The Venetian opened in May 1999, upon the site of the old Sands Hotel and casino. The venerable old casino was cleared to make room for the new $1.4 billion mega-resort. Like the Bellagio and Paris, the Venetian brings traditional  European class and luxury to Las Vegas.

Upon entering the Venetian, guests will feel they've actually been transported to Venice. With painstaking exactness, The Venetian recreated the famous landmarks that make Venice the most beloved, romantic city in the world. St. Mark's Square, Campanile Tower, Doge's Palace, the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge have been authentically recreated to the finest detail, and to scale in many cases, by present-day sculptors. In fact, two historians are on retainer to ensure the integrity of the design and architecture.

The Venetian is the first all-suites hotel on the "Strip." Its guests will enjoy spacious 700 square-foot suites with and finely appointed accommodations that include a plush private bed chamber featuring draped canopies, an oversized 130 square-foot bathroom finished in Italian marble, and a sunken living room area furnished with a convertible sofa, two upholstered chairs, a desk and game table. Additionally, the standard room features a safe, a fully stocked mini bar, a fax machine that doubles as a copier and computer printer, three telephones with dual lines and dataport access, and two 27" color televisions - one inside a bedroom armoire, the other inside a living room entertainment center.

Don't spend all your time in the rooms - The Venetian offers some of the best dining in Las Vegas. There are approximately 12 upscale restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck's Postrio, Stephan Pyle's Star Canyon & Taqueria Canonita, Joachim Splichal's Pinot Brasserie, Grand Lux Cafe by the creators of The Cheesecake Factory, Emeril Lagasse's Delmonico Steakhouse and Canaletto, a new concept from Il Fornaio.  

The Venetian is also importing some of the best in European entertainment. Already recognized as the top attraction in London, Madame Tussaud's Celebrity Encounter makes its United States' debut.  Madame Tussaud's Celebrity Encounter will feature famous icons of Las Vegas' past and present, including Elvis, Tom Jones an Frank Sinatra.

Adjoining a five acre pool deck, modeled after a Venetian-style garden, the 65,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Canyon Ranch SpaClub features massage; skin care and body treatment rooms; gyms and weight rooms; a 40-foot rock climbing wall; movement therapy and Pilates studios; a spinning gym; therapeutic Watsu pools; a Canyon Ranch Cafe; a beauty salon and a medical/wellness center. Canyon Ranch has been awarded "Best Spa" by readers of Conde Nast Traveler seven times since 1990.

Shopping at the Venetian's Grand Canal Shoppes is also top-of-the-line. The Grand Canal Shoppes is an extensive 500,000-square-foot themed, indoor retail mall. The area will feature cobbled walkways, a reproduction of Venice's Grand Canal and a replica of St. Mark's Square. Shoppers will be transported to another time and place in a festival-like atmosphere, including serenading gondoliers, artisans, glassblowers and masque makers. Approximately 65 of the most exclusive retailers (Mikimoto and Movado), many new to the United States, and brand name restaurants will make their home in The Grand Canal Shoppes.