Tag: Vegas

It happens: Every so often, I’ll meet someone who tells me they “just don’t like Vegas.” Now, everyone’s entitled to their opinion, of course, but when I ask a few more questions, the issue usually involves an aversion to staying in the casino environment.

I could argue that every casino is a little different (some are so clean, quiet & elegant, you’d be shocked to learn there’s gambling going on!) but why bother? The fact is, if you’d like to experience all the amazing shows, restaurants, nightclubs, natural wonders & more that Vegas offers while keeping casino exposure to a minimum, there are plenty of great “non-gaming,” non-smoking Las Vegas hotels. I enjoyed stays at a few of them recently & came away impressed: Read the rest of this entry »

Las vegas, aka “Sin City”, is a major entertainment center & business travel destination, known for its carefully cultivated image, gambling & nightlife. Check out the slideshow of some of the sights.

As all players know, the annual World Series of Poker is run from the Rio Las Vegas Convention Center. But nearly all Las Vegas hotels offer card rooms these days, & 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! Read the rest of this entry »

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… Read the rest of this entry »

Sin City is a major entertainment center and business travel destination, known for its carefully cultivated image, gambling and nightlife.

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 Casino, 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.

Editor’s Note: I can vouch for this one. Ate there in 2006 out on the terrace overlooking the Strip and across to the Bellagio fountains. But be warned – the portions served up are massive!!

Serendipity 3, Caesars Palace

The new kid on the block, S3 has been busy seemingly since the moment it opened. Truly a right place-right-time restaurant, the whimsical NYC transplant (the interior feels like an oversized Wonderland/Wonka fantasy) is positioned in the Strip-side agora for prime people watching while you share one of their “famous” Frrrozen Hot Chocolates or other cool creamy confections (including alcohol-laced milkshakes)… washed down with a huge sandwich, salad, short rib pot pie or big cone of fries. Your napkin ring may have a prize inside, so don’t forget to look.  Read the rest of this entry »

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?

Danny Gans, Wynn/Encore 

Known as “Entertainer of the Year” in Vegas for so long that few can remember which year, Danny Gans is something of a legend here (and a mystery everywhere else). Moving across the Strip from his longtime home at the Mirage to a rededicated 1500-seat theatre at Wynn/Encore, he’s updated his huge repertoire of musical/comedic impersonations — now, for every George Burns or Jimmy Stewart, we get John Mayer or Larry the Cable Guy too. Still, it’s his Tony Bennett, Bruce Springsteen, Kermit the Frog, and duetting Nat and Natalie Cole (as well as several soul singers) that impress most. His humor isn’t the hottest (and his photo album detour a bit cloying) but no matter the time of year, his 12 Days of Christmas is truly a show stopper. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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: Read the rest of this entry »

Sin City is a major entertainment center and business travel destination, known for its carefully cultivated image, gambling and nightlife.

View Slideshow