Aria is an eye-catching modern, sleek, and stylish resort situated right in the centre of the Las Vegas strip. Its spectacular curved glass and steel exterior is, quite simply, a work of art and impresses me every time I see it. 

The resort is the centre point for the contemporary City Center complex which includes other high-end hotels as well as the lavish Crystals shopping mall.

There’s no doubt that Aria’s exterior and surroundings exudes an air of sophistication and prestige, and it is considered a high-end property in Las Vegas. 

But does the hotel and casino inside deliver on that reputation? I went along to take a look. 

Luxor opened October 15, 1993 on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip.

Just 11 days later Treasure Island opened and less than two months later MGM Grand opened as well, giving the Strip three spectacular new themed resorts to enjoy.

Medieval castle themed resort Excalibur had opened three years earlier immediately to the north of Luxor. By the end of the decade, an additional seven themed resorts had been built including Polynesian-style resort Mandalay Bay immediately to the south of Luxor. 

The remit at the time appears to have been to build the most extravagant and extraordinary resort to stand out from the rest. And, when Luxor opened, it certainly did.

The pyramid shape alone was striking and unique and it included the largest atrium in the world by volume. In front of the pyramid was a large recreation of the Great Sphinx of Giza standing 106 feet high, 80 feet wide, and 262 feet long, plus a tall Egyptian style obelisk. Both still stand today.

However, what is no longer there is the 300,000-gallon Karnak Lake which used to house a nightly show. Lasers would shoot out from the eyes of the Sphinx projecting Egyptian imagery onto a 50-foot water screen formed by fountains on the lake. 

The show was only in place for the first two years due to the Federal Aviation Administration ordering a shutdown of all laser light shows within 20 miles of the airport in 1995. 

Another feature that didn’t last long was the indoor Nile River Tour on a 3,000-foot-long waterway that circled the casino. This offered guests a paid 15-minute ride that took them to different parts of the pyramid and passed by pieces of ancient artwork. Unfortunately, it closed in 1996, only lasting three years. 

Although these highly entertaining attractions didn’t stay the course, Luxor to this day still has plenty of entertainment and things to do and see. And although the theming has been reduced significantly, it is still highly visible. 

I remember my first visit to Luxor. I loved all the intricate details and features, it was totally different to anything I’d ever seen, and definitely like nothing I’d ever gambled in.  Sitting playing slots in a pyramid with Egyptian style plinths, statues and architecture all around you is certainly unique. 

Location 

Luxor is located at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, sandwiched between Mandalay Bay and Excalibur.

The three resorts are all linked by internal and external walkways as well as a free tram that runs between them regularly every day.

Neighbour Excalibur is linked to New York-New York with a pedestrian bridge which in turn is connected to MGM Grand by another bridge. Plus, Park MGM is right next door to New York-New York. 

Therefore, although Luxor is sitting a good distance from centre Strip, it is well-connected to lots of other resorts and all of their attractions and casinos.

It takes less than 15 minutes on foot to get to MGM Grand from Luxor, and from there you can access the Las Vegas Monorail. Single ride tickets are available from $5.50 or you can get daily passes up to 7 days and it will take you all the way down the east side of the Las Vegas Strip.  

Stops are available at Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, LINQ, all the way to Sahara, and it is ideal for travelling to the High Roller or for getting up close to the Sphere. 

If you prefer to travel by bus, then the Deuce bus stops directly outside of Luxor and runs the full length of the Strip all the way to Downtown Las Vegas where you can experience the Fremont Street Experience. Buses run every 15 minutes and a single ride costs just $4, but you can get hourly and day passes too. 

Luxor is well positioned for both the Allegiant Stadium and the T Mobile Arena which hosts high profile sports and music events. Both can be accessed within 10 minutes. 

If you are travelling to Luxor from the airport, then it is within Zone 1 of the fixed rate taxi fee from Harry Reid International Airport. So, expect to pay a flat fee of $22 plus tip.

If you’re arriving by car, you’ll find plenty of car parking on site which costs between $18 - $23 per night depending on which night you stay. 

Luxor has a good-sized casino floor at 120,000 square feet, all housed within the pyramid atrium.

The casino is quite dark as there is no natural light, but it is all in one area so it’s fairly easy to navigate.

Around the outside of the casino and above it are a range of restaurants, bars and attractions but the main feature is at the entrance of the casino.

When you first walk into the casino from the front entrance, you’ll see hieroglyphic markings along the stone walls, and you’ll be greeted by two huge Egyptian statues. Underneath them are small water features with more statues on plinths and you walk between them to get on to the casino floor. It is definitely a grand entrance.

Table Games Selection

There are just over 60 live table games at Luxor including all the usual favourites – craps, roulette, blackjack, baccarat and various poker pit games.

The only blackjack I could see on the main floor was 6:5 and this started from $10 minimum bet. 

I played a few hands to check out the playing experience and it was just okay. The table and chairs were in a decent condition, and the dealer was professional but a little flat, personality wise. I prefer more of a busy and lively table personally but that’s just my preference. That’s not to say that it wouldn’t be different on another day or at another table.

I could see both triple zero roulette with a $10 minimum, and double zero roulette with a $20 minimum which seemed a little high. 

Other games in the main floor included 3 Card Poker, Crapless Craps, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and some additional variations in the High Limit Salon.

Classic table games:

• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Craps
• Baccarat 

Variants: 

• 3 Card Poker
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em
• Crapless Craps
• Free Bet Blackjack
• Mini Baccarat

Luxor does not have a poker room. However, Mandalay Bay has one next door. 

If electronic table games are more up your street, then there is a good selection with bet minimums of $3 - $5. 

Slots

With around 1,100 slots at Luxor, there is plenty of variety. Whether you enjoy more traditional three and five reel slots or modern video slots, you are catered for here.

Generally slots are well spaced out, with lots of elbow room to play and the casino has a lively atmosphere. There are some corners of the casino a little more cramped, though. 

I played in an area close to the entrance that was full of Dragon Links and Lightning Link machines which was very crowded. But when I moved further through the casino towards the Mandalay Bay walkway there was a lot more space. 

Some of the most well-known games available to play at Luxor include:

• Buffalo Link
• Huff n’ More Puff
• Dancing Drums
• Mo Mummy
• Sweet Tweet
• Jackpot Carnival
• Wheel of Fortune
• Dragon Link

My luck tends to be mixed at Luxor, but my last visit was very good, hitting five bonuses on five different slots, which was a very welcome run. 

In June 2024, Luxor reportedly paid out $3,200,000 in jackpots with the largest individual win being $20,613. I definitely wasn’t THAT lucky!

Bar-Top Gaming

At least four bars offer bar-top gaming in Luxor. Centra, Aurora, Flight and Playbar all feature bar-top games and can be a great way to spend an afternoon.

Complimentary drinks are offered to visitors playing bar-top games. Just pull up a chair, insert some money and choose from the range of games offered on each machine. Usually this will include video poker, keno, blackjack and a small selection of slots. 

Bars operate different systems when it comes to allocating drinks, but it is usually a light or ticket system. Servers will let you know when you’re due a drink, and what drinks you can order for free. Usually beers, spirits and basic cocktails are included, but don’t forget to tip your server.

There is a BetMGM sportsbook at Luxor which is located to the rear of the casino. It is a good size and includes a handful of large screens plus lots of small screens showing various sports too.

Playbar is directly opposite the sportsbook which also has its own big screens, making it a great option for betting and watching sports. Plus, you can play bar-top games too.

The BetMGM sportsbook offers betting on a full range of sports including pro and college football and basketball, soccer, boxing, hockey, baseball and MMA plus lots more. 

As well as the plasma TV’s, there’s also individual seats with monitors, plus additional comfortable seating and high-top tables too. The sportsbook is smoke-free.

Waitress Service 

If you’re gambling in a Las Vegas casino, then you should be getting complimentary drinks. Waitresses circulate the casino floor offering drinks to gamblers while they play, but the service does differ between resorts.

I have always found the drinks service to be a little hit and miss at Luxor, and it can depend largely on where you’re sitting in the casino. In the busier areas, you should have no problem getting served, but in the quieter areas it can be very hard to get noticed by a waitress.

If you do get asked about drinks, then you can choose from a range of beers, wine, spirts, cocktails and soft drinks. If you’re unsure what to request, just ask your waitress what drinks they do. Make sure you always tip your waitress though, especially if you want them to return!

My go-to drinks are usually a bottle of Angry Orchard cider, a Malibu Bay Breeze or a Pina Colada. If they don’t serve them I generally go for Malibu and diet coke or a beer. I advise tipping between $2 - $5 per drink depending on what you order. 

High Limit Gaming at Luxor Casino 

You’ll find both high-limit table games and high-limit slots in the same lounge at Luxor.

Table games include blackjack, roulette, craps and baccarat and you can find 3:2 blackjack in here. Although the lounge is open 24/7, the table games are only available at peak times.

The high-limit slots are available all day and night though offering some higher denomination versions of the most popular slot games.

The area isn’t particularly large – I would say there’s around 25 - 30 slots in total – but there’s just enough variety. 

Many players are put off from playing in high-limit slot areas as they think they are only for the really big spenders. However, if you are happy to spin at $5 a press, then many games in the high-limit areas start at this level so it’s worth trying out.

Often high-limit areas have some relaxing space, designated waitress service, a quieter environment and separate restrooms too, which the Luxor room has. 

Cash and Payment Options 

Cash is the only real currency on the casino floor when you’re gambling in Las Vegas. It’s not possible to gamble by card at most Vegas casinos, so you need to bring cash with you or withdraw it at the casino ATM’s. Be warned though, withdrawing cash in casino’s usually comes with high transaction fees.

To play slot games, you insert cash straight into the machine and choose your bet level on the game. When it comes to withdrawing cash from the slot, it won’t come out as cash, but a voucher instead. 

The voucher known as a TITO (Ticket In Ticket Out) is the equivalent of cash. It can be inserted into another slot to continue playing or you can redeem it at one of the many machines on the casino floor.

With game tables, the currency is chips and you get your chips by handing cash to your dealer or croupier directly at the table. After you’ve finished playing, you take your chips to the cashier desk to swap for cash. 

When first built, Luxor only had the pyramid building which housed 2,526 rooms. Three years later, it expanded, opening two new 22 storey hotel towers that sit just north of the pyramid, bringing their guest room total to 4,407.

The general impression of Luxor these days is that it is more towards the value end of accommodation in Las Vegas rather than the high-end. Many rooms were renovated in 2021 though, with hand-me-down yet high-quality furniture from Bellagio. 

If you want to bring your four-legged friend with you to Vegas, then Luxor does offer dog-friendly rooms. Up to two dogs are allowed and they come with an additional fee of $50 per night, per dog plus tax.

Luxor Rooms

There are a number of different types of rooms available at Luxor depending on whether you stay in the pyramid or one of the hotel towers. The key feature of the pyramid rooms are the distinct slanted windows which form the sides of the pyramid. 

Another key feature of staying in a pyramid room is the inclined elevators at each corner of the pyramid that take you up to your room at a 39-degree angle. I honestly wasn’t sure what to make of those. It felt quite disorientating and a bit shuddery, but it was definitely an experience!

The most basic pyramid rooms start at 420 square feet which is a good size for a standard room compared to other value resorts in Vegas. The standard tower rooms are even bigger at 450 square feet.

There’s also a range of Stay Well rooms that feature wellness technologies such as air filters, and a variety of suites from 600 square feet to over 3,000 square feet.

I chose to stay in a Pyramid King room, and it did feel spacious. The room décor was mostly neutral except for one colourful feature wall behind the bed. There were two bedside tables, a separate desk and chair, two comfy armchairs under the window and a dark wood unit that contained a wardrobe and drawers.  

The bathroom was fair in size and plainly decorated with a single sink and a double shower but no bathtub. There was some wear and tear on the shower and around the tiles but it was clean.

The room had all the basic amenities including TV, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, bathroom toiletries and an in-room safe.

Although the slanted window does add an interesting feature to the room, the big let-down was the advertising on the outside of the pyramid. This actually stopped a lot of light getting in so made the room feel dark, even through the daytime.

Luxor has five main bars, almost all of which are casual, and these are:

• Centra – central casino bar right in the middle of all the action   
• Aurora – themed lobby bar with feature lighting and live entertainment 
• Flight – lively casino bar with bar top games and speciality cocktails 
• Public House – casual sports bar serving food and good range of beers
• Playbar – sports bar close to the BetMGM Sportsbook 

Buffets and Restaurants 

The Buffet at Luxor is located beneath the casino on a lower level. Open Wednesday to Sunday 8am until 2am, it serves brunch made up of cuisines from around the world. 

The most striking thing about the buffet though, is how themed it is. I walked down the stairs not really knowing what to expect, only to find Egyptian theming everywhere, with statues, pillars, wall markings and plinths. It really is something to see.

Food-wise I would say it a had a decent selection and the quality was good. In my personal opinion it doesn’t compare with the likes of buffets at Bellagio, Caesars, Cosmopolitan or Wynn. But the price does reflect that costing at $31.99 on weekdays and $37.99 on weekends. It does, therefore, offer great value if you want to try out a Las Vegas all you can eat buffet. 

Other dining choices at Luxor are mostly relaxed apart from TENDER Steakhouse and Lounge which is a little more sophisticated. Options include Diablo’s Cantina for Mexican cuisine, Public House for American favourites and Pyramid Café for all-round casual dining.

If you prefer quick grab and go food, then there’s also the Backstage Deli, Blizz Frozen Yoghurt, and the Luxor food court with the likes of Starbucks, Johnny Rockets, Bonanno's Pizzeria and Nathan's Famous Hotdogs.

Shows and Entertainment 

Luxor has a wide variety of attractions ranging from family friendly activities, comedy, exhibitions to adult-only risqué shows too. 

One of the biggest resident shows is the Blue Man Group, which is part of the Cirque du Soleil brand and has twice daily shows. This is a world-renowned show offering stunts, comedy and unique entertainment that is suitable for all ages.

The other resident shows are very much adult-only, with cutting edge comedy from Carrot Top and the long-running FANTASY show with the tagline ‘The Strip’s Sexiest Tease’.

Exhibitions have always featured heavily at Luxor. It originally opened with a King Tut's Tomb and Museum exhibition featuring a $360,000 replica of King Tutankhamen's tomb as its centrepiece.

However, when the Egyptian theming was scaled back at Luxor, the museum was replaced with Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition which remains today. Featuring over 250 authentic artifacts from the tragic ocean-liner, plus recreations from some of the ships famous rooms, the exhibit has been visited by over 25 million people worldwide. I can tell you from personal experience that it’s definitely worth a visit. 

Bodies… the Exhibition is also available to see at Luxor showcasing real bodies that have been preserved to give an up-close look inside our skeletal, muscular, respiratory, and circulatory systems. If you’re a bit squeamish like me, I’d give this a miss, but for some it’s fascinating and it has been highly popular.

Finally, Luxor has two fun activities for adults and children alike. PLAY Playground is a first of its kind featuring puzzle, physical and memory games, in a fun, lively environment. 

Meanwhile, Particle Ink is a new immersive show where guests choose their own adventure while engaging with magical, interactive, and projection-mapped technology in a groundbreaking 360-degree live show.

Luxor has an extensive pool complex as well as a spa and salon. We’ll take a look at these in detail below.

Luxor Pool

The pool deck is substantial at Luxor with four outdoor pools and two hot tubs. In total, the area measures 125,650 square feet.

Open every day 9am until 6pm, you can take your pick from the different pools depending on whether you want a livelier atmosphere or a relaxing space. 

The biggest pool has platforms positioned throughout the pool where you can lay out, sunbathe or socialise too. 

Surrounded by stone architecture, plinths and palm trees, the pool deck is located directly behind the pyramid, giving incredible views of it. There are plenty of free loungers around each of the pools, alternatively, you can hire a daybed, private cabana, or lounger close to the pool for a more luxurious experience.

If you want drinks or snacks, the Oasis Bar is on the poolside serving a range of options, plus there’s lots of servers going around taking orders too.

The only real downside to the Luxor pool is that it can get exceptionally busy and sometimes they don’t have all the pools open. 

Spa

Nurture Spa at Luxor has a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and a relaxation lounge if you want some time away from the casino. It is quite a small space in comparison to some others in Vegas, however, it still provides a peaceful place to rest and recuperate.  

Luxor also has The Nurture Salon that provides professional hair, nail and makeup services. 

Aria Spa

If you like a spa, then Aria is probably an exceptional choice for you. In fact, the proeprty boasts the largest Forbes Five-Star Spa in the world. 

There are an extensive array of treatments on offer, including the usual things like massage, skin-care, facials, aromatherapy, and an awful lot more. 

The attached salon offers hair and beauty services, including pedicures, and there is even a Kalologie Medspa which provides IV Therapy to help you get past jet lag and hangovers quickly. 

For the fitness fanatics among us, a fully equipped gym and fitness centre is also situated within the Aria spa.

As an MGM resort, Luxor is part of the MGM Rewards program.

Generally considered to be one of, if not, the best rewards program in Vegas, MGM Rewards offers member benefits in return for spending in resort.

Registering with MGM Rewards is easy. You just need to take along some photographic ID to any MGM casino resort and go to the MGM Rewards desk. 

Once signed up, just use or present your card whenever you spend money in an MGM resort. The good news for members is that there are nine MGM resorts just in Vegas alone, so there are plenty of opportunities to pick up points. 

You can earn points when you purchase hotel rooms, food, drinks, show tickets, and when shopping in resort too. To pick up points gambling either insert your card into the slot machine or hand your membership card to your dealer at the tables. 

The points you build up can be redeemed for various amenities, including against hotel costs, and freeplay, but you’ll also earn tier credits to help you climb the status tiers. 

These are as follows:

• Sapphire (0 – 19,999 credits) – access to complimentary rooms
• Pearl (20,000 tier credits): as above with free self-parking and occasional complimentary concert tickets
• Gold (75,000 tier credits): as above with zero resort fees and free room upgrades (where available)
• Platinum (200,000 tier credits): as above with airline credit and priority lines
• Noir (Invitation only): as above with guaranteed restaurant reservations

Should you join MGM Rewards?

The short answer is yes. MGM Rewards is an excellent rewards programme and can give some great benefits even on the lowest tier.

The fact it covers several properties means you aren’t restricted to just one casino or one resort. You can play, eat, shop and attend shows in any of the MGM resorts and pick up points.

Even on the lowest level (Sapphire) you can receive complimentary rooms, discounts and freeplay. 

Four tier credits are awarded for every dollar spent on rooms, food, drink and retail. Meanwhile points are awarded for gambling based on how much money you gamble and how much time you spend playing too. 

My advice is to join MGM Rewards, spend whatever you normally would and enjoy the rewards when they arrive. You can also track your progress, see your benefits and make bookings on the MGM app.

Without doubt Luxor is not what it used to be, but it’s still got plenty to give.

I never got the chance to visit Luxor in its heyday, with all of the original attractions inside and out, but I wish I had. It certainly seems like it was a spectacular experience.

These days themed hotels in Las Vegas are considered a little bit kitsch. One of the reasons the internal theming at Luxor was diluted was to make it more appealing and accessible to a wider range of guests.

However, that doesn’t mean that Luxor doesn’t have plenty of theming to enjoy and plenty of character too. The huge Sphinx statue, the pyramid, the hieroglyphics, plus the various statues and pillars are impressive and still make it a unique environment to gamble in.

The large casino has great variety in both slots and table games and it is surrounded by food and drink options too. There is also a good range of attractions for all ages and the pool deck is vast too. 

I found my hotel room to be basic but clean and spacious, and if you stay in a pyramid room you get to experience the inclined elevators too!

All-in-all, Luxor is a casual, comfortable hotel with lots of amenities, fun theming and a great casino with easy links to other MGM resorts. What’s not to like?