las vegas hotels

A Substantial Debut: In Its First Year, CityCenter Receives Two AAA Five Diamond Awards

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Real Estate Developments

Aria Hotel & Casino, CityCenter, Las Vegas

It seems hard to believe that CityCenter has been in operation only a year, but in that year it has received awards as noted below. The most recent and most unusual In its first year, is the AAA Five Diamond Award® for both ARIA Resort & Casino and Mandarin Oriental, The award is usually given to a few select properties deemed the finest in North America, but it is highly unusual for hotels to attain this rating within the first year of operation. The AAA Five Diamond Award winners make up just 0.27 percent of the rated venues throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Bobby Baldwin, CityCenter's President and CEO, said, "From inception to operation, our goal with CityCenter was to create a resort destination that provides guests with services and amenities unmatched in the world. To receive this honor in our first year, reflects our commitment to this promise. It is a great first anniversary gift."

This is not the Aria's first significant award. ARIA is the largest LEED® Gold certified building in the world. In addition to the AAA Five Diamond Award, in its debut year, ARIA has received multiple accolades including: Travel + Leisure's Top 20 Up-and-Coming Hotels in the World, 2010 Global Vision Award; Conde Nast Traveler's 2010 Hot List; Elite Traveler's World's Top Hotel Suites; Esquire's Best New Restaurants for 2010, Top 11 Restaurants Not To Miss; Food & Wine's Las Vegas' Best Bets, Go List 2010, 100 Best New Food & Drink Experiences; MSN's Top 10 New Dining Destinations; Entrepreneur's Best Business Bars; US Airways Magazine's Top 15 Coolest Hotels in U.S.

Tags: citycenter, CityCenter Las Vegas, las vegas hotels, las vegas strip, LEED

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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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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

Rumor Hotel Opens In Las Vegas

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The last thing Las Vegas needs is another hotel room but that doesn't stop people from opening them. At least the latest hotel isn't another huge resort. Rumor is located in the site of the former St. Tropez Hotel across from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and is a two-story boutique hotel with a more intimate feel.

The Siegel Group collaborated with Las Vegas based interior design firm Tandem to create the 150-suite hotel that has a Las Vegas-meets-Palm Springs feel. If you like purple this is your place, the Rumor is full of dark wood and gray tones with deep purple and lavender accents. Rumor includes the restaurant Addiction which serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and room service. The main restaurant spills out into the courtyard with indoor and outdoor seating. The courtyards leads out to the pool area and wet deck.

Half the suites overlook the courtyard area. Suites are modern with gray walls, purple accents and elevated, in-room, spa-style soaking tubs. Rumor is pet-friendly with an outdoor dog run, customized in-suite bowls and plush dog beds. Rumor is currently offering a web only deal, if you book one night you get a second night free. Rates vary but I've seen prices from $80-$200 a night on their website.

Tags: las vegas hotels, pet-friendly hotel accomodations, rumor, rumor las vegas, siegel group

Signature at the MGM Grand Offers Home Cooking, Vegas Style

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Have you ever tried to cook a dish along with the chef on a television show? A new offering at the The Signature at MGM Grand in Las Vegas puts home cooks to the test. The Signature Dish is an in-suite culinary TV program that has guests follow along onscreen and cook in the privacy of their luxury suite. Guests simply tune in to the "Signature Dish" TV program for a step-by-step guide to preparing one of the Signature's dishes: Scallop Risotto, Tandoori Chicken Curry or Baked Ziti. The Signature's one/two-bedroom suites features modern kitchens and the Signature provides all the ingredients to prepare the dish in pre-assembled culinary baskets. The Baked Ziti option includes a recipe card, pasta, marinara sauce, kosher salt, ricotta and mozzarella cheese and costs $55. The 30-minute show is led by the on-screen guidance of Executive Chef Uday Huja and Executive Sous Chef Patrick Hoefler. Personally, I'd rather experience all that Vegas cuisine has to offer (it is an eater's paradise) but this could be fun for those looking to stay in.

The "Signature Dish" package offers suites starting at $174 per night with a two-night minimum stay required available August 4, 2010 – December 31, 2010. The package includes a a complimentary welcome dinner basket, bottle of wine and the baked ziti basket to cook in your own suite while following our chef's on your TV. To book this package, call (877) 727-0007 and mention booking code "SIGDISH" or visit mgmmirage.com.

Tags: hotel deals, las vegas hotels, mgm grand, signature at mgm grand

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]

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Bellagio Offers 10/10/10 Wedding Package

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

There are just three years left in order to have a wedding date in which the day, month and year are all the same number. Ever since 2001, many couples have been opting to get married on these memorable days and October 10 this year (10/10/10) should be no exception. The Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas is offering an all-inclusive 10/10/10 Wedding Package. Before exchanging vows, the couple will spend the afternoon at the Spa & Salon Bellagio with a $500 gift certificate. On the big day, couples can marry at one of Bellagio's chapels and then spend the wedding night in deluxe lakeview accommodations overlooking The Fountains of Bellagio. The newly-wedded couple can also enjoy dinner at Sensi or Circo, toast their love with a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne and attend a performance of "O" by Cirque du Soleil. The package is priced at $10,000 and includes an album filled with memories to take home. Spaces are still available but will likely sell out before the day itself. Las Vegas chapels in general tend to be packed on these days. Those who need a little more planning time can also opt for 1/1/11 or even 11/11/11 wedding packages. Contact the Bellagio for more details.

Tags: bellagio, hotel deals, las vegas hotels, las vegas wedding

The Opening of the Veer Residences, CityCenter Las Vegas

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Last week, on July 14th, the Veer Towers, an integral part of CityCenter, Las Vegas, opened for business. It is one of the most, architecturally avant garde buildings within an exceptional array of edgy, urban structures, Veer Towers is designed by Helmut Jahn and is the only full residential development at City Center. The Towers incline toward each other at 5 degree angles from the center, and are 37 feet high, home to 335 contemporary condo residences, ranging from 500 to 3300 square feet, from studios to 3 bedroom residences and penthouses. Pricing begins from the mid $300,000s to a few million, depending on size, location and interiors. Turnkey interior packages are available, where potential members can move in with only their toothbrush, if desired. At present, in honor of the Veer opening, at some of the Veer towers studios owners can receive a complimentary turnkey interior design/living package, worth up to $20,000 -- an interesting deal, and might include a toothbrush.

I have written about City Center on Luxist before in an article entitled: City Center: The New Urban Vision, but had never been to Veer Towers, as they had not been completed. Now, walking into the residential towers from other areas of CityCenter, I was reminded how much of a city within a city CityCenter really is. Everything is within close proximity. From seeing a studio with exceptional views of the a portion of the Las Vegas skyline, plus multileveled rooftops of Crystals,the 500,000 square floor retail/shopping area, to a residence on a higher floor, ( see image above), the Veer residences offer a sense of sanctuary and peace, all within a city NOT known for such things. Looking out a Veers Towers window at this city of constant. colorful movement can be a peace-inducing experience.

Tags: citycenter, CityCenter las Vegas, Crystals Las Vegas, Las Vegas, las vegas hotels, las vegas real estate, las vegas real estate market, luxury condo hotel residences, Opening of Veer Towers, Veer Towers

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