THEhotel at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas is sleek and modern, with a suite being the most basic room. Guests staying there pay no cover charge to Mix Lounge, the hotel's rooftop bar with an open balcony and panoramic view of the Strip. In the summer, MGM Mirage offered deeply discounted rooms to members of their Players Club, and I ended up staying there for barely 40% of the normal rate.

The Mandalay Bay rooms weren't bad, either. They pump some sort of coconut fragrance into the casino that is pleasant without being overpowering.

On the outskirts of Rome, the Rome Marriott Park is a sprawling resort property that is attractive and modern, but not a good base for sightseeing. It's more of a conference property, so excursions can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to get to the tourist attractions in the city center.