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Sunday, January 31, 2010
Winemaker Dinners at Bellagio Las Vegas
Bellagio has announced two winemaker events - one for February and one for March - that are sure to be extraordinary.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Stratosphere Las Vegas North Strip
The Stratosphere is effectively the northern terminus of the Las Vegas Strip, the world famous portion of Las Vegas Boulevard that is home to dozens of the world's largest hotels and casinos. The Las Vegas Strip is about 3.5 miles long - the distance from the Stratsophere to Mandalay Bar area on the south end.
Other properties on the Northern end of the strip are the Sahara, Circus Circus, and Riviera.
You'll find that the most beautiful, extravagant, and expensive hotels tend to be in the center of the strip - Wynn, Encore, Bellagio, Venetian, Caesar's Palace. Although there are several very nice "still big and beautiful" hotels at the South Strip: MGM, Mandalay Bay, Luxor (though it seems to be in something of a decline based on my last trip).
The two ends seem to be falling into greater disrepair over time although the Stratosphere seemed to be holding up pretty well as the north strip anchor property. There are spectacular carnival rides near the top of the tower though note the steep admission even if you just want a nice view from the observation deck. It's not clear to me if you can eat at the restaurant and avoid the high price of a tower ticket.
Other properties on the Northern end of the strip are the Sahara, Circus Circus, and Riviera.
You'll find that the most beautiful, extravagant, and expensive hotels tend to be in the center of the strip - Wynn, Encore, Bellagio, Venetian, Caesar's Palace. Although there are several very nice "still big and beautiful" hotels at the South Strip: MGM, Mandalay Bay, Luxor (though it seems to be in something of a decline based on my last trip).
The two ends seem to be falling into greater disrepair over time although the Stratosphere seemed to be holding up pretty well as the north strip anchor property. There are spectacular carnival rides near the top of the tower though note the steep admission even if you just want a nice view from the observation deck. It's not clear to me if you can eat at the restaurant and avoid the high price of a tower ticket.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Crystals Retail at CityCenter Las Vegas
The beautiful wooden interior of the Crystals Retail Center on the Strip at CityCenter was quite spectacular, though I hope the wood holds up under all the traffic this area will see. I was there within weeks of the opening and noticed already there are some marks on this remarkable floor, which appeared to be a blend of various exotic woods.
The staircase has embedded agates which are backlit to create an amazing effect - Crystals has a very beautiful decor.
The staircase has embedded agates which are backlit to create an amazing effect - Crystals has a very beautiful decor.
Paris? Nope, it's VEGAS Baby! Paris Hotel from in front of Bellagio
One of the prettiest views in Las Vegas is from the front of the Bellagio looking out over the Bellagio Fountains, across the strip to Paris Las Vegas' half sized Eiffel Tower.
Note that the Bellagio is something of an "anchor" for a lot of fun action in the center of the Las Vegas Strip. The fountains are a "must see" and inside you'll find some of the most appealing hotel decor in the world, including an incredible art gallery (fee charged but worth it), huge chocolate fountain, and beautiful conservatory with flowers that change with the season.
A tram now takes you from the Bellagio to the Crystals Shopping Area where you can access the Vdara Hotel, Aria Hotel and Casino, or keep riding to the Monte Carlo.
Note that the Bellagio is something of an "anchor" for a lot of fun action in the center of the Las Vegas Strip. The fountains are a "must see" and inside you'll find some of the most appealing hotel decor in the world, including an incredible art gallery (fee charged but worth it), huge chocolate fountain, and beautiful conservatory with flowers that change with the season.
A tram now takes you from the Bellagio to the Crystals Shopping Area where you can access the Vdara Hotel, Aria Hotel and Casino, or keep riding to the Monte Carlo.
Canoe Sculpture at Vdara, Las Vegas
The Casino Times has a nice feature with ten items that distinguish Las Vegas' new city within a city - CITYCENTER. This huge project was large even by Las Vegas Standards and many were concerned about a year ago that it would not be completed, but after a lawsuit against and and subsequent loan to partner in the project MGM, Dubai World and MGM did complete one of the world's greatest commercial developments.
http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article/top-10-citycenter-facts-and-figures-191964
http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article/top-10-citycenter-facts-and-figures-191964
Friday, January 1, 2010
Hotwire Ratings Tips for Las Vegas Hotels
Hotwire is a great service to save a lot on hotel reservations, but part of the game is that you don't know the name of the property until *after* you book. This is normally fine in my experience with Hotwire, but obviously it's nice to have an exact location and name if possible:
This great Hotwire tips list from a forum member at "RedFlagDeals.com":
-----------------------
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services
TI - Treasure Island - 4 STAR **** CENTER STRIP
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Golf Nearby, Spa Services
Trump International � 5 STAR ***** CENTER STRIP
Hotel features: Studio, Smoke Free, Daily Housekeeping, A/C, Front Desk, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf, Spa, Kitchenette, Condo
Wynn � 5 STAR **** CENTER STRIP
Hotel features: Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Golf Nearby, Spa Services
Hotel features: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Business, Golf, Spa
(same as Venetian)
Caesar�s Palace � 4 � STAR **** � CENTER STRIP
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services
Planet Hollywood & Resort � 4 STAR **** CENTER STRIP
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Spa Services
Paris Las Vegas � 4 STAR **** CENTER STRIP
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services
Bally's Las Vegas 3 � STAR *** � CENTER STRIP
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services
Flamingo Las Vegas � 3 � STAR *** � CENTER STRIP
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services
Harrah's Hotel and Casino Las Vegas � 3 � STAR *** � CENTER STRIP
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Spa Services
Bills Gamblin Hall and Saloon � 3 STAR *** CENTER STRIP
Hotel features: Casino, Restaurant(s), High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby
Imperial Palace Las Vegas - Tower � 3 STAR *** CENTER STRIP
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Spa Services
--------------------------------------------------------------------------STRIP NORTH
Stratosphere Hotel and Casino � 3 STAR *** STRIP NORTH
Hotel features: Resort, Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Laundry Facilities, Golf Nearby, Spa Services
Sahara Hotel and Casino � 3 STAR *** STRIP NORTH
Hotel features: Casino, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby
Circus Circus Hotel & Casino � 3 STAR *** NORTH STRIP
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Children's Activity Program
Circus Circus Hotel & Casino � MANOR ROOM � 2 STAR ** - NORTH STRIP
Hotel Features: Casino, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Business, Children's Activites
--------------------------------------------------------------------------STRIP SOUTH
MGM Grand � 4 STAR **** STRIP SOUTH
Hotel Features: Casino, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf, Tennis, Spa
New York New York � 4 STAR **** STRIP SOUTH
Hotel Features: Casino, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness Center, Business Center, Golf, Spa
Monte Carlo Resort & Casino � 3 and � STAR *** � STRIP SOUTH
Hotel features: Resort, Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services
Luxor Resort and Casino � 3 � STAR *** �
Hotel features: Resort, Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services
Tropicana Hotel & Casino � 3 STAR ***
Hotel features: Resort, Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Golf Nearby, Spa Services
Excalibur � 3 STAR *** STRIP SOUTH
Customer favourite
Hotel Features: Casino, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Golf, Spa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------NEAR STRIP SOUTH
South Point Hotel & Casino � 4 STAR **** - NEAR STRIP SOUTH
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby
--------------------------------------------------------------------------NEAR STRIP EAST
Hard Rock - 4 STAR **** NEAR STRIP EAST
Hotel Features: Casino, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Spa
Las Vegas Hilton � 4 STAR **** NEAR STRIP EAST
Could be 3 � STAR again
Hotel Features: Casino, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf, Tennis, Spa
Hyatt Place Las Vegas � 3 STAR *** NEAR STRIP EAST
Hotel features: Smoke Free Rooms, Complimentary Breakfast, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access
Desert Rose Resort � 3 STAR *** NEAR STRIP EAST
La Quinta Inn Las Vegas Convention Center � 2 � STAR ** � NEAR STRIP EAST
Hotel features: Airport Shuttle, Complimentary Breakfast, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Laundry Facilities, High-speed Internet Access
--------------------------------------------------------------------------NEAR STRIP WEST
Palace Station � 3 STAR *** NEAR STRIP WEST
Hotel Features: Casino, Shuttle, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business
Las Vegas Cay Club Desert Tides Resort � 3 STAR *** NEAR STRIP WEST
Hotel Features:
Palace Station Casino Courtyard � 2 � STAR ** � NEAR STRIP WEST
Wild Wild West Casino � 2 STAR ** NEAR STRIP WEST
Hotel Features: Casino, Restaurant, Pool
Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino � 4 STAR **** NEAR STRIP WEST
Hotel features: Suite, Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Spa Services
Artisan Hotel � 3 STAR ***
Hotel features: Boutique Hotel, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby
The Orleans Hotel & Casino � 3 STAR ***
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Spa Services, Children's Activity
--------------------------------------------------------------------------WEST OF STRIP
Red Rock Casino � 4 and � STAR **** � WEST OF STRIP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------EAST OF STRIP
Extended StayAmerica - 2 � STAR ** �
Hotel Features: Complimentary Breakfast, Pool, Fitness, Kitchenette, Laundry
Extended Stay Deluxe East Flamingo (1550 Flamingo) � 2 � STAR ** �
Hotel Features: Complimentary Breakfast, Pool, Fitness, Laundry
Extended StayAmerica (4240 Boulder Highway) (this is more recent than above, but not sure if different properties or same with a downgrade) 2 STAR **
Hotel Features: Suite, Laundry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------DOWNTOWN
Plaza Hotel � 2 STAR ** DOWNTOWN
Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino � 4 STAR **** DOWNTOWN
Hotel features: Resort, Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Spa Services
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HENDERSON - SOUTHEAST
4* Loews Lake Las Vegas
Amenities: Resort, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf, Tennis, Spa, Children Activities, Laundry
3* Hawthorn Inn and Suites
Amenities: Complimentary Breakfast, Pool, Fitness, Business, Laundry
3* Holiday Inn (Boulder Hwy, Henderson)
Amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Laundry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCATION UNKNOWN
Riviera Hotel & Casino � 3 STAR ***
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services
Sunset Station � 3 STAR ***
Hotel features: Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Children's Activity Program
Hooters Casino Hotel Las Vegas � 3 STAR ***
Hotel features: Casino, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Golf Nearby
Fitzgeralds Casino � STAR rating unknown
Hotel features: silkPkgAmenityName18:Casino, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center
The Grandview at Las Vegas � STAR rating unknown
Hotel features: Suite, 1-Bedroom Suite, Fully-equipped Kitchen, Free Parking, Air Conditioning, Fitness Center, Pool(s)
Best Western Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino � STAR rating unknown
Hotel features: Airport Shuttle, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Laundry Facilities, Golf Nearby
The Mirage Hotel and Casino � STAR rating unknown
Hotel features: Resort, Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services
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