Platinum Hotel and Spa

The Platinum Hotel and Spa opened in 2006 and the pool, restaurants, lobby, and spa were all renovated in 2016. The bright lobby is a modern welcome to this solid property, with details like black-and-white marble floors, brushed chrome accents, and a wall of porthole-sized mirrors. Travelers expecting typically wild Vegas trappings may want to look elsewhere, as there’s no casino and it’s a smoke-free property that smells clean. However, it's a fine place for those who prefer to have a more residential experience. Platinum’s lounge is situated next to the lobby and shares the modern interiors found elsewhere in the property. Its happy hour food and drink specials are a nice plus and offer at least a passing chance to socialize with fellow guests. In a city of eternal twilight, the hotel's abundance of natural light is another plus (and a needed fix for a healthy dose of Vitamin D). Hotel guests are mostly tourists from California, but The Platinum Hotel and Spa also attracts international business guests.

Distances are deceiving in Las Vegas, and The Platinum’s location, just a block and a half from The Strip, still takes around 15 minutes to navigate on foot. That's where you'll find the famous fountains of The Bellagio. The area definitely feels a bit scruffier than what's found due west. Additionally, while there's no casino on-site, the nearest gaming spot is a two-minute walk from the hotel. Food options within a five- to 10-minute walk include burritos, steaks, pizza, seafood, a brewery, a diner, and a sandwich shop. The Linq, a pedestrian street lined with shops and restaurants (as well as the High Roller Ferris wheel), is a 13-minute walk away. Downtown Las Vegas, with the Fremont Street Experience and multiple museums, can take 15 minutes to reach by car. A bit further, the Hoover Dam is a 45-minute drive from the property. Budget around five to 10 minutes to reach McCarran International Airport, depending on traffic.

Platinum Hotel’s big, air-conditioned rooms are homey and clean, with a pleasantly modern veneer. Neutral tones and pops of green dominate the units -- which all have one bedroom -- and design details include textured green walls and the kind of generic modern art that would be at home in a doctor’s office waiting room. Bedrooms have either one king or two queen beds, plus alarm clocks and flat-screen TVs. The big living rooms feature flat-screen TVs with cable channels, Bluetooth tower speakers, pull-out couches, armchairs, and electric fireplaces. Full kitchens with lots of counter space also come standard. They include electric ranges and ovens, microwaves, cookware and utensils, coffeemakers with free coffee, dishwashers, toasters, and island seating. Spacious bathrooms feature granite countertops, double-sink vanities, whirlpool tubs big enough for two, and showers. Toiletries, beauty mirrors, hairdryers, and bathrobes are provided. All rooms include stacked washers and dryers with fabric softener and detergent, plus irons, ironing boards, safes, and small balconies furnished with metal tables and chairs. Views look out over the neighborhood. Wi-Fi is included with mandatory resort fees. Despite there being two categories of rooms here, the features are essentially the same, though the Princess Suites are a bit larger than the Solitaire Suites.

To be clear: This residential-style property doesn't offer the same bells and whistles as the massive resorts found along The Strip. But it still manages to pack in just enough to keep most guests occupied when they're on-site. The heated indoor/outdoor pool is surrounded by a big deck with lots metal loungers, white umbrellas, tables, and outdoor couches. Poolside waiter service is available. Kil@wat -- the hotel’s breakfast and lunch restaurant -- overlooks the pool and serves an American-themed menu. While it will work in a pinch, the restaurant gets mixed reviews. Stir is the property's swish off-lobby lounge where happy-hour food and drink specials are available. There’s also a free wine happy hour. Well Spa and Salon offers standard spa services such as massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and hair and makeup services. All guests receive free access to the spa's steam room. Platinum’s decent-sized gym is stocked with Precor treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bicycles, a universal machine, medicine balls, and dumbbells. The hotel has meeting rooms and a small business center with two computers and free boarding pass printing. Concierge services, grocery provisioning, and laundry services are available (the latter two services cost extra). The hotel is pet friendly and has a small dog run. Like most Las Vegas properties, Platinum charges a mandatory resort fee. This includes valet parking, PressReader accounts (that provide access to thousands of magazines and newspapers), and Wi-Fi.