You see it from miles away. That massive, obsidian-glass pyramid shooting a beam of light into the stratosphere. It’s the ultimate icon of the South Strip. But here’s the thing—most people booking a stay at the Luxor are actually better off avoiding the pyramid altogether. They should stay in the Luxor Tower Las Vegas instead.
Wait. Why would you go to a giant pyramid and not stay in the pyramid?
Honestly, because of the elevators. And the walls. And the walk.
Staying in the pyramid is a bucket-list item for a lot of people, but the novelty of "inclinators" (elevators that move at a 39-degree angle) wears off after about three trips. The rooms in the Twin Towers—officially the East and West Towers—are where the actual comfort happens. They were built later, they’re designed like traditional hotel buildings, and they offer a completely different experience than the slanted-wall rooms everyone associates with this property.
What the Luxor Tower Las Vegas Actually Is
When the Luxor opened in 1993, it was just the pyramid. It was wild. It was kitschy. It was the height of the "Family Vegas" era. But MGM (then Circus Circus Enterprises) realized pretty quickly they needed more capacity and a more upscale offering to compete with the newer mega-resorts popping up nearby.
In 1998, they added two 22-story towers.
These aren't just "extra rooms." They are a distinct architectural pivot. While the pyramid has about 2,500 rooms, the towers added another 2,000. If you’ve ever walked through the property, you know the layout is a bit of a maze. The towers sit to the north and east of the main structure, connected by long, climate-controlled walkways that overlook the pool complex.
It's a hike. You’ve got to be prepared for that. Walking from the West Tower to the sportsbook or the buffet can easily take ten minutes if you're dodging crowds. But once you're in the room? The difference is night and day.
The Room Difference: Slants vs. Squares
In the pyramid, your outer wall is slanted. It’s cool until you realize you can’t actually stand right next to the window because of the angle. The windows also tend to get quite dirty because of the way dust settles on the exterior glass.
The Luxor Tower Las Vegas rooms are standard rectangular builds. This means higher ceilings, more usable floor space, and floor-to-ceiling windows that actually let you look straight down at the Strip or the mountains.
Most of these rooms have been renovated more recently than the budget-tier pyramid rooms. MGM has been rolling out the "Pyramid Premium" and "Tower Elite" designations. If you're looking for the best bang for your buck, the Tower Elite King or Two Queen rooms are basically the sweet spot. You get updated bathrooms, better lighting, and—crucially—elevators that go straight up and down. No tilting. No stomach flips. Just speed.
The Logistics of Staying "Off-Center"
If you choose the tower, you’re essentially trading "theming" for "convenience."
The West Tower is particularly popular because it’s closer to the North Entrance and the tram that takes you to Excalibur and Mandalay Bay. If you’re in town for a convention at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the West Tower is a no-brainer. You can basically shave five minutes off your commute just by being on that side of the property.
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Then there’s the pool access.
The Luxor pool is one of the largest in Vegas, covering four different areas over five acres. The towers have a much more direct line of sight and access to the pool deck than many of the higher-floor pyramid rooms. If you’re here in July, when it’s 115 degrees out, you want the shortest path possible from your AC to the water.
Why Nobody Talks About the Noise
Here is a bit of "insider" info: the pyramid is an atrium. It’s actually the largest atrium in the world. Because it’s one giant open space, sound travels. You can be on the 20th floor of the pyramid and still hear the muffled roar of the casino floor or the music from a nearby lounge drifting up.
The Luxor Tower Las Vegas is built like a traditional hotel. Thick walls. Internal hallways. It is significantly quieter. If you’re a light sleeper or you’re trying to work remotely while your partner hits the slots, the tower is your sanctuary.
Dining and Entertainment Within Reach
Staying in the tower doesn't mean you're isolated. You’re still seconds away from the "Atrium" level, which is where the real action is.
- Public House: Great for a beer and a burger. It’s loud, it’s fun, and it’s right at the base of the walkway leading to the towers.
- Diablo’s Cantina: This is located near the front entrance. It’s solid Mexican food with a good tequila list.
- Tender Steakhouse: Surprisingly good. People often overlook it because they’re headed to the flashy steakhouses at Aria or Bellagio, but Tender has some of the best dry-aged cuts on the South Strip without the $200-a-head price tag.
Entertainment is the Luxor's strong suit. You’ve got Carrot Top, who has been a staple there forever (and honestly, his show is still hilarious), and the Blue Man Group. Plus, the Bodies and Titanic exhibitions are located right in that transition area between the pyramid and the towers.
If you’re staying in the tower, you’re basically living in the "quiet wing" of a massive entertainment complex.
The "Beam" and the Myth of the Tower View
Everyone wants to see the Sky Beam. It’s the strongest man-made light on Earth. It uses 39 xenon lamps. It costs a fortune to run every night.
But if you stay inside the pyramid, you can’t see the beam. You’re literally under it.
If you stay in a North-facing room in the Luxor Tower Las Vegas, you actually have a chance to see the beam cutting through the desert sky from your window. You also get a killer view of the Allegiant Stadium (home of the Raiders), which looks like a giant black Roomba sitting across the freeway. For football fans, the tower is the place to be on game day. The energy is electric, and you’re just a short walk across the Hacienda Bridge from the stadium entrance.
Debunking the "Budget" Reputation
Look, Luxor isn't the Wynn. It’s not trying to be. It’s a mid-tier property that offers some of the best value on the Strip.
Sometimes people complain that the towers feel "generic" compared to the pyramid. To that, I say: do you want to sleep in a museum or a comfortable hotel room? The pyramid rooms are iconic, sure, but the Tower rooms are functional.
The elevators in the towers are also much more reliable. The inclinators in the pyramid are complex machines that require constant maintenance. It’s not uncommon to see one or two of them out of service, which leads to long lines during check-out time. In the towers? Standard Otis elevators. They’re fast. They work.
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Expert Tip: Check the Resort Fees
Like every other MGM property, Luxor hits you with a resort fee. As of 2025/2026, you're looking at roughly $35 to $45 per night plus tax. This covers your Wi-Fi, local calls, and fitness center access.
When you're looking at those "too good to be true" $39 rates for a Tuesday night, remember to double that number in your head. Even with the fee, a tower room at Luxor is usually half the price of a standard room at the Cosmopolitan or Caesars Palace.
The Verdict on Luxor Tower Las Vegas
Is it the most glamorous stay in Nevada? No. But it is one of the smartest plays for a frequent traveler.
You get the iconic skyline presence of the Luxor without the logistical headaches of the pyramid's 1990s-era layout. You get better views, quieter nights, and quicker access to the elevators.
If you're booking, look specifically for the Tower Elite rooms. They were refreshed to bring them up to modern standards, featuring USB ports (finally!), cleaner linens, and a more contemporary color palette that moves away from the "Egyptian gold" overload of the past.
How to Make the Most of Your Stay
- Skip the Check-in Desk: Use the MGM Rewards app. The line at the Luxor front desk can be brutal, especially on a Friday afternoon when the Los Angeles crowd arrives. You can get a digital key on your phone and head straight to the towers.
- Request a High Floor: The lower floors of the East Tower can occasionally pick up noise from the loading docks or the tram. The higher you go, the better the view of the Strip or the mountains.
- Walk the Bridge: If you want to explore, take the indoor walkway to Excalibur and then the bridge to New York-New York. It’s the easiest way to see multiple properties without dealing with the heat or the street-level traffic.
- Visit the Skyfall Lounge: It’s actually over at Delano (right next door), but it offers the best view of the Luxor. Seeing the pyramid and towers from that height at night is something you shouldn't miss.
When you pack your bags, don't worry about the "dated" rumors. The Luxor Tower Las Vegas has carved out a niche as a reliable, spacious, and affordable home base for anyone who wants to be in the heart of the action without paying a premium for a slanted wall.
Log into your MGM Rewards account before you book. Even the lowest tier of the loyalty program usually knocks another 10% to 15% off the published rate. Save that money for a better dinner at Tender or a few extra rounds at the blackjack table.
The pyramid is for the photos. The tower is for the sleep. Know the difference, and you'll have a much better Vegas trip.