Planet Hollywood Buffet Review: Getting Better?
Planet Hollywood Buffet Review (hours and prices at the bottom). If I had to summarise it in one sentence, at least for lunch and dinner, I’d say: a good variety of dishes, but less so this year than on previous years, averagely prepared. As I say all the time, the following review is relative to other buffets in Las Vegas, because as we all know, if most of us compare any Vegas buffet with the pittance we have at home, well, we’d all be excited and happy to eat at many of them, on the Strip and off the Strip. But when I review an all-you-can-eat in Las Vegas I have to compare it with what else is in this city. Let’s go into details of this Planet Hollywood buffet review.
Spice Market (this is its name, from the good old glorious days when this resort used to be the Aladdin) has suffered a steady decline for years in terms of texture and quality (and this year variety as well, though it still offers a good range) which is a huge shame, since it used to offer a sumptuous, high quality, large selection of dishes. About 3 or 4 years ago there was a attempt at improving each dish with the arrival of a great new sous-chef from Mirage but, after a short while, almost everything had returned back to below-average quality and the great sous-chef we had met was nowhere to be found. But during my last visit this year I noticed an improvement. Phew!!! It still nowhere near as good as in the good old days, but it’s better than last year with certainty. Would I go if I had a choice? I’ll answer at the bottom.
Breakfast (Planet Hollywood buffet review) – PH Spice Market breakfast buffet used to offer delicious fruit smoothies (and yogurt drinks); these days, however, the very best smoothies are served by the wonderful Studio B. Cosmopolitan has some natural juices (nothing concentrated nor ‘altered’, nor water + syrup as we just found – outrageously – at the super expensive Bacchanal).
Stations (Planet Hollywood Buffet Review) – This buffet has several stations and it used to be very long; however, lately we went and found some station had been removed; this means you should walk all the way through to the end in order to explore the various dishes, especially at dinner time, but you will find it somewhat ‘smaller’ though still varied enough. What you will find will vary according to the time of the day, but generally speaking:
on the left end side you will find most breakfast options and then, from lunch onward, a good selection of seafood, fish and pasta dishes; their fish & chips section (lunch) does not seem to have good batter nor enough fish content inside, whilst the chips seem to be lower-quality fries. (Having said this, if all you like is fast food then you’ll be satisfied enough). Further along you’ll find a modest Italian-imitation section with lower-than-average quality pizza & pasta. Further along, towards the center, you’ll find a good variety of below-average-quality ‘American comfort food‘ such as macaroni & cheese, mash potatoes as well as the ubiquitous Rotisserie section. Again, we’re being ‘harsh’ on the basis of comparing this buffet to the better Vegas buffets.
We did not notice the popular sliders and Reuben sandwiches until dinner; however, when they came out the sliders were dry; we were not impressed by the quality of the ingredients nor the preparation.
The Asian station is relatively small compared to the buffet at Aria, Bacchanal or (of course) Studio B; it’s poor even compared to Mirage’s. However, the lower quality was what made it truly forgettable. The spring rolls were hard and with very little filling. No tasty Chow Main nor Singapore Noodles.
The Middle Eastern section, once the bastion of this buffet (from the good old days when it was the ‘Aladdin’ resort), offers nothing spectacular. The kebabs are nothing special, the hummus is better at Aria (where you find much more to choose from and all better quality) and the cooked dishes are just not good enough (not authentic, not well cooked and generally bland).
The Mexican section, on the far right of the buffet, is simply of below-average quality. Make-yourself tacos & fajitas could be fun but they are not made nor served with love – like the rest of this station (by the way, if you seek good tacos, the best fish tacos are served at the Aria buffet – lunchtime). The guacamole was what you find in all budget buffets.
The Good Salads and Cold Meats section. Tucked away on the far right side as you enter (so do walk all the way there), you will find good pre-tossed salads (and other vegetables) as well as cheeses and a decent sections of cold meats and decent breads. It sounds ‘boring’ but it’s worth going to.
Dessert Section (Planet Hollywood Buffet Review): pretty much what you expect at any average buffet. If you are into desserts, we have a ‘Best Desserts Buffets in Vegas‘ section which you may find useful.
No line-ups, which is good, unless you go during peak dinner or on weekends. They have introduced a continuous schedule (breakfast-lunch-dinner) without breaks, and that is very welcome; during our last visit there were absolutely no line ups.
For a few more dollars you can now buy an alcoholic beverage option; otherwise you will be entitled to one alcoholic drink (a small glass of sparkling wine which they call champagne, a far cry from the ‘real champagne’, of course). Free drinks are served at several buffets, including Mirage & Studio B (not unlimited).
If you have a 24-hour buffet pass from the Caesars’s Group this may still be one of the 4 or 5 buffets you should visit; however, Rio’s Carnival & Seafood buffet has improved lately and I would personally opt to eat there throughout the 24 hours.
Planet Hollywood Buffet Review: as with most Strip buffets, you can now purchase a ‘to-go’ option for a lower price, but always double check on arrival and bear in mind that some options are difficult to fit in a container. Also, ‘buffet to go’ options do not include the many non-alcoholic drinks you can enjoy if you actually sit there.
Planet Hollywood Buffet Review: Hours & Prices
Breakfast Daily 7AM – 10AM Adults $19.99 Children (ages 4-10) $12.99
Champagne Brunch Daily, 10AM – 3PM Adults $25.99 – Children (ages 4 – 10) $14.99
Prime Rib Dinner Daily, 3PM – 10PM Adults $30.99 – Children (ages 4 – 10) $18.99
The buffet has thankfully adjusted its prices so it’s a little less expensive, which is good; however, if you compare it to the nearby Aria it’s still not competitive. Having said this, the quality of its dishes has improved a little so all in all the experience here will be a decent one. Moreover, despite the fact that I found it has shrunk in size, many may still appreciate the variety of dishes here in this price range (still not a competitor for nearby Aria, though, for example).
If you are on a budget, a ‘cheap’ but excellent little buffet is the very good Palms Buffet; a slightly more expensive but huge and good buffet is the M Resort Buffet, thought the latter is harder to get to if you don’t have a car (read about how to get there on its dedicated page, underlined). Rio Carnival & Seafood buffet has improved and it’s now the best of the Caesars Entertainment buffets though they had the horrific idea of limiting its hours. Buffet prices do not include tax, and are subject to change (and they do change!). Please check with them over the phone in case they have adopted a last-minute change (it happens often). Telephone: (702) 785-5555
Planet Hollywood Buffet Review summary: better than last year and worth going to if you are staying at this resort or if you have the 24 hour buffet pass (but follow our advice on this on our page). In this area of Las Vegas (southern Mid Strip) you have several choices but not all great. Some expensive but disappointing (see Cosmopolitan or MGM Grand on a ‘midweek’ day). I’d cross the road to Aria if money and time were no issue, but if you don’t want to line up and you’re happy with a decent, varied buffet, then Planet Hollywood is a good choice.
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