Given this, if you're a gay traveler to Vegas aiming to experience at least some of the city's gay scene, does it make more sense to stay at a hotel on the Strip or away from it?
Well, the answer to this questions depends on several factors. Here's a discussion of pros and cons on where to stay in Vegas, depending on what your objectives are in visiting America's most outrageous city. Here are a few different common Vegas visitor profiles and scenarios. See which of these you identify closest with, and consider the advice that follows:
Profile A: The Vegas Virgin: You're traveling with a significant other and have never been here before, and you're aiming to see all the major attractions and casinos. You wouldn't mind checking out a couple of gay bars, but this is a minor aspect of your trip.
Advice: Stay right on the Strip. You won't need a car to get around, and you'll be steps from all the major resort casinos and even one gay club (Krave). Best bets for accommodations include THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, Four Seasons, Bellagio, and Venetian if money is no object, and New York-New York and Luxor for more moderate budgets.
Profile B: The Party Monster: Viva Gay Las Vegas: You're single and/or traveling with party-minded friends. You may have been to Vegas before, but either way, you're keen on hitting plenty of gay clubs and potentially being around fellow gay travelers.
Advice: Stay near but off the Strip. If you're a hard-core gay-getter, you might stay at the city's only all-gay resort, the recently renovated Blue Moon Resort, in which case you'll want to rent a car. Another good bet is the Hard Rock Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, a hip, upscale property on Paradise Road that's near the Strip and within walking distance of the so-called "Fruit Loop", a small circuit of popular gay bars that includes Freezone, Gipsy, Buffalo, and some others.
Profile C: The Outdoorsy Romantic: You're traveling with a significant other and plan to visit the Strip here and there to check out the cool restaurants, see a show or two, and maybe gamble for a bit. But mostly you're seeking a luxurious, relaxed getaway in the desert that's convenient to the action but safely away from the madding crowds.
Advice: Rent a car, and stay on the outskirts of Vegas, either in the Lake Las Vegas or Summerlin areas. Head to the Strip when you want to, but enjoy some peace and quiet back at your hotel 10 to 15 miles away. In Lake Las Vegas, the gay-friendly Ritz-Carlton and Loews hotels offer cushy, refined digs, as does nearby Green Valley Ranch Resort, in Henderson - this area is also within a short drive of the gay beach and recreational activities at Lake Mead. In or near Summerlin, on the far west side of Vegas, you can choose among the ritzy J.W. Marriott, the chic and relatively new Red Rock Casino Resort, or the more affordable but still pleasant Suncoast Hotel. Out here, you're a bounty of high-end restaurants and shops and also within an easy drive of the great hiking at Red Rock Canyon and - a bit farther afield - Mt. Charleston.
Profile D: The Non-Gamer: An increasingly common presence in Las Vegas, you're the kind of traveler who loves hanging out on the Strip to see shows, eat well, shop, and people-watch, but you have no interest in gambling and would still rather spend your nights at a slightly quieter thought still attractive property.
Advice: Stay at one a handful of excellent properties within a walk or short cab ride of the Strip that are either nongaming or have small casinos. Good bets include the beautifully designed Renaissance Las Vegas (with its retro-hip Rat Pack-inspired design), the swank new Platinum Las Vegas, or the low-keyed but luxurious Westin Casuarina.
Profile E: The Shoestring Traveler: You're counting pennies and simply need a roof over your head and a relatively comfy bed (that may or may not have a frighteningly garish bedspread).
Advice: consider one of the low-cost off-Strip casino resorts in town. I don't care how broke you are - avoid the downtown properties unless you're into a low-rolling, hard-core gaming scene. Most of these places are dreary, although if I had to recommend one that's clean and pleasant, it's Main Street Station. Better bets for casino resorts that offer great rates, decent-enough rooms, and relative proximity not just to the Strip but many of the city's gay bars include the cheap but surprisingly well-kept Sam's Town (a favorite with locals), the Orleans Hotel & Casino, the Suncoast (mentioned above), or Boulder Station.
Of course, you may be a cross of two or more of the above profiles, or you might simply wish to combine two or more of the above strategies in designing your own perfect Vegas vacation. Just keep in mind that while the city does have about 15 gay bars and an fast-growing gay population, it's a fabulous destination because of all the fabulous mainstream attractions, not because of the particularly lively gay scene. If you're a single on the make or are otherwise vacationing alone, Vegas ranks among one of the least promising major gay destinations in the country. In this scenario, you'd very likely feel lonely and lost, as the vast majority of Vegas visitors travel here with significant others or friends in tow.
The good news is that Las Vegas continues to become more progressive and gay-friendly every year, and for the most part, GLBT travelers will encounter as warm a welcome here as they would in any big U.S. city. And, of course, the caliber of concerts and shows in Vegas ranks among the best in the world. So pick your ideal lodging, and come to Vegas!
