It’s hard to quantify what makes a truly great hotel. Sure, you can say that the rooms have to be comfortable, service has to be exceptional, entertainment offerings have to be plentiful, and the surroundings have to be pleasant but that covers about 75% of the resorts in Las Vegas.

On top of that you have the shifts of priorities, not only from person to person but within yourself. On one vacation you may want a luxurious getaway with that special someone but on another you may want a thrill-packed party weekend with your friends.

The hotels included on the Vegas4Visitors.com Top 10 Awards run the gamut from high-class resorts to budget minded alternatives but they all have something in common: they offer what we consider to be the richest Las Vegas experiences without requiring you to be rich to experience them.

Therein lies the shift in our priorities. When we started this list four years ago the priority was luxury at any cost. Last year we were in search of fun. This year, with a rocky stock market and a sluggish economy we’re looking for places where you can have all the things that Vegas is famous for without spending a fortune.

So without further ado, our picks for the Top 10 Overall Hotels in Las Vegas.

10. Stratosphere
A $100 million expansion and renovation a few years ago still leaves us impressed by this hotel, especially when you take the rates into consideration. Sure, the rooms may not be much more than standard boxy hotel generic but you have everything you need with a small measure of style and comfort at prices that often compete for the lowest on The Strip. Add in the huge and often generous casino, a terrific players club, lots of attractions and entertainment, some good restaurants, shopping, and an unparalleled view from the top of the tower and it’s easy to see why Stratosphere soars.

9. Palms
This is not a bargain basement hotel in terms of price but you’re still going to pay significantly less here for a much nicer room than you will a couple of blocks away on The Strip. The surroundings are well-appointed, hip, and luxurious with enough of the “locals” flair of things like movie theaters and a food court to make it welcoming to all. They’ve done a great job of making this “party central” but even if you’re not going to party the Palms is a terrific choice for your next Vegas vacation.

8. Sunset Station
Located in what feels like far-flung Henderson, Sunset Station primarily markets itself to the local Las Vegas population and therefore is easily overlooked by Vegas visitors. That’s too bad because this place has a lot to offer. The rooms are large and among the most complete in terms of amenities (irons and boards, hair dryers, etc.); lots of restaurants and entertainment offerings; a very friendly staff; and rates that often undercut similar hotels on The Strip by 50% or more. The casino is large and one of the prettiest in town and the players club is worth joining for all the perks and discounts you can get. Worth the drive!

7. Boulder Station
Boulder Station is more than just a corporate sibling to the #8 hotel on this list Sunset Station, it is a spiritual sibling as well. Take everything mentioned about that hotel above and put it in a train-themed building that is closer to The Strip and you’ve got this Boulder Highway version, packed with all of casino, entertainment, dining, and lodging amenities that have made this chain so successful.

6. Paris
It’s hard to imagine how a 3,000-room hotel with an 80,000 square-foot casino can be romantic but somehow this Vegas version of turn-of-the-century Paris is. From the graceful French detailing throughout the public areas to the soft and luxurious touches in the rooms, it’s easy to get swept away by the theme here. Even the staff thanking you with “Merci” is more charming than it sounds on paper. While it can be expensive to stay here, it still offers more for less money than many hotels that surround it. In short: Paris has become a Vegas treasure.

5. Main Street Station
This Downtown hotel is not related to the other Station properties throughout town but they still have managed to accomplish what those hotels have in an even more inviting way. The early 1900’s San Francisco design is a delight, the rooms are comfortable and large, the casino is bright and airy, there are several terrific restaurants, and the staff in our experience has been unfailingly polite. It isn’t the highest profile hotel Downtown but it is one of the best.

4. New York-New York
If visual stimulation is your cup of tea, this should be your first stop because no other hotel in Las Vegas offers this much eye-candy. The wacky Big Apple design can make even the most cynical visitors shake their head with wonder and amusement. But the appeal of the hotel doesn’t stop with the décor. The rooms jump out of the generic boxes that imprison most hotels in town, the entertainment and dining options are top notch, and the casino is one of the most energetic in town. All of this with rates that usually come in under many of the hotels that surround it!

3. Luxor
Before New York-New York came along, Luxor set the bar with their outrageous over-the-top Egyptian theme. Come on – a giant pyramid on the Las Vegas Strip?! It’s brilliant in both concept and execution and even if that’s all there was it would still be pretty cool. But there’s much more to the place including uniquely designed and decorated rooms, tons of entertainment options, great service, and extremely competitive prices. You can’t do better than this for these kinds of rates.

2. Mirage
With all of the luxurious mega-resorts that have opened since, it’s sometimes easy to forget how completely unique and special The Mirage was when it opened. With world-class dining and entertainment, sumptuous rooms, a tastefully eye-popping jungle theme, an energetic and upscale casino, and personal boutique hotel service The Mirage trumped every other hotel in town and around the world. Other hotels have imitated the blueprint that The Mirage laid out but in our opinion that’s all they have been: imitators. The years and the competition have not dulled the shine of this Strip legend.

1. Green Valley Ranch
You have to hand it to the folks at Station Casinos. They took everything that made their other properties (see Boulder & Sunset Stations on this list) so terrific and wrapped it up in a package that competes and beats the larger and more expensive hotels on The Strip. These are true spa resort style accommodations – luxurious, elegant, and magnificent without being intimidating or stuffy. The rooms are among the nicest in town, the casino is a lot of fun and beautiful to look at, the entertainment and dining options are amazing, the grounds and pool area are a unique treat, the service is great, and the prices, while certainly not cheap, are often half what you’d pay for this level of a hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard. For all of these reasons and a few more of those intangible, “this is just a really cool place” type of feelings, we’re pleased to choose Green Valley Ranch as the #1 Hotel in Las Vegas.

In addition to being a Vegas expert of her own right as author of the Frommer’s and Dummies guides to the city, Mary is an unabashed “foodie.” She has written articles on restaurants in Vegas, New Orleans, and elsewhere that have appeared in national magazines and epicurean websites, but more importantly she just loves to eat. And she has a tiny little waistline so at times I wonder why I like her so much but I always trust her judgment.

I got her input on this list and threw in many of my favorites as well, building a Top 10 that not only counts down to number one but offers you “Bests” in a variety of categories. That way if you prefer the extravagant French cuisine over the hearty American steak you can pick and choose from the list.

But regardless of which you might choose, the following restaurants are the cream of the crop when it comes to dining in Vegas. And the winners are:

10. (Best Brew Pub) Triple 7 Restaurant & Brew Pub
Brew pubs are seen by some as the curse of the nineties – a bland, safe, yuppie version of Denny’s with beer. But the Triple 7 at Main Street Station manages to use the brew pub clichés to its advantage by creating a warm industrial chic room with some really hearty and inexpensive food. Great for lunch or a late night nosh with some entertainment – and don’t forget about their award winning suds!

9. (Best Barbecue) Memphis Championship Barbecue
Is it the best barbecue in all of Las Vegas? We think so and a lot of people seem to agree, making this one of the most popular off-the-beaten-track restaurants in town. Their family recipes, uniquely flavorful sauces and spices, and down-home flair have won lots of fans of both locals and visitors. Go hungry and leave stuffed.

8. (Best Budget Buster) Picasso
The accolades and awards for Bellagio’s premiere restaurant have piled so high that they’re going to need to build a new wing just to house it all. Master chef Julian Serrano’s mouth-watering take on classic French cuisine combines with a luxurious atmosphere (yes, those are real Picasso paintings on the walls) to create a dining experience that is truly special without being intimidating. It’s expensive, but if you’ve got $100 a person to throw at dinner, this should be the restaurant you go to.

7. (Best Chinese) PF Chang’s China Bistro
PF Chang’s are popping up all over the place now with locations in more than two-dozen states nationwide. True “foodies” will sneer at any chain restaurant but there’s a reason this place’s popularity has exploded in the past couple of years. With a wide-ranging and delicious selection of traditional and new Chinese dishes at moderate prices all served with flair in an upscale bistro environment, PF Chang’s has succeeded where others have failed. If they haven’t come to your town yet, visit them on your next trip to Vegas.

6. (Best Mexican) Border Grill
The brainchild of “Two Hot Tamales” Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger is a festive upscale twist on traditional south-of-the-border cuisine. Looking at the menu and the prices you’ll immediately understand that this ain’t no Taco Bell, but the old-world recipes spiced up for the new millennium will make you wish they had a late-night drive through anyway.

5. (Best Traditional Italian) Carluccio’s Tivoli Gardens
Even if the food sucked we think we’d still like this kitschy tribute to the seventies. Originally founded and decorated by Liberace, Carluccio’s hasn’t updated the place at all and the result is a hilarious snapshot of the late flamboyant entertainer’s taste and style. But luckily the décor isn’t the only reason to come here, with hearty and incredibly satisfying Americanized Italian dishes from spaghetti and meatballs to lasagna and beyond. Throw in the very reasonable prices and you have a true winner.

4. (Best Gourmet) Rosemary’s
Don’t let the word “gourmet” or the casual mention of things like “French influence” scare you away from this truly special dining experience. Wendy and Michael Jordan’s award-winning restaurant pulls from a wide spectrum of cuisines to create a menu that will not only satisfy but delight all tastes and taste buds. Despite the “gourmet” moniker you don’t have to be a gourmand to appreciate Rosemary’s.

3. (Best Sandwiches) Capriotti’s
One bite of a Capriotti’s sub and you’ll forget all about those omnipresent Subways and Quizno’s. Tried and true favorites (roast beef, ham and cheese, meatball, etc.) battle for your attention with off-the-wall specialties like The Bobbie – roast turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing on a roll or as we like to call it Thanksgiving in the form of a sandwich. The portions range from huge to enormous and the fresh flavors will leave you weak. A great alternative to the overpriced lunch buffets.

2. (Best French) Alize
Chef Rochat has been a fixture in Vegas for more than two decades with his award-winning namesake Andre’s, a classic French bistro near downtown. But with Alize, he has taken everything that made Andre’s special and, to borrow a popular culinary phrase, kicked it up a notch. It goes beyond the boundaries of French gourmet cuisine to create dishes that qualify for masterpiece status. As a bonus, you get one of the most amazing views in town from the restaurant’s perch atop The Palms hotel tower.

1. (Best Steakhouse and Best Overall) Austins
Since I discovered Austins more than a year ago, I have directed countless readers and dozens of my own friends and family to this amazing place and I have heard nothing but stone cold raves from all of them. To say the steaks are the best I’ve ever tasted anywhere at any time may seem like overstatement but it’s only the beginning of the delightful experience you’ll have when eating here. With a slightly southern twist on the classic steakhouse, Austins takes traditional American dining to a new level that will leave you giddy with anticipation for a return visit. The service is impeccable and friendly, the prices are reasonable and cheaper than similar Strip restaurants, the dining room is elegant without being overwhelming, and the food… well, there’s a reason I keep going back again and again. For the second year in a row I’m happy to name Austins as The Best Restaurant in Las Vegas.

In my opinion it has to offer something different from the one next door. That could be extraordinarily high-quality food, unique cuisines and dishes, a special dining atmosphere, or just a really good bargain – preferably all of the above.

The buffets on this list score points in at least one of those categories and many score points in all. And the winners are:

10. Bellagio
The buffet at Bellagio is certainly the most lavish and most expensive of the non-Sunday brunches but nowhere is the old axiom more applicable: you get what you pay for. The quality of the food, the service, and the surroundings rival what you’d find at a regular restaurant. That’s a remarkable achievement and definitely worth your attention.

9. Aladdin
Any time you can get all of the usual buffet food plus some unique and original dishes to boot you’ve got something special in this crowded category. The Aladdin’s Spice Market Buffet tips its proverbial hat to the Arabian nights theme of the hotel with a variety of Middle Eastern and Moroccan foods to spice up the proceedings. It’s an excellent twist to the boring and bland buffet that many hotels have.

8. Orleans
The recently remodeled and expanded buffet at the Orleans has done accomplished what many of the "locals" oriented buffets had already done: provide massive quantities and varieties of food at an affordable cost. But the Cajun and Creole touches added to many of the dishes make this one stand out as something special. An excellent alternative to the more expensive Strip buffets a few miles away.

7. Sam’s Town
The Firelight Buffet has three things going for it: a wide selection of well-prepared food; a beautiful dining room with high ceilings, natural light, and foliage; a really amazing price. When you can get this much good stuff for up to half what you would pay at a comparable Strip buffet it’s obvious why the Firelight earns a spot in our Top 10.

6. Texas/Sunset Feast Around the World
The Feast Around the World at Texas Station and Sunset Station are practically the same thing only with a different décor. But although they are similar to each other, they distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack with their sheer variety of specialty and regional cuisines. There’s always too much to eat at a buffet, but these places will really put you into a gastronomic quandary as you try to decide between too many good options.

5. Paris
There’s no other buffet like it in Las Vegas. From the delightful French countryside setting to the enormous selection of high-quality food, some of it with French flair, you’ve got a terrific example of how to make the experience unique. It’s expensive, but you’ll find a level of quality here that you won’t find at most of the other buffets in the city.

4. Mirage
You have to give props to The Mirage for setting the bar so high in so many different areas, including the buffet. When it opened more than a decade ago it re-imagined what a Las Vegas buffet should be like with upscale décor touches, restaurant level food, and excellent service. But instead of resting on their laurels, The Mirage Buffet has continued to grow and change and still challenges – and beats - the newer, more expensive rooms in town.

3. Luxor
Although the concept of inexpensive has changed a lot in Las Vegas, Luxor’s Pharaoh’s Pheast Buffet still takes the prize for the highest quality at the lowest cost. Yes, there are a few that are cheaper but that extends to the food as well. At Luxor you get an almost overwhelming selection of really good food in a fun Egyptian atmosphere.

2. Palms
How do you make a buffet stand out? Well, if you are at The Palms you lay out a huge spread of cuisines that you have a hard time finding anywhere else (Middle Eastern, Mongolian Barbecue, etc.) next to the traditional buffet favorites and you price it at about half what you’d pay across the street for a less interesting selection. And we love the part where they ask you what you want to drink as you pay so by the time you get back to your table your beverage is waiting for you. That alone puts it in the top tier!

1. Main Street Station
This is the second year in a row that the Main Street Station’s buffet has claimed the top spot on this list. Why? I defy you to find this kind of selection (American, Mexican, Asian, Hawaiian, wood-fired oven pizzas, hot dogs and chili, the list goes on and on) in this nice of a room (garden trellises with lazy ceiling fans and lots of big windows) at this price (take the $10 or $15 you’ll save and put it in a slot machine) anywhere else in town. It is simply the best buffet in Las Vegas.

And the winners are:

10. Thunder From Down Under
So it’s just guys taking their clothes off while women scream, right? Well, yes but unlike other shows of its ilk Thunder is done without taking the whole thing too seriously. It’s a riot for the women and even the husbands or boyfriends that might get dragged to this will be amused by the antics.

9. Clint Holmes
Holmes is the definition of “showman,” infusing his song and dance routine with the kind of energy, passion, emotion, and good humor that made the Rat Pack era stars shine. Even the hardest of cynics will be charmed by this guy.

8. O
By now the Cirque du Soleil show style has become so ingrained into the Las Vegas scene that it’s hard to remember what it was like before they arrived. But this water-themed delight, featuring a mix of avant-garde theater and circus-style acts, is still an eye-popping wonder no matter how many other shows try to imitate it.

7. Bravo featuring Charo
Yes, you remember her as the giggling Spanish bombshell from “The Love Boat” and the random Bob Hope special, but that’s really selling her short. Sure, the dense accent, ample cleavage, and rim-shot jokes are still intact but then wait until she picks up a guitar and be stunned by her virtuoso level picking. It leaves us with one thing to say: cuchi-cuchi!

6. Gladys Knight
The concept of “Headliner Showrooms” seems to have been created for Ms. Knight, as her stunning voice and good-natured humor make her a natural for the top of any marquee. All of your classic Pip-era favorites are here but the newer material shines as well and it all adds up to a great night of entertainment.

5. Rita Rudner
Is Rudner the funniest stand-up comic currently performing anywhere in the country? You’ll have to judge that for yourself but for my money her show offers more side-splitting, knee-slapping, pick-your-cliché laughs than any other in town. You’ll be chuckling for days after this one.

4. Blue Man Group
It’s hard to figure out why three guys with blue paint on their heads doing abstract music/stunts/performance art pieces has become such a hit. But the bottom line is this absurdist (meant in a good way) show is funny, strange, and thrilling all at the same time. You’ve never seen anything like it and you’ll probably never forget it.

3. Mystere
Cirque du Soleil came to Vegas with this awe-inspiring spectacle nearly a decade ago but that hasn’t dulled its impact, its style, and its emotional pull. Similar to younger sister “O,” the show mixes aerial and acrobatic tricks with avant-garde theater pieces to create a visual feast – one that is as likely to make you laugh as move you to tears.

2. Second City
Improvisational and sketch comedy may not be the cutting edge when it comes to entertainment these days – ratings for “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” are down and everyone knows that “Saturday Night Live” is more miss than hit these days. But it would be a shame if that made you overlook this laugh-out-loud comedy bonanza, an always-changing collection of skits and improv at a bargain basement price (comparatively speaking). This must be on your list of shows to see on your next trip to Vegas.

1. Penn & Teller
Although they’ve been around for years, Penn & Teller represent what I believe to be the future of magic and illusion, and not just for Vegas, a city famed for its big budget prestidigitation. Forget the preening showgirls and dramatic “wow, she’s floating” garbage that other magicians still hold onto and let these guys focus instead on the art, the history, the skill, and the ultimate con game that is magic. Who else can explain how they are about to do a trick and still leave you amazed when they do it? These guys are geniuses and they have our pick for The Best Show in Las Vegas.

10. Caesars Magical Empire
This fantastic magic and dinner theater experience was going to be number one on my list this year, but then Caesars went and shut the place down. So as a measure of protest we’re giving honorary mention in the number ten spot to an attraction that will definitely be missed.

9. Chicken Challenge
You play tic-tac-toe against a live chicken for a chance to win $10,000. What more needs to be said? Probably the silliest, oddest, wackiest thing to hit The Strip since Liberace.

8. Liberace Museum
Speaking of whom, the recently revamped and expanded Liberace Museum is more than just a shrine to the flamboyant entertainer. It’s a rhinestone encrusted trip through Las Vegas entertainment history, complete with all of the feathers, jewels, and platform shoes that went with it.

7. Casino Legends Hall of Fame
And as long as we’re on the subject of history… in a town that seems to delight in tearing down or blowing up its past, it’s a joy to find this hidden treasure of a museum/tribute to all things Las Vegas.

6. Treasure Island Pirate Battle
You usually have to pay big money at a theme park to see live-action stunt shows as entertaining as this one featuring pirates, explosions, and sinking ships. But this being Vegas, the ultimate theme park, you get to see it for free every 90 minutes. A must for the first time Vegas visitor.

5. Eiffel Tower Experience
If you can get over whatever fear of heights you may have (warning: close your eyes during the glass elevator ride) this 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower offers some of the most stunning views of The Strip around. Go at night to see the lights and grab a viewing spot to watch the Bellagio Fountain Shows directly across the street.

4. Mirage Dolphin Habitat
Where can you go when you need a break from the lights, the noise, and the general over-the-top hullabaloo that is Vegas? Go commune with a dolphin for awhile. It’s the most un-Vegas thing to do in Vegas but I dare you to walk out of there without a smile on your face. The place gets extra points for being one of the most successful (in terms of health and breeding) dolphin habitats in the world.

3. Bellagio Fountain Shows
In the First Annual Vegas4Visitors.com Reader’s Poll, you folks picked this delightful water and sound show as the best attraction in Vegas and it’s easy to see why. With dancing fountains and water canons all masterfully timed to evocative and well-chosen music selections, this is the kind of attraction you watch over and over and not get tired of.

2. Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix
You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this family fun-park packed with all of the latest arcade games, classic carnival attractions, and some of the coolest go-kart courses ever. There’s a little something for everyone here and even the adults can have a great time acting out their Mario Andretti fantasies. Bonus points for a great snack shop and terrific pizza.

1. Fremont Street Experience
The Downtown area is so easily overlooked for first-timers and even repeat visitors seem to forget what an amazing experience the Experience can be. Millions of lights and a booming sound system create a dazzling show in the sky every hour after dark, with different shows rotating in and out all year. We went back recently and caught the tribute to classic rock (The Who, The Doors, The Rolling Stones) that had the hundreds of people in attendance literally dancing in the streets. It absolutely shouldn’t be missed and as such it becomes our choice for The Best Attraction in Las Vegas.

I also give extra points to things like an entertaining or attractive décor, a noticeably friendly staff, and a generous Player’s Club.

And the winners are:

10. Venetian
This is the first appearance on the Top 10 Casinos list for The Venetian and to be honest it mostly got on here because I won more than $5,000 on slots and video poker in a three-hour period one night. But set that aside and you still have a great casino, packed with gaming options, pleasant if uninspired décor, none of the attitude you find at other top-line casinos, and lots of space to keep you from feeling overwhelmed.

9. Paris
The concept is a blatant French rip-off of what they did at New York-New York – pick a city and replicate it with slot machines – but that doesn’t make the result any less spectacular. Take a moment to appreciate the details of the sky, the trees, the building facades, and the twinkling lights and then take in all the high-energy gaming action. It doesn’t sound like it should work but it does and it still leaves me charmed every time I go in there.

8. Stratosphere
This is The Strip casino that does what many local neighborhood casinos do so well: forget about the bells, whistles, and fancy décor and concentrate on the reason people came here. With tons of slot machines, more video poker than any other casino on The Strip, and (relatively) low-limit tables all wrapped up in a pleasant environment, how can you lose? Well, of course you can always lose, but that’s the other thing about The Stratosphere – I have won a lot of dough here. Plus, they have one of the most generous players clubs in town, offering tons of perks and offers for even moderate play.

7. Main St. Station
Okay, so I’ve never won a lot of money here but that doesn’t change the fact that the Main Street Station casino is one of the nicest, most relaxed gaming spaces in town. With high ceilings and subtle but effective turn-of-the-century San Francisco décor it’s a welcome relief from the in-your-face antics that happen in many Downtown casinos.

6. Mirage
Don’t let this hotel’s sixth place finish fool you – this is still my favorite casino on The Strip when it comes to casual gaming in an upscale environment. The energy is palpable but it still feels relaxed when you enter and although it definitely seems like a high-roller haven it doesn’t go overboard with the opulent touches. High ceilings and good spacing between the machines and tables make this a terrific place to gamble.

4. (Tie) Sunset Station
If you don’t make it off The Strip to gamble you’re making a mistake and Sunset Station is a terrific example as to why. With a huge, rambling casino, tons of slots and video poker, every table game you could imagine with lower limits than The Strip, and a stunning stone and stained glass décor Sunset Station is definitely worth the 15 minute drive on your next trip to Vegas.

4. (Tie) Boulder Station
Take everything I just said about Sunset Station and change the décor to hardwood floors and a subtle train motif and you have Sunset’s older sister Boulder Station. Since these hotels are part of the overall Station chain you also get the benefit of the Boarding Pass, a very generous player’s club that rewards frequent visitors with more stuff than you can handle and infrequent visitors with discounts on room rates and casino perks.

3. New York-New York
It’s hard to remember what casino life in Vegas was like before New York-New York. Sure, other casinos had done the theme thing but no one did it as audaciously and dramatically as New York-New York. With replicas of famous Gotham landmarks surrounding a Central Park-esque casino, this place is a visual feast – the kind of place where you can actually have as much fun looking around as you can gambling.

2. Luxor
Luxor does for Egypt what the number 3 hotel above does for New York and trumps them with a better layout, fewer distractions, and more gaming options. The wacky King Tut theme is so much fun that it’s hard to tell if you’re smiling because of the talking camels or because the slot machines keep rewarding your effort. I’ve won big here, so that colors my opinion of course, but even before they enriched my bottom line I enjoyed playing here.

1. Green Valley Ranch
Station casinos newest property takes everything they are good at – offering tons of relatively low-limit, high-energy gaming – and puts it in the classiest, loveliest, most understated rooms in all of Las Vegas. The thick carpeting, rich hard woods, stonework, and tasteful wall coverings make this room feel intimate, inviting, and exclusive – like you’ve gotten the nod to enter a private gaming salon designed just for you. Add in the generous player’s club mentioned above, historically generous slot machines, a super-friendly staff, multi-denomination machines, convenient cashless payouts… well, I’m running out of room here but it all adds up to my choice for the #1 Casino in Las Vegas.

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