Lodging

For most of the past decade, while the Las Vegas Strip has become more and more upscale, downtown Vegas has been home to the cheap rooms housed in the older hotels. Classic Vegas, as it were.

Golden Nugget Rush Tower Exterior

The one exception has been the Golden Nugget and this month, they have upped the scales even further by opening the new luxe Rush Tower.

This $150-million addition to the hotel adds 500 extra rooms, which are 20 percent larger than the rest of the property’s rooms. It also has four Penthouse Suites and 70 Junior Corner suites. The rooms themselves feature pillow-top mattresses, feather down comforters, plasma screen televisions in both the bedroom and bath area, and oversized deep soaking bathtubs with raintree showers, among other luxe touches.

Other amenities the new tower brings to the Golden Nugget are new upscale boutique stores, a lobby casino and a two-level infinity-edge pool area that adjoins the third level of The Tank, a shark tank water-slide swimming pool that has been voted one of the best pools in America.

The Rush Tower also houses the new Chart House Restaurant, an upscale seafood eatery that offers seating for 200 in a aqua-colored room accented by a 75,000-gallon fish tank that can also been seen in the separate lobby area of the tower.

Rush Tower King Room at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas

Rates for standard Rush Tower rooms start around $129 for midweek stays, though that may drop a little once the newness of the addition wears off.

The Golden Nugget sits right on Fremont Street, so there is easy access to all the fun stuff downtown, including the free nightly entertainment provided by the Fremont Street Experience.

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Golden Nugget Hotel
129 E. Fremont St.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
800-846-5336

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[images courtesy Golden Nugget Las Vegas]

New 5-diamond Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas

Each year when AAA releases its list of 5-diamond hotels in North America, it’s a big deal. This is, in most respects, the most coveted designation out there, equivalent to a restaurant getting the maximum number of Michelin stars. The requirements are strict and there’s little margin for error in amenities or staffing, so this is an elite club that stays quite small. As new hotels are added, others drop off: just because a hotel was awarded 5 diamonds last year doesn’t mean it will earn it again the next.

Five hotels from the U.S. dropped off the list this year, including two in Houston alone: the St. Regis and the Four Seasons—the latter after being 5-diamond for 14 years straight. Two dropped off because of renovations and could return later.

Sixteen new properties were added to the list this year. Three new beach resorts in Mexico made the cut, as well as some notable new hotels and major reopenings after extensive renovations. Las Vegas led the pack with the new Encore, the new Palazzo, and the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas. Two New York hotels made the list after a revamp:  The Plaza Hotel and the now Taj-owned Pierre graduated to the top tier. Santa Fe’s Encantado was the first ever entrant from New Mexico.

California has the most 5-diamond hotels overall, with 20 of the 116 being in that state.

To see the full list, visit the AAA newsroom.

It seems lately, there’s been an explosion of resorts using social media to disclose deals and contests for those that follow or fan them. Add MGM Grand Las Vegas to the mix.

MGM Grand Las Vegas Lion

For several months, the resort has been utilizing Twitter to send out last minute discounts, but now it’s asking followers to Tweet their sins for a chance to win a free room night.

To enter, simply follow @mgmgrand on Twitter, then Tweet a sin along with the hashtag #mgmsin. It doesn’t get easier than that.

Here’s an example of how to use a Twitter hashtag for those unfamiliar with it:

Tweet your sins to win free night at MGM Grand Las Vegas #mgmsins

The resort says that you don’t need to direct the sin Tweet at them, it just needs to have the hashtag so they can find your Tweet when picking a winner from the multitude of sins. The “sin” also doesn’t have to have anything to do with the resort or even Vegas. You just need to confess a sin of any kind.

As opposed to most viral campaigns, MGM Grand Las Vegas is allowing multiple entries. Tweet as many sins with the hashtag as you’d like and each one counts as an entry.

Each day from now until November 26, 2009 (that’s Thanksgiving Day), the resort will award one free room night to a winner picked at random from all sins Tweeted with the hashtag. Unfortunately, this one is open to U.S. residents age 21 and over only.

For more details on the contest and a handy way to Tweet your sins, visit the MGM Grand’s contest page.

I love this resort. It’s got a great location at the south end of The Strip in Las Vegas, and there’s so much to see, do and eat, you could easily spend a couple of days without even leaving the property. Not to mention, there’s nothing better than a free night in Vegas!

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MGM Grand Las Vegas
3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-891-1111
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[Photo: Michelle Snow]

I love Las Vegas and one of my favorite places to stay is Mandalay Bay. But I don’t get to do it often since nightly rates tend to be $100 or more even on a weeknight, pricing it twice as expensive as, say, the neighboring Luxor.

So imagine my surprise when I received an email that the golden resort that anchors the south end of The Strip was offering rooms starting at just $66 a night through January 31, 2010.

Want to stay at Mandalay’s sister suite resort THEhotel at Mandalay Bay? This same package starts at $89 a night.

And that’s not all! Not only do you get the low rate, but the deal comes with a $25 resort credit (good on dining and entertainment), 30% off Disney’s Lion King tickets, 50% off a suite upgrade, 2-4-1 lunch at House of Blues, and a Buy-1-Get-2nd-50% off discount on spa treatments.

Now, there is a two night minimum with this package, regardless of which property you stay at, but that still puts a stay at this great Vegas resort priced less than you’d normally pay for one room-only night.

Lest you think this is one of those hard to book promo deals, I found several weeks of the $66 rate in November and December 2009. January 2010 only has a few nights at this ultra-low rate, but there are also several dates priced at a still amazing $70 or $80 rate.

To get this deal, visit Mandalay Bay online (click the Book Room Reservation button) or call 877-632-7800 and use promotional code PRFCT1 for Mandalay Bay or PRFCT2 for THEhotel. There is a similar package on the resort’s website using promo code PRFCT3, but rates start at $89 a night with that one, so definitely try the other two codes first.

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Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89119
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[Photo: Michelle Snow]

Many hotels have jumped on the social media train by opening Twitter and Facebook accounts. But Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is taking it a step further this Halloween by holding a “Trick or Tweet” weekend.

Caesars Palace in Las Vegas

Harnessing the power of Twitter, the resort will be attempting to conduct a party scavenger hunt of sorts during Halloween weekend.

All weekend long, Caesars Palace will Tweet locations throughout the property for you to experience.  Once you find your destination, the treats await…free food and free drinks, including drink specials from Bacardi USA, plus special drawings and giveaways.

For those that don’t want to miss a treat, the resort is offering a “Trick or Tweet” package for the nights of October 30 and 31, 2009.

The package includes:

• 2 nights classic accommodations
• 2 Roman Ritual passes to enjoy at Qua Baths & Spa
• complimentary 24 hr in-room Internet access
• a complimentary in-room movie
• VIP admission to PURE Nightclub for their big Friday or Saturday night star-studded party
• a $50 resort credit

The price is $350 for double occupancy (plus tax and fees). At 8pm on October 30, Caesars Palace will award a free suite upgrade to one guest who is booked on this offer.

The “Trick or Tweet” package can be booked online using offer code PKGCTOT.

It sounds like a lot of fun, and definitely a creative use of social media.

[photo by Michelle Snow]

You don’t have to be a celebrity to live like one in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hedonism at its finest, each of these Vegas penthouse suites lets you live the dream while overlooking the strip—perfect for milestone birthdays, bachelor or bachelorette parties, honeymoons or just partying with 250 of your closest friends. Each is so decadent, so over the top, you may not want to venture outside.

Palms Fantasy Suites
Choose from ‘The Real World’ suite that still has the confessional room, fish tank, oversize jacuzzi and more; the ‘Erotic Suite’ with a stripper pole, rotating bed, remote-controlled drapes and more; or the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa with rotating bed, a terrace with outdoor pool. Each of the 14 suites is one-of-a-kind. Splurge on any of the fantasy suites and enjoy limo pick-up and drop-off service from and to the airport, as well as a $250 beverage room service credit.

The Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms

Starting at $2,000 on a weeknight for the Celebrity suite, up to $40,000 on any night for the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa.

4321 W Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89103
866-725-6773

The Bellagio Penthouse Suites
For one of the ritziest resorts on the strip, the Bellagio prices their penthouses (more than 100 of them) well within reach. Choose one or two bedroom, each comes with a wet bar, marble foyer, his and hers whirpools, automatic draperies and more. You’ll also enjoy complimentary transportation to and from the airport, private check in at executive lounge, a pass that allows you to skip the lines at restaurants and buffets and free Wi-fi. Why select the Bellagio? This five-diamond hotel is centrally located, and offers 17 restaurants, two of which have earned 5 stars.

Starting at $750 for the one-bedroom on a weeknight up to $2,500, depending on availability.

3600 Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109
888-987-6667

SkyLOFTs at MGM Grand
Starting at $400 a night for a one-bedroom suite (two- and three-bedroom options also available), the MGM SkyLOFTS offer impeccable service unmatched by other Las Vegas properties. The best part? You’ll enjoy 24-hour butler service to bring you food and take care of your needs. The 24-hour concierge can arrange any reservations, including preferred seating at restaurants and shows at the MGM. You will be picked up from the airport in a limo and when you arrive at the MGM, a butler will meet you and show you immediately to your loft, where check-in will occur. You’ll also enjoy the suite’s billiards table and the fully stocked fridge, as well as laptops to borrow, complimentary gym use and the private entrance and lounge to help you relax away from the crowds.

Tour the room.

If you are an American Express cardholder, you can also take advantage of guaranteed late checkout as well as a $100 spa credit.

3799 Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109
877-711-7117

Please note that Caesar’s Palace, as seen in “The Hangover,” no longer rents penthouses to guests who are not high-rollers or other VIPs.

Special thanks to the Palms for the decadent photo.

Although it wasn’t supposed to open until next month, the new Paradise Tower at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas is already accepting bookings.

Paradise Tower Guest Room at Hard Rock Hotel Vegas

This stylish new addition to the hotel has a different vibe than the original building, which is still in use. The original rooms, in the main building, are rather standard with smallish marble-accent bathrooms. Decor consists of beige walls with purple, green and tan accent colors throughout the room’s fabrics, bedding, etc. Each room also featured french doors that opened up to faux balconies that aren’t really large enough to step out on.

This new tower features rooms that are a little more dramatic, with chocolate brown and gunmetal grey-black being the predominant colors. White bedding adds a crisp focal point, while subtle designs in the wall are used to create a more modern, sleek effect to the overall look of each room. Floor to ceiling windows offer either a pool or mountain view and all rooms feature Wi-Fi, 42″ plasma TV, and a Bose CD stereo system.

The new tower’s rooms, priced higher than the older standard guest rooms (on average about $20-$40), are already close to sold out for the month of August, though according to a press release, there are still 11 guest rooms, 10 pool suites and the 3,500-sq-ft penthouse suite that are not completed and not offered for guest use at this time.

The 490-room Paradise Tower is part of the HRH’s on-going $760-million expansion project which has already seen an expansion of the popular pool area, as well as the Joint at the Hard Rock concert venue. Still to come is the 375-suite Harmon Tower (no relation to the CityCenter’s upcoming Harmon Hotel located on the Vegas Strip) in December.

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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
4455 Paradise Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89169
702-693-5000

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The Gold Coast in Las Vegas - King Bed Room

A few weeks ago I reviewed The Orleans in Las Vegas and gave it a thumbs up. This is why I’m excited to alert you, the reader, of a great deal being offered at this hotel and its sister Vegas property, The Gold Coast.

From now through September, not only are there rates as low as $32 for some midweek dates (Sundays through Thursdays), but there is also a third night free for most of these dates.  That means you could nab a three-night stay for as low as $64 (plus tax and a $5/night resort fee). Pair that with some of the cheap air fare sales certain airlines are having right now, and you could have a really great quick trip to Vegas for under $200 per person.

Both hotels are older hotels, but far from dives. It’s just they aren’t as sleek and new as other properties, so they offer lower rates to encourage people to book with them. And when in Vegas, all you really need from a hotel room is a clean place to sleep and freshen up, right?

The Orleans in Las Vegas - 2 Queen Beds Room

The Orleans, as I reported earlier, is a New Orleans-themed hotel located on Tropicana Ave, just west of the Excalibur and MGM Grand. The Gold Coast is located on Flamingo Ave, west of the Strip, but adjacent to The Rio and across the street from The Palms. If I had to describe the theme, I’d say just old Vegas – lots of lights and such. Both properties do offer free scheduled shuttles to the Strip, and free parking, if you self-drive, as well as all the basics like pools, dining, etc.

To book, look for the “Summer Specials” rate on the reservations page for The Orleans and The Gold Coast. Free nights are expected to sell out quickly, so I would suggest booking asap. Weekends are included in this promotion for select dates, but expect the rates to jump quite a bit higher as Fridays and Saturdays are traditionally pricier in Vegas. I would also recommend checking the index pages on both sites before booking as both hotels sometimes run limited spur-of-the-moment unadvertised discounts that could drop rates further.

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The Orleans Hotel & Casino
4500 W. Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
800-ORLEANS (800-675-3267) or 702-365-7111

The Gold Coast Hotel & Casino
4000 W. Flamingo Rd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
800-331-5334 or 702-367-7111

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I was beginning to think I was going to need a GPS unit to find The Orleans lobby.

Mardi Gras Lobby at The Orleans Las Vegas

Theoretically, I should have been able to just follow along the wall from the self-park garage and with a few left turns, I would have been at the lobby. What I hadn’t taken into account is the sheer size of the hotel or the labyrinth layout of the casino floor.

After about 15 minutes, though, I did find the front desk, checked-in without difficulty (after another 15 minutes waiting in line) and headed up to my room with my friend.

Even though The Orleans is an older hotel, located just west of the Strip, it has been upkept relatively well. My room looked more mid-70s Americana motel than the Mardi Gras theme of the public areas of the resort, but the two of us had plenty of room in our two queen-bed room with sitting area. The room itself was clean, if sparsely decorated. The bathroom was separated from the bedroom/sitting area by a sliding door and featured a tub/shower combo, though the air ventilation system seemed to have seen better days. Opening the tiny window above the tub did help.

Two Queen-Bed Room at The Orleans Las Vegas

Our third floor view was of the parking garage, as if to mock us getting lost, but I’m sure higher floors would have a view of the mountains since we were facing west. Ask for a room on one of the upper floors facing the Strip, if a view truly matters to you. I’m told some of the rooms do feature an updated decor, so you may with to request that, as well.

The Orleans has outsourced many of its dining options to chains like TGIFridays (must give props to the all-day happy hour with its $1.50 cheeseburger sliders for cheap eats) and Fuddruckers, but its Mexican restaurant Don Miguels had 2-for-1 specials on margaritas and fajitas the day we stayed and both were pretty tasty.

Amenities offered at the hotel include an outdoor pool, a spa, an 18-screen movie theater and a 70-lane bowling alley. It also offers complimentary scheduled shuttle service to The Strip. For those looking for on-site entertainment, The Orleans Arena and Showroom venues offer everything from sporting events to national music and comedy headliners,

Considering I nabbed the room for only $27 (plus tax) a night midweek via an online promotion on The Orleans website, I probably shouldn’t nitpick. But I would be remiss if I didn’t call them out on the fact that not only is their high-speed internet not Wi-Fi (I hate being tethered to a desk) but they charge $12.99/day for it. I was also upset that they tacked on a $5/day “resort fee” at check-in to cover the “free” unlimited local calling and such, as well as put a $100 hold on my credit card, which was refunded at check-out. Neither was disclosed when I booked the room.

I would stay here again, if I could nab another low rate. But with Vegas room rates what they are nowadays, you might want to look at nearby Strip properties like Excalibur for special deals, first.

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The Orleans Hotel & Casino
4500 W. Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
800-ORLEANS (800-675-3267) or 702-365-7111

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Were you one of those girly girls who loved playing with her Barbie? Do you still hold a soft spot in your heart for Mattel’s blonde bombshell doll? If so, the Palms Las Vegas resort has a new suite for you.

Palms Las Vegas Barbie Suite

To commemorate the iconic toy’s 50th anniversary, the resort has partnered with Mattel for the new Barbie Suite, which is decorated in hot pink with black accents. In fact, you really need to like pink to stay here – the walls, tables, chairs and even the main bed are all covered in the bright color.

And of course, there are plenty of Barbie references. From chairs swathed in Barbie-print fabric to a starburst mirror with 65 replications of the first ever Barbie doll, “Black & White Bathing Suit Barbie,” images of the doll are everywhere.

Room amenities include a full bar, plasma TVs, a two-way fireplace, iPod Hi-Fi sound system, a steam shower and a jacuzzi tub.

Palms Las Vegas Barbie Suite Bedroom

I’ve never stayed in one of the Palms’ legendary Fantasy suites, like this one, but I have stayed in one of their basic rooms and I love this resort. In fact, I would say it’s definitely one of my top five favorites in Las Vegas.

Everything you could want is here, from top notch dining (don’t miss Gardunos’ Sunday Margarita Brunch or desserts at Kerry Simon’s new restaurant Simon at Palms Place) to great nightlife options that include a movie theater and four of the hottest nightclubs in the city. The staff is also top notch – always friendly and efficient.

It does have an off-Strip location, but if you do feel the need to leave the hotel, it’s still close enough that you can be anywhere on the Strip in less than ten minutes from picking up your car at valet.

The suite’s rates start at $4,000 a night but it does include two extra queen beds in a second adjoining suite, decorated sans Barbie, making it perfect for a girlfriend getaway splurge.

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Palms Casino Resort
4321 West Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV 89103
1-866-942-7770

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[photos courtesy The Palms/Denise Truscello]