Whether you’re a frequent traveler, heading overseas with your family, or planning a trip for the first time, Casino hotels have started popping up all over the world. And with casino tourism continuing to trend, booking an onsite hotel is a pretty sure bet!
These are luxury hotels and resorts which are owned or attached to the casino, and with cheap rates, central locations, and access to a range of entertainment, this is a great idea for accommodation, even if you don’t plan on gambling (though who knows, you might just end up paying for your entire holiday just by staying there!).
But when it comes to staying at a casino, there are a few necessary things you should know, because these are not your average hotel.
Things You Need to Know About Staying in Casino Hotels
The Tightest Security You’ll See at a Hotel
One of the biggest concerns among travelers these days is security, so a fantastic thing about casino hotels is that security is very tight. You’ll probably find that casinos have the tightest security of any hotel.
In the interest of protecting their gaming licenses, many casinos employ independent security, and some may even have a police presence. Even the slightest hint of suspicious or questionable activity will be cut off, and anyone acting in an abusive manner will be removed from the premises.
As a guest, this means you can sleep safely, but it also means you should keep your behavior (and drinking) in check. Also, be aware that there are cameras absolutely everywhere. You probably shouldn’t do anything stupid while staying there!
Tipping
The country you’re traveling to will depend on whether you’re expected to tip or not. For instance, in Australia there is no culture of tipping, and the price you pay includes all service charges.
But if you’re visiting a country like the United States, where tipping is customary, it’s important to remember that dealers, cocktail waitresses, hotel valets, housekeeping etc, are all paid minimum wage, and make their living almost entirely from your tips.
In this case, it’s usually standard to leave a tip of $1 per drink, or 15 – 20% of a restaurant food bill. If driving and using the hotel valet, a $2-5 tip is normal for handling your car.
Plan on giving a couple of dollars to the bellman, and leaving the same for the housekeepers who service your room. Pay the concierge $10 for special requests, and if you do visit the tables, $5 per hour for the dealer is an average tip.
Check the Gambling / Drinking Age
Just as the culture of tipping varies depending on country, so too does the gambling and drinking age. You should be aware of this before you travel, so you don’t land yourself in legal trouble overseas. Remembering too that casino hotels have tight security.
The legal age for drinking in the United States is 21, though when it comes to gambling, each state determines their own minimum age. In some states, it’s 18, though in most parts of the USA (especially if it’s an alcohol-licensed casino) it’s 21 to match the drinking age. As a general rule, in Canada you must be 19 to enter a casino, though in Australia, the UK and most parts of Europe you must be 18.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t stay at the hotel if you’re underage, or traveling with children, however you won’t be permitted in the gaming areas, and you will not be permitted to drink.
An Attraction in Their Own Right
Most Casinos double as Entertainment Complexes, and have a range of trendy restaurants, nightclubs and bars, well as theaters and resort amenities like water parks and swimming pools onsite.
Off course there are plenty of activities you’ll want to take in offsite, perhaps the Cheltenham Festival where you can get in some Cheltenham betting, but the complex is usually an attraction in it’s own right, and chances are you’re already planning on heading there at some point. Why not make transport easy by staying onsite!
For instance, Crown Casino Melbourne pulls more visitors to Australia each year than the iconic Sydney Opera House. With an annual 10.9 million visitors compared to the 8.2 million who check in at the Opera House, well known tourist attractions don’t even come close to seeing the type of tourism numbers that Australian casinos do.
Some Offer Free Rooms
If you’re a high roller, or planning on spending a lot of money at the casino, you might be able to get your room for free. The most expensive rooms at many Casino hotels are usually set aside for VIP’s. Though even if you don’t fall into that category, the room rates at casinos are often a lot cheaper than other luxury hotels.
The idea behind offering ridiculously discounted or free rooms for travelers is that the property will make back the money on the casino floor. Casinos don’t really care about the profits from their hotels, and they’re really not interested in whether or not you book an expensive room.
What they do care about is convincing you to open your wallet where it really counts – the casino floor – so will often use cheap accommodation as a lure. Before you travel, join the email list of the casinos you’re thinking about visiting to receive alerts about promotions, and follow them on social media to hear about last minute deals.
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22 Comments
I have stayed in Casino hotels a couple of times but never thought about the security aspect. You are right, there is extra security personnel on the premises. I should remember next time that vigilance is stronger than normal hotels. I agree Casino hotels just use hotels to attract customers to the casino which is their primary business.
Absolutely – casinos have a lot more to lose than your average hotel if there’s a security issue, but the extra vigilance can definitely be seen as a perk if you’re visiting a new country and a bit uneasy about security :)
I would think that the worst thing about staying at a casino hotel would be hanging onto my money! I never go out of my way to gamble, but enjoy it (probably too much) when I do. I’m probably exactly the customer they want. :)
Haha yes there is definitely that!! Personally I’m not a gambler, so I’m happy to take advantage of the perks of the hotel without hitting the floor – but obviously just make sure that you have checks in place so that you can gamble responsibly and not go crazy overboard :) That’s exactly why they try to pull you in though – the money they make on the floor usually far outweighs profits from the hotel.
I’m a huge fan of casino hotels, especially in Vegas. It must be said that I’m a big blackjack player, so the idea of rolling out of bed and going downstairs to the tables is appealing. Great point about the security. I’d never really thought about that.
Vegas hotels are divine! We loved staying in Vegas, mainly because penthouse suites were affordable for the first time! Not a gambler myself, but really enjoyed the atmosphere of walking up and down the strip, and the lights. Vegas hotels are so luxe! But totally perfect for you being a blackjack player – hope you win it big on your next trip!
I am not a big gambler and I never even had the thought of staying in a casino hotel. Could be nice in the US for example.
I’m not a gambler either, and never visit the casino floor when I’m staying at these hotels, but they’ve proven to be fabulous from a travelers standpoint. The US has some amazing properties, we recently stayed at Crown Melbourne in Australia too, and can highly recommend it – the experience was incredible :)
I’ve never experienced a casino hotel (or a casino really hahah), but I do feel like I know what to expect now!
I’m glad that we could inform you! Can highly recommend casino hotels if you have a trip coming up where one is in the area soon :)
I’ve stayed in casino hotels before but I’ve never realised you’re meant to tip the dealer $5! I’m not much of a gambler though. I usually stay at casino hotels for work or because I love going to the shows!
Usually only in the US, where tipping is very much a part of the hospitality culture. I go for the shows also! I’m a massive theatre / concert fan, and casinos always have the best shows – so much more convenient when you’re staying there!
Very insightful article Meg, especially about keeping your behavior in check because you’re in a hotel which is under tight security and constant surveillance. Not sure if this is something a lot of people consider while booking a casino hotel. We stayed in one in Vegas (I believe most hotels there are casino hotels) and you’re right about the fact that some of them are attractions in themselves, with entertainment centres, boutique shops even, and ours had these rides on the 70th floor which were so amazing!
Glad you enjoyed it Medha :) Were you staying at the New York New York hotel by chance? I know that one has a rollercoaster on one of it’s top floors – was a thrilling ride, we went just for that one time :D
I’ve stayed in a few casino hotels in Vegas. I love The Venetian especially, it’s such an amazing hotel and entertainment complete. It’s a shame some of the Casino hotels in Vegas allow smoking though, that was a downside for us
The Venetian is definitely an iconic Vegas hotel. Yes, all Australian hotels have banned smoking as well, usually you can smoke if you have a balcony room though, I’m not sure if this is the same in the USA :)
Hmmmmmmm, Meg, I’m beginning to think you frequent casinos. How do you know the in and out of staying in a casino hotel????? Informative post you have here.I had always though everything casino was expensive because it’s always beautiful, guess I’ve always been worng and I can always cruise the night in some casinos around here too. About tipping, I can do that when I’m satisfied with the services offered but when I’m held captive to tip, it just pissed me off especially in the US. Thanks for the knowlegde on casino impacted.
Haha only for their luxe accommodation :D We’ve stayed at quite a few casino hotels around the place, realized how awesome they were after a couple of visits to Vegas and then started sourcing them out for other trips. We personally don’t gamble, but the hotels are definitely worthwhile.
Totally agree with you on tipping – I’m from Australia, so was bought up in a culture where tipping isn’t a thing. But then I spent time in America as a cocktail waitress, and working for $4 an hour you do need those tips. But I think the US industry has taken the concept of tipping way too far, personally.
Glad you enjoyed the post!
I’ve never really looked into staying at a casino hotel outside of Vegas but you have made some great points. A cheaper room with better security and rainy day entertainment built it…I think you’re on to a winner!! What’s the nicest one you’ve stayed i!? We visited the Venetian in Macau and I’d happily have stayed there.
Oh wow I bet the Venetian in Macau would have been incredible! We recently stayed at Crown Towers in Melbourne, part of the Crown Melbourne complex, and it was stunning. Blew the luxury hotels we had stayed at in Vegas right away!
I stayed in a casino hotel in Macao and yes they are really strict. First and foremost – no photography! I was terribly disappointed. Not allowed for media team too. But they the hotel was a classy one. Your points are genuine and very much necessary too.
Glad you enjoyed the hotel even though they didn’t allow photography. That does sound quite strict, but I guess they do whatever they need to do to keep the premises secure :)