Bathrooms are big, dark walled and dual vanity affairs with marble baths and countertops. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down. But there are nice amenities, too, like TVs in the bathrooms (actually in the tub, not up on the ceiling, so you can relax in the tub and watch TV). Any of that find its way into your suitcase? The mini-bar is pretty standard, and with standard mini-bar prices. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. It was high and firm, with four big fluffy pillows and a big duvet. They got us? Bright white Egyptian cotton sheets feel cool and luxurious and the bed was among the best I've slept on in Las Vegas. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. The King Deluxe is one of quite a few room categories (including a recently renovated 7,500-square-foot penthouse), and is the smallest of them all but feels spacious. The hotel has stayed current with frequent upgrades, and was always smartly and timelessly outfitted in dark chocolate browns and neutral tones with pops of color. I most recently stayed in a deluxe king, a 500-square-foot room with a great view of the mountains. And those who associate locals’ casinos with old-timers playing bingo should check out the new High Limit Room, a 9,000-square-foot salon of table games attended by dedicated butler service. It recently completed at $35 million renovation, which included expanding the restaurant offerings. Its restaurants, too, are popular with the locals, and since the adjacent Downtown Summerlin opened, with its own retail and restaurants, this area feels like a paradise for Las Vegans.

As are the other casinos operated by Station Casino, it's known as a locals' casino, and gets tons of foot traffic. It's right off the beltway, so about a 20-minute drive to the Strip, but most people come here to be away from Las Vegas Boulevard. What’s the crowd like? This hotel is hugely popular with a drive-in crowd from California and elsewhere, because of its proximity to the conservation area.

But it also feels really contemporary and natural: Since it backs up against the stunning Red Rock Conservation Area, its rooms and public areas are very much in keeping with the colors of the desert-natural hues and dark woods with pops of color. How did it strike you on arrival? This hotel channels all the glamour of old Vegas, with backlit onyx, tinted glass and thousands of Swarovski crystals reminiscent of classics like the Desert Inn.

Red rock casino pool activities