The elegant four-star (****) Monte Carlo, which opened in 1996, has become known as one of the best hotel values on the strip. It is highly rated in terms of overall customer satisfaction, and has become one of my personal favorites.

Monte Cartlo is intended to remind one of the resort's namesake in Europe. Like the Golden Nugget, Mirage, Venetian, Bellagio, and Mandalay Bay, it is aimed at the more sophisticated customer. Beautiful statuary and fountains, quiet restaurants and lounges, luxurious rooms, decent shops, an extensive pool area (which includes a wave pool and a lazy river ride) are key features of the upscale, but not pretentious, Monte Carlo. There are also attractive plantings, a particularly pleasant food court, and a somewhat restrained decor (by Las Vegas standards).

Master magician Lance Burton performs in the 27 million dollar Lance Burton Theatre. The attractive Cafe, although not quite as upscale (or expensive) as those at the Venetian and Mandalay Bay, serves excellent food and is one of the best coffee shops on the Strip for breakfast.

The Monte Carlo also features the Strip's first micro brewery/pub, voted the best such establishment in Las Vegas. There is a convenient monorail connecting the Monte Carlo (which was built as a joint effort of Mandalay Resort Group and Mirage Resorts) with Bellagio (wholly owned by MGM/Mirage Resorts), so staying at either gives one access to both.