The grand entrance of the Southern Sun Montecasino will make you think you were dropped in an Italy-meets-Vegas showcase hotel. You’ll first notice the classic Italian-style furniture throughout, ornate decor, carvings on the wall, and large chandeliers above your head. Complimentary wine is available on check-in to help set the mood for the remainder of the trip. Interestingly, there are also some elements of modern design, with neon yellow-green lights behind the concierge desk and accompanying restaurant, Punchinello’s. The vibe of the hotel manages to draw from the same elements — it’s completely refined, but not so stuffy and proper where you don’t feel like you can relax.

We were a bit early on our check-in, and the manager on duty showed us excellent service in getting everything taken care of, including getting us our drinks, and providing us with complimentary WiFi while we waited on the plush couches below. Inside the lobby, you’ll also find a small, classy, and most importantly, well-stocked bar with wood design and ample seating. I was on a busy schedule while there so didn’t get to cozy up for very long, but every time I walked by in the evening, it looked busy and boisterous.

In the back of the hotel, you’ll find a slice of nature with ducks swimming through lily pads and birds of prey diving for fish. A large pool looks out over the pond, and there is an outdoor hot tub along with plenty of places to lay out and work on your tan. An outside pool bar accompanies the area for ordering up delicious tropical drinks. Upstairs in the lobby is the excellent Punchinello’s restaurant, a high-end dining establishment specializing in gourmet cuisine. I dug into several exquisite dishes while there, including perfectly executed filet mignon medallions and the best grilled prawns this side of Mozambique. Breakfast spreads are also gourmet, and you can dine on imported cheeses, prosciutto and lox to your hearts content.

The rooms at Southern Sun match the rest of the hotel and are lovely, comfortable and tasteful. At some hotels you get superior surrounding and OK rooms, but this isn’t the case here. The bed was cloud-like with fresh linens, furniture was stylish, and the offerings from the espresso, to the minibar, to the toiletries were all what you would expect in a high-end resort. The bathroom has sliding doors that open up to the bedroom, perfect for those who want to take a hot bubble bath while watching a movie on TV. There is also a separate shower with multiple nozzles to suit everybody’s needs. For those that need it, WiFi is speedy and complimentary up to 500MB. But if you’re staying here, you should really be out enjoying yourself either at the hotels fab amenities or the casino.

The gym is in a somewhat odd location where you have to walk outside and go into a corner room, but once you get in, you’ll be happy with plenty of new machines, high quality weights, three televisions, clean towels, and free water bottles. Gyms are usually an afterthought for most hotels, but the one at Southern Sun is quite impressive.

There is definitely a wow factor at Southern Sun. It has a glitzy vibe where you feel like you are a pampered high-roller, and the location within the Montecasino complex is hard to beat. Even if you aren’t gambling or doing business at the location, it’s worth staying in for its high level of service, attention to detail, and overall elegance.