We met in lobby of The Venetian and then taken, of course, to the breakfast buffet. The restaurant looks small on the outside, but is cavernous. The buffet was the saddest representation of a breakfast buffet I have ever seen. The foods were limited and small and much of the food was squishy! There was no comparison to the Wicked Spoon from the morning before and this author recommends that you pay the extra ($16USD for the buffet in The Venetian) and go there instead.
These feet were meant for walking and that's what I'm going to do...
Since we were staying at The Venetian we did not have a site inspection of the hotel, but instead saw The Palazzo, which is part of the Venetian. The Palazzo appears to be very similar in many ways, but the hallways were very plain. The rooms were not.
If you are looking for luxury you may want to consider the Prestige at the Palazzo. The special treatment begins the moment you arrive; private check-in desk, added amenities, such as complimentary champagne upon check-in, a complimentary cocktail reception. Guests are afforded access to the Canyon Ranch SpaClub fitness center, contintental breakfasts, afternoon teas, personal concierge assitance which includes WIFI, copying and printing services, daily newspapers, a DVD library, and unpacking and packing services.
Onwards we march...
Friday, December 30, 2011
Nov 17 Time to Eat again, now at the Pink Taco and the Lion King
Following the inspections at the Hard Rock Hotel we had obviously worked up our appetitie once again and were seated in a private area on the outdoor patio, complete with heat lamps. Given a choice between margaritas or beer, I selected the margarita, since I had just returned from Mexico and wanted to compare. Good thing I had only two. If I had more, I'm sure I would have needed a room for the night! LOL! Delicious, but very strong.
The Pink Taco is a hip Mexican cantina with a California twist. They make their own corn tortillas and salsas along with other foods. Very good! I wish I had more time to spend in the restaurant, but we had bought tickets to an evening show and had to dash...
Quick grab this cab...you giggling girls!!!
Somehow we made our way to The Mandalay Bay to see The Lion King. What a fantastic show, helped by more beer before it started. We must have smelled like a brewery.
Off to the seats, tissue in hand, I am hopelessly emotional about this story. I find the music so uplifting and powerful. Okay, I have the heart of a kid.
The lights dim, anticipation begins, the music starts and so do the tears. Once in control, I watch the production very closely. Mammoths come down the steps to the stage, along with other animals and the mood is set. But wait! I find it distracting to see that the animals are actually people dressed up as the animals. Hmmmm. Get over it Karen, just sit back and relax. How else would they present the show? With real animals?
The music continues to fill me and before I know it I see the stage characters as actual animals. I cannot tear my eyes away from the production. On a sad note it ends, but I could watch it again and again. This is a wonderful production, the actors moved on the stage as I had anticipated, the music was outstanding and it is highly recommended.
The Pink Taco is a hip Mexican cantina with a California twist. They make their own corn tortillas and salsas along with other foods. Very good! I wish I had more time to spend in the restaurant, but we had bought tickets to an evening show and had to dash...
Quick grab this cab...you giggling girls!!!
Somehow we made our way to The Mandalay Bay to see The Lion King. What a fantastic show, helped by more beer before it started. We must have smelled like a brewery.
Off to the seats, tissue in hand, I am hopelessly emotional about this story. I find the music so uplifting and powerful. Okay, I have the heart of a kid.
The lights dim, anticipation begins, the music starts and so do the tears. Once in control, I watch the production very closely. Mammoths come down the steps to the stage, along with other animals and the mood is set. But wait! I find it distracting to see that the animals are actually people dressed up as the animals. Hmmmm. Get over it Karen, just sit back and relax. How else would they present the show? With real animals?
The music continues to fill me and before I know it I see the stage characters as actual animals. I cannot tear my eyes away from the production. On a sad note it ends, but I could watch it again and again. This is a wonderful production, the actors moved on the stage as I had anticipated, the music was outstanding and it is highly recommended.
Nov 17 Last stop on the FAM for the day...the Hard Rock Hotel
At this point it may not have seemed like a long day to readers, but walking along The Strip, back and forth, across the street, back across the street, up stairs, down stairs, and dodging the crowds was hard work and very tiring!
We did take a bus to the Hard Rock Hotel, which is off The Strip. Do not let that stop you from considering this hotel, because the experience and the energy is always high. The hotel can stand on its own...next time I return to Vegas I would love to spend the evening to just people watch. The crowd is slightly younger than most of the other hotels, and the decor certainly belies this fact, however the food and beverages are terrific.
Walking into the foyer of the Hard Rock Hotel, behind secured displays, you can see a number of music celebrities clothing, such as Brittany Spears' white dress and boots, Michael Jackson's studded jacket and in the foyer they have motorcycles, a chandelier in the shape of a saxophone, and memorabilia, such as drums and guitars, and photos of rockers. The Joint is a state of the art concert facility, which has seen performances by a who's who of rock. The pool area has palm trees, private cabanas and sandy beaches, complete with swim-up blackjack!
We had a number of room inspections. Each room had a rock and roll elegance to them, with a funky musical flavour that was energetic and clean. The bedding in each room was plush! You feel like a rock star! Guests can book a standard room, Penthouse, or Villa. The Penthouse is $1500/night during the weekdays, but balloons to $7000/night on weekends. It should; it comes with a pool table, a bowling lane, a hot tub, full kitchen and more bedrooms than a palace. Each bedroom had an ensuite larger than the main floor of my home in Richmond. Wow! Talk about feeling like a rock star!
Amenities / Services include:
Spa and salon
Pool and cabanas (including a Rehab Pool)
Fitness Centre
Casino
Restaurants and cafes
Nightclub and bars
Bachelorette, Bachelor, Divorce and Private Parties
Concerts
Weddings
Meeting Rooms and Facilities
We did take a bus to the Hard Rock Hotel, which is off The Strip. Do not let that stop you from considering this hotel, because the experience and the energy is always high. The hotel can stand on its own...next time I return to Vegas I would love to spend the evening to just people watch. The crowd is slightly younger than most of the other hotels, and the decor certainly belies this fact, however the food and beverages are terrific.
Walking into the foyer of the Hard Rock Hotel, behind secured displays, you can see a number of music celebrities clothing, such as Brittany Spears' white dress and boots, Michael Jackson's studded jacket and in the foyer they have motorcycles, a chandelier in the shape of a saxophone, and memorabilia, such as drums and guitars, and photos of rockers. The Joint is a state of the art concert facility, which has seen performances by a who's who of rock. The pool area has palm trees, private cabanas and sandy beaches, complete with swim-up blackjack!
We had a number of room inspections. Each room had a rock and roll elegance to them, with a funky musical flavour that was energetic and clean. The bedding in each room was plush! You feel like a rock star! Guests can book a standard room, Penthouse, or Villa. The Penthouse is $1500/night during the weekdays, but balloons to $7000/night on weekends. It should; it comes with a pool table, a bowling lane, a hot tub, full kitchen and more bedrooms than a palace. Each bedroom had an ensuite larger than the main floor of my home in Richmond. Wow! Talk about feeling like a rock star!
Amenities / Services include:
Spa and salon
Pool and cabanas (including a Rehab Pool)
Fitness Centre
Casino
Restaurants and cafes
Nightclub and bars
Bachelorette, Bachelor, Divorce and Private Parties
Concerts
Weddings
Meeting Rooms and Facilities
Picture: Brittany Spears outfit, Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas
November 17 Our second stop along the way...
From the Cosmopolitan Hotel presentation we walked onwards to the Paris Hotel. We were met by the Harrah's Group representative. Still quite full from eating at the Wicked Spoon, we were provided a sit down meal, which brought to my attention the importance of the walking we had yet to do. Following the lunch we had a presentation of the Harrah's Group Properties, which includes Bally's, Ceasar's Palace, The Flamingo, Pairs, Planet Hollywood, PH Towers, Rio, Harrah's of course, and the Imperial Palace.
Due to time restraints the only sight inspection we had from the Harrah's Group was the Paris Hotel.
Walking through the Paris, I couldn't get rid of the thought that I was actually in Paris, France. I was walking along a boulevard and there was the Eiffel Tower, and fragments of the Elysee Palace. It is a class act ~ where else could you be on The Strip and be in Paris!
Rooms are elegant, and unlike Paris, very spacious. They had recently been renovated. European fabrics and furniture are used everywhere and marble, the flooring of choice in Vegas, is used in all the bathrooms. Talk about a romantic weekend in Paris! The New Red Rooms are closer to the Vegas ideal, but with the sumptious bedding and mock-Louis XVI pillows, the wall prints of Parisien scenes and the carpets with fleur-de-lis symbols on them, it still shouts Paris! Paris! Paris! They are sexy and sensual accommodations; hip and trendy!
You can ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower (½ size of the original) and as in the real Paris, you can get a view that goes for miles.
Hotel Amenities / services include:
Two acre rooftop pool with private outdoor cabanas (rent)
Luxurious spa
Fitness Centre
Shopping
Restaurants, including the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, on the 11th floor of the replica tower, with a brillant view of the Bellagio and its stunning water fountain
Nightclub and gardens
Concierge Lounge
Entertainment
Casino
Golf
Nothing like it, part of the adult playground that is Las Vegas.
Due to time restraints the only sight inspection we had from the Harrah's Group was the Paris Hotel.
Walking through the Paris, I couldn't get rid of the thought that I was actually in Paris, France. I was walking along a boulevard and there was the Eiffel Tower, and fragments of the Elysee Palace. It is a class act ~ where else could you be on The Strip and be in Paris!
Rooms are elegant, and unlike Paris, very spacious. They had recently been renovated. European fabrics and furniture are used everywhere and marble, the flooring of choice in Vegas, is used in all the bathrooms. Talk about a romantic weekend in Paris! The New Red Rooms are closer to the Vegas ideal, but with the sumptious bedding and mock-Louis XVI pillows, the wall prints of Parisien scenes and the carpets with fleur-de-lis symbols on them, it still shouts Paris! Paris! Paris! They are sexy and sensual accommodations; hip and trendy!
You can ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower (½ size of the original) and as in the real Paris, you can get a view that goes for miles.
Hotel Amenities / services include:
Two acre rooftop pool with private outdoor cabanas (rent)
Luxurious spa
Fitness Centre
Shopping
Restaurants, including the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, on the 11th floor of the replica tower, with a brillant view of the Bellagio and its stunning water fountain
Nightclub and gardens
Concierge Lounge
Entertainment
Casino
Golf
Nothing like it, part of the adult playground that is Las Vegas.
Pictures: Paris Hotel, Las Vegas
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Nov 17 The Cosmopolitan Hotel
The Cosmopolitan is situated on the strip, right beside The Bellagio and Monte Carlo. Standing across from The Cosmopolitan I am reminded of a ships bow, that fronts a 52 story tower. The hotel is only a year old, is luxurious, sophisticated and has a wholly unique style.
Artwork covers the walls, the hallways and the rooms. Artwork that you are encouraged in engaging with, by touching, feeling and hearing the pieces. The main chandalier is so large they have built a bar inside it, called 'The Chandalier'. Each room has a private terrace, very large flat screen TV's, and marble in the washrooms. The views looking out on the city allow you to see the fountain at the Bellagio.
Hotel Amenities:
Business Center
Fitness Center
Pools and Cabanas
Spa
Hair Salon
Shopping
Casino
Room and Concierge Services
Meeting Rooms
and a variety of restaurants, lounges, bars, nightclubs and dayclubs...
Artwork covers the walls, the hallways and the rooms. Artwork that you are encouraged in engaging with, by touching, feeling and hearing the pieces. The main chandalier is so large they have built a bar inside it, called 'The Chandalier'. Each room has a private terrace, very large flat screen TV's, and marble in the washrooms. The views looking out on the city allow you to see the fountain at the Bellagio.
Hotel Amenities:
Business Center
Fitness Center
Pools and Cabanas
Spa
Hair Salon
Shopping
Casino
Room and Concierge Services
Meeting Rooms
and a variety of restaurants, lounges, bars, nightclubs and dayclubs...
Pictures:
Top: 'The Chandelier'
Middle: Suite in The Cosmopolitan
Bottom: The Veener Resort Towers
NOV 17 And so the day begins...
The first morning appeared tough, with a number of site inspection / presentations planned, beginning with The Cosmopolitan, Paris Hotel (part of the Harrah Group) and then ending at the Hard Rock Hotel for an inspection and reception at the Pink Taco.
Once everyone finally appeared in the lobby we were on our way by foot...
First stop the Wicked Spoon
We were met in the lobby by the Cosmopolitan representative and walked past art covered walls, brillant chandeliers, and the exquisite touches that you find everywhere in Vegas. The Cosmopolitan is a beautiful hotel.
Once in the presentation room were offered a beverage of choice, followed by a visit or two to the buffet. It was unbelievable, from a variety of traditional breakfast items to roast beef being carved to an array of desserts including fudge and chocolate chunks with dried fruit and nuts. Much of what was offered was seasonal, with squash and pumpkin, and a number of foods representative of the coming American Thanksgiving.
The Wicked Spoon is open 7 days a week and is a definite must.
Hours of Operation
Daily Brunch: Mon-Fri 08:00am to 02:00pm
Weekend Brunch: Sat-Sun 08:00am to 03:00pm
Daily Dinner Sun-Thur 05:00pm to 09:00pm
Weekend Dinner Fri-Sat 05:00pm to 10:00pm
Price (USD)
Brunch: $22.00
Weekend Brunch: $29.00
Dinner: $35.00
Absolutely beautiful presentation and food cooked perfectly. Enjoy!
Once everyone finally appeared in the lobby we were on our way by foot...
First stop the Wicked Spoon
We were met in the lobby by the Cosmopolitan representative and walked past art covered walls, brillant chandeliers, and the exquisite touches that you find everywhere in Vegas. The Cosmopolitan is a beautiful hotel.
Once in the presentation room were offered a beverage of choice, followed by a visit or two to the buffet. It was unbelievable, from a variety of traditional breakfast items to roast beef being carved to an array of desserts including fudge and chocolate chunks with dried fruit and nuts. Much of what was offered was seasonal, with squash and pumpkin, and a number of foods representative of the coming American Thanksgiving.
The Wicked Spoon is open 7 days a week and is a definite must.
Hours of Operation
Daily Brunch: Mon-Fri 08:00am to 02:00pm
Weekend Brunch: Sat-Sun 08:00am to 03:00pm
Daily Dinner Sun-Thur 05:00pm to 09:00pm
Weekend Dinner Fri-Sat 05:00pm to 10:00pm
Price (USD)
Brunch: $22.00
Weekend Brunch: $29.00
Dinner: $35.00
Absolutely beautiful presentation and food cooked perfectly. Enjoy!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Nov 16 Blue Man Group - oh yeah!
I went with no expectations. The agent I sat beside was from Oklahoma and had seen the group a number of times. Although he told me you, "don't need to see these guys twice," here he was again, so either he was there because they really were that good or he just wanted to be in a social setting. A number of agents missed the performance.
It was a very enjoyable evening, coupled with laughter and uncertainty about what was going to happen next. But you got ideas - all the time. Before the show started the big Ticker screens posted humerous messages. These eventually drew my eyes to the first rows of the theatre. All the people in the rows were wearing plastic ponchos. Okay, this is going to be messy!
The lights dimmed and out came 3 expressionless men with blue painted faces, who began to use drum sticks on a fluorescent painted drums. As they continued drumming, their chests seemed to spout holes and more paint pumped out onto their drums, and with every beat the paint flew everywhere. It splooched, it shot out and when one of the drummers went into a crescendo it erupted.
The audience was as energetic as the blue men. Audience interaction played an important part in the theatrical performance. At one point they hung an audience member upside down by his feet, painted him blue and tossed him into a white canvas. We laughed seemingly forever, looking at this poor fellow with his motorcycle helmut, blue on white.
At the end of the show rolls of white paper (the width of toilet paper, but with a texture somewhere between heavy tissue and crepe paper) was pulled down by the members of the audience. This tissue paper hung from the front of the auditorium to the back, as we exited.
The Blue Man Group is a unique theatrical performance of music, comedy and multimedia. I enjoyed the show very much and I highly recommend it. The group will be at the Venetian for the next little while, before they move on to Aria.
It was a very enjoyable evening, coupled with laughter and uncertainty about what was going to happen next. But you got ideas - all the time. Before the show started the big Ticker screens posted humerous messages. These eventually drew my eyes to the first rows of the theatre. All the people in the rows were wearing plastic ponchos. Okay, this is going to be messy!
The lights dimmed and out came 3 expressionless men with blue painted faces, who began to use drum sticks on a fluorescent painted drums. As they continued drumming, their chests seemed to spout holes and more paint pumped out onto their drums, and with every beat the paint flew everywhere. It splooched, it shot out and when one of the drummers went into a crescendo it erupted.
The audience was as energetic as the blue men. Audience interaction played an important part in the theatrical performance. At one point they hung an audience member upside down by his feet, painted him blue and tossed him into a white canvas. We laughed seemingly forever, looking at this poor fellow with his motorcycle helmut, blue on white.
At the end of the show rolls of white paper (the width of toilet paper, but with a texture somewhere between heavy tissue and crepe paper) was pulled down by the members of the audience. This tissue paper hung from the front of the auditorium to the back, as we exited.
The Blue Man Group is a unique theatrical performance of music, comedy and multimedia. I enjoyed the show very much and I highly recommend it. The group will be at the Venetian for the next little while, before they move on to Aria.
Nov 16 The Venetian
The travel agents on the FAM were split up into two groups; one group staying at the Wynn and the Venetian. My group stayed at the Venetian and I highly recommend the hotel. I loved it! It reminded me of Italy of course, Venice in particular, where I had been 3 months before. I could move to Italy in a hearbeat, so it was wonderful seeing replicas of the Rialto Bridge over the canals and to see the gondoliers.
My TPI companion, Kirsten Oakes, and I stayed at in the Bella Bella Suite. We had two Queen beds, with a comfortable living space, and a very large washroom. A luxury suite is as similar, with one Queen.
The hallways are spacious, the ceilings have been painted in a classical Italian style, with mock images from the Sistine Chapel, gold, paintings plastered over the walls, and Roman columns. In other spaces of the hotel there are blue ceilings with white clouds, giving you the impression that you are outside. I can see that some people can get lost at the Venetian for days at a time and never get outside, even when they think they are! It can be very disorienting. The casino seems to stop time.
We ate at the Taqueria Canonita, which calls itself a Mexican City Soul Food Restaurant, which is inside the Venetian, on the Canal walkway. They started us off with a few drinks, large drinks, for happy hour and then we ate traditional mexican food. And everything is Hot!Hot!Hot! The meal was very enjoyable. I had a salad and picked at some taco chips and salsa. Hot!Hot!Hot!
My TPI companion, Kirsten Oakes, and I stayed at in the Bella Bella Suite. We had two Queen beds, with a comfortable living space, and a very large washroom. A luxury suite is as similar, with one Queen.
The hallways are spacious, the ceilings have been painted in a classical Italian style, with mock images from the Sistine Chapel, gold, paintings plastered over the walls, and Roman columns. In other spaces of the hotel there are blue ceilings with white clouds, giving you the impression that you are outside. I can see that some people can get lost at the Venetian for days at a time and never get outside, even when they think they are! It can be very disorienting. The casino seems to stop time.
We ate at the Taqueria Canonita, which calls itself a Mexican City Soul Food Restaurant, which is inside the Venetian, on the Canal walkway. They started us off with a few drinks, large drinks, for happy hour and then we ate traditional mexican food. And everything is Hot!Hot!Hot! The meal was very enjoyable. I had a salad and picked at some taco chips and salsa. Hot!Hot!Hot!
Pictures: Various, The Venetian and Kirsten in our room
Nov 16 Impressions of Las Vegas
Flying into Vegas was quite something. We came in, banked and I was able to look down the strip. I felt like a child in a candy shop. My eyes fastened onto the Luxor, and I was able to see the Sphinx and the Pyramid. Outstanding!
Once on the ground I was stunned at how large the airport is for such a small city. It is absolutely HUGE! We found our way to the tram where we met out reps for the FAM, and then were ushered to our private limousine. Our driver chatted about the Vegas life, but I could only look at the massive hotels we passed. Everything looked larger than life and our driver's lifestyle appeared just the same.
Once on the ground I was stunned at how large the airport is for such a small city. It is absolutely HUGE! We found our way to the tram where we met out reps for the FAM, and then were ushered to our private limousine. Our driver chatted about the Vegas life, but I could only look at the massive hotels we passed. Everything looked larger than life and our driver's lifestyle appeared just the same.
Pictures:
Top: New York New York
Bottome: Treasure Island
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Nov 16 Allegiant Air
I had never flown Allegiant Air and was told that it was a cattle car experience; I found it to be quite the opposite.
There are the well known streamlining of costs of course. It is a $20USD fee for every piece of luggage that is checked; maximum weight is 50 lbs (22.5kg) and they are strict on charging for overweight bags. Therefore most people take a carry on and a personal item, such as a purse or a lap top. The carry on items must fit into the overhead bins or under the seat. Snacks and beverages are charged for.
The seating however is interesting. Those who have paid the extra for pre-assigned seating are allowed to board the plane first. This is followed by seating those who need assistance, and then families, with small children under the age of 5. For the remainder of passengers, they will find on their boarding pass a "Z number". Because open seating is on a first come first serve basis, passengers want to check in as early as possible. They call Z 1 -10 and those people have an opportunity to enter the plane and choose the seats they want. In other words Z stands not for seat rows, but seating sequence. Those who have the highest Z numbers will find themselves without much choice for a seat.
The flight was smooth and the staff professional.
There are the well known streamlining of costs of course. It is a $20USD fee for every piece of luggage that is checked; maximum weight is 50 lbs (22.5kg) and they are strict on charging for overweight bags. Therefore most people take a carry on and a personal item, such as a purse or a lap top. The carry on items must fit into the overhead bins or under the seat. Snacks and beverages are charged for.
The seating however is interesting. Those who have paid the extra for pre-assigned seating are allowed to board the plane first. This is followed by seating those who need assistance, and then families, with small children under the age of 5. For the remainder of passengers, they will find on their boarding pass a "Z number". Because open seating is on a first come first serve basis, passengers want to check in as early as possible. They call Z 1 -10 and those people have an opportunity to enter the plane and choose the seats they want. In other words Z stands not for seat rows, but seating sequence. Those who have the highest Z numbers will find themselves without much choice for a seat.
The flight was smooth and the staff professional.
Nov 15 Holiday Inn Express Bellingham
In November I was able to go on a familiarization trip (a FAM) to Las Vegas. I traveled with a fellow TPI consultant, Kirsten Oakes, and we decided to fly Allegiant Air out of Bellingham so that we could keep the overall cost low. The flight was leaving very early the morning of the 16th so we decided to stay overnight in Holiday Inn Express.
I was quite impressed. We had a standard room, with 2 Queen beds, very comfortable and the room was very clean. There was fridge and a coffee maker. The only concern was that the safe was too small for a laptop, which may be an issue for a business traveler. The hotel has a small indoor pool and a hot tub.
There is a small breakfast buffet, just off the lobby and we were able to grab a small bite on our way to the airport. The hotel has positioned itself for business commuter very nicely. Guests can park there cars in the expansive parking lot for a week, without charge. The shuttle was included in the reservation and it only took us 15 minutes to get to the airport!
Highly recommended for those who wish to fly Allegiant Air.
I was quite impressed. We had a standard room, with 2 Queen beds, very comfortable and the room was very clean. There was fridge and a coffee maker. The only concern was that the safe was too small for a laptop, which may be an issue for a business traveler. The hotel has a small indoor pool and a hot tub.
There is a small breakfast buffet, just off the lobby and we were able to grab a small bite on our way to the airport. The hotel has positioned itself for business commuter very nicely. Guests can park there cars in the expansive parking lot for a week, without charge. The shuttle was included in the reservation and it only took us 15 minutes to get to the airport!
Highly recommended for those who wish to fly Allegiant Air.
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