The Palazzo, Las Vegas [UNITED STATES]

It’s far from obvious why the Palazzo, which opened in 2008, is officially regarded as being a resort in its own right rather than simply Sheldon Adelson’s latest addition to his adjoining Venetian. Although it does have its own separate Strip entrance, most visitors stumble across the Palazzo by walking the full length of the Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes and finding to their surprise that another casino lies immediately beyond.
Perhaps it’s just that if the Palazzo did count as part of the Venetian, that would make it the world’s largest hotel, and that somehow wouldn’t fit comfortably with the image of luxurious exclusivity that each tries to cultivate. Even so, the company president is quite happy to refer to the two combined as “the largest
building in the world”.
Thanks to its relatively small site, and to Clark County forcing Adelson to provide the obligatory level of parking for the Venetian and its Convention Center, the Palazzo was the first Las Vegas casino to be constructed atop its own underground parking garage. It was also, at 642ft, briefly the tallest building in Las Vegas, though
it was swiftly surpassed when Wynn Las Vegas added its Encore tower next door.
Inside, the Palazzo has its own fair share of high-end stores, arranged on two levels around the atrium that connects to the Grand Canal. In total, though, it seems remarkably devoid of any identity; it just feels like a big, bland mall, with the odd good restaurant, the overblown Lavo club-cum-restaurant, and a theatre that’s currently hosting the hit show Jersey Boys. If you’re sightseeing on the Strip, you’re better off giving it a miss.