksgiving each year. If you frequently read my blog, you may have recently seen my Northern Italy road trip itinerary, which highlights what to do for foodies and formula 1 lovers in the Northern Italian areas surrounding Emilia-Romagna.
Because Bellagio, the actual city, is located not far from the places I mention called Monza and Modena (home to Enzo Ferrari), visiting the hotel is a great nod to the real thing if you are into celebrating Formula 1.
In addition to the fountain show, people often flock to the Bellagio for their indoor conservatory botanical gardens, which I hear are pretty spectacular around the holidays, too. Don't leave without getting tickets to see Cirque du Soleil's "O".
Opt in for fountain view dining options while you are there, or if you are a guest, enjoy the essence of Lake como at Como poolside cafe and bar.
Best Asian Themed Vegas Hotel
Inspired by Myanmar
The pool is definitely a draw here at this tropical hotel, where you can also walk through a shark reef aquarium tunnel or see Cirque Du Soleil's Michael Jackson One (get your tickets here).
Grab some stellar east asian cuisine at Kumi, or opt for less pricey eats at Noodle Shop, which serves up delicious pan-asian food.
Best African Themed Vegas Hotels
Inspired by Cairo, Egypt
This classic Egyptian themed Las Vegas hotel is a sight to behold, inside and out. The hotel is literally built like a pyramid, complete with all the trappings you may want to see in Cairo, maybe sans a few camels. While you are there, check out the Blue Man Group, Carrot Top show, Titanic Exhibit, Bodies Exhibit and more. For a good Mexican meal, check out Diablo's Cantina.
Inspired by Marrakesh, Morocco
There's a lot of hip action going on in the evenings at the Sahara hotel, and it's not belly dancers. The Magic Mike show (get tickets here) has taken up residence here, as well as the MJ Live Michael Jackson show (get tickets here). That should prove a good time for sure!
Get some intriguing eats at Jose Andres' popular spot called Bazaar Meat, or get some elevated cocktails at the Casbar or Tangier lounges.
Pro tip: take the monorail down the strip from here to Paris, Caesar's Palace and more!
Fun Las Vegas Hotels for Families
Inspired by Paris, France
Head to the top of the Eiffel Tower for views of the desert and the strip (get tickets here), or wander the Parisian shops and streets from air conditioned comfort.
With restaurants like Nobu, La Creperie and Mon Ami Gabi French restaurant, you'll feel transported to France in no time.
Inspired by French Polynesia
With a little less grandeur and lot more relaxation, the Tahiti Village Resort is not on the same par as some of the above hotels, and that's ok. Stay in comfortable lodging with an outrageous sand entry pool and lazy river, and enjoy classic arcade games, poolside shaved ice, tiki bars and more.
A little south of the strip, this calmer hotel won't see many people passing through, just guests. It's super close to the airport and the south premium outlets, which I loved shopping at on my last visit. Like this hotel, the south outlets are a little more '90s and little less glam-futuristic.
Best yet - kids love playing in the sand by the pool, and in the summer months you may luck into a luau show!
Inspired by Rio de Janiero, Brazil
This Brazilian themed Vegas hotel has a quirky and colorful pool, and fun Mexican cuisine by Guy Fieri at El Burro Borracho. Although I'm honestly intrigued how the real Rio comes into play with these dining options, I'm happy to see them nonetheless. Check out their amazing Asian eats at:
Nama Nama (street food style sushi)
Shogun Ramen
KJ Dim Sum (legit dumplings, cart service!)
Kang's Kitchen (Korean BBQ with tabletop grills)
Royal India Buffet
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention their upper crust wine tasting cellar, which feels like something out of a vineyard in Napa, and after all that food, go ahead and check out the Penn & Teller and Chippendales shows for evening entertainment.
Inspired by New York City, USA
Walk around Times Square, get some Irish pub food, hop on the Big Apple Roller Coaster (get tickets here) or savor some New York Italian food at Il Fornaio.
The NYNY food hall will give you all the vibes and cheap, fast eats if you are wanting to keep on the move.
Inspired by madness, and maybe the Ringling Brothers
An admittedly aged but ever so classic hotel in Las Vegas, it seems like a must to at least peek into Circus, Circus. Expect carnival style games, rides and attractions and on theme restaurants like Big Top Eats and Circus Buffet.
Inspired by the classic pirate tale!
I may be very alone in this, but I still remember the Treasure Island movie from the 1990's. It's called Treasure Island: The Adventure Begins, and it was a made for TV movie (about 47 min runtime) that highlighted the Las Vegas Treasure Island Hotel.
The kid was on vacation with his parents and he followed a strange somebody into a ballroom from the Cirque Du Soleil Mystere show (still running by the way, get tickets here).
Somehow he happens upon adventure, with pirates and danger afoot. It was a perfect backdrop and advertisement for the no longer running pirate ship show, even though the pirate theming is still a major draw to this hotel.
I loved this movie, and I think it's a great representation of 1990's Las Vegas. Luckily, the hotel really hasn't changed much, and you can still enjoy pirate vibes and a cool arcade.
I personally recommend a fun night of karaoke at Gilley's saloon style bar, where I may or may not have rocked the house down with my amazing vocal prowess.
Pro tip: FlixBus has a bus stop near Treasure Island, perfect for cheap bus tickets from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and 40 other nationwide locations!
Inspired by fairytales of the Knights of the Round Table
Finally, we have the fairytale castle Excalibur, where you can feast with your hands and see horses and jousting at the Tournament of Kings, or hang out with your kids in the Fun Dungeon arcade.
Onsite you can also find a Johnny Rockets and a Buca di Beppo, both affordable and great for the family.
Fun Hotels in Vegas Start with a Great Theme
Fun hotels in Vegas require over the top vibes. Stay at these deliciously kitschy hotels on and off the strip in Las Vegas and you'll be saying "Viva Las Vegas" in no time!
Just remember , not all of these hotels are stellar to stay at, despite the price point, and you'll need to read up on reviews. Some may simply be better for dining or shows, or just for a walk-through to experience the essence of traveling without leaving the country.
A lot of the properties in Las Vegas have also teamed up recently with Marriott, so be sure to check on your Marriott points status to see if you can leverage them for your stay.Â
Happy travels!
