hotel tips and travel advice

A gigantic replica of the Great Sphinx stands in front of the 30-story dark pyramid of the Luxor Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, inviting guests into the Egyptian-themed resort, complete with swaying palms, statues of Ramses and a mock obelisk. Accessible by the Vegas monorail, the Luxor is at the south end of The Strip near the Las Vegas Convention Center. With its flashing beam of light on the apex and a towering atrium inside, the pyramid is a favorite among vacationing families, though the vast casino, nightly entertainment and gourmet dining guarantee adults a quintessential Las Vegas vacation. Dramatically lit statues, towering pillars and polished wood furniture adorn the marble lobby. Pyramid guest accommodations are accessed by inclinators (elevators that ascend on an angle because of the building’s shape) and have slanted picture windows that look out onto The Strip. The hotels Egyptian theme is subtler in the guest rooms, which are decorated with comfortable, contemporary furnishings, though scattered touches such as hieroglyphic artwork or black lacquer inlay evoke the exotic vibe. Rooms and Las Vegas suites range from about 400 square feet to over 1000 square feet, the most luxurious of which offers marble soaking tubs, separate sitting areas and wet bars. Las Vegas specialty restaurants like Fusia Luxor, offering Asian cuisine, and T & T, which serves Mexican food, are popular among families. Guests with a discerning palate enjoy award-winning Chef KC Fazel’s …