Summerlin

With great local restaurants and plenty of kid-focused parks and activities, Summerlin is one of Vegas' more family-friendly neighborhoods. Accordingly, the JW Marriott here (it’s about 20 minutes from The Strip) feels much more like a family resort than a casino hotel. The property has more than 50 acres of pools and gardens altogether, and it’s right across the street from Angel Park Golf Course, one of Vegas’ best. The aforementioned pools make it a great spot for kids, and there’s a big spa for parents as well. If you must gamble, the chilled-out Rampart Casino is just a few steps away.

Elizabeth Blau is best known for restaurant development, working with clients like Kor group, Montage, Ritz Carlton, and the Wynn (the list goes on) to design and execute restaurants for their properties. This spot is actually one of her own, and since it’s located far from the strip in neighborhood-ey Summerlin, it’s somewhat of a local favorite. The design is light and summery, with white-washed, barn-like ceilings, white shutters, and roomy green booths. The dinner is decidedly meat-focused, with a long list of serious steaks and grilled fish, and a hefty prime rib on Sundays. Their Sunday brunch is one of the best in town.