Las Vegas, also popularly known as The Sin City is famous for its casinos and grand hotels. Thus, selecting a hotel among the plethora of hotels could be a tough task. On my last visit to Las Vegas, I stayed at Circus Circus and The Palazzo.
Palazzo Hotel Review
Circus Circus Hotel History
Circus Circus is an iconic and long-standing hotel in Las Vegas. Circus Circus opened on October 18, 1968, and was the flagship casino of Circus Circus Enterprises. It is currently owned and operated by MGM Resorts International. Circus Circus sits in the record books for being the largest permanent circus in the world.
Circus Circus gained popularity after some shots of the James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever were shot in the hotel. It has also featured in other popular movies like Baby Geniuses, Damnation Alley, Austin Powers, Honey I Blew Up The Kid, and Corvette Summer. It is also part of the popular video game GTA: San Andreas.
Circus Circus Hotel Review
Hotels in Las Vegas have different themes. Circus Circus Hotel, as the name suggests, is built on a Circus theme. Now, you would wonder a circus theme is ideal for kids but Las Vegas is more of adults’ playground. Circus Circus is one of the very few kid-friendly hotels in Las Vegas. So, if you are traveling with kids then it is a good hotel to stay in. There are plenty of activities to keep the kids occupied.
Kids Friendly
Circus Circus’ Adventuredome is an instant hit among the kids. There are rides, games, and activities for all age groups here. Kids can play Batman and try to defeat the Joker or participate in indoor rock climbing and bungee jumping in the Xtreme Zone. Then there are the roller-coaster rides, Canyon Blaster and El Loco, for the grown-ups. There is also a free water park, with 2 pools and multiple waterslides.
Circus Circus Water Park With Slides
Nothing beats the time-honored tradition of midway games with excellent prizes on offer. The trademark free clown sh0w and circus acts are a kid-pleaser for kids 10 years or younger. There are also clearly marked green-zones designating kids-friendly areas within the hotel.
Location
Circus Circus is located on the very north end of the strip between Hilton Grand and Resorts World. It does feel a bit at the end of the strip with not much to do around it. Nearest attractions are at least a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Of course, it is easy to hail a taxi or board Deuce or SDX buses that frequently run along the strip.
Guide to Deuce and SDX buses in Las Vegas
Rooms and Service
The hotel rooms are situated in the three towers – Main Tower, West Tower, and Skyrise Tower. It is preferable to stay in the Main Tower or West Tower due to their close proximity to the casino and hotel lobby. Skyrise Tower, although close to the pool, is far from the main entrance, casino, and lobby of the hotel.
Circus Circus Hotel Rooms
Circus Circus is a good budget hotel for travelers looking to save on accommodation. Hotel rooms start as low as $20 per night. The rooms though are in the need of some serious uplift. They feel old, dated, and mediocre. They are like other standard 3-star hotel rooms. They can definitely do with an update.
On the contrary, the service is impeccable. The staff is extremely friendly and prompt. When I requested to have the in-room safe opened, the service was quick and friendly.
Casino
Circus Circus Tower
Circus Circus’ casino offers over 40 actions filled table games with cheap hands starting as low as $5. It is also one of the few places in Las Vegas to still offer free gambling lessons. Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, and Slot Machine lessons are given every day from 11 am to 2 pm. Racing and sports fans can watch and bet on their favorite action at the Race & Sports Book. This super-charged hangout area has multiple HD TVs, ranging from 52″ to giant 103″ screens. The next door Slots A Fun is one-of-a-kind destination with a variety of entertainment like an adults arcade, pool tables, bowling, slot machines and more.
Although slightly far from the heart of Las Vegas, Circus Circus is a good option for families traveling with kids on a budget. There are decent activities and attractions within the hotel to keep the kids busy while the adults enjoy Las Vegas as it is meant to be enjoyed.