mandarin oriental las vegas

Luxist Guest Post: Poker Player Beth Shak's Favorite Las Vegas Spots

Poker player Beth Shak gives us her view of Las Vegas in this special guest post.

This year when I returned to the 2010 World Series of Poker for my 5th tournament, I was pleasantly surprised by the accommodations waiting for me. I decided to stay at the five-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which opened in December 2009. It is important to note that I did not stay in a suite, because the amenities were better than some of the nicer suites I've stayed in.

The Mandarin Oriental was beautiful and quiet; I didn't feel like I was in Las Vegas after leaving the World Series of Poker.

Highlights:
Push-of-a-button accommodations: the room is completely plugged in, including electronic curtains to hide the gorgeous, lit-up view when it's time to rest.
Amazing closet: This is not just a closet; it is more like a dressing room, completely separated from the actual room.
The bathroom: The bathroom has an entire make-up area, Bulgari products, gorgeous Eastern design and – get this – a flat iron. Nobody does that! I was beyond impressed.
Gamble-free. I was able to sit back and relax, and save the games for WSOP.
The best concierge, Joe: maybe he can move to the East Coast and be my assistant!

Tags: aria, beth shak, lanvin handbag, las vegas, luxist guest post, mandarin oriental, mandarin oriental hotel, mandarin oriental las vegas, wsop, wynn

Continue reading “Luxist Guest Post: Poker Player Beth Shak's Favorite Las Vegas Spots”

Blogging From the 2010 American Express Publishing Luxury Summit: What Is The New Luxury?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

There's no denying it's been a rough couple of years for the luxury world. But we're still standing. And, after a year hiatus, so is the American Express Publishing Luxury Summit, which started last night at Las Vegas' new palace of luxe, the Mandarin Oriental in the new CityCenter complex. After a meal featuring Robert Mondavi wines and bright chatter, the conference got down to business and the real question: what is luxury now?

There are reasons to be at least cautiously optimistic. People want to shop, they also want to be reassured that its okay to do so. If 2008's luxury was a little bit brand-centric, a little too easily accessible, today's luxury is a very different animal. Two years ago we heard words like 'affluenza' and 'masstige' but those words died amid the bank bailouts and the recession. Last night, in a lecture by Richard David Story, the editor of Departures Magazine, we heard phrases like "a flight to quality" and "artisan." Bespoke is the new black. People are ready to, albeit cautiously, welcome luxury back into their lives. But now it has to matter, it has to be attached to core values. Luxury in and of itself isn't enough of a prime motivator. The label still matters but only if it carries the right reputation. Obvious logo shopping is gone.

Tags: city center, luxury summit, mandarin oriental las vegas, wealth

Continue reading “Blogging From the 2010 American Express Publishing Luxury Summit: What Is The New Luxury?”