depends on when you get into LV. If relatively early and you want luxury then Paris, Bellagio, Caesars, Venetian, Mirage are all fun and expensive. I liked Mandalay Bay until last year when they slew the shark and stopped comping drinks (even coffee) at the casino bar w/vid poker. If I had to choose one it would be Venetian--super standard suites--great restaurants--funky stores--good shops--great restauants--the canal--mustic. The Bay has a great pool if it's warm enough to swim (tho so does Monte Carlo and Flamingo). Then you can drive down liesurely in the a.m. Nothing between Henderson (which has several neat resorts on Lake Las Vegas--that have small casinos--are expensive) and Laughlin.

But if you come in late and not too late, why not drive down and stay at Harrah's--best of the Laughlin hotels--best beach--good food. Although my friend liked the big boat best.