when i first planned our latest LV trip, last August, I was looking for a hotel that was off the strip, but wasn't too far off, so if i wanted to visit places on the strip, i could.\n\nthe first hotel that came up on a search was The Orleans.  I read some reviews and saw pictures and thought \""why not?\"".  \n\nmy first impression when we got there was that it looked like a big carnival cruise boat.  i've never been to NOLA, but i've seen pictures and i swear, the hotel looks like it was airlifted from NOLA into LV.\n\ni love this hotel for the amenities.  there are movie theatres upstairs, a couple of buffets and restaurants (tgi fridays, 365 steakhouse, etc.), there's a play structure that heavily guarded by employees if you want to leave your kid there (they do charge, though), iirc, there's a bowling alley too...and to top it all off, the casino is HUGE!\n\nthere's a shuttle that leaves every 10 minutes and takes you to and from across the street from the bellagio hotel.\n\nthe staff is cool and actually credited us with one nights stay since we got there really late the 1st day and they gave our room away.  i'll definitely stay here again next time i'm in LV.