The Palazzo may be the lesser-known sister of the Venetian, but being tucked away from its larger sister has its advantages. Located right on the Las Vegas Strip, like the Venetian, and connected to the wide array of restaurants, shops and attractions of its sister, the Palazzo is a quieter, more intimate feeling hotel, and, in our opinion, the better of the two properties.

The Palazzo has its own restaurants, all located within steps of the lobby. It has its own pools, its own casino and it just feels smaller. Instead of hordes of travelers passing through the Venetian, where admittedly, we got lost trying to leave our room and get to the street, we liked how much easier it was to maneuver through the Palazzo. Granted, both properties are absolutely stunning and luxurious, so you won’t go wrong with either.

The Palazzo is an all-suite hotel with some of the largest standard accommodations in Las Vegas. A special Prestige area is a club level for accommodations, providing most room styles but adding complimentary amenities such as a continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. All suites feature Wi-Fi access (fees may apply), two 46-inch, flat-screen TVs, a 19-inch TV in the bathroom (unless noted) with an oversized Roman tub and separate shower, and iHome radio/docking stations. Cribs are available upon request.

Luxury Suites
Luxury Suites, the most standard of rooms, are divided into a sleeping area with one king bed and a sunken living area with floor-to-ceiling views of the city. The 720-square-foot suites feature a full sofa bed, dining table for three, and can sleep three people.

Bella Suites
These two queen bed suites are also divided into a sleeping area and a sunken living area. The rooms are the size as the luxury suites at 720 square feet, and offer the same features, including a full sofa bed. These suites can accommodate five people.

Fortuna Suites
Nearly 1,000 square feet in size, these suites feature king beds and an Italian marble foyer, living room with a dining room, and an oversized marble bathroom with a Roman tub and separate shower. Fortuna Suites also have DVD players. These suites, while large, can only accommodate three.

Siena Suites
These large suites are nearly 1,300 square feet big with a marble foyer and powder room, large living room with a four-person dining table and sofa bed, as well as a marble bathroom with a Roman tub and shower. These suites also feature DVD players and iHome systems, as well as flat-screen TVs in the living and bedroom.

Lago Suites
Standard Lago Suites are anything but standard. Nearly 2,000 square feet in size, guests enter through a double door into an Italian marble foyer through to an extra large living room with a sofa bed and baby grand piano. A formal living room with space for four is set off of the living room, and a king master bedroom is connected to a marble bathroom with a jetted tub. These suites also feature DVD players and iHome systems, as well as flat-screen TVs in the living and bedroom.

The Lago Media Suites provide a fully equipped media room instead of a dining room, with a 42-inch, flat-screen TV, seating for five, and surround sound stereo system.

The Lago Two-Bedroom Suites provide a second bedroom with two queen beds in lieu of a dining room or media room, as well as an additional bathroom.

Prestige Rooms
For special amenities and treatment, the Prestige rooms provide a private concierge and a private lounge with continental breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m., afternoon teas and coffees from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., appetizers from 5 to 7 p.m., a cocktail reception from 5 to 8 p.m., packing and unpacking service, and business center -- all complimentary. However, the bar in which the drinks, appetizers and cocktails are available is only open to children for breakfast and is closed to anyone under age 21 after 10 a.m.

Palazzo Pool Deck
The fabulous Palazzo Pool Deck features seven outdoor pools to choose from, including resort pools and small, intimate pools. All pools provide lifeguard service, as well as pool attendants to assist with towels, chairs and umbrellas. Cabanas are available for rent, with 32-inch TVs with VHS and DVD players, couches and chaise loungers, air conditioning and heating units, ceiling fans, a cooling mist system in the summer months, fully stocked refrigerators, weekend fruit platters, safes, cordless house phones and cabana hosts. The cabanas sound wonderful, and they are, but they come at a hefty price, starting at $300 and climbing to $700. The pools are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Palazzo Theater
A host of live shows and events take place in the hotel's Palazzo Theatre, such as the recent "Frank The Man. The Music," a theatrical production with a 32-piece orchestra performing the music of Frank Sinatra. The Venetian also offers a number of entertainment venues, including the Rock of Ages Theatre, the Sands Showroom and the Venetian Theatre.

Venetian Pools
Guests of the Palazzo may also visit the pools at the Venetian, including the 5-acre, fourth floor Azure area with three pools and a poolside café.

Venetian Attractions
The Venetian is home to famous shows, attractions and its famous gondola rides. See the Venetian's Family Activities for more information.

The Palazzo is connected to its sister property, the Venetian. Each has its own restaurants and a combined shopping area and walkway between the two hotels and casinos, providing Palazzo guests even more options when it comes to dining. For more dining options, see the Venetian's list of restaurants.

Café Presse
For coffee, as well as grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items, the Café Presse bistro is located on the Palazzo's retail level in the Shoppes at the Palazzo. The café is open from 7 a.m. daily, closing at midnight on weekends and at 11 p.m. on weekdays.

Carnevino
For fine dining, this steakhouse is located just off of the Palazzo casino. Rated one of the best steakhouses in the country, the menu is a combination of traditional steakhouse dishes and Italian cuisine. Guests will find pasta and antipasti alongside veal, pork, chicken, lamb, fish, and of course, beef. The restaurant is open from 5 to 11 p.m. daily, with a tavern offshoot operating from noon to midnight.

CUT
This Wolfgang Puck Four Diamond restaurant is located near the Palazzo's waterfall atrium. Serving dinner nightly from 5:30 to 11 p.m., CUT is another highly rated steakhouse. The simple menu consists of a number of beef options, along with sauces, toppings and side dishes and salads.

Dal Toro Ristorante
For traditional Italian food within the Palazzo, this colorful and contemporary restaurant is located on the second floor of the lobby and serves breakfast through dinner courses. The menu consists of pizza, pasta, Paninis and other classics and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Espressamente Illy
Located in the Palazzo's atrium, Espressamente Illy offers coffee and coffee beverages, along with pastries and the like. It is open Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to midnight, and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Grand Lux Café
Two Grand Lux Cafes exist, one within the Venetian, and one within the Palazzo. Within the Palazzo, the café is open from 6 a.m. until 1 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends. Families will find traditional breakfast items, as well as hearty menus with appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pizza, seafood, steaks, chicken and more closely resembling the restaurant's sister Cheesecake Factory.

Grimaldi's
This award-winning pizzeria is set in a traditional Italian/New York City-decorated pizzeria, complete with red and white-checkered tablecloths, but with a level of contemporary touches. Grimaldi's serves traditional wood-fired Naples-style pizza in a family-friendly setting. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, 11 a.m. until midnight on weeknights, and until 2 a.m. on weekends.

I <3 Burgers
This family favorite features more than just its namesake burgers (although it has a ton of those!). I <3 Burgers offers breakfast with Hawaiian-inspired dishes, bacon and egg sliders, breakfast burritos and more. Moving into lunch and dinner, the restaurant also features a diner-like menu with an array of options. When it comes to burgers, the restaurant creates specialty burgers from beef burgers to turkey burgers to buffalo burgers to chicken burgers and even vegetarian burgers. Don't skip the ultra-thick milkshakes! The restaurant is open daily at 8 a.m., closing at 11 p.m. on weekdays and at midnight on weekends. LAVO
From the designers of TAO (the Venetian has a location), LAVO is a warm, wood-decorated Italian restaurant touted as the "newest celebrity haunt." Open nightly for dinner from 5 p.m. to midnight, LAVO rests on Las Vegas Boulevard with a terrace overlooking the Strip. Traditional Italian specialties are available nightly, as well as a raw bar, brick oven pizza, seafood and more. On weekends, the restaurant features a brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an extra-large menu of specialties and traditional brunch fare.

Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro
If you haven't figured out by now that the Palazzo is the place to go for steaks, let Morels French Steakhouse complete the trifecta of beef-themed dining. With a contemporary setting, this steakhouse is French cuisine focused, with a number of artisanal cheese and French wines. The restaurant is the second in the hotel to overlook the Las Vegas Strip, with indoor and outdoor seating available. The restaurant is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday, until midnight on Saturday, and until 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Sushisamba
For traditional Japanese dishes and an array of sushi options, Sushisamba is located in a vibrant space to represent its contemporary influences of Peruvian and Brazilian dishes (thus the "samba" in its name). Brazil's Carnaval-inspired décor can be seen in the vibrant ribbons and colors. The restaurant is open for lunch through dinner, opening at 11:30 a.m. daily, and closing after midnight.

Table 10
Direct from New Orleans is Las Vegas's introduction to Table 10, with a menu designed by Chef Emeril Lagasse. Open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m., diners will find Po'Boys and Croque sandwiches, as well as steak, seafood and pasta dishes. During dinner, guests can select from a special four-course tasting menu.

All About the Extras
The Prestige
For the utmost in luxury and star treatment, the Prestige at the Palazzo offers complimentary meals, snacks, drinks and amenities, like free Wi-Fi.

Check-In/Check-Out
Check-in is at 3 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.

The Art of Smart Timing
Las Vegas is a year-round travel destination, although during the summer, its desert location can find you in temperatures hovering near 100 degrees. During the winter, the desert can get quite chilly, especially in the evenings. For the best weather, spring, early summer and fall are the best times to visit, as more pool amenities are available.

Getting There
The Palazzo is located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, about 20 to 25 minutes from the McCarran International Airport. A shuttle service operated by the city transports visitors to various hotels for a minimal fee, and taxis are readily available and relatively inexpensive.

Getting Around
The hotel's location is centrally located within walking distance of many of Las Vegas's best attractions and restaurants. If you rent a car, the resort provides complimentary valet parking.

For Mom and Dad
TAO Beach, located above TAO Asian Bistro, is the epitome of poolside glamour and fun for the 21-and-older crowd. The pool features music and dancing, with renowned DJs turning the tables. You're bound to see a celebrity, and Monday through Wednesdays, the pool allows topless "European Sunbathing."

Also for the adults is Lagasse's Stadium, an ultra hip 21-plus sports bar with booth seating facing a wall of TV screens showcasing the day's sporting events.

Guests of the Palazzo are also welcome to book treatments at the Venetian's Canyon Ranch SpaClub.