Articles Tagged ‘Las Vegas hotels’
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
By E.C. Gladstone
Perhaps more than any of the other Las Vegas Hotels, everything about the Hard Rock is focused on attracting the young and gorgeous. That isn’t the type of property where “aging gracefully” is an option, especially since (slow economy or not) many others would love to snag their hot and happening clientele. So their new expansions- Paradise Tower up and running, HRH tower coming first quarter 2010 — almost seem overdue.
Paradise Hotel Courtesy of Erik Kabik/RETNA
In fact, the new towers are actually the capping numbers on an album of hits the HRH has been playing ever since the luxury-leaning Morgans Group took over in 2006.
They built a big 3,000-ish capacity new (Rogue) joint for big shows, while opening Carey Hart’s intimate rock bar Wasted Space; they put sexy go-go dancers right on the casino floor and added a smart-designed Poker Room that gets good marks from novices and pro players alike; they got designer Mark Zeff to test out the new tower’s aesthetic with some gothic suites in the original building, and added 65,000 more square feet of meeting space; they replaced aging AJ’s Steakhouse with the new hip Rare 120, while bringing James Beard Foundation-awarded Italian chef Marco Porceddu in to revive Ago (Nobu remains intact); They even added new retail, including a sprawling John Varvatos boutique.
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Tags: Las Vegas hotels, Las Vegas Vacation
Posted in Gambling Vacation, Las Vegas Vacation, Music, Nightlife | No Comments »
Monday, June 29th, 2009
By E.C. Gladstone
Doing a blog like this isn’t all fun and games, you know. Okay, it is mostly fun and games. But sometimes I can find myself clocking an awful lot of miles trying to look like I’m “relaxing.” Okay, no whining. The point is, I thought it would be fun just to share one typically hectic day in my life with you all. Let’s take the Friday before last…
I woke up in a spacious junior suite on one of the Palazzo’s upgraded Concierge levels. While Palazzo & Venetian have always been one of
my favorite Las Vegas hotels on the Strip for many reasons, the Concierge level adds so much to the already high amenity level here (premium betting, motorized curtains, body jets in the shower, DVD player on one of two big flatscreens, multifunction Brother fax/scanner). Grabbing breakfast in the sprawling concierge lounge (a modest rate upgrade for 3 meals and evening cocktails, free DVD library and more), I caught up with news and e-mails using the free business
center computers before heading downstairs to the new Azure club pool.
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Tags: Las Vegas hotels
Posted in Business Travel, Family Travel, Food & Wine, Gambling Vacation, Las Vegas Vacation, Nightlife, Orbitz Travel Insider, Romance, Spa Vacation | No Comments »
Friday, June 19th, 2009
By E.C. Gladstone
Lavish suites are nothing unusual in Las Vegas hotels, but the newest one in town is really something else: presenting the official Barbie Suite at Palms Casino Resort. Designed by Jonathan Adler with the full cooperation of Barbie’s parent company, Mattel, the adult-sized digs are truly a girlwoman’s dream, with Barbie-print chairs, doll displays and art, pucci prints, vinyl and silver lame accents, sparkly floors, a luxurious spa tub, steam showers, push-button fireplace…and more.
But while most Las Vegas hotel suites focus on opulence and luxury (and don’t worry, I’ll be talking about them soon, too), Barbie’s pad is not the only one here with a sense of funky flair. Palms alone has the Hardwood suite (with a 1/2 basketball court), Kingpin (2 bowling lanes), Erotic suite (8-foot rotating bed), as well as the six-bedroom “Real World” suite (where the MTV series filmed), Hugh Hefner Sky Villa (with an infinity pool hanging over the edge of the tower!) and more…
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Tags: Las Vegas hotels
Posted in Family Travel, Film, Gambling Vacation, Gay Travel, Las Vegas Vacation, Travel News | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
By E.C. Gladstone
As all players know, the annual World Series of Poker is now running at the Rio Las Vegas Convention Center. But nearly all of our Las Vegas hotels offer card rooms these days, and the WSOP crowd doesn’t come just for tournaments — they want some cash action, too! With that in mind, it was time to rate the rooms. But I’m no pro; that’s why I called Jennifer Harman. You might have heard of her. She’s arguably the best female poker player in the world (easily one of the most successful, period). And I give her kudos for being unbiased — as you’ll see, she didn’t even rate the room that hosts her own event the highest!
10) Red Rock Resort
Open 24 hours (certainly rare off-Strip), Red Rock’s 20-table room has quick computer screen sign-in kiosks as well as a system that tracks your play time for club points usable at all Stations casinos. They’re also part of the Stations-wide Bad Beat Jackpots.
Jennifer says: I really like the Red Rock. It's got a spacious poker room, they really cater to their players and if you feel like a break from playing poker, you can catch a movie just 100 yards away inside the casino.
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Tags: Las Vegas hotels
Posted in Film, Gambling Vacation, Las Vegas Vacation, Top 10 Lists | 1 Comment »
Monday, June 1st, 2009
By E.C. Gladstone
I’m still digesting (in every sense of the word) the amazing experience I had earlier this month at Vegas Uncork’d, the annual gourmet festival presented by Bon Appetit magazine here. Foodies, mark your calendar, because this is truly a unique event, where you not only get to sample the food of internationally revered chefs, but socialize and even cook with them (maybe even gamble)!
Uncork’d reminded me just how many star chefs we have in our Las Vegas hotels (“who isn’t here?” is the popular refrain) … so many that visitors often aren’t even aware of them all. That seemed like a good reason to attempt a comprehensive listing — and remind everyone that, since many of their restaurants are offering dining deals (and have casual outposts too), you can create your own food festival here anytime you want!
Keep in mind that some of these chefs are here more frequently than others (I’ve starred those for whom Las Vegas is home base), but no doubt those that only visit every few weeks trust their kitchens to the next rising stars…
French
- The ultimate masters of French cooking around the world, and here, everyone largely agrees are Joel Robuchon (The Mansion at MGM Grand) and Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace; an evening at either restaurant is not just a meal but an event.
- *Alessandro Stratta bends the genre, but lovingly, at his gorgeously appointed Alex (Wynn).
- The legendary Alain Ducasse presents his cuisine with a remarkable view at MIX, atop THEHotel, while Jean Joho also offers a view with his menu at Eiffel Tower Restaurant (Paris).
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Tags: Las Vegas hotels
Posted in Film, Food & Wine, Gambling Vacation, Las Vegas Vacation, Television | No Comments »
Monday, May 18th, 2009
By E.C. Gladstone
Even though Mother’s Day has come and gone, the occasion inspired me to want to pay tribute to our many great female performers, young and old. Las Vegas may host the world’s most beautiful women, but it also has many of the most talented. If you want to see a Grand Dame put on a show, I can’t think of any place with more choices than the Las Vegas hotels. The list is always changing, but take a look at who’s on the boards these days…
Cher, Caesars Palace
Cher’s own self-styled career tribute is as much a Bob Mackie fashion exposition as it is a concert. “Don’t I look great in person?” the age-defying diva cracks. “It only took me five hours to get this way!” With a full troupe of tight dancers and aerialists backing her, Cher’s Colosseum show is clearly meant to be crowd-pleasing though it also includes more video than you might expect. Still, her retrospective duet with Sonny on “The Beat Goes On,” her equally effective takes on Pat Benatar’s “Love Is A Battlefield” and Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way” are all pleasant surprises. Despite rumors, Cher is staying at Caesars at least through 2010…
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Tags: Las Vegas hotel, Las Vegas hotels
Posted in Gambling Vacation, Las Vegas Vacation, Music, Nightlife, Romance | No Comments »
Thursday, May 7th, 2009
By E.C. Gladstone
It isn’t one of the more promoted activities in Sin City, but take in the combination of sexy locals, celebrities aplenty, and visitors from around the globe, and the people watching at Las Vegas hotels has to be some of the best anywhere. Right now, while the weather’s warm but not quite blistering, the best place to do that is at one of the Strip’s many outdoor dining spots, most of which — along with the free entertainment — offer good quality at reasonable prices… Here are some of my favorites:
Mon Ami Gabi, Paris Las Vegas
In many respects, the Grand Mere of Stripside dining, Mon Ami Gabi remains the standard. After ten years, MAG remains well maintained, with a great staff and solid French brasserie food, but also a vegetarian sampler, several fish choices (even Skate), and over 10 different kinds of frites. A few weeks back I had a Steak Bordelaise at the bar that was, well, perfect. If you don’t want to wait for the patio or pavilion, the extensive interior (modeled after an idealized Parisian bistro — but thankfully not overburdened by the cliché Lautrec prints) is pleasantly romantic.
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Tags: Las Vegas hotel, Las Vegas hotels
Posted in Family Travel, Food & Wine, Gambling Vacation, Las Vegas Vacation, Nightlife, Romance, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
By E.C. Gladstone
Many critics and observers, like sharks smelling blood in the water, have feasted upon the bad news of shows closing in Las Vegas during the current economic downturn. What they’ve failed to report is that at least as many — if not more! — new shows and entertainers have rushed in to fill the theatres and showrooms in our Las Vegas hotels, while others have moved to bigger, better venues with new and improved performances. Just to name a few…
Terry Fator, Mirage
With a slick talk show-style stage, hip DJ and tight band, the America’s Got Talent winner is as on-the-money as possible. Since his stint at the Las Vegas Hilton, Fator has added new puppet characters (like a Cougar and a Beatle) to his already solid cast, and more stunning musical voices like James Blunt and Brooks & Dunn. Approaching conservatives and liberals, old and young alike, Fator simply represents Vegas entertainment at its best. Who ever thought ventriloquism would be hot?
Trent Carlini’s Elvolution, Planet Hollywood
Elvis tributes are practically a requirement in Sin City, but the concept has long since passed self-parody. But Trent Carlini — winner of ABC-TV’s “Next Big Thing” — gets closer to the real thing than anyone you’ve likely ever seen, surveying all eras of EAP’s career (even the dubious ones) with amiable appreciation, an eye for detail, and a self-aware sense of humor. Still, I wanted him to worry less about costume changes and focus more on delivering Presley’s best.
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Tags: Las Vegas hotels
Posted in Family Travel, Gambling Vacation, Las Vegas Vacation, Nightlife, Travel News | No Comments »
Friday, April 24th, 2009
By E.C. Gladstone
Planning to include a massage in your Las Vegas hotel visit? You may be surprised by the size, scope and service level now being offered in Sin City spas. In fact, the field keeps getting more and more crowded with properties promoting lavish environments and exotic treatments both on and off the Strip. Separating the best from the rest still isn’t difficult, but ranking the very top facilities becomes challenging — each has some unique features that are hard to compare. In the end, among these, your preferences may weigh your own favorite. Here’s my countdown:
10) The Bathhouse, THEHotel**
The experience here begins from the moment of entry when you are greeted by a soothing coconut/jasmine fragrance. Futuristically sleek and austere throughout, the sensory-soothing design theme features rock beds and walls and opaque glass nearly everywhere in the bento box-like, easily navigable spa area, including around the showers, small steam and sauna, and extra deep hot spa tub and cold plunge. Aquage products in locker room. Keypad lockers, amazing chenille robes. Very well staffed. Retail offers serious product lines like Peter Thomas Roth. jewelry, candles, makeup and more.
I experienced THEultimate massage, incorporating Swedish massage, a scalp treatment and some lymphatic, and the Fire & Ice river rocks (“from the same family”), using safflower and grapeseed oils.
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Tags: Las Vegas hotels
Posted in Business Travel, Family Travel, Food & Wine, Las Vegas Vacation, Nightlife, Romance, Spa Vacation, Top 10 Lists | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
If you're thinking about planning your summer vacation, here's good news: You'll find cheaper hotel rates this year compared to 2008 in some of the most popular summer vacation destinations.
Orbitz compared rates for hotel rooms booked on its site for stays from June 1 through August 31, 2009, to rates during the same period in 2008 and found savings of as much as 40% for 2009 summer vacations.
Mexico vacations can be cheaper — with Cancun hotels running 19% less this year than in 2008 and Riviera Maya hotels about 9% cheaper. Las Vegas hotels are nearly 42% cheaper this summer, and Chicago hotels are about 24% cheaper. Even a Hawaii vacation can cost less, with average daily rates for Oahu hotels about 23% less than last year.
Check out the full list:
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Tags: Cancun hotels, Hotel, Las Vegas hotels, Mexico vacations, summer vacation
Posted in Beach Vacation, California Vacation, Caribbean Vacation, Chicago Vacation, Europe Vacation, Family Travel, Hawaii Vacation, Las Vegas Vacation, Mexico Vacation, New York Vacation, Top 10 Lists | 1 Comment »
