This was one of the earlier QoDs we addressed, back in August 2005, which we subsequenetly revisited in May 2008; as the landscape of the Strip has changed considerably since then, we figured the time was ripe to revisit the answer. First, however, some background for those who missed the earlier versions.
As we wrote when we first researched this QoD, back in the Strip's infancy, when Las Vegas hotels were smaller and more intimate, many featured balconies that looked out onto the Strip or the pool area. But today, few Strip rooms have outdoor access and we can think of a number of reasons for this.
For one thing, Nevada has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation and jumping (be it from the Stratosphere Tower, the Hoover Dam, rooftop parking lots, overpasses, or hotel balconies) is a popular choice. Hence, most hotels don't even have opening windows, let alone balconies. Another reason is almost certainly the climate -- there are many months of the year when being outside is not a desirable option -- and this ties in with a third reason, namely the additional expense both of building balconies and of air-conditioning a hotel with open windows.
Bugs are another issue. In the springtime, when the weather's at its most inviting and sitting outside on your balcony to watch the lights come up on the Strip might seem like a pleasant early evening activity, you run the risk of admitting some unwanted visitors into your room. We've previously received correspondence from a guest staying at Planet Hollywood who'd wanted to open the window vents in his room so he could hear the Bellagio fountain show, only to find a sticker requesting him not to: "Moth season -- please keep vent closed."
Lastly, not only does building balconies obviously add to the construction costs of a hotel; in a city that really would prefer to have its guests playing down on the casino floor, or at least catching a show or enjoying some kind of fine dining experience, it's well known that the policy has always been to make the standard hotel rooms functional but not so comfortable that you'd want to hang out in them too much. (Hence, not such a surprise that the non-gaming off-Strip Platinum hotel on E. Flamingo does offer private balconies, as does the Hard Rock, which pretty much just wants you to party wherever you are, while the majority of hotel-casinos do not.)
That said, some properties do offer this amenity, although few of them afford views of the Strip. And a word of caution: Several hotels that we called stated that they had suites with "balcony views," which as far as we can tell simply means that they have large windows! There have been a few casualties along the way, too: Harrah's used to have some rooms with balconies that overlooked the pool, but we were informed that these have all now been converted to offices, while some of the older rooms at the Tropicana still have balconies, but they're not currently available to book (they're only using the towers). Likewise the Sahara, where none of the rooms with balconies are in service.
So, according to our latest research, here are the current options balcony-wise if you're staying on the Strip (or, in the case of Hooters, just off it):
Cosmopolitan: The newest property to open is priding itself on breaking with the norm and one significant way in which it's done this is to include balconies with many of its rooms (the smallest so-called "City Rooms" don't have them). The majority of them face the Strip, while some face Bellagio or CityCenter, we were informed.
Hooters: Some of the rooms have balconies, either overlooking the pool or towards the Strip.
Imperial Palace: Penthouses have full-length patios; some of the deluxe rooms have balconies with a Strip view, but a balcony is not guaranteed when you book and the concierge we spoke with gave her honest opinion that they weren't much more than a ledge and wouldn't recommend anyone going out there.
MGM Grand: Patios are available in the Terrace Suites (total of 14) -- 1,300-sq.-ft., two-story rooms with 800-sq.-ft. patios complete with hot tubs. These have views looking out toward New York-New York and Excalibur or the Monte Carlo. Also, somew of the rooms at Signature, which didn't exist when we first answered this question, have balconies, mostly facing the Strip. Ask when booking.
Riviera: They have five suites, most or all of which (we've never been able to get a definitive answer on this, for some reason) have balconies and range from one-room-studio style to two-bedroom penthouse. The suites are available to the public, subject to availability, and rooms either overlook the pool or the Strip.
If you're thinking of booking a room at any of these hotels, remember to check out our Las Vegas hotel deals to see if we currently have a discount code for your choice.
