With similar locations and comparable prices, ARIA and Vdara are seemingly very similar when it comes to luxury accommodation options in Vegas – but dig a little deeper and you’ll find some obvious and important differences.
This means one will likely be better suited to your needs than the other, depending on what you expect from the resort you choose – and to help you understand the differences, in this post, we take a detailed look at the question of ARIA vs Vdara.
ARIA and Vdara Overview
Conveniently situated on – or at least right next to – the Las Vegas Strip, ARIA Resort & Casino and Vdara Hotel & Spa are two hugely popular hotel complexes that are both located right in the middle of all the Las Vegas action – and they have much in common.
Both are operated by MGM Resorts and are considered sister properties – the two hotels sit opposite each other as part of the ARIA Campus, formerly known as CityCenter – and they are both considered luxury options, offering a full range of rooms and amenities.
However, at the same time, they also have some important differences. ARIA is a full Las Vegas casino resort with a large casino, major restaurants, bars, nightlife and a busy resort atmosphere. Vdara is a non-gaming, smoke-free, all-suite hotel that feels calmer and more residential.
Here’s a comparison of the two resorts at a glance.
| ARIA | Vdara | |
| Owner | Blackstone Real Estate | Blackstone Real Estate |
| Operator | MGM Resorts International | MGM Resorts International |
| Location | Las Vegas Strip | Harmon Avenue, next to ARIA and Bellagio |
| Rooms | 4,000+ | 1,400+ |
| Pools | Large pool deck with multiple pools, cabanas and Sky Pool access for eligible guests | Rooftop pool and cabana area |
| Casino | Yes | No |
| Restaurants | Many options, from Proper Eats Food Hall to fine dining restaurants | Market Café Vdara, VICE VERSA Patio & Lounge and easy access to ARIA dining |
| Bars | Yes, several | Yes, VICE VERSA Patio & Lounge |
| Nightclub | Yes, JEWEL Nightclub | No onsite nightclub |
| Spa | Yes, Forbes Five-Star spa | Yes, two-floor spa |
| Shows | No major resident production show | No major resident production show |
| Resort fee | Yes | Yes |
| Smoking | Allowed in designated areas | Smoke-free hotel |
| Pets | Dog-friendly rooms available | Dog-friendly rooms available |
Location
As we just mentioned, the two resorts are located right next door to each other and are both within easy striking distance of all the main Vegas action.
However, the big difference is that while ARIA is located directly on the Las Vegas Strip, Vdara is set just back from the Strip on Harmon Avenue.
This means that to reach the Strip proper from Vdara, you’ll either need to walk, pass through ARIA or Bellagio, or take the free ARIA Express Tram.
Walking only takes around five minutes, and the tram is also useful for getting between the ARIA Campus, Bellagio and nearby resort areas. If you prefer to have somewhere to retreat from the chaos of the Strip when you need a moment of calm, Vdara gives you this possibility while still boasting an extremely convenient central location.
You can also easily walk between ARIA and Vdara using the connected walkway areas that also make Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan easy to reach.
Both resorts are also conveniently located near a wealth of shopping and dining options, including the luxury brand shopping mall The Shops at Crystals, so whichever resort you choose, you’ll never have far to travel to find just about anything you could need.
Rooms
Among the most important considerations when choosing where to stay in Vegas – or anywhere else for that matter – is your room, so let’s compare the options in the two resorts now.
ARIA
ARIA boasts a full range of room types, from standard resort rooms right the way up to luxury suites and Sky Suites.
A basic standard room in ARIA covers around 520 square feet, and they come with either a single king bed or two queens.
These modern rooms include high-tech controls, large TVs, workstations, laptop-sized safes, minibars, quality bedding, spa-inspired bathrooms and the polished design you would expect from one of the Strip’s leading luxury resorts.
For higher levels of luxury and additional amenities, you can go for a suite instead, and there are several options.
ARIA suites include options such as Corner Suites, Center Strip View Suites, Tower Suites, Executive Hospitality Suites and other larger layouts with more living space, better views and upgraded amenities.
Alternatively, for the most decadent levels of luxury, you can choose ARIA Sky Suites, considered among the best – and most expensive – rooms in the resort. Sky Suites guests receive extra benefits such as exclusive Sky Pool access and Sky Suites Lounge access.
Another option is to book one of ARIA’s wellness-focused room types. These rooms and suites are designed for travelers who want a more restorative stay, with features and amenities that may include wellness-oriented touches beyond a standard room.
The wellness option is available in a range of rooms and suites.
Vdara
Vdara, on the other hand, is an all-suite hotel, which means that even the least expensive rooms in the house are still suite-style accommodations.
The most basic rooms in Vdara are Studio Suites, and they have a floor space of around 582 square feet, slightly larger than a standard room in ARIA. In addition to what you would expect in a regular room, they also incorporate a small kitchenette-style area, a dining area and a living space.
This makes Vdara especially useful if you want a more residential feel, are staying for more than a night or two, or prefer a room that feels less like a standard casino hotel room.
Moving up the price range, Vdara also has one-bedroom suites – and at the top of the scale, you can also opt for larger penthouse or loft-style suites.
These more expensive rooms may include added luxuries such as larger living areas, better views, upgraded bathrooms, kitchen-style amenities and more residential-style layouts.
Rooms with panoramic views or views over the world-famous Fountains of Bellagio are also available.
Like ARIA, Vdara also offers wellness-focused rooms for guests who want extra relaxation-oriented features during their stay.
Restaurants
A major feature of most Vegas resorts is the range of dining options they offer, and here, there is a big difference between ARIA and Vdara – so let’s look at this now.
ARIA
Like many of Vegas’ most famous resorts, ARIA boasts a suitably impressive range of dining options, from places serving quick snacks or casual meals to fine dining establishments.
For a classy – and pricy – meal, you can choose between Italian restaurant Carbone, Jean Georges Steakhouse for meat, Bardot Brasserie for French cuisine or CATCH for seafood, sushi and steak, to name but a few.
There are also Asian-inspired options like Din Tai Fung, which specializes in dumplings and noodles, or Lemongrass for Thai cuisine.
ARIA has also become stronger for casual dining thanks to Proper Eats Food Hall, which includes a range of quick-service and counter-service concepts in one modern food hall space.
Newer dining options have also helped keep ARIA fresh, including Gymkhana, which brings classic Indian cuisine and hospitality to the Las Vegas Strip.
You’ll also find coffee, pastries, cocktail lounges and room service options – so in short, at ARIA, when it comes to food options, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Vdara
At Vdara, on the other hand, the dining lineup is much smaller.
The main casual option is Market Café Vdara, which serves freshly prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner options. There’s also VICE VERSA Patio & Lounge, a stylish indoor-outdoor lounge serving snacks, lunch dishes, cocktails and drinks throughout the day and evening.
In-room dining and mobile food ordering options are also available, and Vdara guests are only a short walk from ARIA’s much larger dining collection.
That makes Vdara convenient enough for food, but it is not the better choice if you want restaurants, bars and casino energy directly downstairs. For that, ARIA is the clear winner.
Pools
As you would expect of any Vegas resort worth the name, both ARIA and Vdara have pool areas for the use of their guests – so now let’s see how they compare.
ARIA
ARIA boasts an extensive pool and sundeck area with multiple pools, loungers, cabanas and reserved seating options.
The main pool deck is a good fit for guests who want a classic Vegas resort pool experience without leaving the hotel. Free seating for hotel guests is available based on availability, and guests can also reserve seating, cabanas or other upgraded pool options.
Sky Suites guests receive access to the more exclusive Sky Pool, which gives them a quieter and more elevated pool experience.
ARIA’s pool area is larger and more energetic than Vdara’s, making it better for guests who want more of a full-service resort pool scene.
Vdara
Vdara also incorporates an attractive rooftop pool area, but it is smaller than the one at ARIA and has a quieter, more laidback feel.
The pool area includes cabanas, private retreats, semi-secluded plunge pool-style spaces, cocktails, appetizers and casual menu items. It is a better match for guests who want a calmer pool day rather than a larger resort scene.
Pool access, seasonal operations and reciprocal access can change, so if the pool is a major reason for your stay, check the current pool schedule before booking.
Casinos
Many people are drawn to Vegas primarily by the casinos, and most of the big resorts have one of their own on the premises. This is also another major difference between ARIA and Vdara – so let’s have a look at why.
ARIA
ARIA is a typical Vegas resort in that it boasts a large and impressive casino for use of guests and non-residents alike.
There, you’ll find the full complement of exciting slot machines, table games and poker. There’s a high-limit area for those with nerves of steel – or deep pockets – and there’s also a BetMGM Sportsbook & Bar for those who prefer to have a bet on the next big game.
Vdara
Unusually for Vegas, Vdara doesn’t have its own casino – and for those not coming to Vegas to gamble, this can be a big draw.
Resorts with casinos have a certain kind of energy and attract a certain type of clientele, and if you don’t want to be part of that, choosing a resort without an onsite casino can give you somewhere to escape from all the typical Vegas madness.
However, due to its convenient location right among the other major Strip resorts, if you stay at Vdara, you’ll never be far from a casino if you do decide you feel like partaking in a spot of gambling. ARIA’s casino is only a short walk away.
Nightlife
Nightlife is another area where ARIA and Vdara are significantly different – and here’s why.
ARIA
If you’re staying at ARIA and are looking for somewhere for a big night out – or even just somewhere to chill and sip an expertly crafted cocktail in plush surroundings – you won’t ever have to venture beyond your resort.
ARIA offers a range of bars, including ALIBI Cocktail Lounge, Easy’s Cocktail Lounge, Gem Bar and other stylish drinking spots around the resort.
At the same time, if you want more than just to enjoy high-end libations in chic surroundings, you can head to ARIA’s JEWEL Nightclub, one of Vegas’ premier nightspots and a place where you can dance the night away to the sounds of major DJs and performers.
Vdara
In contrast with ARIA, Vdara is not a nightlife-heavy hotel, but it does have somewhere to enjoy a drink.
VICE VERSA Patio & Lounge is the main onsite option, offering indoor and outdoor seating, fire pits, a water feature, cocktails, snacks and lunch dishes. By day, it feels like a casual hotel lounge, while by night, it becomes a more stylish cocktail spot.
However, Vdara doesn’t have its own casino, nightclub or rowdy party scene. This is in keeping with the general feel of the hotel.
Since you’ll be located right next to ARIA, Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan and Park MGM, this gives you the best of both worlds.
You can happily isolate yourself in Vdara’s oasis of calm to kick back and relax – but exciting nightlife venues are only a stone’s throw away should you decide you want to live it up a little.
Entertainment
Something that ARIA and Vdara have in common is that neither is known for a major resident production show in the way some other Vegas resorts are.
However, since for many visitors to Sin City taking in a show is an integral part of the Vegas experience, if you decide to stay in ARIA or Vdara, you won’t need to miss out.
For example, neighboring Bellagio hosts Cirque du Soleil’s spectacular aquatic-themed ‘O’, while Dolby Live at Park MGM, T-Mobile Arena and The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan are all nearby for concerts and major events.
Both resorts are also located within a convenient ride or walk of a wide range of shows, concerts, sports events and lounges across the center Strip.
Spa and Fitness Centers
When it comes to spa and gym facilities, ARIA and Vdara are comparable, and both resorts boast excellent facilities.
ARIA
The opulent spa at ARIA has received the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award, and this sprawling complex is billed as the largest Forbes Five-Star spa in the world.
It offers the full range of skincare treatments, massages, pedicures, pampering and pure relaxation that you would expect.
It also boasts Japanese-style ganbanyoku stone beds, a shio salt room, an infinity-edge therapy pool and private spa suites that can be booked out for customized experiences.
ARIA also offers guests the chance to break a sweat in the onsite gym, a large exercise area where you’ll find modern fitness equipment and a resort-level workout setup.
Vdara
Like ARIA, Vdara’s spa is a major selling point for the hotel.
The complex is smaller than the one in ARIA, but it still offers a full suite of treatments.
The spa at Vdara occupies two floors and includes the signature European heat experience, which takes you on a therapeutic journey of temperature changes while offering various treatments.
Vdara’s gym is similarly well-equipped and includes cardio machines, weights, aerobic equipment and more.
Pets
If you’re planning to travel to Vegas with your furry friend, choosing a dog-friendly hotel will be important.
Both ARIA and Vdara now offer dog-friendly accommodations. At ARIA, up to two dogs are allowed with a combined maximum weight of under 100lbs, and nightly dog fees apply.
Vdara is also dog-friendly and remains one of the better MGM options if you want a calmer, non-gaming, smoke-free hotel environment with your dog.
Pet policies can change, and pet-friendly room types are limited, so you should confirm the current fee, weight limit and room availability before booking.
Price
When it comes to price, while there is a wide range of rooms available in both resorts catering to many budgets, as a general rule, ARIA is often the more expensive option when comparing similar dates.
This means that although you can easily spend far more on a top-end room in Vdara than you would on a standard room in ARIA, when you compare rooms of similar standing, the ones in ARIA often cost more.
The price difference is reflected in the general resort experience. ARIA has more restaurants, bars, casino energy, nightlife and a larger pool scene. Vdara has larger entry-level suites, a quieter atmosphere, kitchenette-style conveniences and a smoke-free, non-gaming setup.
However, depending on the time of year and the offers you find, it’s still quite possible to stay in either resort for attractive prices, as is the case in almost every hotel and resort in Vegas.
One other point to note is that both ARIA and Vdara charge a resort fee. This is typically used to cover bundled amenities such as internet access and other hotel services, but you are required to pay it even if you don’t plan to use every included amenity.
Parking
Valet parking is available at both hotels and is charged by the day.
Self-parking is available at ARIA, and guests staying at either resort can use MGM Resorts parking options. Furthermore, the daily self-parking fee can generally be used at other MGM Resorts Las Vegas destinations on the same day, which is useful if you plan to drive between properties.
Parking fees can change and may vary for hotel guests, non-hotel guests, event days, special events and MGM Rewards status, so it is best to check the current MGM parking page before your trip.
Vibe
Something less objective but key to which resort of the two you pick is the overall vibe, and this is at the heart of the difference between ARIA and Vdara.
With the array of restaurants and bars, along with its casino and nightclub, ARIA is every bit the typically exuberant Vegas hotel, albeit one that draws a slightly more mature and polished crowd than some of the other places in town.
It’s a vibrant resort full of energy that combines a fun and lively vibe with high-end luxury and state-of-the-art technology – and with over 4,000 rooms, at ARIA, it always feels like there’s plenty going on.
Vdara, on the other hand, doesn’t have a casino or nightclub, and its dining and bar options are much more limited.
It has more the feel of a modern boutique-style all-suite hotel than of what most people think of as a normal Vegas casino resort. With just over 1,400 suites, it also has a much more intimate feel – and importantly, the hotel is smoke-free.
It’s a place to go to escape from the craziness outside, so in a way, it’s a bit like a hotel in the middle of Vegas for people who don’t want to stay in the middle of Vegas chaos.
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Which One Should You Pick?
So which one’s best, ARIA or Vdara? Well, this is probably the wrong question to ask.
Instead, a better question would be, which one is most suitable? And the answer depends on what you want.
If you want the full Vegas experience – bars, restaurants, casinos, nightlife and all – and you are in town to party, even just a little, the better choice will be ARIA. It caters to travelers who want energy, convenience and a complete resort experience without needing to leave the building.
On the other hand, if you don’t want to get involved with all the usual Vegas shenanigans – or you do want to get involved but prefer somewhere safe and quiet to retreat to once it all gets a bit too much – Vdara would be a better choice.
Vdara could also be a good option for families, pet owners, longer stays and travelers who prefer a suite with a more residential feel – but that depends on your family and what you’re looking for since ARIA can be a great option for fun-loving, outgoing families too.
Neither “better” – and Both Wonderful Places to Stay
When it comes to choosing between ARIA and Vdara, neither is “better” than the other, and which one you choose depends on what you expect from the resort and what you are hoping to do while in Vegas.
If you’re in town for partying, gambling, restaurants and nightlife, ARIA is the one to go for – but if you prefer a quieter, smoke-free, non-gaming retreat with larger suite-style rooms, Vdara is a better choice. And with our guide, you should now understand why.