Vegas' Most Famous Hotel Rooms

Ever heard that old adage “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?” With over 67,000 hotel rooms along its 4.2 mile stretch, Las Vegas Boulevard (The Strip) has a larger proliferation of accommodation suites than any other city on Earth. Additionally, nineteen of the world's 25 largest hotels (by room-size) exist within a 3 mile radius of one another along the Neon Strip. At last count, estimations suggest it would take one person 288 years to stay the night in every hotel room on the Strip. Unless you're immortal, you probably don't have that long, but you could easily tour some of the most famous instead!

A household name since 1995, Sam “Ace” Rothstein is up there with some of Las Vegas' most prolific Mob entities as a character whom sought his fortune in Sin City. Fictional Mafia frontman in the hit Scorsese flick “Casino” (played by Robert De Niro), Rothstein was loosely based on the real-life casino executive Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, operator of the old Fremont, Stardust and Hacienda Casinos. The opulent Riviera Hotel Resort just across the Strip was used for most of the internal filming and visitors may still opt to stay in the luxury penthouse suite, used by Robert De Niro (Ace) and Sharon Stone (Ginger). Die hard fans might also want to check out Las Vegas Country Club, since Rothstein's house still stands within the plush neighborhood estate.

Do you have a spare $40,000 knocking around in your wallet? As of 2009, Hugh Hefner's over-indulgent, over-opulent and downright James Bond-esque 'Sky Villa' Penthouse Suite hit headlines as the world's most expensive overnight accommodation. Playboy's founding father has only ever taken up residence at the Palms Palace Hotel, despite impressive aerial views, butler service and mirrored ceilings throughout. Somehow, all of that pales in comparison to the 8-foot rotating bed and super-sized, gold-finished show bath!

Strangely, golf playboy Tiger Woods opted against Palms Palace between 2004 and 2009. Known rather more for his infamous “triple bogey” than his golfing prowess, he chose the timeless elegance of The Mansion at MGM Grand for every 'working weekend'. No aspect of glamor has been omitted from the interior design of this millionaire's home-from-home, including Art Deco finery and a gallery featuring works of Pablo Picasso!

Before Steve Wynn's ambitious buy-out in November 2000, The Desert Inn Hotel and Casino existed as a behemoth reminder of old Las Vegas. Its infamous Crystal Showroom played host to prolific music maestros, including Elvis, Liberace, Dean Martin and The Rat Pack. Self-made tycoon/ film star Howard Hughes was smitten with the over-indulgent grandeur of the place, to the extent he took up residence on both the 8th and 9th floors in 1966. Keen to establish a revolving door client base of the rich and famous, Cleveland mob-leader Moe Dalitz served Howard Hughes his eviction notice on in February 1967. Desperate to retain residency, Hughes served Dalitz with a formal buyout offer for $13 million, on March 1, 1967. Hughes celebrated his victory by painting every window on the 8th and 9th floors black – yet another bold move to distance himself from the glaring flash-bulbs of the paps.

American football players don't have quite the same reputation as those from the UK or Europe, however there is one notable entity whom has fed a decade's worth of newspaper sales for his off-pitch antics. Famously acquitted for the murder of his wife Nicole and her lover Ronald Goldman in 1995, O. J. Simpson found the jury weren't quite so lenient on October 3, 2008, when he was found guilty on 12 counts, including burglary, assault and unlicensed possession of a firearm. The incident occurred on September 17, 2007, when Simpson, accompanied by two other chancing bandits broke into the hotel of Bruce Formong, residing at the Palace Station Hotel, Las Vegas. Simpson (et al) made off with sports memorabilia estimated to be worth around $5 million, later stating in his defense that all the items had been stolen from him!

MGM's grandiose Mirage Hotel Resort has accommodated many a famous rock star, albeit none quite as prolific as the “King of Pop” himself. Michael Jackson had a long and well-documented love affair with the Mirage – they even set aside a suite exclusively for him. Jackson famously holed himself up at the Mirage in 2003, when it emerged police had obtained a warrant to search his Neverland Ranch. Press reports further allege Jackson trashed his suite upon emergence of abuse allegations – although this has never been corroborated by a reliable source. In a rather fitting tribute to his love for the Mirage, Cirque de Soleil announced its plans for “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour” in 2010 – a commemorative show set to open in early 2012.

Over the top is a signature design concept in Las Vegas and none more evident than within penthouse suites along the Strip. At 4,900 square feet, the Hard Rock's hip Penthouse Suite isn't exactly the largest, yet boasts a wealth of signature amenities, including a bowling alley, hand-crafted mosaic bathtub and dining room said to have been modeled in the 'palatial' style. Fancy something a little more Continental? The Bellagio's “Chairman Suite” emulates the exclusivity of a beach-front resort, packing in a solarium, spa and steam showers across 4,099 square feet of space, along with an over-sized pool and two bars. Hidden within the exclusive Four Seasons Hotel (atop the Mandalay Bay) sits a Sky Suite with a difference – it's the only 180 degree suite in Las Vegas. As opposed to the one-sided views offered by most penthouse apartments, the 180 Degree Suite boasts views across the entire Southern portion of the Strip. If that's not a view to enjoy from your over-sized, marble whirlpool tub (with a fresh mimosa at hand) - we don't know what is!