Sure, you could stay on the Las Vegas Strip.

You could have the sound of cha-chings pounding through your head as you cross a smoke-filled casino floor the morning after a long night of “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” shenanigans.

Or you could ... not.

At Loews Lake Las Vegas, a 21-acre resort and spa 17 miles from the Strip, a Vegas vacation can actually be — Would you believe it? — relaxing.

And that’s because Lake Las Vegas, a ritzy suburb populated with high-end hotels (the Ritz Carlton is also in the area) and upscale condos, is, to the Strip, what Beverly Hills is to Hollywood: It’s quieter, it’s cleaner, and you can walk through it without bumping into someone.

And there’s no gambling. That’s right, the Loews has no slot machines, no card tables, no roulette wheels. Gamblers will have to leave the grounds altogether to find the nearest casino, located a mile or so down the street at the MonteLago Village, a replica Italian village adjacent to the Ritz Carlton.

In 2007, the Loews, formerly a Hyatt hotel, underwent a multi-million dollar renovation that brought added amenities including 32” flat screen televisions in all of its 493 guest rooms, spruced up suites, three upscale restaurants and a renovation of the lakeside fire pit and pool deck.

Poolside cabanas and palm-shaded terraces (both important features considering the scorching Vegas summers) were also added to the hotel’s outdoor offerings, which already included two signature pools, including a kid-friendly “lagoon” with a water park-style slide. Pedal boats, canoes and electric boat rentals are free of charge for guests who want to explore the 320-acre private man-made lake. And daredevils interested in getting a higher perspective can arrange for private helicopter tours of the area and the nearby Hoover Dam (for a price, of course).

And then there’s the spa. Eleven treatment rooms offer everything from massages and facials to manicures and pedicures. There’s also a full-service beauty salon and complete fitness center.

Parents will appreciate the “Loews Loves Kids” program, which offers child care and activities for children and teens.

But perhaps more importantly (and that’s a dog-lover speaking), there’s the “Loews Loves Pets program,” which caters to the hotel’s four-legged guests. Pet-friendly services include a special room service menu — you know, just in case Fido’s hungry for a gourmet meat patty and the run-of-the-mill canned brand won’t cut it.

Nice, right?   Bet they don’t do that at the MGM.

Hotel Information:
Loews Lake Las Vegas
101 Montelago Boulevard
Henderson, Nevada
Reservations:(702) 567-6000
Average nightly rate: (yearround) $279.

www.loewshotels.com

Nearby Attractions: 

MonteLago Village (1.5 miles away):
A replica Italian village complete with cobblestone streets, piazzas, waterfront restaurants and an assortment of high-end boutiques and art galleries as well as a 40,000-square-foot casino. For more information, call (702) 564-4766.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area (10 miles away): The 16th largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Mead is where Vegas locals go to cool off in the summertime. Fishing, sailing, kayaking, swimming, and wildlife viewing opportunities abound. For more information, call (702) 293-8990.

Hoover Dam (21 miles away):
Located a few miles from Lake Las Vegas and towering 725 feet above the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam stands as the highest concrete dam in the Western Hemisphere. It was completed in 1936 and has since been named named one of the Top 10 Construction Achievements of the 20th Century. For more information about tours, call (866) 730-9097 or (702) 494-2517.

Reflection Bay Golf Course (0.5 miles away):
A 7,261-yard, par-72 award-winning course adjacent to the Loews hotel and overlooking the lake. For reservations, call (877) 698-4653.

The Falls golf course (2 miles away):
A 7,250-yard course also located in the Lake Las Vegas development, the Falls is a par-72 course with terrain ranging from mountainous to desert. For reservations, call (877) 698-4653.