Vegas Nightmare: Visitors Face Hours-Long Check-In Lines at Major Hotels

Las Vegas is known for its dazzling lights, world-class entertainment, and round-the-clock excitement—but for many visitors, the experience is starting with a frustratingly long wait at hotel check-in.

Jen G., a well-known Vegas content creator with over 1.7 million followers on TikTok, took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight a growing issue: painfully long check-in lines at some of the city’s most popular resorts. In her viral post, she specifically called out Caesars Entertainment properties, including Horseshoe, Paris, and Planet Hollywood, where guests have reported wait times stretching into multiple hours just to get a room key.

What's Causing the Long Waits?

Several factors could be contributing to the problem:

• Labor Shortages: While Las Vegas has rebounded strongly from pandemic-era slowdowns, staffing levels at many hotels still haven’t fully recovered.

• Increased Visitor Demand: Tourism numbers are booming, especially with major events like the Super Bowl and F1 Grand Prix bringing record crowds. More guests mean more pressure on front desk operations.

• Self Check-In Kiosks & Mobile Options Falling Short: While some hotels have invested in digital check-in solutions, travelers report that these services often fail or are difficult to navigate, forcing them to wait in person anyway.

Guest Complaints Pile Up

A quick look at reviews for Caesars properties on sites like TripAdvisor and Google confirms that frustration over check-in delays is widespread. Guests have reported arriving in Vegas ready to enjoy their vacation, only to spend hours standing in line at the front desk.

Tips for Avoiding the Check-In Chaos

If you’re heading to Vegas soon, here are some ways to avoid the headache:

• Check-In Online or Use a Mobile App: Many hotels, including Caesars properties, allow guests to check in via their website or mobile app. If successful, you can skip the front desk and head straight to your room.

• Arrive at Off-Peak Times: Longest waits tend to occur between 3-7 PM, when most guests are checking in. Try arriving late at night or early in the morning for a smoother experience.

• Consider a VIP Upgrade: Some properties offer expedited check-in for an additional fee. If your time is valuable, it may be worth the splurge.

• Join a Loyalty Program: Members of Caesars Rewards and other loyalty programs sometimes have access to priority check-in lines.

What This Means for Airline Staff & Nonrev Travelers

For airline employees and standby travelers using flight benefits to visit Vegas, these long waits can be a major inconvenience—especially for quick turnarounds. If you're flying standby and arriving late in the evening, it’s worth having a backup hotel option in mind in case the lines are unmanageable.

Additionally, same-day bookings may take longer to process, so calling ahead to confirm your reservation and check-in options can help avoid surprises.

Final Thoughts: Is This the New Normal?

Las Vegas hotels need to step up their game—fast. With increasing visitor numbers and high expectations from guests, long wait times could start pushing travelers toward competitor properties with better service. While some hiccups are understandable in a 24/7 city, waiting hours to check into a room is an issue that hotels should be working harder to fix.

Have you experienced long check-in lines at a Vegas hotel? Share your experience in the comments!