Our last trip to Las Vegas was pre-COVID, a lifetime ago. This time it was my husband, our two daughters (ages 8 and 10), and me. We were introducing the next generation to the Strip. We stayed at the Venetian, and the short version is: the room was fantastic, and checkout was a mess.
Why We Booked a Suite
My husband has a travel philosophy I’ve come around to: always book the biggest room you can afford, especially with early-bird kids. We ended up in roughly 1,500 square feet, with a pool table and a quiet, separate bedroom for us once the girls were asleep. For a family trip, that space made the whole stay work.
The suite had a wall of windows facing the Strip and the mountains beyond. By the second night, the girls had claimed the pool table as their own, usually before we’d even finished unpacking. It sounds unnecessary until you’re stuck inside during the Vegas heat with two kids who need somewhere to burn energy. Then a pool table beats a hotel hallway every time.
Eating Without Leaving the Hotel
Having a range of dining options inside the Venetian itself was a real plus, on nights when the girls were tired, we could eat well without leaving the building. Mornings usually meant a stop at Bouchon Bakery for pastries (yes, the line is long, and yes, it’s worth it), and dinners were easy, shareable plates that worked for both us and the girls. We never had to drag two hungry, tired kids across a giant resort hunting for something they’d actually eat, which with an 8- and 10-year-old is worth more than it sounds. Service in the restaurants was good the entire trip, which made the checkout experience even more of a contrast.
Checkout Day
We were there during a high-volume holiday period, and by checkout it showed. People were sitting on the lobby floor surrounded by luggage, waiting for cars and porters that weren’t coming fast enough. We asked if we could just use a bellman’s cart ourselves and were told no, guests apparently aren’t allowed to touch them.
When we pushed back, the explanation we got was, “We are very busy, and we have 7,000 rooms.” I understand the scale. But a hotel that size should be staffed for a holiday weekend it can see coming on the calendar. What should have been a quick handoff turned into an hour and a half of hauling bags and waiting for elevators. Then came the valet line on top of that. That kind of gap between the room and the service is the one thing that would make us think twice before booking another holiday weekend here.
Beyond the Suite: Gondolas, Fountains, and an Ice Bar
When we weren’t in the suite, we mostly wandered the resort between meals, which with kids is half the fun of The Venetian. The fountains and courtyards make easy photo stops, and nobody has to buy a ticket.
We did the gondola ride on the indoor Grand Canal once. It costs $39 per person, with up to four passengers per boat, so a family of four pays $156 for a short ride. It was fun, and the girls enjoyed it, but that’s pricey. I’m glad we did it, and I wouldn’t repeat it.
The ice bar was fun for about 15 minutes. The girls liked the cold and the carved ice, and then they were ready to go. The standard Cool Experience is $26 per person and includes entry, gloves, and a parka to borrow. For kids 7 to 12, there’s also a $29 Kids V-ICE-P Experience (before 9 pm only) that adds souvenir ear muffs and one non-alcoholic ice mocktail. It’s worth a quick look, not a long stay.
Would We Go Back?
Probably. We loved the suite enough that the checkout chaos didn’t ruin the trip, just our opinion of the exit process. Next time we’ll either check out at the crack of dawn or ship half our luggage home ahead of us. The Venetian nails the physical product; it just needs the staffing to match it when the city is at capacity.
If You’re Booking a Suite for a Holiday Weekend
A couple of things we’d do differently next time, in case they’re useful: book the suite category as early as you can, since the biggest rooms are the first to sell out for holiday dates. And if your travel dates land on a peak checkout day, build in extra time before your flight, ideally more than you think you’ll need. It won’t fix the wait, but it takes the pressure off.
