NV Travel Guide - Page 20
Tags: Las Vegas Hotels / Hotel Restaurants / Bette Midler / Celebrity Chefs / → All Tags
Bette Midler and Bradley Ogden Celebrate Earth Day
It's almost enough to make you believe in humanity again--and in Las Vegas's Caesars Palace of all places. Earth Day is coming up on April 22, and there's a special deal going to celebrate it.
It seems that the Ogden family, of the Bradley Ogden restaurant at Caesars, have joined their sustainable, farm-fresh food leanings together with the concerns of Bette Midler's non-profit New York Restoration Project, which is creating green space in underserved communities of New York. Bette replaced Celine Dion earlier this year with her The Showgirl Must Go On show, and was keen to work with the restaurant on its fifth anniversary to plan the Earth Day Menu.
From last weekend until Earth Day itself, April 22, you can get the Earth Day menu at Bradley Ogden, for $75 or for $115 with the matching wines. 15% of the proceeds will be donated to Midler's NY Restoration Project.
The menu does sound pretty inviting, with delicacies like twice-baked Maytag soufflé, free range Petaluma chicken with Meyer lemon gnocchi, and one of our favorites, butterscotch pudding. All guilt-free calories, of course, because you're supporting a good cause.
[Photo: Joelk75]
Tags: Viva Vegas / Hotel Renovations / Hotel News / → All Tags
Excalibur Halfway Through Renovating Cheesy Camelot Decor
Long gone in Sin City are the days when guests desired only a bed for catnaps between bets, a 4-drawer wood dresser for underwear and socks, and a tiny closet to hang the Hawaiian print shirts and rhinestone beaded dress.
Today's hotel guests demand much more from their hotels like flat-screen TVs, WiFi (preferably free), luxurious linens, and a big ole' bathtub.
Fortunately for such demanding guests, the Las Vegas hotels are paying attention. (Or perhaps they saw our Crapping Out mention)
The 4,000-room Excalibur which opened in 1990 boasting a medieval castle theme, with some floors devoted solely to non-gambling entertainment for children and the young at heart, has gotten a new look.
Tags: Viva Vegas / Hotel Art / Hotel News / Project CityCenter / → All Tags
MGM's Massive Art Program at CityCenter
The folks of Sin City are going to get a $40 million project that doesn't involve gambling, drinking, or burlesque shows. Instead Las Vegas will be getting a $40 million fine art program at the ginormous City Center by MGM Mirage, mega-retail/hotel/residential/gaming complex.
The amazing list of artists adding to the aesthetics of CityCenter include Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer and Nancy Rubins, who are collaborating with CityCenter's architects to create permanent site-specific commissions. This is the first time that ANY artist of this caliber will create a new work of art specifically for Las Vegas.
Additional pieces are being acquired for the program by artists such as Claes Van Oldenberg, Frank Stella, Henry Moore and others.
Tags: Viva Vegas / Hotel Shows / Hotel Restaurants / Hotel Deals / → All Tags
'Jersey Boys' at the Palazzo Opens Friday April 4th
While The Palazzo Las Vegas opened back in early January, not much was officially opened besides a few floors of rooms and Jay-Z's 40/40 Club. Indeed when we were there, the place seemed pretty dead. And it was Friday night.
But since then, the hotel-casino has opened its mammoth Shops at the Palazzo which include several high-end boutique stores and a Barneys New York department store.
Additionally, Eater LA has been monitoring the restaurant situation, reporting that Cut (a TomKat fave from the Beverly Wilshire hotel) is open along with CarneVino, Dos Caminos, and Restaurant Charlie by Charlie Trotter.
Now the big show, the Tony-award winning musical Jersey Boys has an opening date of April 4th and we've gotten a great kick out of the info under the Official Age Recommendation:
Jersey Boys contains smoke, gun shots, strobe lights, "authentic Jersey language" and is not recommended for children under the age of 12.
Gosh, we're so proud that we can speak authentic Jersey language. (FYI: We've seen the show and authentic Jersey language is essentially an episode of The Sopranos--a lot of F-bombs.)
Right now the Palazzo is offering suites during the week for $179 a night starting March 24. We always say Vegas during the week if you can swing it is the most economical option. That way you can gamble, shop, dine and catch a show feeling a little less guilty about your total bill.
Tags: Viva Vegas / Hotel Hell / Hotel News / → All Tags
Hotel Guest at Excalibur Wakes Up With White Powder On His Bed, Freaks Out
After last month's scare of deadly toxin ricin found at the Extended-Stay America motel, Las Vegas is on high alert for any other potential ricin sightings.
The Excalibur Hotel was actually investigated as the man found with ricin at the Extended Stay had actually spent some time at the medieval-themed hotel and casino. Thus the near-hysteria today after a man at the Excalibur woke up with white powder on his bed. From the AP newswire:
Authorities are combing a Las Vegas hotel room where a man reported finding an unidentified white powder on his bed.
A hazardous materials team at the Excalibur hotel-casino is trying to determine what the power is. The hotel hasn't been evacuated.
Clark County Fire Department spokesman Scott Allison says one theory is that laundry soap may have been left on the sheets. The man isn't sick and authorities don't believe he was exposed to anything dangerous.
Um...yeah...so this is Vegas, right? And people end up doing all sorts of crazy shizz when they are there, right? Things they don't remember in the morning, right? Could that white powder possibly be something else? Discuss amongst yourselves....
Tags: Viva Vegas / Steve Wynn / Hotel Hype / Hotel News / Encore Las Vegas / → All Tags
Wynn's Encore Suites To Open in December 2008
One minute we're high: Wynn Encore, the follow up to Steve Wynn's Wynn Las Vegas, will be ready to open December 2008. And the next minute we're low.
That's like another year away. Ugh. Anyways, here are some detes as to what's inside:
Encore Suites' accommodations are comprised of 2,034 spacious suites that offer a cosmopolitan style and sophistication ensconced in a comfortable, residential feel.
Featuring Resort Suites spanning 700 square feet and VIP Suites measuring up to 5,800 square feet, the resort pampers guests in an atmosphere both intimate and indulgent. Suites are functionally defined by sitting and sleeping areas featuring architectural millwork, chic decor and luxurious amenities.
Additionally, Encore will get five new signature restaurants (all of which will undoubtedly earn Michelin stars once they open), 11 retail outlets (holy crap!), seven cozy bars and lounges (seven? and define cozy?), an ultra-chic nightclub (better than Tryst?) and a luxurious spa and salon (um yeah, luxurious means "$300 for a blowdry".)
Original price estimates for the hotel were $300-$400 a night back in 2005. We say those are the rates you'll find on a Tuesday. For the weekends, it should be $500 and up.
[Photo: Luxist]
Tags: Elvis Hotels / Viva Vegas / Hotel Hype / Hotel News / → All Tags
An Elvis-Themed Hotel Gets One Step Closer to Actuality
TradeMork a funny site all about "trademark oddities, information and news" reports that Elvis Presley Enterprises recently filed paperwork to protect the trademark "The Elvis Las Vegas" and "The E Las Vegas."
The protections are for three categories which include these goods and services: resort hotel, hotel, restaurant, bar as well as real estate services for residential apartments, condominiums and retail establishments.
We've been following the plans for a Las Vegas Elvis-themed hotel for a while now but TradeMork also speculates that a hotel could go up near Graceland in Memphis.
While we don't doubt that will happen someday, we are guessing the Elvis Las Vegas is the actual hotel that will go up in Las Vegas and the E Las Vegas sounds like the residential bit of the hotel complex.
Afterall, would you live in a place named after Elvis? On second though, don't answer that. There are probably plenty of you who will.
Tags: Hotel Openings / Hotel Opening Rates / Viva Vegas / Palms Place / Hotel News / → All Tags
Sneak Peek at The Rooms Inside the Palms Place
In case you have forgotten, a sister property to the Palms Las Vegas is opening soon. Yup, on the heels of the Palazzo opening we have yet another hotel opening in Las Vegas to obsess about.
The Palms Place Hotel and Spa is technically set to open on February 29th but actually you will have to wait until March 17th to get in there as the rooms on the website are being listed as "Sold."
What's open on that date is a Studio Suite which has this description:
600 sq ft strip or mountain views, 300 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets & deluxe pillow top mattresses, some feature a balcony, mahogany hardwood and marble floors, floor to ceiling windows, plazma TV's, deluxe gourmet kitchens and queen sleeper sofa.
Yeah, the Palms spells plasma as "plazma."
Still, all that sounds pretty sweet given that the going rate is $209 for a weeknight. Even the weekend rate of $329 is not so bad.
More on the one-bedroom suite after the jump.
Tags: Viva Vegas / New Hotels / → All Tags
Las Vegas: Moulin Rouge Casino - Take 2
First opened in 1955 on W. Bonanza Ave, near downtown Las Vegas as the first interracial casino hotel in Las Vegas, the Moulin Rouge only lasted 6 months. Apparently not even a star studded cast of Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., George Burns, Gracie Allen, and Jack Benny who all performed almost nightly, could not keep the doors open. Even though it lasted 6 short months because of financial problems - it made history by being the first hotel and casino in Las Vegas that allowed black and white gamblers, employees and hotel guests.
Since that time the hotel has sat unused, except for the filming of "Casino" in 1995 and in May 2003 the site was completely gutted by fire (except for its facade and sign) which was ruled as arson.
Tags: Hotel Fires / Hotel News / Viva Vegas / Monte-Carlo-Las-Vegas-Fire-Map / → All Tags
Do Not Despair Any Longer, The Monte Carlo Is Reopening!
For all those who just. can. not. wait for the reopening of the The Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino, along with its "Master Magician", "hottest night spots" and casino, MGM announced they would begin a staggered hotel reopening after the fire on Jan 25th caused extensive damage to the façade and forced the hotel & casino to close until further notice.
Starting on Friday, February 15th, 1,200 rooms will be available for guests, by February 22nd, another 1,300 rooms will be available, and the remaining 500 rooms on the upper floors which were damaged in the fire will be undergoing a much more comprehensive renovation.
In addition to the hotel and casino, Lance Burton's show will re-open again on February 15th, as will most of the resorts retail stores, spa, and convention center.
Unfortunately, those who are hoping to spend a late Valentines Day dinner at the Monte Carlo Brew Pub or Buffet will have to wait - those venues will only open if there is demand for them, but no later than February 22nd.
But thank goodness the Monte Carlo is finally reopening! There was such a glut of glitzy, over the top, ridiculousness in Las Vegas since the fire shut it down.
Oh wait..
Cancel that.
Tags: Viva Vegas / Hotel Hype / Crowne Plaza Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags
An Asian-Themed Crowne Plaza Coming to Vegas?
That's what it looks like. Hotel+Motel Management has posted a press release from Crowne Plaza Hotels about plans for a new, 386-room hotel just west of the Strip, that will open in 2010.
For those looking to actually get some sleep in Sin City, the new hotel will offer the signature Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage program, which includes new bedding, designated quiet zones, drape clips, sleep CDs, sleep tips and amenities such as eye masks, ear plugs and lavender spray.
For those who could care less about a night's sleep here's what else will be at the hotel.
The new Asian-themed Crowne Plaza will include a casino, three restaurants, three lounges, a full-service spa and outdoor swimming pool, as well as a fitness center, business center and retail. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet will be available throughout the hotel.
Free WiFi in Vegas? Um we're there.
Tags: Palazzo Las Vegas / Hotel Spas / Hotel Openings / → All Tags
How is the Palazzo Las Vegas Holding Up?
It's only been a few weeks since the Palazzo Las Vegas fully opened but we decided to check-out what the folks on TripAdvisor are saying about Sin City's newest casino hotel.
As is expected from a new hotel, there have been some hiccups. Some guests report key cards not working properly, others report some unfinished room amenities like a mini-bar with no drinks and holes in the wall. But for the most part, people liked the Palazzo and were very understanding of these minor glitches.
One thing that stands out are the complaints about having to use the Canyon Ranch Spa in the Venetian. Several reviewers complained about the spa experience (which we ourselves loved so much two years ago.) Here's one guest's take on it:
Took us probably 1/2 hour to find out were the Venetian spa was located. The service of the Venetian Grand Canyon was terrible. The staff in the spa were so loud. They were talking to each other making loud jokes, pulling merchandise from boxes and then crushing the empty boxes with their feet.
People go to a spa to relax. I was very disturbed by the incident. The spa showers were terrible.They could upgrade at least the shower heads.
The Palazzo will unveil a newer larger version of the Canyon Ranch Spa inside the Palazzo but guests will have to wait until Spring before they can use it.
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