While new hotel construction is at a painful standstill in Las Vegas, there’s no shortage of new attractions hoping to grab a piece of the city’s tourism spending.  Here’s what 2012 has in store for visitors to Las Vegas.

Attractions

• The Mob Museum – Okay, officially the name is the Las Vegas Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, but seriously – who’s going to use that long of a name?!  Exhibits will include artifacts from some of the biggest names in the business, the mob business, that is, with items once owned or associated with Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Siegel, and more.  This is a chance to learn about mob life skills like bootlegging, money laundering, and gaming, while keeping an eye on crime fighting weapons used by law enforcement.  Located at 300 Stewart Avenue (downtown) in a former federal courthouse, the Mob Museum is scheduled to open in February 2012.  I’ll be there early in the month and am hoping it will be open by then.  This looks like it could be a lot of fun.
• Smith Center for the Performing Arts – This multi-use performing arts complex features three theaters in two buildings, and is part of the city’s Symphony Park.  Entertainment will range from Broadway touring performances to music groups to comedy. The performing arts center opens in March 2012, and tickets are already on sale for many of the upcoming events.
• McCarran Airport Terminal 3 – The terminal will have 14 gates, six of which will house the international gates, with a people mover to the D gates.  Scheduled to open in mid-2012.
• Neon Museum Visitor Center – Neon is synonymous with Las Vegas, and the museums and its collection is a neon trip down memory lane.  The new Visitors Center is the former La Concha Motel lobby, and is scheduled to open in mid-2012.  Both the Fremont Street Gallery and the Neon Signs project are open 24/7.

Hotels

Although there are no new hotel openings are planned, there are a few undergoing major renovations that will be substantially completed in 2012.  They include:

• Caesars Palace – Opens its 660 room, 23-story Octavius Tower.  It will have a focus on exclusivity and technology and may likely draw a younger guests to the property.
• MGM Grand – Rooms is the main tower (3,750 rooms, 642 suites) are going through a multi-million dollar renovation.  Some of the new rooms are already available for booking.
• Palms – Another multi-million dollar renovation.

As always, there’s plenty to do, see, and experience in Las Vegas.

Photo credit:  Neon signs from angel.ite via flickr; MGM exterior courtesy of MGM/Mirage

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The month of October has been designated American Cheese Month, a celebration of North America’s delicious and diverse cheeses, and the farmers, cheese makers, retails, cheesemongers, and chefs who bring them to our tables.  And last month I had a little preview of how to celebrate cheese month with a visit to the Tillamook Cheese Factory on the Oregon Coast.

The climate in Tillamook is well suited for dairy farming, with a history dating back to the mid-1800s.  By the end of that century, cheese maker Peter McIntosh created a cheddar cheese recipe that is still used today.  Over the years, dairy-related production boomed, and in 1909 a farming co-op was established that became Tillamook.  It’s still a co-op today, owned by the dairy farmers and families who start the whole process.  Well, there are the cows to credit, too!

It seems that no drive down the Oregon Coast is complete without a stop off at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  The Cheese Factory features self-guided tours and interactive exhibits that help you learn how cheese is made, starting with the cow and ending with the tasting.  And the shopping.

While the exhibits are interesting, and you can learn a lot, the real action is seen through the observation windows.  That’s where you get a peek into what’s involved in the packing of the 167,000 pounds of cheese turned out every single day.  It reminded me of the childhood game of Mousetrap with its intricate labyrinth of conveyors, processors, and people.  Just try following it all with your eyes, watching the 40 pound blocks of cheese get cut into proper sizes, weighed, adjusted, wrapped, sealed, and shipped off for sale.  It’s interesting, amazing, and in a strange way a little mesmerizing.

Of course, the tour wouldn’t be complete with some taste testing, and the Cheese Factory doesn’t disappoint.  You’ll have a chance to sample some cheese curds (I’ve always called them squeaky cheese), and decide if you like Pepper Jack better than Garlic White Cheddar.  Or decide if you prefer extra sharp over sharp, or Colby Jack over Smoked Medium Cheddar.  Confession – I tasted most of them, and really liked trying some of the ones not available in my markets at home.  The various flavors of white cheddar are my current favorites.  If you find something you love you can buy it in the Tillamook Cheese Shop, which carries every Tillamook product made.  And note, that tasty and fun squeaky cheese is only available here.

But wait – it’s not just about tasting the cheese!  There’s the fudge counter and the ice cream counter.  Yummmmmm!

I’m familiar with Tillamook ice cream, it’s available at my local market, but here you’ll find all 38 flavors.  Let the sampling begin!

Grandma’s Cake Batter was a little too sweet for me and I thought Sticky Bun was tasty, but not satisfying.  It was a BIG HIT with the rest of the group, though.  I favored Mountain Huckleberry over Marionberry Pie, although you wouldn’t go wrong with either, and  Cookie Dough (one of my all time favorites) over Banana Split.  There were flavors here that I’d never heard of, Oregon Black Cherry and Root Beer Float, as well as some classics like Orange Sherbet and Rocky Road.  And in a head to head tasting of vanilla flavors, Vanilla Bean unanimously won out over Old Fashioned Vanilla and French Vanilla.   I’d bet you’ll be hard pressed to find a favorite ice cream at the counter here, but I know you’ll have a great time trying!  (NOTE:  There is a modest charge for ice cream.)

To keep up on all sorts of cheesy happenings, you can follow Tillamook on Twitter, become a Tillamook Facebook fan, or check out their blog Loaf Life.

Location:  4175 Highway 101 North, Tillamook, Oregon

Hours:  8 am – 6 pm, with extended hours to 8 pm mid-June through Labor Day

Admission:  FREE.  Samples are available for tasting.  There is a small charge for ice cream.

Photo credits:  author’s collection

NOTE:  My visit to the Tillamook Cheese Factory was a stop on a trip sponsored by the Central Oregon Visitors Association, Oregon Coast Visitors Association, Travel Oregon, and Evergreen Escapes.  A special thanks to the Tillamook Cheese Factory for their hospitality during the visit.

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Las Vegas remains one of the most popular destinations for a weekend getaway, conference, or meeting.  No longer known for the $1.99 buffet or topless showgirls in cabaret shows – although you can probably still find those if you look hard enough – Las Vegas now features world class restaurants, specialty bars, and upscale entertainment.  From Broadway shows to the numerous Cirque du Soleil shows to headline entertainers, if you can’t find something entertaining in Las Vegas, you’re not really trying.

Fall brings some new headline options to Las Vegas entertainment, in addition to some of the some of the usual favorites, so take a look to see what catches your interest:

• Celine Dion starts a new run of performances at Caesars Palace on December 28th.  These shows always sell out, so if you’re interested, better make reservations right away.
• Country comes to the strip with Garth Brooks appearing at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, December 2-3, 2011.
• Get spooked at Madame Tussauds After Dark experience.  October 21-23, and 28-31, 2011.  The Travel Channel’s Ghost Hunters crew will be there on October 30th.
• Join the fright at five haunted houses at FrightDome.  The exhibits are open all month.
• Enjoy Cirque Week (December 1-10) with packages that include show tickets, exclusive events, and more.
• Michael Jackson Fan Fest, the only tribute authorized by the Jackson estate, runs December 3-14 at Mandalay Bay, along with the debut of Michael Jackson the Immortal, a new Cirque du Soleil performance running December 3-27, 2011.

I have a couple of trips to Las Vegas on the schedule for this fall and am giving some thought to what I’d like to see.  How about you?  Anything catch your eye?

Photo credit:  wikimedia

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Last fall I stayed at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and became a fan of the LEED certified property.  While there, I saw the Cirque du Soleil show Viva Elvis!, spent an afternoon at the spa, and had many fine meals, one of which was at Julian Serrano, a Spanish restaurant.

Julian Serrano offers classic Spanish fare that includes hot and cold tapas, paella, and a variety of seafood dishes.  My first visit was as part of a large group attending Blog World Expo.  Since then, however, I’ve been back quite a few times – both with friends and as a solo diner.  The restaurant has an open floor plan, and is vibrant and noisy as guest pass, share, and talk about their choices.  If you’re looking for a fun and lively meal, this is the place.  If you’re looking for something romantic and quiet, there are better choices.

While small plates are perfect for sharing with others, providing a chance to try new things or choose a variety of flavors, they’re also right-sized right for a light lunch or dinner for one.  Here are some of my favorites dishes:

• Tuna raspberry skewers – Raspberry mousse and wasabi give some sweet zip to ahi tuna (in photo above).  I’m not an ahi fan, but friends rave about this dish, and one day I’ll give it a try.  $15
• Lobster pineapple skewer – Bites of lobster tail combined with pineapple mousse and sesame oil.  This is one of my favorites and, accompanied by a glass of crisp white wine or sangria, makes a perfect light, warm-weather snack.  $14
• Bacalao a la gabardina – I’ve always passed on this appetizer of tempura battered cod served with a rocoto mayo sauce, but after discovering how tasty bacalao is in Portugal, I’ll be up for giving this a try on my next visit.  $10
• Spanish tortilla – This dish of potatoes, eggs, and onions may sound simple, but the flavors are anything but.  This is scrumptious melt in your mouth loveliness, and I think I order it every time.  $8
• Sauteed padron peppers – Another simple dish, peppers sauteed in olive oil with a sprinkling of sea salt, delivers a salty-sweet one-two punch.  Paired with a cold beer, this makes a tasty bedtime snack. ($8)
• Stuffed dates – This is one of my all purpose choices at a Spanish restaurant (sweet dates stuffed with almonds, wrapped in bacon and the served with a spice pepper sauce) and Julian Serrano’s does a bang up job.  It’s the sweet-spicy-salty combination that makes them so darned addicting and, after all, everything tastes good with bacon in it.  Perfect with a robust glass of red wine that brings out the best of the flavor combination.  $8
• Paella – This is one of those dishes you need another person (or two or three) to share with, and the ample sized portions come with a few options.  I’m a fan of the Mixed paella (lobster, mussles, chicken, chorizo and vegetables with rice), but the Marinera (calamari, shrimp, mussels, monkfish and vegetables with rice) is a close second.  Paella takes a little over half an hour to prepare, so order it right away and then linger over an assortment of tasty small dishes.  $40-50

How would I put this all together in a perfect meal?  Here’s a pretty near perfect combination for a group of three (with only two people you’ll likely have leftovers):  Start off with a glass of cava, a sparkling Spanish white wine comparable to champagne, and an order of lobster pineapple skewers.  Order the mixed paella so that it can get started while you are relaxing and getting into the meal.  Move into an order of sauteed padron peppers and a Spanish tortilla, switched over to a pitcher of Sangria to drink.  That should keep the conversation going until the paella arrives.  Finish up with an order of stuffed dates instead of dessert (There are desserts on the menu should you prefer a total sugar fix), and finally a cup of strong Spanish coffee.  Near perfection!

If small sharing plates aren’t your preference, a few entree sized options are on the menu.  Since I’m always focused selecting a few favorites and trying something new, I’ve never tried any of these platos grandes.  There are also plenty of vegetarian choices.

Location:  At the ARIA Hotel at City Center, Las Vegas Strip, casino level next to main registration desks

Hours:  Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 am-11 pm; Friday and Saturday until 11:30 pm

Reservations:  Strongly recommended, especially for dinner, although I’ve found it easy to walk in at atypical meal times and have been seated right away.

Photo credit:  Courtesy of MGM Resorts, International

NOTE: The group event at Julian Serrano was hosted by the restaurant, all other subsequent visits have been at my own choosing and expense.

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Elvis has not left the building!  His music is alive and well, and performed every night in the ARIA showroom.  Viva Elvis! ,the new production show from Cirque du Soleil, traces the life of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll from his humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi to his headlining days on the Las Vegas Strip.  And in between, well let’s just say there’s a whole lotta shakin’ going on.

The show follows a largely chronological time line, telling the life story of Elvis Aron Presley through photos, staging and his music – both recorded and taped numbers.  While Elvis never actually appears on stage, there can be no doubting that his presence is larger than life.

The life story of Elvis is paired up with music representative of the time and the performances of 28 acrobats and 32 dancers with the creative costuming and theatrics that Cirque du Soleil is known for.  Some of the highlights include:

• It’s Now or Never – Repurposed and set to a flamenco routine.
• Viva Las Vegas – The finale, complete with showy costumes and fireworks evoking the glamour of Las Vegas in days gone by.
• One Night – Transformed into a ballad as two men climb and frolic about a guitar-shaped design hanging above the stage.
• Jail House Rock – The inmates stage a lively and flashy jail break.
• Are You Lonesome Tonight – The beautiful love song sets the mood for two aerialists soaring through the air.
• Got a Lot o’Livin’ to Do – ,The song provided the backdrop for an impressive trampoline routine by performers dressed in superhero costumes.  This was by far the audience favorite, with murmurs of WOW and “how do they do that.”  At the time I didn’t understand the significance of the superhero reference, but it turns out Elvis was a comic book fan.
• Return to Sender – Elvis’s induction into the Army, complete with video showing his thick, wavy locks being shorn off, and looking handsome in his uniform.
• Bossa Nova Baby – Providing background for an acrobatic stacking and climbing chairs that seemed to reach all the way to the ceiling.
• Burning Love – Video clips showed the hunk-a-hunk of burning love kissing co-stars from his movies.  Film buffs will want to be looking for Anne Margaret, ADD OTHERS HERE
• Mystery Train – Cowboys out on the range perform lasso tricks, including lassos on fire, in a routine that I wasn’t quite sure how it fit in

The fact that the showroom was well under half full for a Thursday night performance is more about a struggling economy than about the production.  The show room will hold 1,840 people.  I can only imagine how challenging it is to play to an audience whose response was, at times, lukewarm, but the performers still gave it their all.

Who will like the performance?  For me that’s a tough question to answer.  Fans of Elvis’s music will probably like the music, assuming that can make the transition to some of the creative ways the songs have been covered and styled.  Fans of Cirque du Soleil will likely be entertained, but feel disappointed that the show was more about the music and the persona than about the impressive performances for which the troupe is known.  ..

My take on it:  I liked it, but I didn’t love it.  I’ve seen LOVE – playing at the Mirage – Cirque du Soleil’s show celebrating the music and life of the Beatle’s and found it far more entertaining.

It’s worth the time and money to catch Viva Elvis!, and for most of us, it’s the only way we’ll hear the King perform.

Thinking about staying at the ARIA?  Read my review of ARIA to help you decide.

Location:  ARIA Hotel Showroom

Show times:  7 ad 9 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.  The show runs 90 minutes, with no intermission.

Tickets:  Priced at $99 – 175, plus taxes and fees  CHECK FOR PROMOTIONAL PRICING

Photo credit:  Courtesy of Julie Aucoin and MGM Mirage

NOTE:  I received a complimentary ticket for the performance of Viva Elvis; the opinions expressed herein are solely my own.

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Earlier this month, while I was in Las  Vegas for Blog World & New Media Expo, I had the pleasure of staying at the ARIA Hotel at City Center.

Over the years, I’ve spent more than my fair share of time in Las Vegas.  It’s a haven for conference, convention, and trade shows, and at only a couple hours out of Seattle, it’s a popular choice for a quick getaway weekend.  I’m not jaded at everything that the city has to offer, it’s just that I’ve seen most of it and so it takes a lot to impress me.

But impress it did!

Like most hotel properties on the strip, ARIA is best reached from the airport via cab.  The fare from the airport to the hotel will run about $15-16, including tip and the required airport add-on fee.  The Las Vegas Strip is full of impressive architecture (or garish, depending upon your point of view), but once you drive up the ARIA entrance way you’ll quickly forget that you’re even on the Strip.   The City Center complex features three hotels, ARIA, Vdarra, and the Mandarin Oriental, and includes residential condos along with upscale shopping and dining.

With a fountain in the middle of the circular drive, varying in its dancing display, along with a wall of water on the side of the entry way, walking into the lobby felt more like walking into a resort than a casino.

The lobby was bright and airy, as opposed to so many dark and dingy casino hotel lobbies.  Sure, it’s still new and all that (under a year old), but even walking across a portion of the casino floor to get to the hotel elevator bank, was a surprise.  At first, I couldn’t put my finger on it.  I looked about and saw plenty of slot machines, restaurants, people, and a shop or two.  But what I didn’t see, or smell, was smoke.  This might not seem like a big deal to a lot of people, but as an allergy sufferer, this first walk through the casino is the beginning of suffering for my stay.

Why no smoke?  If I was an engineer I could tell you in copious detail all the reasons, but really, all that matters is that it’s a system that draws the air out from both the top and bottom of the room.  And it works!  This fact alone is enough to convince me to make ARIA my choice of hotels in Las Vegas, but ARIA is also a LEED Certified Gold Hotel, meeting additional high levels of eco-standards.

My room was of the standard variety and located on the 24th floor (there are 61 floors).  The rooms boast state of the art technology, from the flat panel television on the wall to the control console that operated everything in the room.  Want a little mood lighting?  Set it from the console.  Want to read in bed?  Set it from the console.  Turn on and off the television, adjust the room temperature, set the music in the room, open and close the drapes?  Yep, all handled from the control console.  It served as an alarm clock, too, and the television remote was able to provide many of the same functions.  It took some time to figure everything out, and I hit the wrong button a time or two, but it’s pretty handy to be able to control everything from one spot.

The room was spacious and well laid out, with a king size bed, desk and work space, and sitting area.  It overlooked City Center, although hard to enjoy the view with filthy windows (a common complaint I have with hotels), and with both privacy and room darkening drapes, I was able to choose the mood that suited me.  The bathroom was equally spacious, offering double sinks and plenty of counter space for two people to get ready at the same time.  The toilet was situated in a separate doored area, and the shower/sunken tub is in the same enclosed area, a layout I had never seen before but seemed to work just fine.

Wi-fi is available in the rooms, for a $15 charge (24 hours), and this is where all the emphasis on technology seems to fall by the wayside.  I fired up the laptop and tried to log in.  No luck, as I got caught in a error loop that wouldn’t let me log in.  A call to the front desk, transferred to a tech support company, and over a half an hour and the error loop still couldn’t get resolved.  The connection was established remotely, causing additional complications down the road, but at least I had access.  For awhile.  For a $15 charge, I expect that internet access will be solid.  It wasn’t.  I continually was challenged with a signal going in and out, interrupting email being sent and IM chats.  OK, so perhaps the average guest doesn’t want to be as connected as I needed to be, and I know providing service can be difficult, but in the value for price analysis, this was a fail.  (And I’ll skip my mantra about wi-fi should be free.)

Another throw back to bygone days is the overpriced mini-bar.  I don’t need ridiculously priced bottles of water, wine, or snacks, although someone must , but what I’d really love to have is a coffee maker and complimentary coffee.  I’ll still hit the cafe for my latte and specialty drink, but I really need that first cup to clear my head before I hit the shower.  I can’t categorize this as a fail, since none of the strip hotels offer this amenity, but it would be a real chance for ARIA to continue to lead the way in room amenities.

ARIA

Although I didn’t have much time to check out the pool area, there are three pools connected by a series of landscaped pathways.  Although there were plenty of people enjoying the sun, the loungers were well laid out and it didn’t feel crowded or stifling.  Pool side service is available at a price — a delicious, super tall, spicy Bloody Mary priced about $27, not including tip.  Cabanas, rafts, an adult only pool, life jackets for kids, and a variety of other amenities are also available.

The hotel offers a crazy number of restaurants and bars.  For fine dining you can choose:  Barmasa, Shaboo, Julian Serrano, Sage, Jean Georges Steakhouse, Sirio Ristorante, American Fish, Blossom, and Union Restaurant and Lounge.  Prefer something a little more casual?  Try:  Lemongrass, Skybox Sports Bar & Grill, Cafe Vettro, Breeze Cafe, Jean Philippe Patisserie (offering fabulous pastries), Sweet Chill, The Roasted Bean, and the ubiquitous buffet.

After all that eating and drinking, you may feel the need to stop off at the gym or Spa.  That would be a great choice, actually, and I’ll have a Spa Review coming up soon.

If you’re feeling flush, you can step next door to the shops at Crystals, and plunk down some of your hard earned cash at upscale retailers like Louis Vuitton, Ermenegildo Zegna, and Prada.  You’ll find additional restaurants here, along with some impressive art (both in the shopping areas as well as on the walk here from the hotel).

Come evening, there’s plenty of nightlife, including Haze Nightclub, Gold Boutique Nightclub & Lounge, the Deuce Lounge, and more.  For a real treat, you’ll find a whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on at Viva Elvis, the newest Cirque du Soleil production.

I enjoyed my time at ARIA.  It was comfortable, attractive, offered great amenities, and as if that wasn’t enough, the smoke-free environment sealed the deal.

Location:  In the City Center complex on the Las Vegas Strip.

Rates:  Vary based on date, room type, and promotions offered.  I checked the online booking calendar today, and rates in November are offered starting at $125 midweek on up to $300 on a weekend.  Rates for December were comparable, although went up during the holiday time, and in January rates dip slightly.

Photo credits: personal collection

NOTE:  I received a complimentary stay at ARIA during Blog World Expo; the opinions expressed here are solely my own.

Las Vegas Vacations

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I’m sitting on my balcony on the big island of Hawaii as I write this, knowing that after a few more hours in this sunny paradise, I’ll be flying back to a much cooler Seattle.  Once home though, it will be a quick turn around before heading off to sunny Las Vegas for Blog World, the world’s largest and preeminent blogging and new media conference.

I’m pleased to be a part of the Travel series of educational sessions this year, and will be moderating a panel on Travel Blogging as a Second Career.  Also on the panel are some online friends with impressive blogs and credentials:  Trisha Miller of Travel Writers Exchange, David and Carol Porter of The Roaming Boomers, and Rick Griffin of Midlife Road Trip.  I’ve not had the opportunity to meet any of these bloggers in real life, but I’ve enjoyed getting to know them as we’ve prepared our panel and I am looking forward to spending some time getting to know them better.

Whether you’re an experience blogger and user of social media, or perhaps just wanting to learn more about it, Blog World Expo will provide plenty of opportunities for you to learn more.  You can still buy a ticket to the event, just click the icon here in this post (it’s an affiliate link), and if you can’t make it to Las Vegas you can get a virtual ticket and enjoy the recorded sessions from the comfort of your home or office.

In addition to three days of educational sessions on a variety of blogging and social media topics, I have plenty of other activities on my schedule.

I’ll be staying at the new ARIA Hotel at City Center, a LEED Gold certified hotel.  I’ve had the chance for a quick walk through the property, but this will be the first time that I’ve stayed there, and I’m looking forward to experiencing first hand all the special touches that I’ve heard so much about.  Look for a review of the property and its amenities upon my return.

Also on my to-do list:  a spa visit, some pool time (it’s still in the high 80’s during the day), dinner at a couple of fabulous (or at least reputedly fabulous), and seeing the newest Cirque du Soleil production ELVIS.  I’m a big fan Cirque du Soleil fan, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what they’ve done with this subject matter and music.  And tucked into the odds and ends of time on the schedule, I’m sure there will be time spent talking with friends, or soon-to-be friends, over drinks or a bite to eat at any number of local spots.

I’ll try to blog a little bit while I’m at Blog World Expo, but most of what I’m experiencing can be found in my twitter stream.  I invite you to follow me on twitter at @flyawaycafe for more news (not only from BWE, but travel news in general), and you can follow the entire twitter stream of BWE news under #bwe10.

And if you’ll be a BWE10, please be sure to say hello!

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The temperature is still pushing 100 degrees in Las Vegas, so if you are still looking for the sun it’s good bet that you’ll find it there.

One of my favorite properties in the city is the Palazzo Hotel, located at the more northern part of the Las Vegas Strip.  The Palazzo, like its sister property The Venetian, is an all-suites hotel, with an Italian theme in the common areas and rooms, even extending into the casino.

Arriving at the hotel, guests walk into a wide-open multi-level lobby filled with lots of glass, marble, and lots of beautiful pieces of art.  It’s a spacious feeling, definitely making you feel like you’re in an upscale resort.  I’ve stayed at the Venetian several times, and the front desk has always been adequately staffed, making the check in process has always been efficient and fast.

After checking in comes the worst part of the arrival process in my mind – you have to walk through the main part of the casino to get to the bank of elevators.  I’m an efficient packer and all, but rolling my bag through a casino, dodging the happy and not-so-happy players, is still awkward.  I hate it.  Not enough to turn me off the hotel, but I’ve got to put it out there.

There are several options among the suite choices, including a Concierge Level on floors 24-28. These room are a little larger sized and include access to the concierge lounge.

The suites have sunken living rooms with couches, desk and work space, Italian themed art and decor, spacious bathrooms and upscale amenities. There were three plasma televisions, large ones in the living room and bedroom and a smaller one in the dressing area of the bathroom. The suites are quite large, the concierge level suites slightly larger than the others. I enjoyed the spaciousness of the room, and it was a nice to feel like my room was a pleasant place to spend relax in, not just sleep.

The concierge lounge is a large multi-room area covering over 12,000 square feet on the 23rd floor. It has its own concierge service, very handy for booking show tickets and dinner reservations, as well as for printing out boarding passes. If you brought your laptop you’ll appreciate the free wi-fi throughout the lounge (there is a charge in the rooms), and there is a decent sized business center if you need additional services.

The lounge has a complimentary continental breakfast (cereal, pastries, bagels, fruit, coffee, juice, etc.) in the morning, and it can get very busy.  Given the late night atmosphere of Las Vegas, I was surprised that there were that many people up and eating at 7:30 am.  I prefer to grab a table next to the window and watch the city wake up, allowing myself a good hour or two for a morning snack and to get a little work done.  The noise level is reasonable making it a great workspace while others in your party are sleeping in.

Come evening time, you can relax in the lounge with a complimentary happy hour offering appetizers and cocktails. It’s a nice selection of upper shelf liquors and good wine, along with hot and cold appetizers. It’s a good spot to meet up with everyone if you’re traveling in a group, or just to relax before heading off for dinner.

Since it’s still sunny and warm, you’ll want to spend a little time at the pool.  There are several of them, along with hot tubs, meandering around the grounds.  It can get crowded, so if a prime spot is important, get there early.  There are also private cabanas scattered around the pool area.  There is food and beverage service in the pool area, and despite giving in a number of tries, my recommendation is to skip it.  Fill up your water bottle and tuck it in your tote bag and be done with it.

My recommendation:  I like the Palazzo.  A lot.  The rooms are big enough to move around in without bumping into one another and I like the free wi-fi to work in the lounge.  Shopping is nearby, between the Palazzo and the Venetian, and you can move rather seamlessly between the two properties.  There are better deals and prices to be found elsewhere, but if you want a little touch of luxury, you can’t go wrong at the Palazzo.

Location:  3325 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas

Rates:  Like all Las Vegas hotels, the Palazzo is offering a lot of great promotions.  Current website offers start at around $139/night with a lot of value added special (resort credit, dining credits, etc.).

Photo credits:  David Herrera @flickr (exterior night); Michael Gray@flickr (exterior day)

Las Vegas Vacations

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I recently had the opportunity to stay at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino and was curious to see how it had fared since my last stay some 10+ years ago. It was a mixed bag, like any hotel stay, so I’ll break it down into easy to understand categories.

The Good:

• Great location at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip (map) offers easy access to everything that’s going on in the area.  A monorail moves you back and forth between the Monte Carlo and the Bellagio (map), meaning you have great access to all the hotels, casinos, and shopping on that side of the strip.
• Beautiful exterior facade, even more so when lit up at night.
• Affordable prices with lots of package deals currently being offered that can bring the price of a room to under $60 with lots of extras thrown in.
• The pool area offers several pools and a lazy river for floating along in the warm desert sun.  I noticed quite a few families enjoying the pool area, so if Las Vegas fits your idea of a family vacation, this is a spot to consider.  Consider a cabana rental, complete with loungers, pool side service, and plenty of amenities.
• Spa – I had a pedicure and was very pleased with the quality and professionalism of the service, and the friendly and helpful staff at the spa.  Fairly priced and easy to get an appointment, make this a stop off for a respite from the blistering sun.
• Refrigerator in room – very nice for cold water in the blistering heat.
• In house performer Frank Caliendo puts on a great show.  He’s a remarkable impersonator, and I had the opportunity to meet him before the show.  How refreshing to find an entertainer who’s a nice guy, and who graciously answered questions, posed for photos, and asked questions wanting to get to know a little bit about me.  His John Madden, Bill Clinton, and George Bush impressions are spot on, and are worth the price of admission alone.
• Good restaurant choices – If you want ethnic, try Diablo’s Cantina for fun Mexican food (warning – it can be VERY loud, so this is not the place for a romantic date); for a romantic date or special occasion, try Andre’s Restaurant; and steak lovers won’t want to miss BRAND Steakhouse.  There’s plenty of casual dining, including a food court, as well.
• Very close to the new CityCenter (map) for some great upscale shopping, restaurants, and public art.  Several stores caught my eye, although not my budget.
• All the expected gaming choices are available, including some lower priced table games.

There were some areas where I thought the hotel could use a little improvement.  I’ll call these the. . . .

Not so Good:

• Long — and I mean taking up the whole lobby and can’t walk through it long — lines for check in and check out.  I’m not sure if it’s a staffing issue, but it seemed to take a ridiculously long time to process guest through the process.  A few people on “lobby duty” could have helped manage traffic and made guests feel a little more like things were under control.
• The guest rooms are a little tired, although recent upgrades have helped.  The bathrooms, while clean, feel dated and old.  I didn’t hate the rooms, but it’s not like I enjoyed stretching out and staying in.
• My room overlooked the pool area, and the windows desperately needed washing.  Yuck-o!  Poolside is also quite noisy for the music played outside, so if it’s summertime and you need a quiet room, ask for something away from the pool.
• Attention to little details seem to have slipped through the cracks.  For example, there were no drinking glasses is the room.  No big deal, things can get overlooked, but it took over an hour, and two phone calls, to get them.
• The pool area is busy.  Of course, I visited during summer and the temperature was over 100 degrees, so of course it was busy.  But keep timing in mind if pool time is important to you.  Get to the pool early, and for heaven’s sake, wear your sunscreen.
• There is a resort fee.  It’s not bad enough that you’ve been nickel-and-dimed on your airfare to get you to Las Vegas, now you’ll get hit at the hotel.  I think this is a ridiculous fee, even if it also covers internet access (which is ethernet based, not wi-fi) regardless of who else is charging it.
• Rooms facing the pool can be very noisy.  Probably only a concern during the summer months.

While there, I also had a chance to tour Hotel32, a hotel-within-a-hotel at the Monte Carlo.  If you are staying at Hotel32 you have a private check in area and then are whisked off to your hotel room, allowing you to bypass the riff raff in the lobby.  The rooms are far more luxurious, with extensive amenities., and there is a private lounge area.  The hotel is selling the exclusivity of this option, and the room price reflects that.  I didn’t stay here so can’t say if they deliver on their promises.

Would I stay at the Monte Carlo again?  Sure.  Given the room rates available, this is a good hotel returning solid value for your stay.  There are some things that can be worked on, like every hotel, but they seem eager to polish up their image and reclaim a favorite position with their guests.  If Hotel32 delivers on what they brag about, it could offer a more luxury option to guests, with posh rooms and individualized service. It’s the best of both worlds on one property, offering enough restaurants and choices that you don’t have to leave.

Photo credit:  personal collection

NOTE:  A portion of the author’s expenses were comped for the purpose of familiarization with the hotel and its services.  The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.

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For the price of a hand of blackjack or a roll of the dice, you can spend some time with predators of a different kind — at Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium.  The only predator-based aquarium in the United States calls the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino (3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, map) home.

What predators lurk here?

The lionfish is cute looking, but you don't want to run into him

Tigers Sharks.  The second deadliest specie behind the Great White, these two females are quickly becoming the prima donnas of the aquarium, and it’s the only place tiger sharks are available for viewing in the US.  You’ll be able to spot them easily with their tiger-striped markings and sharp-serrated teeth.

Komodo Dragon.  What they lack in looks, they make up for in speed, and the world’s largest lizard uses both its speed, cunning and power to track and kills it’s prey.  They’re so ugly that they’re kind of cute, but make no mistake about it, these guys are deadly.

The piranhas.  A guide was standing near the exhibit to answer questions, and the question on everyone’s mind was – when do you feed them?  He explained that they are fed three times a week.  Their diet is primarily raw chicken, chopped up into small chunks and then thrown about the water so that the piranhas disperse and chase the food.  By keeping the food spread out in the water it helps to  avoid any injuries to the fish as a result of their gluttonous eating habit.

The stingray petting pool was a big visitor favorite, and mine as well.  A naturalist nearby gave adults and kids instructions about how to “pet” the stingrays swimming about the shallow pool.  I shoved up my sleeves and put my arm in the pool waiting for the stingray to swim by.  When it did, I ran one finger along the top of him.  It’s hard to explain what it felt like.  It was soft and spongy, but definitely not what I expected.  The closest I can come to describing the feel is that it’s like injera, the Ethiopian pancake-like bread.

Shark Reef Aquarium has lots of different kinds of sharks

I’d recommend allowing an hour or so to walk through the exhibit, listening to the audio guide as you do.  The audio guide provides a nice enhancement to what you’re seeing, giving you two choice:  just the basics or a more in depth explanation.  I used the basic info most of the time, pressing for more details on those exhibits that really captured my attention.

Shark Reef Aquarium is open daily starting at 10 am.  Admission is $16.95 for adults, $10.95 for children, and toddlers four and under are FREE.   Shark Reef has just added an annual pass option, $40 for adults and $25 for children 5-12, which saves a bundle if you’ll visit often.  Nevada residents get a discount on admission; ID required.  Tickets can be purchased online or on site.

Photo credits:  personal collection

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