Vantage Point

Call it a real world trickle-down effect: The Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, famous for making folks swoon from its sky-high vantage points, has brought the swoons down to earth.

Thanks to a $20-million makeover, that giddy feeling starts the minute visitors pull up to the main entrance and continues throughout the property with jaw-dropping room renovations, top-notch dining and entertainment options, and an exhilarating casino that keeps the tummy butterflies fluttering all night long.

Picture this: You pull up to the property’s new casino entrance, where you’re swept inside by a contemporary indoor ramp beckoning you to the luxurious VIP check-in area. In no time, you’re stepping into your sparkling Stratosphere Select room, which takes your breath away. The new rooms are available with king or double queen beds specifically chosen to rival any resort experience in town. Oh, and there are also the new flat-screen TVs and high-tech WiFi compatibility.

After reveling in this luxurious surprise for a while, you’re ready for your next big swoon and head down to the Stratosphere’s 80,000-square-foot casino. Here, you’ll find thousands (yup, thousands) of state-of-the-art gaming options, including games you won’t find at other Las Vegas Strip casinos. Sign up for free ace|PLAY™ membership and you will earn awards, comps and exclusives immediately.

When it’s time to eat, your options are vast. Thinking fine gourmet dining? Head to the Top of the World restaurant in the Tower, where breathtaking views of the Strip are served up alongside exquisite menu offerings. Repeatedly listed among the best-of-the-best in Las Vegas, this legendary restaurant has been reinvented under the direction of Executive Chef Rick Giffen. The toughest part will be making your selection from all the imaginative new takes on classic continental and American dishes. In fact, Top of the World was recently named Best Steakhouse by Examiner.com with a perfect score, earning 5 out of 5 Stars, and writer Benjamin Brown reporting, “Aligned with The Stratosphere’s revamped style, Top of the World’s strengths truly span up, down, and all around.”

In the mood for something more casual? Longtime guest favorite Roxy’s Diner has also rolled out a new menu. This 24-hour eatery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a ’50s twist.

Or you could head all the way outdoors for Southwestern flavor at Level 8 Pool, where Baja-style salads, sandwiches and specials are served poolside along with your favorite cocktails.

Nightlife at the top means getting in the mix high above Vegas. Whether it’s drinks and live music in Level 107 Lounge or mixes from one of the hottest deejays in Vegas at Air Bar, you can ignite the night with cocktails as you watch the lights of the city come alive. For entertainment with an edge, try “Bite Las Vegas,” the adult rock ’n’ roll vampire revue showcased nightly at 9 p.m. (dark Tuesdays).

Of course, this being the Stratosphere, the renovation was bound to include some new thrills up top. In fact, the transformation began with SkyJump Las Vegas, the only attraction that provides the ultimate controlled free fall and does it from the 108th floor of the Stratosphere Tower, 855 feet above the Las Vegas Strip. A Guinness World Record holder, SkyJump Las Vegas is the highest skyjump in the world.

If you haven’t visited the Stratosphere lately, it’s time to take another look. Reevaluate your expectations of an old Vegas friend by discovering what’s new — up, down and all around. To reserve one of the Stratosphere Select rooms, visit www.StratosphereHotel.com or call 800.99.TOWER.