Since I came of age in 1991, I have been to many a casino. The average casino, is of course, a place of dismay, depression -- especially in the breakfast hours. Let's face it, all casinos want your money. This hub is about something better than that. I mean to write here about places I would be happy to visit whether or not I was a betting man. This hub seeks to determine the best casino, and the best casinos should make you never wish to leave, even if you never enter the gambling hall.

Who died and decided I get to choose the best casino? Oh, nobody. lol. But this hub is meant to be fun, and I tried to have some fun with the categories here. Hopefully, this hub will help you decide where to visit the next time a "sinful" trip comes to mind. Or maybe, you'll just have a little fun reading it.

I'm certainly having fun writing it with a range of people and personalities -- and travel locales -- in mind.

Top Casino Built Not to Be a Casino

As there are so few gaming centers built first to be something else, this distinction must go to the most grand Casino de Montreal. Built for Montreal's Expo 67, this is a somewhat lavish place to play, or just enjoy dinner. (Note that there is no hotel on property, but Montreal has plenty of lodging to meet anyone's budget.)

Views are a regular aspect of casino hotels. Have you ever seen the view of Bellagio's dancing waters from across the street at Caesar's Augustus Tower? I hope you get to in your lifetime. Also, I hope you get to see the view looking up The Strip from one of the higher-floor rooms at Mandalay Bay. It is as if looking out upon a stack of casino signs and facades that defy spacial limitations in an almost M.C. Escher-like fashion. Still, the best casino from which to catch a view is The Palms.

The best casino to enjoy a buffet has to be the Rio Las Vegas. Rio's Carnival World Buffet puts the emphasis on the word "World". Name a food classification available in your area, and you'll probably find it at the Carnival World Buffet -- just save room for their extensive dessert carousel.

Caesar's Palace Las Vegas truly has something for everybody, and my favorite lodging there is found in the relatively new Augustus Tower. Here, Caesar spared no amenity. Mirrored modern elevators whisk you to your floor. The hallway floors are cushy -- no cheep carpet here -- and in your room you'll find -- not one, but -- two HDTVs -- one in the bathroom! If you stay in a room with a view of Bellagio's dancing waters, you'll find yourself so comfy and entertained you just may consider calling out for room service and spending your whole trip in your Augustus Tower room.

Come on! How many casinos have a wave pool? I would have to say it's Mandalay Bay.  Actually, their wave pool is pretty awesome.  It's got a stage overlooking it, where bands that used to be halfway big -- like Everclear -- play!

When it was new, Luxor was Las Vegas's showcase hotel casino. It has lost some luster, but Luxor stands as a monument both to modern Vegas and -- somewhat -- to ancient Egypt.

Best Place to Joust About

You know I'm going to say Excalibur in Las Vegas, right? Built in the 1980s, this place is a little bit dated, but you can't beat it's medieval camp. The perfect casino for role players, this. And if you get tired of all the royal puns, take respite at the kingdom's Krispy Kreme franchise.

Take a look at Mohegan Sun's hotel tower and you will notice something different from most.

The walls aren't straight!

The upper floors are wider than the lower ones!

Are they insane?

Now, just imagine the view.

Best Casino for Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties

Did you know The Palms in Las Vegas has available party rooms with stripper poles?  Do with that tidbit what you will.

With all its amenities, you really can't go wrong at Caesar's Palace Las Vegas. This is a superior property, and there is plenty to do that is not gambling here. There is shopping at the Forum Shops, all manner of dining -- from quick to quintessential -- and a variety of nightclub experiences.

Sunday morning around the pool at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino just off the Vegas Strip, I'll meet you for "Rehab". Be warned, it's kind of a party.

Foxwoods is the largest casino complex in the world, and it is a sight to behold. Driving through rural Connecticut, one hardly expects Foxwoods to rise on the horizon, but within miles of Interstate highways in every direction, there it rises, ready to wrestle your wages from you if you are not wise.

Look, Ma!  No hands!

Thrill seekers will love the roller coaster at New York, New York Hotel Casino in Las Vegas -- if you can get over the ride's ticket price, which seems to rise faster than cab fare up Broadway.

What is the casino for getting engaged? Paris Las Vegas, no doubt. It even hosts a fake Eiffel Tower. Within that scale monument to the real monument, is the Eiffel Tower Restaurant -- one of Vegas's finer dining experiences.

Best Casino for Families

None. Let's hope the casino tourism industry learned its lesson after "going Disney" in the 90s, that not everything has to be family friendly. Adults need their own fun.

Atlantic City has a row of beach-front casino hotels, but nothing tops Atlantis for expanse, things to do, and comfort.

You can find Atlantis on Paradise Island, Bahamas.  Get there, and you will find fun, even if it's just tanning in the sun.

Read this whole hub and it may come as no surprise that I consider Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas the best casino, bar none. Caesar's has everything -- comfort, class, history. Since the 1960s, Caesar's has been the hotel casino other addresses on The Strip want to be when they grow up. If money is no object, I'll probably stay at Caesar's every time I visit Vegas in the future.

If you haven't seen Caesar's and you like to travel, get there!