Luxury in Vegas: Interior Design

Andy Song

Over the winter break, I stayed at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. While I enjoyed a variety of experiences, from fine dining to Cirque de Soleil shows, what left me most awe-struck was the hotel’s intricate and comprehensive interior design.

What really makes a hotel "luxury"?

Las Vegas accommodations are renowned worldwide for their luxury standards. While the casinos definitely contribute to this reputation, the significance of interior design is often overlooked. In my experience, key elements that define a truly luxurious hotel setting include lighting, fixtures & decor, spacial planning, and colour palette, among other factors.

For example, let's look at the Venetian. Powerful LED strip lights were used by the lighting engineers to produce a smooth glow of consistent colour temperature and brightness. Contrary to harsh direct lighting, this type of ambient lighting creates a more inviting and comfortable atmosphere.

The colour palette leans on rich, warm tones like deep reds, golds, and soft creams. Baroque-style murals and trompe l'oeil illusions adorn the ceilings. Corinthian columns, gold accents, and elegantly crafted archways all contribute to the Venetian's sense of grandeur.

Hotel Branding: Why stay with us?

Each hotel is in competition against the other hotels on the Las Vegas strip. Apart from the luxury standards, the hotels need to uphold their specialized "brands" to distinguish themselves from other hotels.

For example, see the Venetian's Grand Canal Shoppes sporting a Venetian Renaissance theme, characterized by intricate architectural elements (arches, columns, and balustrades), polished textiles and finishings in materials like faux gold and marble, warm ambient lighting and the trademark canals with gondola rides. Another interesting feature—not necessarily related to the theme, but contributing to the inviting atmosphere—is the trompe-l'œil sky ceiling, mimicking a real blue cloud-filled sky.

Other hotels also have unique features or experiences that make them stand out to a specific demographic. Treasure Island is a casual, budget-friendly option, the Bellagio is another luxury Italian hotel stacked with designer shops, Caesar's Palace is based off of the Roman Empire, and MGM Grand is focused on entertainment. All these elements help the hotels stand out and consistently attract new visitors or returning clientele.