I’ve been traveling to Las Vegas for years, so I’ve been to the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino a number of times. I’ve always liked it. It’s a popular mid-tier hotel and casino located right in the heart of the Strip. Owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, it offers a fun, Hollywood-themed experience that gets you in the mood to enjoy the city. The layout is also cool, with a central bar in the middle of the casino that offers a great lounge area along with the promise of some late-night action if you’re looking for that.
I was back in Las Vegas late last year for a business trip and ended up staying at Planet Hollywood. Overall, the experience was pretty much what I expected. Foot traffic on the Strip was noticeably lighter than usual, especially since it was early in the week. Still, the quieter vibe throughout the city clearly reflected the many recent stories about Las Vegas struggling with declining visitor numbers.
I did enjoy my time there, and the trip reaffirmed my impression that Planet Hollywood is one of the better mid-tier hotel options on the Strip. That said, there are some negatives here as well.
What I Liked
Let’s start with the good stuff. Planet Hollywood sits in a prime central Strip spot, across from Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan, and next to Paris Las Vegas. The Aria is also a short walk from the hotel. This makes it highly walkable to many major attractions. Taking cabs is often an expensive hassle these days in Vegas, and having a prime location goes a long way in making your stay more enjoyable. You’ll have an affordable home base with easy access to some of the best casinos in the city.
One of the convenient surprises at Planet Hollywood was the on-site Starbucks. It had plenty of tables and comfortable chairs, making it a practical spot to sit and get some work done or to chill and relax between all the chaos and debauchery on the Strip. It was nice to have a reliable coffee option with actual seating right in the middle of everything.
The view from my room was amazing, as I had a clear view of the Sphere from the large windows. You can get mezmorized just watching it as the graphics change over and over again. It’s a fantastic addition to Las Vegas and this certainly improved the vibe in my room.
Planet Hollywood also has some decent dining options, though everything is overpriced in Vegas these days. The burger at Gordon Ramsay Burger was huge and very good, though it didn’t quite live up to the hype, or the crazy hype. There were lines to eat there at lunch and dinner, and I wouldn’t bother waiting. Nor would I make a special trip to Planet Hollywood to try this celebrity chef’s hamburger.
What I Didn’t Like
Although the hotel had undergone a recent remodeling and I liked the overall modern Hollywood vibe, there were still several areas that felt worn out and dated. Most noticeably, sections of the hallway carpeting were completely threadbare and looked quite tired.
The sportsbook was another disappointment. It felt small, cramped, and outdated, with old TVs that made watching games less enjoyable than at many other casinos on the Strip. I didn’t expect much as I’d been there before, but couldn’t they update to some bigger flat-screen TVs?
Finally, the value proposition for this mid-tier hotel took a serious hit when I saw the charges. I was hit with a $62 daily resort fee on top of the $68 room fee on a Sunday night. This is a common complaint these days for Vegas visitors as the price gouging is getting out of control. Imagine thnking you have a $68 deal for a Sunday night stay, only to see that $62 resort fee added in.
What made this especially frustrating was that it was early November with temperatures reaching 80 degrees, yet the pool was completely closed. At that point, I was left wondering exactly what I was paying the resort fee for.
Still a Solid Option
Even with those nitpicks, you can’t go wrong with Planet Hollywood, unless you really want the luxury Vegas experience and you’re willing to pay for it. If you’re bringing a lady friend, make sure to give her an honest preview of the hotel and make sure to stroll over to some of the nice casinos and restaurants nearby. If you’re looking for a fun weekend with your buddies, Planet Hollywood remains a solid choice.
