Casino resorts are built around parking. The biggest garages in Las Vegas hold thousands of cars across many levels, and regional casinos often have vast surface lots that fill up on weekend nights. Where you leave the car for a weekend makes a difference to the paint, the interior and your peace of mind.
Covered garage levels
Good: shade from the sun, shelter from rain and hail, cooler cabin temperatures. Watch out for:
- Concrete drips. Water seeping through concrete decks can carry dissolved minerals that leave chalky white spots on paint and glass. Remove them promptly with a quick detailer or a mild water-spot remover; left for weeks, they can etch.
- Door dings. Spaces are narrow and many drivers are in a hurry. Choose an end space or a spot next to a pillar, and park in the centre of the bay.
- Dust and exhaust film. Enclosed garages leave a grey film on everything, which a waterless wash handles easily.
The top deck
The open roof level is often empty and tempting, and in a hot climate it is the worst place for a car. Full sun all day heats the cabin, fades dashboards and leather, and bakes on anything that lands on the paint. Top decks also attract birds, and bird droppings in the sun are among the fastest ways to etch a clear coat. If you must park there, use a sunshade and check the car daily.
Open surface lots
Surface lots share the top deck's sun problem and add sprinkler overspray, tree sap near landscaped edges and blown dust. Look for a space away from trees that drop sap and away from the sprinklers. At night, choose a well-lit spot near the entrance.
Valet
Valet garages are usually covered and controlled, and cars are parked by professionals who do it all day. The trade-off is that someone else drives your car and you cannot choose the space. Our casino valet guide covers what to remove and what to photograph before you hand over the keys.
A weekend checklist
| Before | During | After |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh sealant or wax on the paint | Sunshade on the windshield | Check for drips, droppings and dings |
| Valuables out of the cabin | Remember the level and space, take a photo | Waterless wash for garage dust |
| Quick detailer and towels in the trunk | Remove droppings the same day | Full wash within a few days of a long drive |
Insurance and damage
Parking garages usually post signs limiting their liability for damage and theft. Your own car insurance is normally what covers dings, scrapes and break-ins in a garage, depending on your policy. If you find damage, photograph it in place, note the level and space, and report it to security before you leave; many large garages have cameras that may help.
The simplest protection is a well-maintained layer of wax or sealant, a sunshade and a habit of looking over the car when you return to it. A minute's walk around the car on the way out of the garage saves a lot of regret later.
