las vegas

Wynn Las Vegas Opens Lakeside Grill

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Wynn Las Vegas has opened its latest restaurant, the Lakeside Grill on the hotel's picturesque Lake of Dreams. The restaurant is located in the space formally occupied by Daniel Boulud Brasserie. Executive Chef David Walzog (also of the hotel's SW Steakhouse) is at the helm serving up modern twists on classic American dishes. Entrees include pizza and pasta options such as Tomato Pizza with San Marzano tomato sauce, pecorino and basil and a Butternut Squash Agnolotti with sage brown butter. Sweets lovers can delight in the work of Executive Pastry Chef Kimberly Valdez who has created the special "dim sum" cart shown above which offers desserts divided into nutty, chocolate, creamy and fruit categories.

Tags: david walzog, las vegas, las vegas restaurants, wynn las vegas

Should Wayne Newton Have His Own Museum?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Liberace's museum recently closed down but that hasn't slowed the ambition of another Las Vegas icon who wants his own museum. But Wayne Newton's plan to build a museum and give tours of his home have hit a snag. The Paradise Town Advisory Board has turned down the entertainer's application to the county. The Las Vegas Sun reports that the board voted to recommend denial of the application to the Clark County Commission, which will hear the item at its regular meeting on November 17.

Newton lives on 38 acres in Las Vegas and his plans call for a museum to be built north of Sunset Road and then buses would shuttle guests to Casa de Shenandoah for tours of Newton's home and collections. He would also put on performances at the museum. Newton has said that the museum could provide as many as 400 jobs. Residents from nearby neighborhoods including Las Vegas's pricey Tomiyasu Lane have voiced concerns over traffic. Many have questioned whether or not the 67-year-old entertainer is popular enough to justify the creation of a museum.

In a comprehensive story on this project last month, AOL News reported that Newton bought Casa de Shenandoah in the 1960s and that the property is home to dozens of Arabian horses, African penguins, peacocks and wallabies as well as a memorabilia collection that includes Jack Benny's violin, Nat King Cole's makeup case, a guitar from Elvis and the pool cue that Jackie Gleason used in 'The Hustler.'

Tags: las vegas, wayne newton

Tomiyasu Lane, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

The Wall Street Journal showcased this home as part of the Private Properties column. Once quietly marketed for as much as $60 million, the home is now officially listed for $37.5 million. It is one of the biggest homes in Las Vegas and was reportedly built for Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei. The estate is on 11.2-acres that include an equestrian center, polo ~~track~~ practice field, an 11 car garage, swan pond, tennis court and resort-size pool. There is enough parking for 50 vehicles.There are a total of 17 bedroom suites. The home has a restaurant grade commercial kitchen, a nightclub, ballroom, a men's spa and salon and a ladies spa and salon. Rooms are on a grand scale and the entire residence has the feel of a luxury hotel. The Wall Street Journal reports that the home is owned by Eric Petersen, the president of Consumer Credit Services, Inc. who purchased the nearly completed estate in 2004 for $14 million.

Gallery: Tomiyasu Lane

Tags: Las Vegas, las vegas real estate market, nevada real estate, Sultan of Brunei

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Penn National Takes Over The M Resort

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

The M Resort Spa Casino, a resort ten miles from the Las Vegas Strip, has a new owner. Penn National Gaming, Inc. announced that it has purchased all of The M Resort LLC bank debt, plus $160 million of subordinated debt formerly held by MGM Resorts International for $230.5 million.

In a press release Peter M. Carlino, Chief Executive Officer of Penn National commented, "This transaction represents a great opportunity for Penn National, M Resort, its customers and employees as we address the financial uncertainty and debt burden which has created an overhang on M Resort's operations."

The resort has struggled to find its way since it opened last year but the acquisition gives Penn National, which considered taking on the unfinished Fontainebleau Las Vegas project last year, a Las Vegas foothold. Penn National owns several race track casinos in the east and owns casino properties in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Tags: las vegas, las vegas hotels, m resort, penn national

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Former Lake Las Vegas Ritz-Carlton To Come Back To Life

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The latest turn in the saga of Lake Las Vegas promises new life for the former Ritz-Carlton resort. Dolce Hotels and Resorts has been announced as the new manager of the property. The 249-room destination resort located 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip shut down last May. Dolce Hotels and Resorts specializes in meetings and hosts approximately 30,000 events and four-million group clients throughout its 27 properties in North America and Europe.

The resort is on15 acres of the master-planned Lake Las Vegas development. The development has struggled to find its footing in recent years as Las Vegas tourism has contracted. Lake Las Vegas is designed to resemble an European village with clay tile roofs and arched doorways. The property has 32,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, a 30,000-square-foot spa and fitness center and several restaurants and lounges. It also has Las Vegas' largest and only over-water chapel, as well as beautiful gardens and courtyards that can be used for private affairs. The property adjoins MonteLago Village.

"We look forward to managing our first Las Vegas property and working with the Lake Las Vegas community to help revitalize this charming destination," said Steven A. Rudnitsky, Dolce president and chief executive officer in a press release. The hotel should be re-opened in early 2011.

Tags: lake las vegas, las vegas

Restaurant Guy Savoy: The Las Vegas Home of Nouvelle Cuisine

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

When searching for a taste of the City of Lights in the City of Sin, look no further than Restaurant Guy Savoy. The Las Vegas eatery is chef Guy Savoy's only location in the U.S, and with two Michelin stars to its name, it's also a nominee for a Luxist award in the best domestic fine dining category.

At the tender age of 27, Savoy opened his first Paris restaurant in 1980. Seven years and two Michelin stars later, he moved into the current Restaurant Guy Savoy location on Rue Troyon (a Luxist Awards nominee for Best International restaurant). Savoy also helped to establish Nouvelle Cuisine, a lighter approach to French cooking. By the turn of the century, Savoy was one of the world's most famous chefs; he opened his Las Vegas location in 2006.

Gallery: Restaurant Guy Savoy

Pumpkin and White Truffle Soup with poached Egg

Tags: awards-main, Best Domestic Restaurant, Guy Savoy, Las Vegas, luxist-awards, Restaurant Guy Savoy

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Liberace Museum To Close In Las Vegas

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Our friends at AOL News delivered the sad news that a Las Vegas institution, the Liberace Museum, will be shutting down next month. The glitter-filled museum can no longer afford to stay open putting 30 people out of a job. The unique building is topped by a keyboard sculpture and full of Liberace's sequined costumes, jewelry and famous rhinestone-covered pianos.

The museum is operated by the Liberace Foundation, which had decided to narrow its focus to raising money for the music scholarships it has awarded for decades. Liberace Foundation board chairman Jeffrey Koep told AOL News the organization's endowment has shrunk from $12 million to $5 million and visitors had plummeted to 50,000 last year. The foundation owns the entire strip mall where the museum is located about three miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.

Some artifacts including Liberace's awards, pianos, candelabras and outfits, may be shown in other cities on a tour. But interest in the museum has been waning in recent years. There are plans for a Steven Soderbergh biopic about Liberace with Michael Douglas as the pianist and Matt Damon as his lover that could renew interest in the performer but overall Liberace is seen as an symbol of the older, gaudier Las Vegas that the hotels and casinos have tried to distance themselves from.

Tags: las vegas, liberace, liberace museum

Sip N' Spa: QUA Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace Las Vegas

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

QUA Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace Las Vegas is bringing new meaning t

o "reading the tea leaves" with their unique tea sommelier program. Every therapist at the spa is required to undergo a special training program, conducted over a four-month period, each focused on a different type of tea.

"Tea is the number two consumed beverage in the world," said Chrystal King, QUA Spa Director. "We think of this program as ... another form of education for our guests."

Trainings focus on the practical - steeping times, proper water temperatures, and properties - as well as the historical background to each tea and the proper tea for certain conditions. At least twice yearly, therapists undergo updates to the treatments as new teas are added to the program.

Co-branded with Art of Tea, the spa offers 22 unique blends in categories like black, white, green and oolong to pair with the 72 different treatments on their spa menu. Some treatments, like the spa's "Hourglass" signature service, aren't branded with a specific tea, but therapists consult clients to design both a treatment program and a tea that will pair well with client's specific requests.

For example, a client looking for a boost post-facial might opt for a collagen-enhancing white tea, says Angela Tedesco, the spa's tea program director. Of course, they can also pair the teas with a specific concern unrelated to the treatment, Tedesco adds.

On a recent visit, my facial/massage combination was topped off by a detoxifying tea featuring ginger and lemon - the perfect Rx after a long night at the hotel's famed nightclub, PURE.

Clients looking to take the relaxation home can also purchase the teas from the spa's boutique.

The writer's travel and expenses were sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment, but her opinions are completely her own.

Tags: art of tea, CaesarsPalace, Las Vegas, qua baths and spa, spa

The Cosmopolitan Partners With Marriott

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Finally a little bit of good news for the Cosmopolitan project in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the huge resort project set to open in December will be part of Marriott International's Autograph Collection.

The project has faced lawsuits from dissatisfied owners and many have questioned whether or not Las Vegas needs another huge project, The $3.9 billion project will include nearly 3,000 rooms, 13 restaurants, a casino, spa, nightclub and retail space. The deal with Marriott will give the Cosmopolitan access to Marriott's customer base and the resort will also be part of the Marriott Rewards program. It will be listed as a partner hotel on the Ritz-Carlton website. The partnership will also give the Cosmopolitan access to group and convention markets, something it will need in order to succeed in the crowded Las Vegas marketplace.

Tags: cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, las vegas nevada

Harrah's Total Rewards Program Adds Shopping; Spa Perks

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services, Wealth

Want to live like a high roller? Sure, we all do. But what if your luck at the Blackjack and Poker tables is ... non-existent? Harrah's Entertainment, owners of 39 casino and hotel properties throughout the world, has now made earning top tier (Diamond or Seven Star) membership in their Total Rewards loyalty program even easier. Members can now earn points through dining, shopping, entertainment and spa purchases at any of their branded locations.

Customers will earn one Reward Credit for every dollar they spend and one Tier Credit for every $5 spent. Thus, every $5 purchase equals four Rewards Credits and one Tier Credit, for a total of five Total Rewards Credits.

Membership in the Total Rewards program, like many loyalty benefit groups, is simple - just sign up at a participating casino location. When you've registered, you'll receive a card that can be activated with every purchase made at a property or participating partner business. Like an electronic fingerprint, the casinos use these cards to track purchases made, monies gambled and time spent doing different types of activities to determine both your level of play and your personal preferences. At higher levels, these preferences can mean exceptionally personalized service, right down to the type of room you prefer and the kind of soda you'd like in your room upon arrival.

All members are automatically given access to the Gold Tier of benefits. To earn Platinum status, members must earn a total of 4,000 tier credits in a calendar year. To earn Diamond status, members must earn 11,000 tier credits in a year. Seven Star status, the chain's most elite level, must earn 100,000 credits. Approximately 400,000, less than 10 percent of all Total Rewards members, achieve this status. One Tier Credit equals $5 in reel slot machines, and $10 in video slot play; table game credits vary based on type of game and average amount of play. A single Tier Credit has a cash value of $.01.

These members enjoy perks like dedicated lines at all restaurants and outlets, special lounge access for complimentary food and beverage, a special check-in, limousine transfers to and from the airport, and perks like VIP access to movie screenings and private events. A listing of all perks available is outlined in this chart.

Total rewards partners include Starwood Hotels, Norwegian Cruise Line, HawaiianMiles and a special Total Rewards Visa card.

This writer's visit to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino was sponsored by Harrah's, but all opinions expressed in the article are her own.

Tags: harrahs, harrahs entertainment, Las Vegas, las vegas hotels, las vegas strip

Vegas Deal Will Make Madonna a Billionaire

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Madonna is poised to become a billionaire thanks to an offer of a five-year performing residency in Las Vegas. The deal, valued at $1 billion, is being brokered by Las Vegas officials looking to give the beleaguered town a boost and restore its tourist traffic, the London Sun reports, and would likely involve appearances at more than one glitzy casino. The arrangement is similar to ones that Celine Dion, Elton John and Cher have had in the past though much more lucrative. Madonna, who is already the fourth highest earning female entertainer in the world, would join Oprah on the very short list of celebrity female billionaires if she decides to sign on the dotted line. The megabucks payment would totally eclipse her previous earnings; in 2007, she signed a ten-year contract worth a measly $125 million with promoter Live Nation.

Tags: billionaire, casino, celebrity, Celine Dion, entertainment, Las Vegas, Madonna, music, Oprah

Gresso's $1 Million Phone: The Luxor Las Vegas Jackpot

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Gresso Luxor Las Vegas Jackpot Mobile Phone

Las Vegas is known for its over the top opulence and glamour and so it provided the perfect inspiration for Gresso's new super-luxe Luxor Collection of mobile phones. Drawing aesthetic influences from both ancient Egypt and modern Las Vegas the collection includes two phone models: the Luxor Las Vegas and the Luxor Las Vegas Jackpot. The Luxor Las Vegas Jackpot is the shining star of the duo and features a case made of 18k gold with a back panel of 200 yr old African Blackwood and rare black diamond embellishments. The keys are each made of a polished piece of sapphire with the symbols and numbers being applied via laser. Only 3 Luxor Las Vegas Jackpot phones will be made for $1,000,000 each.

The Luxor Las Vegas is similar in design but without the black diamonds and sapphire keys. It, however, is not a limited edition and is priced at only $20,000.

Via LuxuryLaunches

Source

Tags: cellphone, gresso, Las Vegas, mobile phone, most expensive, phone

Vdara Partners With The Abbey On Gay Pool Party

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

The Vdara hotel at CityCenter in Las Vegas becomes the latest to have a Sunday pool party, but theirs has a unique twist. The hotel has partnered with popular West Hollywood hot spot, The Abbey and Las Vegas party planner Eduardo Cordova to create The Abbey Beach, a LGBT pool party. Each Sunday beginning August 22, Vdara Pool & Lounge will be decked out with The Abbey's colorful flags and beach balls, while its 19 cabanas will be serviced by the handsome Abbey Boys. The Abbey's bartenders from West Hollywood will make special appearances to keep the mojitos and martinis flowing while a rotating lineup from The Abbey's resident DJs will keep the party moving.

"We are excited to welcome the LGBT community with a high-energy, upscale pool party unlike anything in Las Vegas," said Mary Giuliano, General Manager for Vdara Hotel & Spa. "With our designer architecture, personal service and unique location, Vdara is quickly becoming a hot destination for the sophisticated LGBT traveler."

The Abbey Beach at Vdara Pool & Lounge occurs every Sunday now through September 26, noon – 6 p.m. Labor Day weekend's event will move from Sunday to Monday, September 6. Cover is complimentary for Vdara hotel guests, $10 for Las Vegas locals and $20 for all other guests.

Tags: citycenter, gay travel, las vegas, lgbt, vdara

Harrah's Campaigns Against Las Vegas Resort Fees

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Hate the "resort fee" tagged onto your stay at a Las Vegas hotel? You aren't alone. The Strip hotels often use the resort fee as a way to charge for amenities like the pool, gym and wireless internet. The problem isn't the money necessarily (which is generally around $20 to $30) as much as it is the principle of the thing. It's disconcerting to arrive at a hotel expecting to pay one price and then be handed a bill with additional fees. Harrah's Entertainment, which owns several of the hotels on the Las Vegas Strip including Paris, Rio and Planet Hollywood, instituted a "no resort fee" policy last month. The company has gone on to create a Facebook page for the "fight against Las Vegas resort fees." The company sees money in their decision, creating a designated hotel booking website for the company's Las Vegas properties called vegasnoresortfees.com. They hope to attract internet searchers seeking to avoid the fees. Harrah's has also created a contest for the chance to win $21,900, the equivalent of a $20 resort fee each day for three years.

[via Las Vegas Sun]

Tags: harrahs, las vegas, las vegas hotels

Cosmopolitan Las Vegas Project Faces New Lawsuit

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Real Estate Developments

More bad news for the beleaguered Cosmopolitan project in Las Vegas. Earlier this year we learned that some buyers in the project would be given refunds. Now a new lawsuit filed last week takes issue with the decision of the developers to turn the Cosmopolitan into a hotel-only development rather than the condo-hotel project it originally was. The suit was filed on behalf of three individuals who placed deposits towards condominiums at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and alleges that Deutsche Bank, Nevada Property 1 LLC, Nevada Voteco, LLC, 3700 Associates, LLC, and KO Realty Group knowingly committed fraud and conversion, concealing and suppressing facts in order to steal escrow deposits.

"Deutsch Bank and their partners in this venture have been caught red-handed, capitalizing on the recession to steal nearly $100 million in escrow deposits from individuals who bought into the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas," said Dan Park, lead counsel for the Plaintiffs in a statement. "It's no secret that they have no intention of building the condominiums, as promised, and are playing with people's livelihoods instead of returning money that rightfully belongs to them."

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is set to open in December. The project has not recorded a subdivision map with Clark County showing any condominium units. he $3.9 billion project will include nearly 3,000 rooms, a casino, spa, nightclub and retail space. The Casino City Times reports that the plaintiffs in the newest lawsuit paid 20 percent deposits on units and have not agreed to the times of other settlements. Deutsche Bank bought the project for $1 billion when it was half-finished after its original developer and owner entered foreclosure proceedings.

Tags: cosmopolitan, las vegas, las vegas casino, las vegas real estate, las vegas real estate market

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