What to expect: The Aquarius Casino Resort occupies two 18-story towers on the banks of the Colorado River, offering views of the waterway, the desert, and the lights of the city. The atmosphere is casual, yet alive with a mix of families, seniors, and locals passing through the hotel's bustling lobby.

Amenity highlights: This Laughlin resort has a 60,000-square-foot casino with 60 game tables, 1,500 slot and video poker machines, live Keno, a poker room, and a 90-seat race and sports book.

A 3,300-seat outdoor amphitheater, 2,000-seat ballroom, and a 300-seat showroom lounge provide a range of entertainment. In addition, three tennis courts, riverboat cruises, a business center, a fitness center, an arcade, and a rooftop pool are available to guests (surcharges may apply).

Insider tip: The resort's location alongside the Colorado River affords guests a spectacular view of the sunset over the water and the Black Mountains of Arizona. It can be enjoyed from the boardwalk behind the hotel as well as from many of the property's various restaurants, and from many of the guestrooms.