
Ellis Island Hotel
Best for budget-conscious families and travelers who want easy access to casual dining, on-site barbecue and an on-property casino.
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Ellis Island Hotel is a casual, family-friendly casino and brewpub hotel one block east of the Strip; read this if you want affordable rooms, on-site barbecue and a small casino. Vdara Hotel & Spa at ARIA Las Vegas is an upscale, non-gaming all-suite hotel with a full-service spa near CityCenter; read this if you want quieter, suite-style accommodations and spa amenities close to the central Strip.
Updated · about 1.3 km apart

Best for budget-conscious families and travelers who want easy access to casual dining, on-site barbecue and an on-property casino.

Best for travelers who prefer a quieter, upscale all-suite stay with a dedicated spa and central-Strip/CityCenter location.
When Ellis Island wins: choose Ellis Island if you want lower nightly rates, free self-parking, easy walkable access to affordable on-site restaurants (Village Pub & Café, Metro Pizza, Ellis Island BBQ) and an on-site casino/brewpub vibe for casual nightlife and betting.
When Vdara wins: choose Vdara if you want suite layouts and kitchenettes, a full-service spa, a steam room and hot tub, and a quieter non-gaming environment steps from ARIA/CityCenter and premium Strip attractions.
Bottom line: both hotels put you close to the heart of the Strip, but they serve different priorities — Ellis Island for value, casual dining and gaming; Vdara for comfort, larger suite-style rooms and spa-focused relaxation.
| Category | Ellis Island Hotel | Vdara Hotel & Spa at ARIA Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Casual, value-focused casino hotel and brewpub | Upscale, non-gaming all-suite hotel with spa focus |
| Location relative to Strip | About one block east of the Strip (walking distance) | Centrally located at CityCenter, a short walk to ARIA/Bellagio |
| Size / rooms | 288 rooms and suites | Not published |
| Audience / age policy | Family-friendly; children welcome (primary guest must be 21 to check in per several OTAs) | All ages welcome (property is not adults-only) |
| Pools & hot tubs | One outdoor heated pool with adjoining hot tub; free cabanas for guests | Outdoor seasonal pool, hot tub and pool cabanas (surcharge for cabanas) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple casual on-site options: The Front Yard brewpub, Village Pub & Café, Ellis Island BBQ, Metro Pizza, Via Focaccia | Market Cafe Vdara plus a coffee shop/cafe and a bar/lounge; limited on-site outlets |
| Wellness / spa | No standalone treatment spa found; hot tub only (no named treatment menu confirmed) | Full-service spa with massages, body treatments, facials plus steam room and fitness center |
| Known for | Casino, brewery/brewpub and affordable casual dining | Non-gaming, suite-style rooms and a dedicated spa |
| Parking & resort fees | Free self-parking; mandatory nightly resort fee covers WiFi, pool access and other basics | Valet parking (surcharge) listed; optional fees for breakfast and valet; mandatory resort fee applies (fees vary) |
| Event & meeting space | Several event venues including The Front Yard (up to 350) and smaller meeting rooms | Significant meeting/conference space (about 16,500 sq ft and 7 meeting rooms) |
Ellis Island sits one block east of the Strip on Koval Lane, within easy walking distance of many Strip attractions.
Choose Ellis Island if you want quick, inexpensive access to the Strip and street-level convenience.
Vdara sits inside CityCenter near ARIA and the central-Strip attractions like Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan.
Choose Vdara if you want a central-Strip position near CityCenter venues with minimal casino-floor traffic on-site.
Ellis Island offers straightforward guest rooms and a small selection of suites with balcony options.
Ellis Island gives simple, affordable rooms and a few suites best for short stays or families on a budget.
Vdara is an all-suite property with many studio and multi-room suite configurations, often with kitchenettes.
Choose Vdara for larger rooms or suites with in-room kitchenettes and a quieter, non-gaming atmosphere.
Ellis Island’s dining centers on casual, affordable outlets and an on-site brewpub.
Ellis Island is best when you want cheap, casual meals and late-night bar or karaoke options without leaving the property.
Vdara has fewer on-site eating options but focuses on grab-and-go and casual cafe fare plus limited room service.
Choose Vdara if you plan to dine off-property at CityCenter/ARIA restaurants or prefer quieter in-hotel dining.
Ellis Island provides one outdoor heated pool with a hot tub and free cabanas for registered guests.
Ellis Island suits guests who want a small, quiet pool area and private cabana access without a pool-party crowd.
Vdara offers an outdoor seasonal pool, hot tub, pool cabanas (surcharge) and a spa with treatment rooms.
Pick Vdara if you want a hotel-based spa and a quieter, more private pool experience with available cabanas.
Ellis Island mixes casual nightlife and entertainment with a modest wellness offering (hot tub only).
Ellis Island is for travelers who want casino action, brewpub nights and affordable entertainment on-site.
Vdara emphasizes a quieter guest experience with formal spa services and no on-site casino.
Choose Vdara for wellness-focused stays, spa treatments and quiet evenings without casino noise.

Ellis Island — lower room rates, free self-parking and multiple affordable on-site restaurants.

Vdara — all-suite rooms with kitchenettes and a full-service spa with treatment rooms.

Ellis Island — a functioning casino floor, karaoke lounge and brewpub-style Front Yard bar.

Vdara — centrally located at CityCenter with minimal on-site casino activity and easy walking access to premium Strip venues.
Ellis Island is explicitly family-friendly (children welcome and some kids stay free); Vdara allows all ages but presents a quieter, upscale environment.
Both properties list single outdoor seasonal pools; Ellis Island’s pool is smaller and reserved for guests, while Vdara’s pool is seasonal with cabanas available (surcharge). Hours and crowding vary by season.
Vdara has a full-service spa with treatments, steam room and fitness facilities. Ellis Island does not have a confirmed treatment spa beyond its hot tub.
No — neither property is beachfront (Las Vegas is inland) and neither is adults-only; both accept guests of all ages, though Ellis Island generally requires a 21+ primary guest to check in per several OTAs.
Explore how Ellis Island Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·