The Orleans is a little off the beaten path, but worth the trip. There's no Bourbon Street, no Pat O'Brien's, no jazz scene, no Mardi Gras; but The Orleans is not to be underestimated.

The hotel offers 1,426 guest rooms, featuring one- and two-bedroom suites that provide excellent views of the Las Vegas Strip or the surrounding mountains of the Las Vegas Valley. Guest-room décor keeps up with the resort's New Orleans theme. Most rooms are L-shaped with big chairs and a sofa. Brass headboards and lace curtains give the rooms a comfortable feel.

The Orleans' spacious casino offers more than 3,000 slots, video poker, and video Keno machines. There is a wide assortment of table games, including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Let It Ride, and Pai Gow poker, as well as a Race and Sports Book, a 23-table poker room, and a 24-Hour Keno lounge. Be sure to join the exclusive Club Orleans Slot Club and earn valuable benefits. In addition, the casino floor is decorated with a French Quarter feel, though it doesn't (and never will) capture the excitement of the real thing. But Cajun and zydeco music are broadcast inside the casino to add to the festive atmosphere.

The Orleans is renowned for its high-caliber lounge acts. There is no cover and no drink minimum, but there are specials and some great local talent. Naturally, many of the restaurants in the resort specialize in Cajun, Creole, and southern cooking - a definite plus.

Free shuttle service is available to the resort's sister properties, The Gold Coast and The Barbary Coast.