Okay Las Vegas has been around for ever or at least as long as I can remember. April 29th - May 5th I had the great privilege of attending a trade show and doing site inspections in Las Vegas. I can't tell you how much fun I had and it didn't involve a similar situation as in the movie "Hangover" it was all about the city and how alive it is with the wonderful dining options, shows and most of all the new hotels.
I should start with the flight to Las Vegas, flying with my friends first class, hot meal, express check in and all the wonders of traveling in style, the limo service was provided by Presidential Limousine of Las Vegas always on time always the right car and driver. My first hotel was for the weekend before my work shop began, as I wanted to do a site inspection and get to know the new hotels, this was the Aria in City Center by M.G.M Hotels & Casinos, what a dream of a hotel. The rooms are "smart rooms"; if you've not been in a smart room, this alone is worth the trip. You set your lights, favorite T.V. station lock your door - the room remembers your settings, you hit the button next to your bed that says "good night" and the curtains close, lights go out and a message on the T.V. verifies your door is secured and locked. In the morning you hit a button on the wall, the T.V. comes on, curtains open and a whole new day begins. Wow, I could get use to this for sure, your next visit will be spectacular if you pick the Aria. We enjoyed many meals at the hotel including the 24 hour cafe, Lemon Grass (Thia / Asian food) and Michael Mina's restaurant called American Fish -- outstanding! The coffee and pastry shop in the main casino was without a doubt spectacular - not only a work of art, the show cases made you marvel at the desserts, pastries and offerings daily -- as if your fantasy in desserts comes true wanting nothing more, ever! The service at the hotel was over the top, my housekeeper kept my room spotless, everything was working, the internet in my room was fast, efficient so I could continue to work everyday, as my office goes with me & my clients don't wait. I was able to do my ticketing, print my invoices from my room and pick them up in the business center, again technology just keeps getting better.
I would sell the Aria to any of my friends, clients and corporate travelers as this hotel serves all - the shopping center attached is a great escape from the casino along with the other properties in the City Center are fun to visit. I suggest a stop in the new Cosmopolitan - one look at the "Chandelier Bar" and you will wonder how anyone could create such a piece of art the is not only beautiful but a great meeting spot for drinks and visiting your friends. The Aria is on my list for future personal travel as well, this was a business trip but highly effective way to visit a property and experience it for my clients. Oh, in case I didn't mention before the food and dining options are spectacular, they have so many different restaurants you would have to stay at least 10 days to eat at them all, menus from each spot seems equally enticing. My next visit I want to have dinner at the "Union" for sure.
My next stop was a four night stay at the Venetian Hotel and Casino, another class act for sure; I would visit the property more but staying at the sister property called the Palazzo, it is a little classier and quiter for sure. You can enjoy both properties without stepping outside and again the culinary treats are without a doubt "rocking". We ate at Mario's spot, Wolf Gang's spot, Canellettos and my favorite 24 hour cafe in the hotel, it served American Fare the size of Texas. My lunch spot each day was the Noodle House in the main casino, it served traditional Asian dishes, great lettuce wraps along with great noodle dishes (my favorite). Being a convention hotel makes this a very busy property, not for the quiet ones, the lounge entertainment was a live band each night which I enjoyed very much, often too late but worth the slow moving mornings. The major shows included one of my favorites called "The Blue Man Group" dry humor to say the least with action, precusions that are thrilling, engaging, exciting leaving you pumped up for sure. I'm already missing my favorite U.S. vacation spot already.
What does it cost to go to Las Vegas these days? Well, it isn't the $39 a night rooms or even suites nor is it the $1.99 buffet or $3.49 Prime Rib with Crab legs any longer, what it is can only be explained as spectacular allowing an adult to be an adult, allowing you to enjoy life through food, fun & laughter. Yes you will spend several hundred dollars on dinner a show and additionally several hundred for a great room over the weekend, but isn't that what we all work so hard for! I can justify it because you only live once not to say one should go to Las Vegas gambling their hopes and dreams away; but maybe spending time enjoying each other and the fruits of your labor. Yes there are still nude shows off the strip, why do that when you can catch a world class act laughing, crying, rolling off you chair while for a minute leaving all your problems or issues where they belong, not on vacation - returning home refreshed, revitalized and ready to take on the world -- VIA LAS VEGAS.
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