The Aria is a contemporary retreat from the rest of the strip, a a few steps off the beaten path of the strip. Because it's not one of the better known hotels, hoardes of tourists don't flow through endlessly sucking in the ambiance.
Definitely one of the more calming retreats on the Vegas strip, worth considering if you want to bypass most of the crowds. The gambling area is nice, and The Buffet is surprisingly good, with very fresh choices for a reasonable-ish price. Be sure to join the MGM Properties Mlife rewards program for deals on rooms and buffets. The MyVegas app and Facebook game actually allow you to rack up enough points to buy your way into decent deals at Aria and their other properties.