Artisan Hotel

The Artisan has a dark, artsy vibe with a kinky twist. Paintings and
mirrors line the walls and even the ceilings throughout the hotel. There's an eclectic mix of erotic art and reproductions of classics by Van Gogh, Da Vinci,
and Rembrandt decorating the common areas and guest rooms. The hotel is aimed towards the sexually adventurous -- some room
packages provide extras such as copies of the Kama Sutra and so-called Intimacy Love Kits, while porn stars regularly perform karaoke for guests, and the
pool is topless. The opulent and gothic decor includes red velvet and black
leather furniture, candlelight, and marble. It's dark throughout, thanks
to the black walls and ceilings, and does look worn and tired in some areas. The
strong theme really divides guests -- some love the gothic and sexy feel, while
others find it seedy and gloomy. Most guests are couples, as the loud setting isn't conducive to work, and tend to spend their days out on the strip, or lounging on the simple, elegant day beds around the palm tree-lined pool deck. 

Some will find the Artisan’s location rather isolated and inconvenient. Although situated less than a mile from the Las Vegas Strip on West Sahara Avenue, the hotel is surrounded by industrial-type buildings, and reaching the strip requires walking under the freeway overpass, which is a little spooky at night. With the lack of on-site dining options, guests must venture out for food; there's nothing in the immediate vicinity, so many guests end up taking cabs to and from the strip -- which can add up. Getting cabs is not difficult, though. The hotel is accessed directly from an I-15 exit, so drivers won’t
need to navigate the strip; the downside is that traffic noise from the
Interstate is loud in some rooms. It’s a 10-minute drive to the Las
Vegas Convention Center, although few of the hotel’s guests are here on
business. The airport is a 15-minute drive. 

The individually designed rooms are available in three categories -- Classic Room, Boutique Suite, or Masterpiece Suite. The Classic is a decent size with a
king bed or two doubles, while the Boutique Suite has a king-size bed
and is much larger with a walk-in closet. The Masterpiece Suite is huge; it has
a living room complete with a sofa, bar, and pool table. All rooms are air-conditioned and have free Wi-Fi and two bottles of water daily, along with flat-screen TVs (with cable and one adult channel), safes, iPod docks, and desks. Bathrooms have black tiling and white shower/tub combos. Decor is a bit dingy and dark, including brownish carpeting, black walls, clusters of gothic mirrors, and framed reproductions of classical artwork. Some rooms have good views of the strip, but
what’s really lacking are mini-fridges. Room cleanliness is generally good, but there
are signs of wear and tear; some carpets are a little frayed, and the towels may
have some loose threads. However, the mirrors above the beds and large oil paintingsof nudes indicate that not everyone who books a room here will be fussed about
those details.

The pool here is tiny but generally well maintained and surrounded
by palm trees, day beds, and private cabanas. It’s worth noting that the pool is closed during winter, though, and that special events -- like live DJs -- often overtake the area. The
hotel’s nightclub is a real hotspot -- which is great for those wanting to
party, but those wanting to sleep may struggle to do so. The lounge bar is
spacious, but also dark. Food is served in the bar, as well as around the pool,
but only five days per week. There is a large and atmospheric dining room attached to the restaurant here, but it's only open for special events. Couples looking to get hitched somewhere
a bit different could certainly do so here, as the hotel's wedding chapel also
has a dark edge with its black ceiling, deep red drapes, and framed nude
paintings. The wedding garden is a pretty, paved area with white stone statues
and plenty of trees and shaded spots. Valet parking and Wi-Fi are both free
here, though there's a daily resort fee.