{"id":3815,"date":"2010-02-03T08:00:41","date_gmt":"2010-02-03T14:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=3815"},"modified":"2016-12-16T21:45:54","modified_gmt":"2016-12-17T03:45:54","slug":"valentines-day-spas-suites-and-treats-at-las-vegas-hotels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2010\/02\/valentines-day-spas-suites-and-treats-at-las-vegas-hotels\/","title":{"rendered":"Valentine’s Day: suites and treats at Las Vegas hotels"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Bellagio Cypress Suite (Photo: MGM\/Mirage)<\/p><\/div>\n

By E.C. Gladstone<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/em>Tradition holds that June is the most popular month to get married. But not in Las Vegas — here, that distinction belongs to Feb. 14, St. Valentine\u2019s Day. If you\u2019re one of the many planning to help that statistic, you\u2019ve probably already chosen the venue, but just in case, you might want to check my wedding blog (Getting married? Say “I do” on the Vegas Strip)<\/a> for tips (not every Elvis on the street can marry you, fyi.)<\/p>\n

Those of us who have already taken the vows, or aren\u2019t of that mind, can still find a lot of romance within the Las Vegas hotels<\/a> for Valentine’s Day, though. While most of my Valentine’s Day recommendations<\/a> from last year still hold , I thought I\u2019d update with a few new pointers.<\/p>\n

SUITE YOURSELF<\/strong><\/p>\n

Las Vegas hotel room rates are at very competitive levels now, so why not look into upgrading to a more lavish, roomy suite? For couples wanting to get cozy, \u201cstandard\u201d suites at the Venetian<\/a>\/Palazzo<\/a> and Trump<\/a> as well as the Hard Rock Hotel<\/a>\u2019s new HRH tower<\/a> certainly make the grade, in my mind. Above those, I think some of the sexiest junior and one-bedroom suites can be found at the following Las Vegas hotels:<\/p>\n

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Bathroon in the Hotel 32 Penthouse Suite (Photo: MGM\/Mirage)<\/p><\/div>\n

— Bellagio<\/a><\/strong> (Salone junior or lavish Cypress suites)
\n— Caesars Palace<\/a><\/strong> (Augustus Tower Royal or Spa Suite with Bellagio fountain view)
\n— Golden Nugget<\/a><\/strong> (bi-level Spa Tower suites)
\n— M Resort<\/a><\/strong> \u201cExecutive\u201d (sexy urban chic)
\n— Palms Place<\/a><\/strong> one bedroom (balconies, fireplace, tub in the bedroom)
\n— Planet Hollywood<\/a><\/strong> (Panorama suites — Bellagio and CityCenter views)
\n— Red Rock<\/a><\/strong> \u201cSignature\u201d or \u201cViva\u201d (dramatically modern)
\n— <\/strong>And newcomers Mandarin Oriental (Apex suite with enveloping bedroom and spa tub views), and the Monte Carlo<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s Hotel 32 (sleek one-bedroom penthouse).<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll be doing a more thorough Las Vegas hotel suite survey in a few weeks, so bookmark\/rss me and check back \u2026<\/p>\n

AMUSE BOUCHE<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Wagyu Beef Tartare at Sage (Photo: E.C. Gladstone)<\/p><\/div>\n

My list of most romantic restaurants on or near the Strip begins, as always, with those French formidables Joel Robuchon<\/strong>, Le Cirque<\/strong>, Andre\u2019s<\/strong>, Eiffel Tower<\/strong>, etc. But let me mention some changes and additions:<\/p>\n

Among the many fine options in the new Las Vegas hotel ARIA<\/a> at CityCenter, Shawn McClain\u2019s Sage<\/strong> would be my absolute first choice right now for a memorable meal. The James Beard Foundation-awarded chef\u2019s new outpost hits all the right notes both for an intimate, elegant setting and a seductive and sensuous supper. Get the foie gras cr\u00e8me brulee, and thank me later. (Actually, feel free to order absolutely anything on the menu with confidence. I would.)<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve long heard Andre Rochat\u2019s Alize<\/strong> was a worthy destination, but only recently got to experience this unexpectedly elegant gem atop the party-pad Palms for myself. If he can distract you from the stunning 180-degree views, charming and knowledgeable sommelier Claudio offers strong wine pairings for Alize\u2019s menu of Gallic classics given seasonal twists and pretty presentations. A pork belly starter and venison chops were among the standouts for me, along with a perfect souffl\u00e9.<\/p>\n

While Stratosphere<\/a>\u2019s rotating Top of the World<\/strong> restaurant was always a go-to for the most magnificent view in town, I think its food has been extremely average. But the chefs recently revamped the entire menu with impressive results: try the ahi tuna tataki, light but savory crab cake, and spiced Moroccan lamb chop — and enjoy som Dean Wachstetter\u2019s suggestions as well.<\/p>\n

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Ferraro's Osso Buco (Photo: Ferraro's)<\/p><\/div>\n

The family-owned Ferraro\u2019s<\/strong> has long been a local stalwart for authentic Italian, but their new location on Paradise Road (across from the Hard Rock Hotel) is designed with many intimate alcoves for semi-private dining. Chef Mimmo Ferraro does particularly nice lobster risotto, spinach-mascarpone agnolotti, tableside-boned Dover sole and a richly complex Osso Buco.<\/p>\n

Other romantic Las Vegas restaurants with special V-Day menus I\u2019d recommend include Aureole <\/strong>(Mandalay Bay<\/a>,<\/strong> $95, five courses in Swan Court), Valentino<\/strong> (Venetian, $90, five courses), Nove Italiano<\/strong> (Palms, $75, five courses), Lupo<\/strong> (Mandalay Bay, $55, four courses), Penazzi<\/strong> (Harrah\u2019s<\/a>, $45, three courses), and Le Cirque<\/strong> (Bellagio, $145, four courses). Foodies should also consider Restaurant Charlie<\/strong>, which has a very nice multi-option $95 prix fixe aswell as a more extravagant $225 Grand Menu.<\/p>\n

UNTYING THE KNOTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Encore Spa Treatment Hall (Photo: Russell McMasters)<\/p><\/div>\n

Trying to decide between a fun activity for two and pampering your significant other during your Las Vegas hotel stay? You can do both with a couples spa treatment. While I think you\u2019d be happy at any of the Las Vegas hotels’ top 10 spas<\/a> I rated a few months back, those I\u2019d particularly recommend for couples are Encore<\/strong>, Qua<\/strong> (Caesars Palace), Canyon Ranch<\/strong> (Venetian\/Palazzo — couples\u2019 Rasul ritual), Red Rock<\/strong> (co-ed jacuzzi and private pool), Drift<\/strong> (Palms Place — gorgeous co-ed Hammam), Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas<\/strong><\/a>, and MGM Grand<\/strong><\/a> (Dreaming ritual) \u2026 You may also consider the very couples-friendly Reliquary spa<\/strong> in the Hard Rock Hotel\u2019s new HRH tower, with a co-ed Roman bath and several special treatment rooms. (I\u2019ll also be reviewing the three new CityCenter spas in a few weeks \u2026)<\/p>\n

Or, maybe you\u2019ll just want to celebrate with a snuggle in front of the Bellagio fountains. That works, too.<\/p>\n

Inside Tip:<\/strong> For something different for V Day weekend, consider driving out to Lake Las Vegas for the Second Annual Silver State Regional Chili Cook-off on Saturday, Feb. 13 (12 to 4 p.m.), and ice skating on the floating rink. Or just stroll over to the Flamingo, where the North American Body Painting Championship is taking place from Feb. 12-14.<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/h3>\n