Key Points:
- The Venetian is renovating every suite as part of an ongoing $1.5 billion renovation project.
- My renovated Luxury King Suite was spectacular, but the renovation was certainly surface-level.
- Dining options are numerous, and I had great experiences at Howlin’ Ray’s and their Grand Lux Cafe.
The Venetian is in the midst of a $1.5 billion renovation project that’ll touch every aspect of the resort experience, including the suites, which are the largest standard accommodations in Las Vegas.
A big fan of both “new stuff” and The Venetian in general, I was excited to see the new rooms.
Suite, Cost, and Check-In
I was able to book a complimentary suite, thanks to my play in the Venetian Rewards loyalty program, which I give very little play to.
Notably, even without much coin in, I’m often able to score a complimentary suite on off-peak nights. It seems to be a pretty solid rewards program for earning comps.
I was still responsible for the resort fee plus tax of $62.36.
On this occasion, I opted to use the self-check-in kiosk and was given keys to my room without being prompted to pay an early check-in fee. Appreciated, and increasingly rare.
While I used a kiosk, the lobby and adjoining atrium are quite an introduction to the property.
My Renovated Luxury King Suite
Suites at the Venetian start at an impressive 650 sq. ft. of space, which they use to provide a sunken living area, a spacious bathroom, and a bedroom area.
If you stayed at The Venetian pre-renovation, you likely noticed that the work wasn’t overly transformative. Essentially, we have a new color scheme, along with fresh paint, light fixtures, wall art, carpet, and furniture.
The “bones” of the room stayed the same.
The pops of red gave the suite a modern look, which I liked quite a bit. Their previous room product always felt dated.
The living area’s layout has changed considerably.
The work desk was eliminated, and I really liked the new couch, which was bulky and stylish, with a pull-out bed nested inside.
This new light fixture was also pretty awesome.
In the bathroom, I was surprised to see that the green countertops (not a fan) and tilework survived the renovation, but the new mirror and powder station are both nice upgrades.
Disappointingly, the 3rd TV, which was mounted above the dual sink vanity didn’t make the cut.
I was surprised (and excited) to find both a stocked mini-bar fridge AND an empty fridge. Before the refresh, suites only offered a single, very small shelf for personal items.
There was also a motion-activated light underneath the bench across from the bed, which is a classy touch.
Next to the bed were upgraded charging options, and there are even reading lights built into the headboard.
Nested in the couch is a pull-out bed that felt high-quality (for a pull-out mattress that is).
Falling asleep to the Sphere’s glow was also a fun aspect of the stay.
What’s Not To Like?
When I review hotels, I give the full story, not just the good, so that you can make a more informed decision.
Being a brand-new suite, I wasn’t shocked that the room was in spectacular condition, but I was a bit grossed out to find a clump of toilet paper in the toilet.
Other than that, there was no dust, hairs, or scuffs to speak of.
A well-maintained, clean room.
Venetian Resort Experience
The Pool
Among the crown amenities at The Venetian is their rooftop pool deck, which is connected via an umbilical walkway to the pool at Palazzo. Guests are free to use either. It’s a relaxing scene.
Uniquely, at least a portion of the Venetian/Palazzo pool deck stays open through the winter.
Grand Canal Shoppes
The Grand Canal Shoppes, spelled with an “es” at the end for some reason, are expertly themed and packed to the gills with food & drink options spanning price spectrum from food court fare to upscale dining.
There’s also some shopping, if you’re into that kind of thing.
OZ was playing at The Sphere during my visit, and they temporarily replaced the “LOVE” photo op with Dorothy & the gang. It was doing brisk business.
The indoor canals & gondolas are the coolest part of the shoppes, although sitting in a boat with a man singing songs to me sounds terribly uncomfortable… I’ll just watch from afar.
The Sphere
The Sphere is connected to The Venetian via an indoor walkway and is currently hosting a version of The Wizard of Oz, with tickets starting at over $100.
My mom planned an entire trip to Vegas to see it, had a great time, and even caught an apple. She’s still raving about it.
In the past, I saw Postcard From Earth as part of The Sphere Experience and thought it was both amazing… and a smidge overpriced, also starting in excess of $100.
But for those who want to get into the Sphere, this and OZ are the cheapest ways to do it.
Food & Drink
I was excited to swing into The Venetian’s new Via Via food hall, which is home to 7 differentiated food & drink outlets that serve everything from tacos & ramen to sandwiches & pizza by the slice.
I hit Howlin’ Ray’s, which specializes in Nashville-inspired hot chicken and ordered a $16 chicken sandwich that was stacked with a chicken breast, pickles, coleslaw, and an unidentified sauce, which was sensational.
I added a side of seasoned French fries for $5 that had some kick – Not a cheap meal, but freaking good.
It took all of my willpower not to stop back for dinner…
Fortunately, Grand Lux Cafe, offering locations at both The Venetian & Palazzo, has a solid happy hour that drew me away from a second chicken sandwich.
Happy Hour is offered Monday-Friday from 4-6:30 in the bar and includes:
- $7 draft beer
- $9.50 wine
- $10-$11 cocktails
- And a good-sized selection of $11 bites.
The $11 buffalo chicken rolls were recommended to me, and they didn’t disappoint, with a flaky outer crust and an absolute explosion of flavor.
The Casino
In the casino, Venetian was dealing $25 craps, roulette, and blackjack, although cheaper options were available in a stadium configuration.
The revamped sportsbook is also a looker.
The Verdict: Venetian’s Renovated King Suite
I think Jordan at Show Me Vegas nailed it recently on Facebook, referring to the renovation as a “redecoration”.
The bones (tile work, bathroom countertops, layout, etc.) stayed the same, while changes were made to surface-level items such as furniture, carpet, paint, and the color scheme.
That doesn’t mean it was unsuccessful. I loved this suite before the changes, and I love them even more now.
While they’ve always been functional and genuinely nice, the previous decor strategy incorporated a lot of gold, striving for elegance… but it just felt dated.
These renovated suites are sharp. And I like having an empty fridge!
Well done.
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I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.