Caesars Palace Las Vegas Review for December 2024

Caesars Palace has a colossal presence on the Las Vegas Strip and is an iconic landmark. 

Situated slap bang in the middle, the sheer square footage of the resort is immense, never mind the imposing Roman architecture of its towers and buildings.

For a new visitor, Caesars Palace can actually feel quite intimidating. There’s an element of ‘where you do you start?’ when looking at the sprawling grounds in which it sits.

But is that still the case when you go inside to the hotel and casino? There’s only one way to find out so I went along to review it. 

The original Caesars Palace opened its doors in August 1966. However, it looked vastly different to the mega-resort that we see today.

Despite continual expansion and development, the theming has remained the same. When built, it was aimed at creating an ‘opulent facility that gave guests a sense of life during the Roman Empire.’

Some of the authenticity of the theming has been questioned, with many suggesting it is more of a Hollywood recreation of Ancient Rome rather than a true reflection of it. It is still hugely impressive, though. 

Even just walking around the exterior I kept finding new and fabulous pieces of art and architecture around the grounds. From the infamous Colosseum, the sky-blue fountains, stunning replica statues and even a four-faced, eight-handed Brahma shrine.

When it came to naming the resort, the objective was to create an atmosphere where everyone would feel like a ‘Caesar.’ That is why there is no apostrophe in the name. It is not Caesar’s Palace, it is Caesars Palace where we all, in theory, should be treated like emperors. 

Location

Caesars Palace is positioned centre Strip, right next door to its neighbouring Las Vegas icon, the Bellagio. Mirage, soon to be Hard Rock, is on the other side.

It occupies such a grand estate that it sits opposite not just one hotel but four! Cromwell, Flamingo, The LINQ, and Harrah’s are all opposite, as is the LINQ Promenade featuring the enormous High Roller Ferris Wheel. 

Better still, there are handy pedestrian bridges linking to the Bellagio and Flamingo over the road. You really can’t get more central in Las Vegas.

If you want to venture further north or south on the Strip, your best option is the use the Las Vegas monorail which has stations at Flamingo and Harrah’s opposite. 

The monorail will take you as far south as MGM Grand and as far north as Sahara, and a day pass costs $15. 

It’s also worth mentioning that both neighbouring properties offer free but limited monorail services too. At Bellagio you can catch the Aria Express Tram that connects Bellagio, Vdara, Park MGM, The Shops at Crystals and Aria.

Meanwhile Mirage offers a one-stop monorail to its neighbouring property TI (Treasure Island).

Caesars Palace falls into Zone 3 of the fixed rate taxi fee from Harry Reid International Airport so will cost a flat fee of $29 plus tip. If you travel by car, you’ll find plenty of parking on site, with fees ranging from $15 - $25 per night depending on days. 

If you think the outside of Caesars Palace is impressive then just wait until you see the inside too. 

Viewing the casino for the first time, my eyes didn’t know where to look first. I stepped out of the hotel lobby and was hit with the sights and sounds of slot machines, table games, loud cheers from a busy craps table and it just seemed to spread in every direction.

With one of the biggest casino floors in Las Vegas at 124,181 square feet, there isn’t so much as a casino floor at Caesars Palace, more of a casino river. 

Looking left and right, I could see a large circular domed area, almost like an island, full of live table games, while the slots just seemed to flow down either side of it and I couldn’t see an end to them.

However lively and loud, the games were surrounded by Roman statues, pillars, and intricate neo-classical architecture on all the walls and ceilings. 

In order to make a full lap of the casino, I had to weave through various different sized areas passing restaurants, bars, shops, a huge replica Statue of David, the sportsbook, and the famous Colosseum theatre too. It felt quite difficult to get my bearings at first, but also very Vegasy, if there is such a thing.

Looking at the floor plan of Caesars, there are two distinct casino areas – the Palace Casino and the Forum Casino – but, in reality, they just kind of flow into each other and around their surroundings. 

One big plus side to the scale of the Caesars Palace casino, though, is plenty of choice when it comes to gambling. Which is always a good thing in my books. 

Table Games Selection

With over 180 live table games, Caesars has one of the biggest selections in Vegas. 

All the popular games are dealt here - blackjack, baccarat, craps, and roulette -    with some interesting poker pit and card games too.

The Caesars Palace poker room has 18 tables and is open 24/7 every day. It deals cash games and no-limit hold’em tournaments with buy-ins from $100 to $1000. 

Classic table games:

• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Craps
• Baccarat
• Three Card Poker

Variants: 

• Pai Gow Poker
• Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker
• Let it Ride Poker
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em
• Gamblit Poker
• Gamblit Gaming – Cannonbeard’s Treasure

The table minimums at Caesars Palace start at $15, but these are limited and usually just during quieter periods. I saw more tables at $25 minimum and higher during my visit. Most blackjack was 6:5, but I found some higher stake games at 3:2.

Slots

If, like me, you love your slots, then you’re going to find plenty of things to love about gambling at Caesars Palace. They have more than 1,300 slot games to choose from and, as I’ve already mentioned, they appear everywhere!

From traditional three-reel penny slots, electronic gaming tables, to newly developed ultra-modern video slot machines, you’ll find it all here and more. 

The most popular games in Vegas are available at Caesars such as:

• Wheel of Fortune
• Buffalo
• Dragon Link
• Prosperity Pearl
• Huff n More Puff
• Dancing Drums
• Dollar Storm

I had a great win on the Dragon Link Panda Magic slot, hitting a $500 Minor progressive, so I left Caesars Palace with a big smile on my face. 

It wasn’t as big as the smile of the most recent big winner at Caesars Palace though I bet. In April 2024 it was reported that one winner hit four huge jackpots totalling $536,830 in a three-hour casino visit betting $25 a spin on Dragon Link.

Bar-Top Gaming

Remember when I said that slots and games are everywhere in Caesars Palace? This also goes for bar-top gaming.

I found bar-top gaming available in at least seven different bars in Caesars and I didn’t even get around them all. If you want to play, take your pick from the Lobby Bar, Galleria Bar, Apostrophe Bar, Stadia Bar, Sportsbook Bar, Alto Bar, and even the Montecristo Cigar Bar. 

If you’re not a bar-top gamer but want to be, just pull up a chair at one of the machines, insert your cash and choose a game. There’s usually a choice of video poker, blackjack, keno, and some limited slot games too. 

Bar top gaming should entitle you to comped drinks when you play, but it’s always worth asking your bartender to confirm. Then just enjoy your game and make the most of the comp drinks that flow. 

Different bars have varying systems for how comp drinks are given. Some are based on bartender discretion (so always be nice to them) or others are based on a green light or ticket system. Again, just ask. 

I put $20 in at the sportsbook bar and played some bar-top blackjack. When I lost it, I put in another $20 and was offered a comped drink. Frequency of drinks may vary depending on the bartender (and probably their mood), but if you’re playing, you shouldn’t be paying. 

Caesars Palace Sportsbook

Caesars Palace offers a really fun space to enjoy sports and sports betting, and it is easily one of the best sportsbooks on the Strip. 

The wall of sport is a spectacle in itself but then add in the cool curved bar and luxury seating too and you’ll see why it’s so popular.

Sports of all types are shown on the custom-built 143' HD LED screen while a team of Caesars sportsbook staff take your bets from the kiosks underneath.

There are also electronic terminals to take your bet too if you prefer.

I spent some time at the sportsbook, mostly playing bar top games, but also tried out the seating too. I have to say I really enjoyed it. The atmosphere was lively, the screens were excellent quality, the seats really comfortable and I’d definitely come back to watch more sport here. It was comparable to sportsbooks in Vegas’ brand new casinos. 

I asked if they served food, and I was told that they didn’t but that I could get food from the nearby Forum Food Hall and bring it back. A quick trip to Difara Pizza and I enjoyed a slice of pepperoni pizza watching some soccer – perfect! 

Waitress Service

The Las Vegas waitress service is one of the big perks of visiting Sin City and something even the best online casinos can't replicate. Being served complimentary drinks as you win big is the dream, is it not?

Well, it’s not just a dream, it actually does happen. Just not always with the accompanying big win unfortunately. 

Waitresses circulate through the casino offering complimentary drinks while you gamble. The great news is it doesn’t matter how much you’re betting. So, you can be placing 50 cent bets, or 50-dollar bets and you can still get free drinks. 

The downside is that waitress service varies hugely between casinos, while you may get offered non-stop drinks in one property, you may struggle to get offered one in a different casino. 

It mostly depends on how understaffed the casino is, whether it’s quiet or busy, and often where you’re actually positioned on the casino floor.

A trick is to sit in a high foot-fall area or close to where the waitresses access the casino, then you’ll be on their radar. The best tip though is to tip well. If you make it worth their while, they’ll certainly come back, and then everyone’s a winner. 

You can ask for beers, wines, spirits, cocktails, or soft drinks. If you’re not sure what they have, just ask. I always tip between $2 - $5 per drink depending on what I order. 

At Caesars Palace, I’ve had both good and bad experiences. In my last visit, I was offered one drink in the casino, but I was gambling long enough to get more. On previous visits I have been offered several though, so I would probably categorise it as inconsistent.

High Limit Gaming at Caesars Palace Casino

The Palace Court tables room is as luxurious as you’d expect with extravagant Italian artwork on the walls, a large domed ceiling, and lavish furnishings. 

Both the tables and the dealers are immaculate and, if you have the budget to play here, then you’ll be hard pushed to find better surroundings or service in Las Vegas. 

I had a quick glance in and could see blackjack, roulette, and craps available here and the lowest table minimum I could see was $500. There may have been lower ones, I just didn’t see them. But it’s safe to say that this is a place for high rollers only.

The Palace Court Slots area is on the opposite side of the casino and has the same opulent surroundings as the high limit table area. A big domed ceiling, with classically decorated walls and intricate finishing. 

There’s a lot of slots available to play including some of the older three-reel games as well as the most up-to-date slots too. 

You can bet anything from $5 plus, so this is one high-limit area that is more accessible to mid-level gamblers too. There’s nothing wrong with experiencing a bit of the glitz and glamour while you’re in Sin City.

Cash and Payment Options 

Although almost everything in Vegas can be paid for electronically these days, this is not the case when it comes to gambling.

On the casino floor, cash is king. That means you will pay cash when you buy in at tables and you’ll insert cash into the slots too.

Try and bring your gambling budget with you if you can. Casino ATM machines can charge as much as $10 per withdrawal so can be costly, and Caesars Palace is certainly no exception to that. 

Winnings are paid in cash too; you just need to visit the cashiers cage if you’re redeeming chips. While slot machines pay out a ticket known as a TITO (ticket in, ticket out) which you then exchange for cash at the cage or a redemption machine. Some online casinos can be very good in this regard, but best fast payout casinos are the ones with actual doors. 

When Caesars Palace first opened it was one tower accommodating around 600 rooms. Over the years it has developed and expanded and now offers just under 4,000 rooms spread across five separate towers. 

The result of this is not only a huge complex with a humongous ground space, but, in truth, a bit of a confusing and awkward layout.

With towers all at different heights, some facing east/west and others facing north/south, it really is a bit of a mish mash. It also means that room types vary greatly, not necessarily in terms of standards, but very much with size, location, and view.

However confusing, it is a staggeringly beautiful and iconic presence on the Strip, and I wanted to see for myself what it’s like to stay there. 

Caesars Palace Rooms

When I went to book a room at Caesars Palace I was overwhelmed with the amount of choice on offer. 

After selecting my dates, I could choose from rooms in the Julius Tower, Palace Tower, Octavius Tower, Colosseum Tower and even the Nobu.

The Nobu is a boutique hotel owned by Robert DeNiro and chef Nobu Matsuhisa, that sits on the grounds of Caesars Palace in what used to be the Centurion Tower. 

I was also offered Strip view, fountain view (for the Bellagio Fountains), pool view, deluxe rooms, luxury rooms, premium studios, and executive suites. I felt like I could spend all day just choosing my room.

I ended up going for the cheapest option, a Julius Deluxe King Room as I think you can tell a lot from the basic room standards in a hotel.

My first thought when I entered the room was that it was attractive but a bit cosy. At only 360 square feet, it's one of the smaller rooms I’ve stayed in while in Vegas, but it was nevertheless pretty and bright.

The Julius Tower was actually the original tower that opened in 1966 and used to be called the Roman Tower until a 2016 rebrand. When it opened, 360 square feet would have been considered a large room size, which explains the sizing.

The décor was mostly neutral tones, browns, and creams although there was a little flash of yellow in the soft furnishings. The main bedroom area had a king-sized bed, two bedside cabinets, a unit with some draws, wardrobe, and a desk area. 

The bathroom was comparatively big though, with a large walk-in shower, his and hers sinks, and a pleasing glass and stone finish. 

I found all the usual amenities, safe, hairdryer, iron/ironing board and some nice Apotheke toiletries in the bathroom too.

I had a view overlooking the rear of the property, so could see some of the pool area, which was lovely to look out on. Plus, because I’d booked the most central tower, it was easily accessible to the casino below. 

However, be warned that if you book a room in a less central tower, such as the rear of the Palace Tower or Octavius Tower, it can take up to ten minutes just to access the Strip. 

If you want to bring along a furry friend to enjoy Vegas, then pet-friendly rooms are offered at Caesars Palace. A maximum of two dogs up to 50lbs each are allowed for $100 per night, plus a refundable nightly $100 incidental deposit.

Bars

Caesars Palace is jam-packed with swanky bars and nightlife and is an absolute hive of activity on weekends.

There are too many bars for me to review in detail, so I’ll just go over a few of my personal favourites:

• Galleria Bar – immersive casino bar with bar top gaming   
• Vista Cocktail Lounge – stylish bar with hand-crafted cocktails
• Sportsbook bar– casual and fun with great sports views
• Purple Zebra – outside patio bar with frozen fruit cocktails

One of the big hits at Caesars Palace is Vanderpump cocktail garden. Vanderpump has the beauty of a garden oasis mixed with the style of a high-end nightclub and you can enjoy handcrafted cocktails and light bites. I recommend the ‘Please Her, Caesar’ cocktail, it’s gorgeous.

Omnia Nightclub is also worth a mention here, as although it’s not my scene personally, it is one of the hottest tickets in Vegas. With three lounges, including a rooftop garden, a kinetic chandelier that apparently transforms to the beat of the music and actual aerialists that serve bottle service from the ceiling, it sounds incredible – if that’s your type of thing. 

Buffets and Restaurants

You can eat all kinds of cuisine at Caesars Palace, whatever your palate and your budget, there’s something for all.

Up-scale restaurants include Nobu, Restaurant Guy Savoy, Peter Luger Steak House, Mr Chow, Stanton Social Prime, Brasserie B and Amalfi. 

Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen can also be considered high-end to a point. Situated just outside of Caesars, right on the Strip front, the restaurant is inspired by the Brit’s successful TV series. 

The famous red and blue kitchens dish up signature dishes such as Beef Wellington and Sticky Toffee Pudding. I’ve tried both, and while the Wellington was a little too rare for me, the Sticky Toffee Pudding is to die for. 

Ramsey also has a more casual dining option within Caesars Palace which is Gordon Ramsey Pub and Grill. Other casual options include Café Americano in the hotel lobby and Beijing Noodle No. 9. 

You can also get speciality food to go from Pronto by Giada, Dominique Ansel (bakery) and Brioche by Guy Savoy.

The Bacchanal Buffet is one of the most famous buffets in the world and is open 9am – 3pm every day with all different types of cuisines.

With open kitchens creating continual fresh and delicious food and serving counters spread over two rooms, it's a real sight to behold. I went along during the Crab Brunch session and was astounded by the seafood selection. It is pricey, though, so be aware of that. 

If quick eats are more your thing, then the Forum Food Hall has options including Bobby’s Burger, Chicken Guy, Difara Pizza, Starbucks and the Halal Guys. 

Shows and Entertainment

The Colosseum is the most famous Caesars Palace venue and has a reputation for attracting the biggest names in entertainment.

Recent headliners include Adele, The Killers, Rod Stewart, Garth Brooks, and Jerry Seinfeld, while previous residencies have included Celine Dion and Elton John. 

The iconic venue holds just over 4,000 seats but what makes it so special is the rounded intimate setting. The furthest seat is only 145ft from the stage, so every seat offers fabulous views and a really immersive VIP experience. 

Caesars Palace is also home to Absinthe, an adult-only show, with raunchy comedy, acrobatics, burlesque, and breathtaking feats of danger with the audience as close to the action as you can possibly get. 

Caesars Palace Pool

Named the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, the Caesars Palace pool complex is one of the best in Las Vegas. It is absolutely stunning and includes seven unique pools to choose from.

Walking into the complex, I was immediately struck by the Temple Pool, a circular pool with a large Roman statue in the middle of it. The pool is surrounded by greenery and large, impressive architecture and pillars, offering an incredibly unique sunbathing experience. 

The Neptune Pool is just beside it, which is the largest pool and is flanked with Roman pillars either side – it really needs to be seen to be believed.

The Apollo and Jupiter Pools are a little more relaxed, while the Venus Pool is for adults only. 

If you want to play blackjack in your swimsuit (who doesn’t?), then the Fortuna Pool has swim-up tables at which you can play. And finally, the Bacchus Pool is exclusively for invited guests and celebrities only.

Hotel guests do get complimentary access to the pool complex, but if you’re not staying at the property, you can still reserve a day bed for an additional fee.

Luxury cabanas and daybeds can also be hired by all guests and food and drink is available to order around all of the pools.

Caesars Palace Spa

The Qua Baths and Spa is one of the very best in Las Vegas. Like everything else at Caesars, it is themed long Roman lines which relaly does work well with a spa. 

The facility includes a stunning Roman Baths, an Arctic Ice Room, massage rooms, couples rooms, facials, and a lot more. 

An attached fitness center completes the wellness check-list. 

Caesars Rewards is one of the best casino loyalty programs you’ll find in Las Vegas, or anywhere else for that matter.

The biggest advantage is that the program is linked across all Caesars properties, so it’s not restricted to one resort.

When you join Caesars Rewards you can earn, and redeem, points at Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, Paris, Horseshoe, Cromwell, Flamingo, LINQ, and Harrah’s. And that’s just in Las Vegas.

You can also make use of Caesars Rewards at all Caesars owned properties across 50 destinations in the US, such as Caesars Atlantic City. Better still, you only need one card for them all.

To sign up, just go along to any Caesars Rewards desk at any Caesars property. You must be 21 or over and have some photographic ID. 

Once you receive your card, use it whenever you spend money in a Caesars resort. That means when you’re gambling, shopping, dining, drinking, or booking shows. The more points you build, the more benefits you can receive. 

As well as receiving Reward Credits which can be used to claim perks, you’ll also get Tier Credits which help you climb the tiers and access a bigger range of rewards. The tiers and benefits are summarized below.

• Gold (0 – 4,000 Tier credits) – Free or discounted hotel stays, turn Rewards Credits into free slot play
• Platinum (5,000 – 14,999 Tier credits) – all of the above plus complimentary valet parking, and a monthly $10 Caesars bonus bet
• Diamond (15,000 – 24,999 Tier credits) -  all of the above plus $100 celebration dinner and waived resort fees
• Diamond Plus (25,000 – 74,999 Tier credits) - all of the above plus guaranteed rooms with 72 hours’ notice and access to VIP lounge 
• Diamond Elite (75,000 – 149,999 Tier credits) – all of the above plus airfare credit of up to $600
• Seven Stars (150,000 + Tier credits) – all of the above plus VIP host, complimentary annual retreat including airfare

Although some of these tiers might seem unachievable to most, the important thing is not to get too obsessed with them. You can receive fantastic benefits even on the lowest level. 

I’m currently on the third tier, Diamond, and receive comped stays in Las Vegas with no resort fees. But I was receiving complimentary stays even at Gold level. 

Should you join Caesars Rewards?

The short answer is, yes! I’m a big fan of rewards programs. I get lots of good stuff from them, so why wouldn’t I be?

For me, joining a rewards program is basically like getting cash back or a discount on your spend. You’re going to spend that money anyway, on gambling or dining or shopping so why not get something back in return?

As long as you don’t get obsessed with climbing the tiers and spend more money than you want trying to do so, then it’s all good. 

Caesars Rewards is particularly good because it covers all Caesars properties. This is ideal for someone like me who likes to casino hop and visit different resorts. 

Reward Credits are earned by all types of spending, but the number of points you receive for each varies. You earn one Reward Credit for every $1 spent on hotel stays, shopping, dining, and amenities such as spa treatments. 

For gambling, Caesars state you earn at least one Reward Credit for every $5 you play on a reel slot machine and every $10 played on video poker. If you’re a live keno player, then you earn one Reward Credit for every $3 wagered.

It’s a little more vague when it comes to table games as it depends on the type of game you are playing, your average bet and how long you play. But I would still always advise handing over your Caesars Reward card to your dealer.

If you enjoy sports betting, then you can earn Caesars Rewards points that way too, both by betting at a Caesars sportsbook or online. As a general rule, you get ten Rewards Credits for every $100 you bet, but it can differ per bet.

It’s not often you get to stay and gamble somewhere that is truly iconic. There can’t be many people in the world who haven’t heard of Caesars Palace Las Vegas. (And if you’re one of them, I don’t think we can be friends).

I have to admit to being slightly apprehensive that in reality it wouldn’t live up to expectations. 

The verdict is: in some ways it surpassed them and in other ways, the jury is still out. 

In terms of the grounds, the surroundings, the opulent décor, and finish, I loved it. It was exactly what I’d hoped it would be. The same goes for the bars and restaurants that seamlessly blend with the decadence of the resort.

The pool complex is out of this world, and I loved the sportsbook too. 

Although my room was on the small-side and not as impressive as I hoped, it was still pleasant and comfortable. It could be that my expectations are on the high side after staying in other mega-resorts in Vegas. I also chose the basic room too. Others are no doubt spectacular. 

For me, what lets Caesars Palace down is the layout, and, dare I say it, the smokiness of the casino. 

I’m used to people smoking in casinos, so that isn’t a problem, but there didn’t seem to be a sufficient air-filtration system in place, meaning the general air quality felt quite heavy and smoky. 

It’s also so spread out that it feels a bit messy, and the lack of natural lighting didn’t help either.

It could be that I just hit the casino on a particularly busy day, or I sat in a less ventilated part of the casino, but it did impact my enjoyment.

All-in-all, I did enjoy my stay at Caesars Palace and I’m glad I visited. I will definitely return. But I think I might spend a little less time in the casino if I find it as smoky next time. It’s not a problem though, Caesars is so central and connected that there’s plenty of other options close by.