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]

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.

Executive Suite at Four Seasons Las Vegas.

Four Seasons Las Vegas is a bit of a hidden gem. It’s not on all printed maps of the Strip, since it’s located on the top floors of one of the buildings in the sprawling Mandalay Bay complex. That said, it does have it’s own ground-floor lobby (and express elevator) and totally separate staff, spa and pool (though guests can also access the sandy beach and wave pool at the mega Mandalay Bay property).

Even though it wasn’t on my radar, I suppose those in-the-know (i.e. Vegas visitors with funds) are well aware of the elegant Four Seasons. In fact, plenty of TripAdvisor users and reviewers think it’s great: it was named one of the top 10 hotels in the United States in terms of luxury, according to the TripAdvisor 2009 Travelers Choice Awards.

My husband and I stayed at the Four Seasons earlier this month for just a quick night’s stay (courtesy of TripAdvisor.com). Indeed, we found the lobby sophisticated and our room spacious (Executive Suite with separate bedroom and living area, two TVs, huge bathroom with spa amenities.) We especially appreciated the gorgeous pool area — a serene spot and a far cry from the crowded Mandalay Bay pool experience. While we didn’t eat at the Four Seasons, I admired the vast breakfast buffet menu.

Pretty pool area at Four Seasons Las Vegas.

Visitors can reach the Mandalay Bay casino from the Four Seasons lobby, but there is no casino in the Four Seasons proper. While you want see slot machines, don’t be surprised if you find yourself riding the elevator to your room with a four-legged guest: dogs are welcome here (for better or worse).

There are plenty of cheaper spots to stay in Las Vegas, so if budget is key for you, skip the Four Seasons. But, if you’re celebrating a special occasion, or if you have money to burn, consider a stay at the Four Seasons. The property is a lovely respite from the chaos of the casino scene found on the rest of the Strip.

No, that’s not a headline misprint. Due to the economy and normally sluggish summer occupancy rates in Las Vegas, the Excalibur Resort has rolled out special rates as low as $26 a night for select dates.

Excalibur Resort Las Vegas During the Day

I tried several dates and didn’t find the $26 rates, but there were plenty of dates ranging from $29 to $35 for Sunday through Thursday stays through the fall, which is still phenomenal for a resort that usually charges twice that.

Even better, I spotted several weekends with Friday and Saturday night stays in the $61 to $80 a night range. Normally, it’s near impossible to find any place on the main area of The Strip for under $150 a night.

This promotion includes stays through February 28, 2010, but must be booked by May 13, 2009.

In addition to these great rates on rooms, the Excalibur is currently offering several wallet-friendly meal deals property-wide:

• Pick up a quick hot dog and glass of draft beer for only $2.50 at the Sherwood and Sports Book bars with your Players Club Card
• Eat all day long at the Roundtable Buffet for only $25 a person
• Enjoy a $20 meal deal at the Italian restaurant Regale, including unlimited salad and bread sticks
• Treat yourself to a three-course dinner special at The Steakhouse at Camelot for only $25. This includes an endless Caesar salad bowl, choice of entree (list includes an 8oz center cut New York strip steak, country-baked meatloaf and deep-dish chicken pot pie) and a triple chocolate mousse dessert.

The Excalibur Resort is one of many properties owned by MGM Mirage in Las Vegas and it enjoys a prime location on the south end of The Strip, at the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana Blvd. It is connected by pedestrian walkways to the MGM Grand, New York-New York and Tropicana resorts. It is also connected by a free tram to the Luxor and Mandalay Bay.

The property is themed as a medieval castle and the resort is considered one of the more family-friendly in Las Vegas, with activities like the SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D simulator ride, a game arcade and the Tournament of Kings dinner show.

Of course, it also caters to adults, with a casino, nightly comedy from Louie Anderson and Defending the Caveman one-man show, and the erotic male dance revue show Thunder From Down Under (my pick for the best male revue in Vegas). Be sure to also check out Dick’s Last Resort for late-night shenanigans and drinks.

To book the room-only deal, use code XGLT, or visit the specials page for other great deals and packages.

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Excalibur Resort
3850 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas NV 89109
1 (877) 750-5464

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My husband, Dan Dion is a photographer who travels a lot for business leaving me solo with my two kids, aged four and one. This time, I got smart and roped him in to guest blogging for me. Here is his take on the Rio Hotel in Vegas.

I’m not a big VEGAS guy. I can usually handle it for two or three days, tops. Gambling…I’m sorry…”gaming” isn’t really my thing, though I can kill a fair amount of time with video poker while sucking back beers and watching sports.

So I was actually looking forward this trip because I was only going to be there for one night. I had a photo shoot with Penn Jillette- the mouthier, bombastic half of comedy/magic/illusionist duo Penn and Teller, who have an ongoing show at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.

Having mostly been there on weekends previously, I was curious what Vegas was like on a Tuesday in the off-season. Would the cream rise to the top, or would the worst features stand out? Turns out it was a little of both.

As an “all-suite” hotel, The Rio delivers at a great price. My room was just $70 and enormous. There was a comfortable king-sized bed, a couple of couches, and a bathroom larger than some hotel rooms I’ve stayed in in New York for three times the price. There was both a stocked mini-bar refrigerator, as well as another one for personal foodstuffs. My biggest beef? No WiFi, which in this day and age is like having a hotel without running water. DSL was available via a cable (a cable is a plastic-encased wire that “plugs in” to a computer) for $10 a day.

But suite or no suite, Vegas is not meant to be spent in one’s room, and I had an hour or so before my shoot, so I want to explore the hotel. Rio’s theme is Carnival, which is a better concept than, say, Venice, for a Las Vegas casino. I just think scantily clad cocktail waitresses go better with modern festive Brazil than the Renaissance. But then I’m a history buff.

The staff at the theater couldn’t have been more different. The box office was very polite, and the bartender was gregarious and joking with almost every customer. It had been over 15 years since I’d seen Penn and Teller, and was pleasantly surprised that their show is actually much more nuanced and low-tech than when I’d seen their “Broadway” show at The Curran Theater in San Francisco. It is truly one of the most sophisticated comedic shows in Vegas.

The show let out around ten, and I expected that I would have many choices for a late dinner. Not so. Although there are more than ten restaurants and cafes in the hotel, at that hour on a Tuesday my options were bleak. RUB BBQ? Closed. All American Bar & Grille? Sign said “Open Late Night”, but not serving. McFadden’s Irish Bar? Transformed from pub into a raunchy Karaoke bar. It seemed my only choice for a proper meal was the Sao Paulo Cafe, which had about as much charm and ambiance as a hospital cafeteria.

To be fair, there were amenities I did not avail myself of- Bret Michaels’ Tattoo Parlor, The Chippendales beefcake review, the popular seafood buffet, and the stunning rooftop bar I’d experienced many years ago, the view from which is the single greatest advantage to staying off the strip.

Dejectedly, I found a Wetzel’s Pretzels, and had a pretzel dog for dinner. I was in bed by 11:30, somewhat ashamed, but not for doing anything naughty, the way Vegas promises I will.

Photos by Dan Dion

If you’re going to visit Vegas, the best way to experience the luxury, the too-much-ness that defines this decadent destination is to stay at one of the most upscale resorts. And right now, the Wynn Resort is offering such a deal that you can’t cite money as a reason not to travel.

Wynn Las Vegas

Here’s the special: From now until April, any weeknight stay at this five-star resort costs only $129 (valid Sunday through Thursday nights). Regular rates start at $300. Blackout dates do apply. Call 866-770-7410 for details. Be sure to mention WHPTZOO when booking. This offer valid for reservations made before February 20, 2009. There is a two-night minimum.

Why the Wynn? Rooms include soaking tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows. Venture outside
the room and choose from 15 restaurants, including Okada, offering Japanese dishes that venture beyond tried-and-true tuna rolls, and Bartolotta, serving coastal Italian cuisine.

You could gamble, or instead, indulge in the Rain Stone Ritual body treatment or a Radiance Facial. Really want to feel pampered? In-room services available at an additional cost. And why not? After all, what’s the point of saving money if you don’t get to spend it on something fun?

Photos courtesy of Wynn Las Vegas.

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Circus Circus

It’s Spring Break 2008 and the kids are morphing into teenagers.  Time is slipping away from us and there are so many places they haven’t seen.  We selected the Grand Canyon for our roadtrip destination, with a two night stop-over in Las Vegas thrown in for a little glitz and glamour.  I looked to my travel agent for a package deal on the Grand Canyon and a hotel recommendation for teens in Vegas.  The travel agent’s Las Vegas recommendation; Circus Circus.

Family friendly, budget lodging is one thing. Chipped, run down furniture, a less-than-reliable elevator to the swimming pool and a screenless window looking down to the RV parking lot is another. My daughter and I flew from the Bay Area to McCarran International Airport as I had a couple of frequent flyer tickets ready to expire.  We arrived early at the hotel and asked at check in if our room was available.  Room 19743, located in the Skyrise Tower, was waiting to be cleaned.

My husband and son were mini-van bound and arrived that evening to join us.  Fortunately, the hotel offered complimentary parking as well as a huge RV park. Unfortunately, the hotel was located on the northern edge of the Las Vegas strip. The closest restaurant within walking distance was a Denny’s with an hour long wait.  We had no interest in dining in Circus Circus with its smoke filled lobby.

Billed as a family favorite since 1968, I suggest the Circus Circus Skyrise Tower is in dire need of a face lift.  While the West Tower has recently been remodeled, our room was dated, the plywood entertainment center was falling apart and the lack of a screen on the bedroom window was alarming.  My 16 year old referred to our accomodation as the suicide room, noting the easy access to the cold, hard concrete 19 stories below.

When I called the first night to ask about canceling our room I learned that our AAA rate could not be refunded because our travel specialist had booked our reservations in advance.  Not only did we over-pay, we were stuck there for a second miserable night.  When an on-line customer satisfaction survey arrived in my computer mailbox, I mentioned all of the above noted comments and checked the box that gave them permission to contact me.  I never heard a peep from anyone at Circus Circus.

Have you had a lodging disappointment?  Have you been contacted by hotel management after a less-than positive experience?  Leave a comment below.  I promise I’ll read your feedback!

Circus CIrcus Hotel Casino 1 (800) 638-8595

2880 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Photo by Kendall C. Brown

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Luxor Las Vegas for Budget Lodging

I recently attended the 2008 Luxury Travel Expo in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay.  While this is a trade show for travel agents and upscale, luxury destinations, I travel on a freelance writers budget.  I flew from Oakland to Las Vegas on Southwest Airlines for $49 each way and found a cheap room at the Luxor, which is connected via tram to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

Using the Luxor’s internet Winter getaway package I was able to find a steal of a deal, $125 (including tax) for three nights.  Internet access is $13.99 for each 24 hour usage period. A $100 hold is placed on your credit card for each day of usage.  TIP: If you are a budget traveler, don’t use your debit card as a deposit for the internet usage as the hold will draw from your debit card. 

Luxor Pyramid Deluxe Room

I stayed in room 144 on the 26th floor and had a view of the McCarran International Airport. As the Luxor is in the shape of a pyramid, all of the 4,400 hotel rooms are on the outside of the hotel.  To accomodate the pyramid shape, the hotel uses inclinators, as opposed to elevators, to move up, down and sideways. My room was a bit dark, but I enjoyed the non-smoking room with a king size bed and the Essential brand amenities in the bathroom. As I mentioned, I used the free tram that connects the Luxor to Mandalay Bay and Excalibur.

While I had read prior reviews about water leakage, my only complaint was the loud gurgling of water pipes in the bathroom at 3 a.m.  TIP: Close the bathroom door when you retire to bed and the noise won’t bother you.

While I’m not big on gambling, there are plenty of free or nearly free things to do in Las Vegas. There are also plenty of expensive things to do in Las Vegas.  I attended the mesmerizing “O” at the Belagio, thanks to the Cirque du Soleil folks. I’ll be writing a review of the show on my “What a Trip” blog.

 Finally, I’m pleased to say that both check-in and check-out were quick and efficient at the Luxor.  While the Luxor is not a luxury hotel, it certainly offers a budget friendly option on the Las Vegas strip.