You should be able to get very nice suites with views at either Mandarin Oriental or Four Seasons for that price.
A suite at Nobu at Caesar's would probably exceed your budget.

THEhotel at Mandalay Bay is being converted to a Delano. If you get a strip view room, it is one of the best views of the strip in Las Vegas and the bar/restaurant atop the building is a great view as well.

I have heard the sky suites at Aria are very nice as are the suites at Cosmopolitan, but they generally seem to attract a younger crowd

Personally I would stay at any of the hotels you mentioned before staying at MGM.  That place is just too big for my tastes.  

 
Hope that helps

Look up the skylofts, its in the MGM, private entrance, private elevator, they pick you up from the airport in a bentley iirc. also gives you the option to get breakfast in the high roller restaurant near their villas.  Also comes with a butler, a pillow menu etc.  Some of the two bedrooms have direct access to a private pool I think.

Bonus is they reserve some nice seats for the shows controlled by that chain.

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Aria Sky Suites...

Amazing suites very nice view the regular rooms are nice but the sky suites are awesome.
As April mentioned the Vdara is also a nice hotel hop skip and jump from Aria hotel if you want to gamble and the rooms if you get a corner room awesome view full kitchen and dining area.
MGM has the signature tower and I think some of these rooms have balconies which is better than the rooms at the Grand IMO.
Hope you and your wife have a great time here:

You could try Deleno - will have just opened (old TheHotel)

1. Wynn (would have better views than Encore)
2. Caesars Palace
3. Trump (no casino)

...then, Yeah, Vdara is great, especially if you get one of the suites on the top three floors.  Cosmo suites are great (especially the Lanai suite--duplex with a private pool on the balcony..yum yum)--but you do have to be prepared to deal with the craziness of a place that appeals to a mostly younger crowd.

I've heard good things about MGM signature, but haven't stayed there myself, so can't speak from experience.  The rest of MGM is such a gigantic barn, I can't recommend it.

Cosmo!

Outside Balcony good for fun & a great water show view below!

the Mandarin Oriental. It is a non-gaming hotel with the best customer service from the valet to housekeeping. It is on the strip, but set back so you do not get all the loud noise from the strip. The main lobby is also on the 23rd floor, so it is a safe hotel. The Mandarin Bar is also on the 23rd floor which has a great view of the strip and there are always beautiful women there; which makes it easy to meet a provider.

Thanks for all the great recommendations. We ended up picking one of the Cypress suites at the Bellagio. Dead center of the hotel overlooking the fountain.