Harrah's Las Vegas Review for February 2026

Harrah’s is built on the land that once housed the Tumbleweed Motel and Pyramids Motel back in the 1940’s and 50’s.

In 1969, plans were unveiled for a new riverboat themed property, which would be a partnership between Holiday Inn (hotel) and Holiday Queen (casino).

The hotel opened first, in February 1972, known as the Holiday Inn Center Strip. This was followed by the casino in July 1973, known as the Holiday Casino.

The original design of the casino was themed on an old Mississippi riverboat with an exterior featuring smoke stacks and boat-like features. Meanwhile, the interior design was modelled on the grand saloon onboard the Grand Republic riverboat.

In 1990, $30 million was invested to revamp and expand the riverboat theme, resulting in a 450-foot-long Mississippi-style riverboat façade with an 80-foot paddlewheel and two 85-foot-tall smokestacks.

The hope was that it would become a tourist attraction by itself, rivalling the likes of Caesars Palace, Circus Circus and newly built Excalibur as a themed resort.

However impressive the new exterior was, it never quite hit the mark or received as much attention as its competitors, and in 1997, the riverboat façade was replaced with a carnival/Mardi gras theme.

Today, there isn’t really any sign of a theme inside or outside, just some striped purple neon on the front.

In terms of ownership, Harrah’s is complicated. Without going into all the details, it was bought by Promus Companies in 1990, which later changed its name to Harrah’s Entertainment in 1995, before ultimately becoming Caesars Entertainment in 2005.

Caesars sold the land on which Harrah’s stands in 2017, but still operates the resort on a leaseback agreement. As far as people like you and me are concerned, it still comes under the Caesars banner.

Location

Harrah’s is located in the centre of the Las Vegas Strip opposite Caesar’s Palace Forum Shops.

It is the most northern resort in a long line of Caesars owned properties that monopolise the east side of the Strip. The line includes Harrah’s, LINQ, Flamingo, Cromwell, Horseshoe, Paris and Planet Hollywood. With Caesars Palace directly opposite.

You can walk between all of the resorts in around 25 minutes, and I’d recommend doing it and visiting each one as they all have their own atmosphere and distinct style.

If you want to explore the Strip further, then Harrah’s has its own stop on the Las Vegas Monorail. Situated just behind the property, you can ride the monorail as far north as Sahara and as far south as MGM Grand. Tickets cost $6 per ride, and you can also get day passes, too.

Just behind the monorail station is the Caesars Forum Convention Center, so Harrah’s is handy for convention goers who can also use the new skybridge connecting the properties.

To travel a little further out, such as Downtown Las Vegas, or Premium Outlet shops, the Deuce bus has a stop right outside of Harrah’s too. This is a really cheap travel option in Vegas, but it has a lot of stops, so it takes a long time to get anywhere.

If you’re good at walking, then you’re close enough to walk to the Bellagio Fountains and the LINQ Promenade with the High Roller Wheel, plus lots of bars and restaurants too. Plus, the Venetian is only a few minutes’ walk in the opposite direction, where you can see the gondola rides.

Many of the resorts on the west side of the Strip are linked through internal walkways or free tram services. The Aria Express, for example, runs between Bellagio, Vdara, The Shops at Crystals, Aria and Park MGM, so you can use that for convenience. There is also another tram that runs between Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay.

If you are taking a taxi from Harry Reid International Airport, then Harrah’s is in Zone 3 of the fixed rate taxi fee, which, at the time of writing, is a flat fee of $29 plus tip. If you travel by car, then on-site parking ranges from $20 - $25 per night, depending on which nights you are visiting.

With a casino floor of around 90,000 square feet, Harrah’s offers over 1,000 slots and around 60 table games to choose from.

For years, Harrah’s was the home to an iconic statue featuring Buck and Winnie Greenback, and their poodle Chip. It was made specifically for Harrah’s back in 1998 and depicted a wealthy couple who looked to have struck it lucky in Vegas.

The statue has been a popular photo spot for almost 25 years, but was sadly retired in January 2023.

As previously mentioned, walking around Harrah’s in 2024, I could see no real theming or brand identity in the interior. The only link to the exterior is strips of purple neon through the property.

There have been several recent renovations, though, so although it doesn’t have a lot of character, you can see signs of modernisation in some of the features.

Table Games Selection 

With around 60 table games at Harrah’s, you can play blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps and lots of different poker pit variations. The variety of games really stood out to me; there were a lot more options than at Planet Hollywood or LINQ, for example.

The table games are positioned at the top of the casino alongside the cashier cage and then down into the main casino floor. They are quite tightly packed together, which, when busy, can feel a little cramped. This is mostly on weekends and evenings, though.

Only double and triple zero roulette are available on the main casino floor, and blackjack pays out 6:5, too, although you can find 3:2 blackjack in the high limit area. I did see some $5 table minimums for blackjack, which can be hard to find on the Strip, while craps and roulette started at $10 minimums..

I played blackjack for a while, and there was a nice, lively atmosphere and a very friendly dealer who interacted well with the players at the table. The condition of the purple clothed tables and chairs was good, and I had a fun half hour at the table.

Classic table games:

•    Blackjack
•    Roulette
•    Craps
•    Baccarat
 

Variants:

•    Crapless Craps
•    Three Shot Poker
•    Free Bet Blackjack
•    DJ Wild
•    I Luv Suits
•    Let it Ride
•    Three Card Poker
•    Ultimate Texas Hold’em
•    Mississippi Stud
•    Pai Gow Poker

Both the poker room and the keno lounge closed at Harrah’s so you have to go elsewhere for those. The closest poker rooms are at Caesars Palace, Horseshoe or Venetian, while Horseshoe is the closest keno lounge.

If you enjoy playing electronic table games instead of live dealer games, then there’s a really good selection at Harrah’s. Whether you want to play blackjack, roulette or craps you can find both single-player and multi-player games for each.

Slots

There are over 1,000 slots to choose from at Harrah’s, and with so much variety, there is something for everyone.

The Harrah’s casino floor is quite an unusual shape, so you’ll find slots scattered in different directions. The main stretch is towards the rear, leading to the hotel lobby, but around the top, slots fan out towards the north and south of the property, with the table games in between. Games are also on a couple of different levels, but there’s a small ramp and stairs for access.

In terms of variety, Harrah’s has a fair selection of older traditional reel slots, but the majority are modern video slots. Walking around, I saw all the usual favourites, plus some newly released games too.

Some of the most popular games you can play at Harrah’s include:

•    Frankenstein
•    Mo Mummy
•    Huff n Even More Puff
•    Dancing Drums
•    Wheel of Fortune
•    Buffalo
•    Dragon Link
•    Quick Hits

I played some Piggy Bankin’ in Harrah’s casino and hit a nice bonus, which I then lost again chasing the feature on Mo Mummy. Well, you win some, you lose some.

Bar-Top Gaming

Bar-top gaming is available at lots of different bars in Harrah’s, and there is a good selection of video poker.

The Signature Bar, The Lounge, the Lobby Bar and the Sportsbook bar are just four of the places you can play bar-top games.

To play, just pull up a chair, put your money in the game and select what you want to play. Most bar-top games offer video poker and blackjack with a small selection of slots or sometimes keno.

You do receive complimentary drinks while playing bar-top games, which is usually managed by a light system. Basically, a light appears on your machine when you’ve spent enough to warrant a free drink, and the bartender will then ask you what you want.

Some bars and bartenders are more generous than others, so it depends where you’re playing, but always remember to tip your server.

Harrah’s Sportsbook

The Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s is a really nice place to watch sports and place bets.

The lounge has some big comfortable seating, lots of big screens showing various sports, a good bar, bar-top gaming and a desk to place sports bets, what more could you want?

While it’s not as impressive as say, Caesars Palace sportsbook, Harrah’s sportsbook has a really nice atmosphere and feels much lighter and more user-friendly.

Open daily, you can place bets on all the big games, and if they’re not showing the game you want, you can ask them to put it on.

Waitress Service 

Waitress service is usually quite good at Harrah’s, a lot of it depends on how busy the casino is.

As is customary with Vegas casinos, you can receive free drinks when you’re gambling, you just have to give a tip.

Drinks usually include cocktails, spirits, lagers, wine and soft drinks, just ask the waitress what they serve. Just remember, that if you want them to return for more drinks orders, then tip well.

High Limit Gaming at Harrah’s Casino 

There are two high limit rooms at Harrah’s, one for slots and one for table games.

The High Limit Slots room is just beside the sportsbook and has around 25-30 slots with higher denominations. You don’t have to be a big high roller to gamble in here, if you are comfortable playing at $5 a spin, then you’ll find games to play.

The room isn’t particularly exclusive, but it does have some nice lighting and it is usually much quieter than the main floor. I did try my luck in here playing some Dragon Cash, but unfortunately, it wasn’t my day while the person beside me hit bonus after bonus, betting the same bet. Isn’t it always the way?!

The high limit table salon is right in the centre of the casino, just off the main table games area. There were around 6 or 7 tables here offering 3:2 blackjack and roulette, but bet minimums started from $50. It was empty when I visited, so I don’t know how busy this gets.

Cash and Payment Options

Cash is what you need to play in Harrah’s casino; card payments are not accepted for gambling.

For slots, you insert cash directly into the games, but don’t panic when it pays you out with a voucher. This is called a TITO (Ticket In, Ticket Out) and is basically casino currency.

If you want to continue playing, you insert that TITO instead of money into another slot machine and when you want to exchange it for cash, just use one of the redemption machines on the casino floor.

At the tables, you exchange cash for chips with the dealer, and then afterwards you exchange your chips for cash at the cashier.

If you need to get cash, then Harrah’s casino does have a couple of ATM machines, but just be aware that all Vegas casinos charge inflated withdrawal fees.

Harrah’s has just over 2,500 rooms situated over two main towers, the Valley Tower and the Mountain Tower.

Due to its central location, easy access and reasonably priced rooms, Harrah’s is exceptionally popular. But that’s not all it has to offer, with multiple bars, several restaurants, a pool, spa and various shows too, it is a little hive of activity.

Harrah's Rooms

All rooms at Harrah’s were recently renovated, meaning they’ve all had a fresh, modern makeover. So, don’t think that the lower price tag will result in an old, tatty room, as it definitely won’t.

What you do compromise on is space, as the rooms are fairly small and view, with the property being a little set back from the Strip. 

Valley Tower rooms are the biggest at 340 square feet, while Mountain Tower rooms are smaller at 280 – 300 square feet. Both are smaller than the average Vegas room, though.

I booked a standard Valley Deluxe King Room, and although it was petite, it was clean, and well-presented. The overall colour scheme was neutral tones of cream and brown, with a beige coloured carpet, and the bathroom had a white and silver finish.

Positioned on both sides of the bed was a small wardrobe; there was also a table and chair, plus drawers and a desk area. A large TV was positioned on the wall opposite the bed.

The bathroom was, again, quite small, but it was freshly modernised and had a nice big shower area with dispensers for body wash, shampoo and conditioner.

In terms of views, you can book rooms offering a City view, Strip View, Pool View or Attraction View, which looks out over the Sphere or the High Roller. Just bear in mind that even the Strip view rooms tend to have other buildings obstructing the view due to the location of Harrah’s and the buildings close to it.

My overall impression of my Harrah’s room was that it was pleasant. I could certainly see the appeal of staying here if you’re on a budget. It wouldn’t appeal to someone who wants the VIP experience, but for comfort, cleanliness, and a place to lay your head close to the action, it's more than satisfactory.

Bars

Harrah’s offers two of the liveliest bar experiences you’ll find on the Las Vegas Strip, namely Carnaval Court and the Piano Bar.

Carnaval Court is just outside of Harrah’s casino and offers an outdoor party experience with live bands, DJ sets and flair bartenders. Open every day from 12noon until 3am, you can enjoy a nightclub atmosphere day or night.

The Piano Bar, meanwhile, is just inside the south entrance of Harrah’s casino and brings a party vibe every night with duelling pianos. I have spent many an hour in here, and can highly recommend it if you love a good sing-along and some raucous entertainment.

Other bars at Harrah’s include:

•    The Lounge – intimate casino bar with bar-top gaming and big TV screens
•    Signature Bar – central casino bar with craft beers, bar-top games and lively atmosphere
•    Sportsbook Bar – casual bar where you can watch sports and play video poker
•    Lobby Bar – sophisticated bar located in the hotel lobby
•    Splash Fresco Bar – casual bar serving Mexican themed fruit soft drinks & cocktails

If you’re after more of a nightclub experience, then Park MGM has On the Record, which is a speakeasy and club experience featuring a DJ stage within a double decker bus. Make your way through the secret record shop entrance, and you’ll discover three rooms, indoor and outdoor areas and plenty of space for dancing too.

Buffets and Restaurants 

The newest restaurant addition to Harrah’s is Ramsey’s Kitchen by Gordon Ramsey.

Open daily from 4pm until 10pm, diners can enjoy some of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey’s signature dishes in what is a described as a ‘casually refined’ restaurant. I wasn’t sure what that meant, so I had a look at the menu and from the prices, this is much more of a refined dining experience rather than a casual one.

The menu includes items such as Ramsey’s famous Beef Wellington, which will set you back $84.95. That is more expensive than the same dish at Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen, which tells you the level at which it is aimed.

I haven’t eaten here yet, but I’m sure I’ll get around to it. I have unofficially given myself the role of Sticky Toffee Pudding tester at all Ramsey restaurants to ensure the quality standards are upheld.

The other high-end dining experience at Harrah’s is Ruth’s Chris Steak House. This is open from 4.30pm until 10pm everyday and offers prime steak and seafood complemented by an award-winning wine list. As well as an à la carte menu, Ruth’s Chris also offers a set three course prix fixe menu for $99.

The remaining dining options are Harrah’s are more casual. Bobby’s Burgers is a popular burger chain, Walk-On Sports Bistreaux offers all your comfort food favourites, plus you can call in for a slice of pizza at PizzaCake, by Cake Boss star Buddy Valastro.

Finally, the Fulton Street Food Hall is very popular and offers a wide variety of food to go, such as bakery-fresh pastries, homemade soups, artisan sandwiches, fresh sushi, New York style pizza from Pin Up Pizza and Pan-Asian noodle dishes from Fulton Noodle Bar.

Shows and Entertainment 

Harrah’s has always had a reputation for hosting great shows. Both Magician Mac King and the Improv Comedy Club had 21 year residencies at Harrah’s due to their success.

These days Harrah’s is home to the Donny Osmond Show, which is his first solo residency in Las Vegas. He recently ended an 11 year residency with sister Marie Osmond at Flamingo, so he’s a Vegas veteran at this point.

Other entertainment at Harrah’s offers a mix of music, comedy, mind reading and a side of raunchy too, which shows include Menopause the Musical, X Country, Stars of Comedy and Colin Cloud Mastermind.

The Piano Bar is where you’ll find both day time and night time entertainment. As well as the nightly duelling piano show, the Piano Bar also hosts other live acts such as Big Elvis and DJ Rusty’s All-Star Las Vegas Karaoke. The best thing is that it’s all free, you can just walk-in, order a drink and enjoy the show.

Because of the central location of Harrah’s, the LINQ is just next door, which has the LINQ Promenade to the side of it. There you’ll find lots of bars, restaurants, karaoke, a comedy club, plus the High Roller Wheel is there too.

Harrah’s has both a pool and a spa for guests to enjoy.

Harrah's Pool 

As Las Vegas pools go, I have to say that Harrah’s is not impressive. Surrounded by resorts that offer multiple pools, extravagant settings, stunning scenery, lazy rivers, waterfalls, slides, etc, Harrah’s is simply a rectangular pool with a sprinkler in the middle of it. So, if you’re looking for something special pool-wise, then Harrah’s isn’t the one. However, if you’re looking for somewhere to cool off on a hot day, take a dip, or soak up the rays, then Harrah’s pool will suffice.

You can lie on one of the free loungers around the pool or hire one of the purple-coloured cabanas or day beds. You can also order food and drink to have at the poolside while you relax.

Because of the location of Harrah’s, it is surrounded by other properties, so don’t expect a nice view from the pool. You’ll be looking at mostly the LINQ hotel block and maybe catch a slight glimpse of the High Roller Wheel.

If spending all day relaxing in a luxurious pool setting is your idea of Las Vegas heaven, then don’t book Harrah’s as you will be disappointed.

Spa

The Harrah’s spa offers a variety of treatments, including massages, skincare and body treatments. You can go for a full indulgent experience or an express spa treatment to give you a quick boost.

You can book a full day pass and get access to the Eucalyptus Steam Room, sauna and relaxation room in the spa, too.

Although Harrah’s spa doesn’t offer hair and nail treatments, you can still book them and visit the LINQ spa next door for the services.

Harrah’s also has a 24 hour fitness centre offering all the latest cardio and weight equipment with towels and private lockers.

Harrah’s is integrated into the Caesars Rewards program, which runs across all of the Caesars resorts, both in Vegas and across North America. 

In Las Vegas alone, that means you can earn Caesars Rewards points by spending money in Harrah’s, Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, Paris, Horseshoe, Cromwell, LINQ, and Flamingo.

Joining Caesars Rewards is simple. Just head to the rewards desk in any of the resorts and sign up here. Just remember to take some photographic ID with you.   

Once registered, show or use your Caesars Rewards card every time you spend money in a Caesars resort. That includes paying for hotel stays, restaurant and bar bills, shopping or attractions and of course, gambling.

If playing slots, just insert the card into the machine or hand it to your dealer when playing at the tables and ask to be rated.

For every $1 spent on hotel stays, shopping, dining, and amenities such as spa treatments, you’ll earn one Reward Credit.

When it comes to gambling, you earn one Reward Credit for every $5 you play on a slot machine and every $10 played on video poker. If you’re a live keno player, then you earn one Reward Credit for every $3 wagered.

Table games points are harder to quantify, but when you hand your card over, the pit manager will assess points based on the game you play, your average bet and how long you play for.

Points can also be earned by placing sports bets at a Caesars sportsbook or online. As a general rule, you get ten Rewards Credits for every $100 you bet, but it can differ per bet.

As well as receiving Reward Credits, which can be redeemed against resort costs you’ll also get Tier Credits which help you climb the Caesars Rewards status tiers as below:

Gold (0 – 4,000 Tier credits) – Free or discounted hotel stays, turn Rewards Credits into free slot play

Platinum (5,000 – 14,999 Tier credits) – all of the above plus complimentary valet parking, and a monthly $10 Caesars bonus bet

Diamond (15,000 – 24,999 Tier credits) -  all of the above plus $100 celebration dinner and waived resort fees

Diamond Plus (25,000 – 74,999 Tier credits) - all of the above plus guaranteed rooms with 72 hours’ notice and access to VIP lounge

Diamond Elite (75,000 – 149,999 Tier credits) – all of the above plus airfare credit of up to $600

Seven Stars (150,000 + Tier credits) – VIP host, complimentary annual retreat including airfare

Caesars Rewards is one of the best loyalty programmes in Vegas, as you aren’t restricted to one property. Don’t get too worried about climbing the status tiers, though. You can still receive freebies and discounts even on the lower tiers, so just remember to use your card every time you spend money and see what rewards you receive.

Harrah’s has a lot of positives going for it, and that’s why it remains so popular even after all of these years. For visitors who don’t really care about staying in a big-name resort, who don’t need a big, flashy room or a stunning pool complex, Harrah’s is ideal.

It offers a well-located property in the thick of the action for a fraction of the cost of others around it. It also has clean, modern rooms and enough in terms of food and drink options and entertainment to make it attractive too.

Ultimately, if you’re a Vegas visitor who just wants an affordable, comfortable and convenient base to explore Sin City, then Harrah’s is a top choice.