A Very Vegas Christmas

Author: Adrienne L.
Date of Trip: December 2010

Spending the holidays in Las Vegas has been our tradition for several years. On Christmas morning we boarded the flight for our annual holiday getaway. The airport was electric with the excitement of holiday travelers. The other passengers on the flight were also energized with the anticipation of what Las Vegas had to offer during this special time of the year. The flight seemed to only take minutes and in no time we were whizzing up the Strip, passing fabulous resorts like Mandalay Bay, MGM, Paris and the Bellagio.

Our first stop was the newly opened Cosmopolitan, the latest addition to the City Center complex and Las Vegas’ newest property. It is a 2995-room casino resort that features dining venues, retailers, 3 unique pools nightclubs, a departure from nightclubs into “day club” experiences, the Sahara Spa and Hammam, and a 3-story Swarovski chandelier that defies description.

We were anxious to see how it measured up to other luxury Strip properties. The valet and bell staff warmly welcomed us where we received “red carpet” treatment. We found the decor modern and eclectic with an urban vibe. We had arranged a private tour so that we could compare the room types. All of the rooms were spacious and well appointed with spectacular views from the balconies; many overlooking the dancing fountains of the Bellagio Hotel. We were eager to see what the dining choices were and found that there were 13 restaurants to choose from, including China Poblano, and the Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill. At the recommendation of the concierge, we decided to try the Wicked Spoon Buffet. Las Vegas has a long history of lavish buffets, dating back to the El Rancho Vegas that opened in 1941. Since we have dined at all of the major Vegas buffets, we wanted to see how the Wicked Spoon Buffet would set itself apart. It did not disappoint. We would definitely give it 4 stars. The food was delicious, well prepared and beautifully presented. It was an excellent value for the price. Although the property is quite new, it was obvious to us that this great resort will quickly establish a client base. We would highly recommend it.

Upon leaving the Cosmopolitan we checked into our favorite hotel, The Palazzo. The lobby was resplendent with elaborate holiday decorations and the excitement of our fellow-guests was palpable. The hotel was filled with guests of all ages from numerous countries. Our suite on the 42nd floor had a sweeping view of the Strip. Once we settled in we began to make dinner plans. The Palazzo offers a plethora of dining experiences including Mario Batali’s Carnevino, Wolfgang Puck’s CUT and Dal Toro Ristorante. Our choice for the evening was Zine Noodles Dim Sum, which was voted one of the top 10 Chinese Restaurants in the U.S. The delicious food and beautiful decor combined to provide a feast for the senses.

The next day we spent several lingering hours at the Qua Roman Baths and Spa at Caesar’s Palace. What a luxurious experience and a perfect way to rejuvenate. Our restaurant of choice for the evening was Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio, located on St. Mark’s Square in the Venetian. As always the food was delicious and the service was exceptional. We highly recommend the Chicken Picatta. St. Mark’s Square is a very pleasant place to stroll, shop, listen to music or just enjoy some gelato. The Venetian features gondola rides, complete with singing gondoliers much like what we have experienced in Venice.

Once again our holiday getaway to Las Vegas was a winner. If you are looking a unique way to spend the holidays, consider Las Vegas.