There’s something about packing your bags and heading off on vacation that makes even the most hardened workaholic breathe a deep sigh of relief.
When that vacation is at a casino resort so prestigious and with such tailored stays that you don’t feel the need to haul yourself out of the compound at any time, the sigh becomes much, much more hearty.
Traveling as a man with a… discerning palate, shall we say, is made so much more entertaining and enriching when you know that the spaces you intend to utilize make it their mission to take care of you in the most regal way possible. These ultra-exclusive casino resorts have a legacy for a reason, and they are the ultimate spot for a gambling man’s getaway. Let’s take a look.
BetMGM Grand, Las Vegas
Vegas is the consummate casino destination, and a place that understands how to roll out the red carpet like nowhere else. It’s an untameable city with a selection of resorts from the reserved to the ultra-exclusive and bespoke, but nowhere does the full package quite like the MGM Grand. This Vegas icon doesn’t ask for attention— it demands it. This is old-guard Vegas muscle (boasting a $300 million facelift, which certainly hasn’t hurt its appeal), part resort, with all the trimmings, and part sanctuary from the outside world. Modern luxury blends seamlessly with classic exteriors; terrace suites open their doors to the Vegas skyline; quartz benches and double mirrors say “yes, we have status” without shouting or being brash. The details here are made for those who appreciate craftsmanship rather than flash
The scale of the place is more than impressive: a 6.5-acre Grand Pool Complex entertains and invigorates; the Grand Spa and its thirty treatment rooms offer refinement and relaxation. The Hakkasan Nightclub (the resort’s premier nightlife spot) offers after-hours entertainment; the Bonus Round Totally Awesome Bar and Arcade satisfies the need for an excellent drink and a chance to indulge your inner child; and the casino itself (2500 machines, a sportsbook and two dozen restaurants) provides a chance to dance with lady luck. While not every player travels to Las Vegas, many regulated online operators—including BetMGM Casino Canada—have introduced VIP programmes inspired by the rewards and hospitality associated with integrated casino resorts.
MGM Cotai, Macau
The MGM brand family knows how to do it up right, and the MGM Cotai in Macau is no exception. This casino resort has no competition— it owns the corner of Macau in which it resides. Holding roughly 1,400 rooms spread out across the M and Emerald Towers, the Skylofts and The Mansion, this is no small fry operation. This resort prizes classically refined design over overt glitz and drama: rosewood and warm tones, clean and minimal spaces, and Imperial Chinese influences abound.
The jewel in this location’s crown is the aptly named The Spectacle. This football-pitch-sized atrium holds one of the largest collections of sensory digital art in the world, and the collection of East meets West artworks also housed there includes 28 exquisitely preserved Qing Dynasty rugs. Indulge at the TRIA spa for restoration and recovery: the philosophy here is wellness beyond luxury and focuses on traditional ritual expertly blended with modern tech. The nine bars and restaurants inside the facility really begin to carry their weight when the sun goes down: eat, drink and make merry at places like Bar Patuá before you enjoy the extensive (roughly 24,500 square meters) casino floor and its almost 1000 slot machines and 410 gaming tables.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
This is quite possibly one of the most well-known and respected, and definitely one of the most elite, casino resorts on the planet. The Marina Bay Sands’ three 5-storey towers have rewritten the already impressive Singapore skyline and brought a whole new level of luxury to this already grand city. Some of the most incredible sights you can immerse yourself in include the Sands SkyPark; a three-acre platform floating 200 meters in the air, holding the longest cantilevered infinity pool in existence. There’s also an 800,000-square-foot luxury shopping paradise, a grand 2,200-seat theater, and a “hand holding a lotus”- shaped ArtScience Museum…nothing major.
The rooms are their own kind of polished paradise: 1850 uncompromisingly regal living spaces crafted from dark wood, unobstructed views, and sparkling clean glass. The casino, when you can tear yourself away from the majesty of the rest of the resort to enjoy it, is open 24 hours a day. There are the classics, presented in kingly fashion: baccarat, sic bo, roulette, blackjack, and the like. The thousands of slot machines and more than 1000 gaming tables are just a prelude to the private salons that offer a little more discretion for high rollers, and the architecture is imposing to say the least.
Atlantis Paradise Island, The Bahamas
Last, but certainly not least, is the jewel of the Bahamas: Atlantis Paradise Island. This majestic resort claims the island for its own, spanning 154 acres. Atlantis includes five distinct hotels to choose from: The Royal, Coral, Cove Reef and Harborside, each with their own personal touches. It’s the Aquaventure waterscape, which includes the world’s largest open-air marine habitat, that transforms the grounds into something otherworldly— a kingdom, not just a resort complex.
The Royal Towers sit at the center of all this majesty, redesigned in line with Bahamian aesthetics and just steps away from the casino that is home to arresting Dale Chihuly glass sculptures as well as 700 slot machines, 85 gaming tables, and VIP suites. 60,000 square feet of gambling excellence.
Stake Your Claim
These casino resorts exemplify what it means to be living the high life. Refined and purposeful, your vacation at any of these destinations will be one for the books.
