DisabledTravelers.com Travel Blog

Las Vegas Strip
Photo by: Shawn Himmelberger (Stock Exchange)

Welcome, travelers!

Today, we take a little breather from our Paris access guides series “City of Lights” to see a lighted city of a very different kind: Las Vegas!

Granted, just about nobody is headed out to Vegas in the summer months, but it’ll be cooling down again before you know it: between November and February the average lows are in the 30s and 40s, with highs in the 60s.

Considering Las Vegas has some of the most famous hotels in the world, I was asked to find out just how many are truly accessible hotels … not to mention the casinos! So, here’s what I was able to turn up.

According to Vegas.com, Las Vegas’ official travel site, all Vegas hotels are accessible. The same goes for restaurants and casino floors, though not all games, slots, and tables may accommodate wheelchair users. The greater Las Vegas metro area is serviced by a number of medical suppliers, including wheelchair rental companies and oxygen rentals, which you can also learn about at Vegas.com. Now, I know what you might be thinking – it’s easy for the city’s official site to say everything is hunky-dory, but not all claims of accessibility are created equal. Let’s look a little deeper!

We begin with The Mirage, offering two types of luxury accessible rooms. Guests can choose from a “standard” accessible room and a “fully accessible” room which includes roll-in showers and electronic lift equipment. “Fully” accessible rooms are intended to be completely amenable to the needs of a wheelchair user even without help from a companion. Either room type comes with a variety of useful features for mobility impaired access and can also be made suitable for the deaf and hard-of-hearing with a door knock light, telephone with amplified headset, and vibrating alarm.

Accessible rooms must be requested by phone and cannot be booked online.

Treasure Island Hotel and Casino is another strong Vegas pick for access. Thanks to the open layout of the casino floor and the ample lighting, Treasure Island is said to be a good destination for those in wheelchairs or walkers and those with vision impairment. According to the Guest Services page, wheelchairs and scooters are available free to hotel guests with a credit card deposit on file.

At the Bellagio, queen rooms are wheelchair accessible. All restaurants at the hotel are intended to be accessible, though they can sometimes be crowded and may entail waiting in line. I wasn’t able to find any specific information on either Harrah’s or The Flamingo, but the intrepid handicapped travel website Gimp on the Go covered several major Vegas venues. Las Vegas Hotel Accommodations Online has detailed overviews of accessibility conditions at various hotels to round out our coverage.

MGM Grand Hotel and Casino has some information on its FAQ, but it’s surprisingly terse. Wheelchairs are available for hotel guests at a rate of $10 per day. While that’s not a bank-breaking amount, I have to ask: in the world capital of excess, a place that totally depends on tourism and gaming, why wouldn’t a top-class casino absorb the cost? Kind of odd, so definitely call ahead and see if your needs can be accommodated.

The Excalibur Hotel and Casino has wheelchair accessible rooms, though details are slim on the official site, and the establishment also rents wheelchairs to hotel guests. The Luxor also offers wheelchairs for guests. Remember that the actual layout of the casino floor can make a big difference in how navigable it is; steps and “aesthetic” changes in elevation are not unheard of, so be sure to inquire if you plan to enjoy some gaming.

That’s our hotel guide to Vegas, and thanks for asking! In a future post, we’ll cover more general concerns of getting around in the city, and other things to see and do while you’re there. Since the hotels are the epicenter of Vegas life, though, I trust you’ll be able to go a long way on your trip planning with this info. Until we meet again, adventure on!

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