ARIA was built upon the land that was occupied by a strip mall, Monte Carlo's parking garage, the old Boardwalk Hotel and Casino and a massive asphalt parking lot that extended from Monte Carlo to Bellagio. The large landmass it sits on was assembled on the sly by Mirage Resorts CTO Dan Lee, and was part of the Mirage/MGM takeover in 2001. CityCenter's groundbreaking took place in June 2005, with the implosion and removal of the Boardwalk taking place in mid-2006.
The original plan - throw everything you might want in a city under one roof, then tear the roof off - didn't exactly work out as planned. Yeah, theres still plenty of shopping at Crystals, and deluxe resort amenities (Mandarin Oriental, Vdara and ARIA each have their own Spa and pools), restaurants galore and the architectural adventuredome that is ARIA's casino, but the supermarkets, office buildings, condos and "city life" didn't exactly pan out.
Read our first impression review The Artistry of ARIA
Read our quickie second impression review ARIA Encore
Over The Boardwalk: Project CityCenter is our in-depth analysis of the architectural renderings and plans for the coming mixed-use sci-fi super city. It's got everything you need to know about the Project CityCenter project.
Buyer beware - all MGM Resorts properties charge the highest resort fees (nearly $40/night) plus a $10 per day fee to self-park your car. VegasTripping suggests you find alternate accommodations.
ARIA, the anchor tenant of the CityCenter complex, is a compelling work of art in and of itself. Befit with fabulously comfortable hi-tech rooms, a dark and mysterious casino, varied dining options from chefs borrowed from neighboring Bellagio and dramatically designed public spaces that instantly redefined the casino resort. The chink in Aria's angular armor has always been substandard, careless, almost confrontational customer service. Now, a number of years into operation, ARIA has combed out many of the bugs, fixed misfires and transformed a gorgeous property into a destination resort devoid of excuses.
Blackjack, craps, roulette, three card poker, a great poker room, tons of slots and video poker. High rollers should explore "Carta Privata" high minimum gaming lounge as well as the real high limit baccarat room just around the corner.
The rooms at ARIA come in a number of different assortments and floor plans. We've got the full run down on their room offerings right here.
Aria features 13 restaurants, cafe's and dining options and seven bars.
American Fish (Michael Mina)
Jean Georges Steakhouse (Jean Georges Vongerichten)
Sirio (Sirio Maccioni)
Julian Serrano (tapas - yum!)
Todd English's P.U.B.
Jean Philippe Patisserie (Jean-Philippe Maury)
Sage (Chef Shawn McClain)
Lemongrass (Thai)
Javiers (Mexican/tequila bar - coming soon where Union used to be)
Bar Masa/ Tetsu (Masayoshi Takayama)
Blossom (Chinese)
The Buffet
Cafe Vettro
Lemongrass
Five50 (pizza joint by the sports book)
The Roasted Bean
Breeze Cafe
View Bar (lobby)
Haze (nightclub)
Baccarat Bar
City Bar (casino center)
Bar Moderno
Pool Bar
Liquid (euro dayclub on the pool deck)
Skybox Bar
The Deuce (hi rollers lounge, formerly known as National Gaming Lounge and Club Royale)
Gold (a bar and lounge by the Zarkana theatre)
The ridiculously named 'National Gaming Lounge' - also referred to as "Club Royale" (w/cheese?) - appears to be some kind of high rollers joint. For obvious reasons, it is no longer on the latest versions of the property map we've managed to get our hands on. We're guessing that this is what they are now calling "The Deuce."
DarkGhost posted on 4th June 2016 :Amazing restaurant selection. Great service. Nice pool, but crowded. Nice spa, awesome fitness center. Rooms are modern and comfortable. Casino is dark, with a loud party vibe. Confusing interior layout.
ScroogeMcMurren posted on 20th April 2016 :The greatest hotel ever! Romantically inspired by beautiful office buildings from the 1980's
middleclassbuzz posted on 11th January 2016 :Most comfortable bed I've ever slept in. Also, my favorite bar in Las Vegas (at Sage).
Queentata44 posted on 23rd November 2015 :Beautiful! Dark! Great mojitos! Great restaurants!
Hyperfocal posted on 5th November 2015 :I was there on opening night. Slowly snaking through the casino just after the fireworks, I was a bit disappointed. It felt too dark, industrial and cold. A couple friends stayed there and had poor experiences.
A couple years later, I got a decent rate and stayed. It was OK, but they had improved things on the casino floor. Overall service was mid-pack for MGM properties.
Another year passed. I got a comp offer for a city view room and upgraded to a corner suite. It was a fundamentally different experience. Front desk was quick and friendly, houskeeping supervisor showed up shortly after getting to the the room to see if anything needed service, bell desk had bags and a bag of ice up in under 5 minutes!!! Turn down service was perfection.
Next trip, booked a Corner Suite and had an email from the concierge within 24 hours. Hope it bodes well for continued service improvement.
MattMortensen posted on 16th September 2015 :Love Aria! Such a beautiful hotel and casino!
krickhoff posted on 1st September 2015 :Have stayed here last 3 times in Vegas. Love the rooms and entire resort. Great Vibe - luxury without pretense. Great location!
WebCodeMonkey posted on 5th August 2015 :My second favourite place to stay besides Wynn/Encore. Sky Suites are beautiful, always get treated well. A good portion of the dealers make the gambling more entertaining. Love that the rooms are now non-smoking. Food options are pretty good but this is where Wynn has Aria beat.
GoldFather posted on 27th December 2014 :Went to Aria to play poker. The architecture was beautiful, and I loved the abiance of the casino as a whole. Stunning.
Butler posted on 10th December 2014 :It's not my favorite, but it's growing on me. Some of the best casino music-mix in town.
BobbyD posted on 9th December 2014 :Although set back much too far from the strip, the SkySuites are fantastic. Wonderful underappreciated fine dining. Friendly craps staff. Decent pool.
hoff0095 posted on 2nd December 2014 :Awesome!
jwwalsh2 posted on 20th July 2014 :A fine hotel, everything new, shiny and clean. Still a great value for a newer hotel and an excellent location on the strip.
skyyontherocks posted on 6th June 2014 :I have been impressed by Aria and it's service, amenities, and style. The rooms have been great. The pool area and spa facilities are top notch. And, the overall ambiance of the property is great. What I am not a fan of is that I am hearing more and more that they are pulling back on comps for bar top players. I heard from a friend that he attempted to play VP at one of the bars. He did not have a players card so the bartender would not comp him. Further he said that even with a player's card, he would be only comped one drink every 30 minutes as long as he was playing max-in regularly per the judgement of the bartender.
Michele posted on 31st May 2014 :Two words: Toto washlet. If you're lucky enough to get a room with one of these miracle toilets, it will change your life. Initially, I didn't like the casino, but I've grown to enjoy playing there despite the pumped-in smell. Nice mix of bars and restaurants, with a mostly convenient center Strip location. Some people might not enjoy walking through a mall to get to the hotel/casino, but there are ways around it.
dadice posted on 30th May 2014 :nice pool, lately I win here more than anywhere else. Still ! ** Plenty of good food close by.
Malibugolfer posted on 30th May 2014 :Great gaming, food and beds in the Sky Suites
BillDonovan posted on 29th May 2014 :Sports Book screens are the best.
trennie01 posted on 29th May 2014 :We moved our home base from the Monte to Aria once it opened. Have always had good rooms and good vibes. Can't wait to get back
vespajet posted on 29th May 2014 :When I first visited Aria several years ago, the place didn't do anything for me. In the last year or so, I've started to really like Aria more and more.
setzer posted on 25th May 2014 :Seeing it for the first time in 2013, I was impressed by the design and class of the place. The ambient atmosphere in the casino, the bars, and just overall, puts the Aria as one of the places near the top of my list to visit on future trips. The only reason I'm didn't choose here for my next trip was because I have chosen to stay downtown instead and take in the atmosphere there.
BCCableGuy posted on 14th April 2014 :Beautiful, simply beautiful. Awesome rooms with great tech toys.
rsauve posted on 23rd March 2014 :Lovely gaming staff.
Ricogreen posted on 1st February 2014 :The Aria is currently my favourite luxury hotel in Vegas to stay at due to the price. I get fantastic Mlife offers compared to any other suites in the city. The addition of Carbone is another positive to it already fantastic restaurant lineup.
socalduck posted on 22nd January 2014 :Forget about the rocky opening and the snarky comments about "pocket parks" and "remembering to breathe." Aria is hitting it's stride, with great room product in all categories including the uber-luxe Sky Suites, a lively casino, and plenty of dining choices. This is currently my go-to spot, and I could not be happier.
rocklobster posted on 16th December 2013 :I like the brand new rooms and the location. The Casino is huge and wide open. Had a good time playing here, but was very limited play.
VegasMatt posted on 9th September 2013 :Big.. Distant from the strip however worth the walk for the experience. The Buffet (at breakfast) is delicious, and Zarkana is an awesome Cirque show. And I love the aroma that they pump in there.
BigHoss posted on 28th August 2013 :Hated the idea of Aria, refused to even go there for a while, eating my words and thoughts now. The rooms are fantastic with comfy beds, cavernous bathrooms and fun electronic room controls. The hotel has a good mix of restaurants. I particularly like the Julian Serrano tapas place. I have had some real fun at the Lift Bar -- formerly Bar Moderno. Thanks, Jimbo, for pushing this one through. I never thought it would work at the time.
westTexasroller posted on 10th May 2013 :I am 42, I cut my teeth in " themed " Vegas, and sometimes I still miss it. I read on VT once " I can stay in a non-descript luxury hotel in St. Louis or Dallas ". Having said that, for all MGM does wrong and did wrong here, it is a lovely casino.
TimCoreNY posted on 18th March 2013 :Stayed here the last time I was out there. Our safe was broken, but they sent an entire team of people to fix it. I loved the techy room and wasted a lot of time playing with the remote. Didn't eat here except the buffet which was nothing to write home about but I did play a bit here and had a good time. The dealers were friendly and it wasn't as high brow as I thought it might be. I also played a bit at Monte Carlo which is where I now plan to stay next as I had a blast there. I also saw the Viva Elvis show and I enjoyed it but oh well at least I did get to see it.
radgambler posted on 5th February 2013 :Stayed one night the summer of 2012. The casino reminds me of M. Ate at Serrano and Mastros- out of this world.
rbg81601 posted on 14th November 2012 :Aside from the malfunctioning room electronics, and overpowering perfume added to the air, Aria is a decent addition to the strip - although considering it to be on the strip isn't accurate since it is about two miles back from Las Vegas Blvd.
LimeLizard posted on 13th November 2012 :I really like the layout of the Aria..The Casino Floor is Huge..Won some $money$ so that Help's like a place..The Sport Book is Nothing fancy, But I did Chill out in there for 2 Hours..The look and feel just seem's right for me..
nmccarty82 posted on 25th July 2012 :Clean, Modern, and very upbeat. Lot's of fun! People and Staff were amazing. Great places to eat and lot's to gamble on!
LAvegasphile posted on 18th April 2012 :I forgot to breath! It's a love/hate (but mostly love) relationship...gorgeous casino and rooms, fantastic service, amazing architecture, but its a building that looks like it could be found in any cluster of downtown high rises...probably a model for the future of the Strip.
nascar494 posted on 21st February 2012 :Best place I have ever stayed at in Vegas!
SunRunnerKelly posted on 28th December 2011 :We stayed in an Aria Sky Suite in March 2011 and again in October 2012. I loved the suite. I loved the tech controls and decor. Check in/out was a breeze (there is a separate lobby for the Sky Suites). Sky Suites includes limo transportation to/from the airport (there is a private Sky Suites entrance). My only negative comment is that the Sportsbook is really small, so we probably wouldn't stay there for another March trip, since that trip is all about watching/betting on NCAA basketball games.
Wrinklebottom posted on 12th December 2011 :The coolest place in town. Got right everything Wynn used to get right but got wrong and has continued to make worse with every new change since opening Encore beach club. Great architecture Great Vibe Great restaurants. Best value in a 5-star resort at least for now until the economy picks up and they can start charging what they deserve for the rooms.
cosmicdoom posted on 8th September 2011 :Didn't stay here, But the Casino was very nice, Saw the Viva Elvis show here, nice theater ... so so show, not awful, but I fell asleep.
VivaLasVegasBoy posted on 25th July 2011 :Great Hotel, I love the interior, the restaurants and the pool...though I'm not a fan of the exterior and the CityCenter concept...Aria didn't disappointed me.
donnymac66 posted on 27th June 2011 :Have stayed twice in a corner suite at Aria and loved the room. The bathroom is huge, bed is super comfy and really enjoy the technology. Room service is a mess. sometimes amazing, sometimes below average. Will definitely stay here again.
PMakster posted on 10th June 2011 :Visited in October '10. Nice rooms. Comfortable beds. The room technology was neat, but didn't function smoothly. Funky bathroom set up where you have to pass through the shower to get to the tub. Always cool to see something different. Thought the architecture of Aria and rest of City Center was cool also. Buffet and Lemongrass was good. Didn't get the chance to see the pools. Customer service was alright, some improvement can be made. Overall, Aria is a nice place to stay. I'll stay there again if I receive another cool deal.
jammoral posted on 17th May 2011 :I was very impressed on my first visit last year. We are hoping to stay there this year.
Does43 posted on 12th February 2011 :great hotel, 2 bedroom penthouse suites out of this world....
LeoNYC posted on 11th February 2011 :Great casino, but I still think the decor is too cold. It looks like a fancy airport terminal. Good pools and spa. Great rooms.
rowezone54 posted on 10th January 2011 :After my first visit, I wasn't sure what to think. It is so big and open, it took me another trip to really get into it. I have added another favorite!
bneve posted on 5th January 2011 :My favorite place to hang out. Eating the crepes at jean philippe because the jean philippe in Bellagio is pretty fucking crowded.
mrwhy2k posted on 24th December 2010 :The best thing about Aria is the the food! One of the best restaurants in Las Vegas resides in Aria, Bar Masa. If you don't agree, it's because you didn't order the right thing and more than likely could not afford to do so. Try the White Truffle Uni Risotto for $100 and you'll know what I mean. Without getting into the obvious likes and dislikes about Aria, I really enjoy the talented bar tenders. If you're on a date, stop by the View bar, look at the menu at order something fruity for your girl. Trust me, it will be rock solid and you might even like it ;)
thecosmicjester posted on 13th October 2010 :Beautiful modern place. Much darker color palette than most casino hotels; lots of wood tones, complemented by cool color jewel tones, mostly blue (especially in the rooms). Casino design (massive casino split into numerous rooms) is disorienting at first, but once you get used to it there's an intimacy missing from places like MGM Grand. Hotel is worth wandering around; the entire CityCenter complex houses a world-class contemporary art collection, all of it in public spaces. Rooms are gee-whiz wonderful as long as the control panel works the way it's supposed to. I missed opening the blinds from bed once I got home. Bathroom is a voyeur's or exhibitionist's dream, with transparent glass shower and tub enclosure, and lightly frosted toilet enclosure. Tub is excellent for soaking, shower is big enough possibly for 3. I'd love to stay here any time.
Dorian posted on 3rd October 2010 :They need to clean the windows. City Center sucks but Aria is a nice hotel and casino. Stay out of the 24 hour diner.
Trevelbond posted on 21st September 2010 :I had a good experience at Aria. Great buffet (overpriced, only went because I got comped), nice rooms. Slots are tight, and the Video Poker paytables are downright insulting. The service was above average in most instances, but not consistently great. I still don't look at this place as top tier. Wynncore and Bellagio remain, for now, in a class by themselves.
StudiodeKadent posted on 19th September 2010 :High-tech, ultra-modern, aesthetically unique with great restaurants and atmosphere. It tries a new look (for Vegas) and wraps it up in a monumental piece of architecture porn. Beds are softer than I like, but otherwise I love this place.... so sleek, slick, cutting edge. The lobby has this wonderful vanilla-sandalwood scent; the casino is basically the opposite of the Wynncore/Bellagio look; lots of sharp angles and dark colors. Julian Serrano and Sage are fantastic restaurants, and Lemongrass does a delicious duck curry. Aria: my Vegas home base.
Tinski8D5 posted on 6th September 2010 :Just stayed here for our third trip. Pretty much loved every thing about it, as another vegas traveler on this site said, very un-vegas, but in a extremely classy and fun way. The City Center itself is huge, but connects to the Bellagio and Monte Carlo very easily. The Aria's staff were extremely friendly and helpful. We had Great luck in the Casino! Loved the craps tables and the slots! Wonderful experience!
JaviSRK posted on 25th August 2010 :I like the smell. Great Craps and Poker vibe. Roulette dealers are ho-hum.
ChiCell posted on 12th March 2010 :Gave it a try, overall it was pretty cool but wasn't a Wynn experience. Rooms had some cool technology but were rather cramped feeling. Casino was new and interesting, not a bad thing.
Andrewr11 posted on 19th February 2010 :Gorgeous. Dark, yes. But still this place is effing serious.
atdleft posted on 20th January 2010 :It's working out its "issues", but I'm still giving Aria a chance to persevere and shine. I LOVE the "postmodern urban minimalist" design of the joint, and Julian Serrano is the new top tapas spot in town. I also can't wait to try Sage.
MinVegas posted on 1st January 2010 :One year later, Aria drops to a five. The actual product here is very good, with the exception of a Cafe here and a Cirque show there. But it's all staffed by people who believe that the hype alone has earned the hotel's reputation as a top place, so they have nothing to prove.
The aesthetics are gorgeous, but many people inside the pretty building aren't trying. That hurts.
blackjacker1979 posted on 1st September 2009 :After a VERY bumpy first stay, looking forward to a re-evaluation with some time under her belt. Great location in the middle of everything yet just distant enough to be a pain to get to. Made up for with awesome (when assembled properly) and technologically advanced rooms.
KirkKerkorian posted on 5th January 2009 :Revolutionary.
TIavEN posted on 8th November 2008 :Beautiful casino, incredible architecture throughout CC, vastly improved service, great rooms, and one of the most visually stunning places in the city. After months of apathy, I can now say wholeheartedly that Aria is my absolute favorite.
Aria is my regular home in town and I can't call the experience anything short of exceptional. Beautiful rooms, an exceptional casino with fair rules and limits and great design and architecture, very cool technology, top notch casual dining (the convenient and delicious Jean-Phillippe Patisserie) and fine dining (standouts include Sage and Tetsu/BarMasa). The knock on Aria is the service - I'd argue that its as friendly as you can expect from a hotel of this size and price, but if you're looking for serious pampering, this is not the Wynn Tower Suites, Mandarin Oriental, etc (though its perfectly competitive with Bellagio, Caesars, Cosmopolitan, etc). You can't ask for much more at the price than Aria.