By E.C. Gladstone
Some people scoff at the notion that the festive and frenzied Vegas Strip can be romantic, but perhaps they need to stop and smell the roses — literally. Valentine’s Day visitors to Las Vegas hotels can celebrate their special someone in so many ways — sultry, secluded, sentimental or sassy. Let me offer just a few suggestions.
A Romantic Meal
Fine dining is everywhere in Vegas — but some restaurants are better situatated for a cozy tete-a-tete than others. Guy Savoy (Caesars Palace) and The Mansion by Joel Robuchon (MGM Grand) would certainly be first choices if you want your darling to know money isn’t an object. Other romantic rooms include the breathtaking Alex (enter from South valet), Bartolotta and Daniel Boulud at Wynn, Aureole and Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay; Prime, Olives and Le Cirque at Bellagio, Valentino or B&B Ristorante at The Venetian, Michael Mina’s recently revamped Nobhill Tavern (also MGM — request a secluded booth), the newly redecorated Andre’s (Monte Carlo), DJT at Trump, Hank’s (Green Valley Ranch), The Range (Harrah’s) and downtown, Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse (Golden Nugget). Many of the above even have secluded wine cellar tables…
A View To A Thrill
If seeing the stars and the Strip are in order, there are many fine view options, starting of course with the Stratosphere’s Top of The World restaurant and including The Capital Grille (Fashion Show Mall), Eiffel Tower Restaurant (Paris),Voodoo (Rio), Nove and Alize at Palms. The newly remodeled Binion’s Ranch Steakhouse downtown is said to have a cool view, too. Don’t forget to request (i.e. demand) a window seat with your reservation.
Something Sweet?
Nearly every restaurant is guaranteed to have some amazing chocolate desserts on offer — but if chocolate fondue is your particular quest, may I point you in the direction of some cool varieties at Cathouse (Luxor), Dos Caminos (Palazzo), Koi (Planet Hollywood), or, on a more casual level, Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge in the Fashion Show Mall? For fine chocolates, almost every major resort has good choices, but I’d start at Jean-Phillippe (Bellagio), Payard (Caesars Palace), Vosges (Forum Shops) or Ethel’s.
Show Me
Should a show be in your sights, my first “date” choices among the regular shows on the Strip would be Cirque Du Soleil’s aquatic-exotic "O" (Bellagio),the dramatically dark Phantom (Venetian) or tastefully seductive Crazy Horse of Paris topless revue (MGM Grand)… Among the performers in town for the weekend, my personal picks would be either Chris Isaak or the Valentine’s Love Affair (soul veterans including Zapp, Rose Royce, Jojo from Mary Jane Girls, Temprees, Honeycone, William DeVaughn), both coincidently at the Orleans hotel… And if a bottle of bubb in the club is more the mode, take yourselves to XS (Encore), Blush (Wynn), Tabu (MGM) or Cathouse. On short notice, check out one of the Top 10 Las Vegas lounges I recently blogged about, particularly Fontana (Bellagio), Parasol (Wynn), Koi and Striphouse (both Planet Hollywood), West Wing (MGM), or Japonais (Mirage).
Ah, There’s The Rub
Hopefully, your celebration is lasting longer than the evening. If so, one of the best activities I can recommend (in a “family” blog, anyway) is sharing a couples spa treatment. You’ll be seeing a complete review of Vegas spas here soon… but in the meantime, some with great couples treatment packages include the spas at Encore, Trump, MGM Grand and Ritz-Carlton. The Four Seasons, THEHotel, Bellagio, Red Rock, JW Marriott and Venetian are other properties with highly regarded spas.
Get A Room
Maybe this should be the first piece of advice, not the (next to) last, but I hate to assume… Anyway, if I can persuade you lovers to indulge in a one-bedroom suite, my strongest suggestions would include those at Red Rock, Palms Place, Planet Hollywood (Bellagio fountain views!) and Golden Nugget (Spa tower).
Insider Tip: Elton John just announced his Red Piano show at Caesars Palace will close April 22, so don’t miss a chance to see it. And splurge for good seats, it’s worth it.
Related Orbitz resources
E. C. Gladstone is a former editor for AOLVegas, and interviews top Strip entertainers, restaurateurs, moguls and behind-the-scenes players for VEGAS Magazine and other prominent publications. Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when absolutely necessary.
