Romance in Las Vegas? It's worth a try, and here's where.

Recently opened in December 2009, this new luxury hotel instantly became our favorite pick for romance and pampering in Las Vegas. While many of the city's "luxury" hotels are swarming with guests and clanging slots, this relatively small hotel is genuinely calm, quiet, and mature. Staff bends over backwards to treat guests like royalty, and the understated Asian-inspired decor is elegant and soothing. This hotel is an oasis within hectic Las Vegas, but with the Strip just a few steps away for when you want it.

There are no restaurants, casinos, or over-the-top shows here -- and that's exactly why couples will love it. This dark, atmospheric hotel is the luxurious, urban-chic alternative to the huge Mandalay Bay complex next door. Guests here have huge suites, attentive staff, world-class art on the walls, and a gorgeous spa. When they need anything else, like dinner reservations or a pool scene, they'll find all they could want -- and probably more -- at the neighboring megaresort with which it shares a name.

The MGM Grand Hotel & Casino is one of Vegas' biggest, most boisterous hotels, but behind it stands the elegant condominium towers that are The Signature. Couples can escape the fray and retreat into one of the luxurious rooms here, all of which are suites. There's no casino, the pools are relaxing and beautifully landscaped, and the service is attentive. When it's time for dinner and a show or some gambling, MGM Grand and the rest of the Strip are just a five-minute walk away.

Yes, it's a huge megaresort. But while couples probably can't expect doting, personal service, they can expect luxurious rooms with huge marble bathrooms, beautiful pools, and plenty of romantic fine dining options. It's a great option for couples who want luxury but are excited to be in the center of the action, with a bustling casino, bars and nightclubs, and classy cabanas for rent. For a more private experience, couples can stay in the Tower Suites section of the hotel, which has a separate check-in and is removed from the casino floor.

This sister hotel to the Venetian Resort is huge and grand, and has some of the absolute biggest, best guest rooms in Vegas. Although, like the Encore, it puts you in the center of the action and tends to be crawling with people, the hotel has 15 restaurants (including names like Mario Batali and Emeril Lagasse), an outpost of the world-renowned Canyon Ranch Spa, and beautiful, classy pools. And the rooms are really to die for: a huge bathrooms with soaking tub, giant shower, and double sinks; a sunken living room with velour couches, flatscreen TV, and dining table; and a bedroom area with a pillow-top king-sized bed and Egyptian cotton sheets. Plus, you can take a private gondola ride under a fake, painted ceiling and pretend you're in Italy, if you're into that sort of thing.

Even though this isn't one of our highest picks for luxury hotels in Las Vegas, it is a great option for romance. It may not live up to the expectations of Four Seasons hotels in other cities, but the service is excellent (only the Mandarin Oriental can compare), the rooms are comfortable if a bit staid, the pool is serene, and there are two good restaurants. All in all, a great place to escape the Vegas cacophony and have a quiet, relaxed stay. And if you want gambling, partying, and a huge pool complex, you can simply head to the adjoining Mandalay Bay hotel.

If it's a luxurious suite you and your sweetie are after, Vdara will hit the spot. The hotel just opened in December 2009 as part of the huge, $11 billion City Center complex, so even though there's only one restaurant and one bar to choose from, everything is clean and new. Rooms, all of which are suites, have pillow-top mattresses, a sitting area or separate living room, and a kitchenette with minibar, empty mini-fridge, two burners, and a microwave. There's a small pool and a very beautiful spa, and anything else one could want is just a five- to 10-minute walk away on the Strip.