“You’re a Vegas virgin, baby,” remarked a giant Elvis as I entered the Graceland Wedding Chapel located just off the Strip.
Only a few hours later I was in Playboy Hugh Hefner’s top-floor pad in the Fantasy Towers at the Palms hotel.
This is Sin City, after all, and experiences like this can only happen here.
Yes, I was a Vegas virgin, but it doesn’t matter how many times you visit this crazy place, it’s always reinventing itself – getting bigger, better and brighter all the time.
Planned projects, and those under construction, total $30 billion. By 2010, Vegas will have a staggering 160,000 hotel rooms, more than enough choice for any fussy client joining the 39 million annual visitors.
Hotels, spas, top restaurants, world-class shows, great shopping and the chance to celeb spot – this city caters to all tastes and budgets.
There’s no shortage of direct flights either – earlier this month British Airways seats for its new daily service from Heathrow starting on October 25 went on sale (0844 493 0787, ba.com). Here’s what’s new for 2009.
Aria Resort and Casino
A sophisticated 61-floor, 4,004-room resort with state-of-the-art in-room technology. Guests can wake up gradually through controlled temperatures, lighting, curtain opening and preferred music, delivering a subtle and more soothing wake-up experience.
Aria also features one of Vegas’s few natural-light casinos, including top-class restaurants and a luxurious spa offering 62 treatment rooms and three pools. Aria will also host a new Cirque du Soleil show celebrating the music of Elvis Presley.
Who would it suit? Clients who want to be in the thick of things, who have come to Vegas to experience all it has to offer with the best of every attraction on their doorstep.
Vdara
A luxury 57-floor, all-suite, non-gaming, smoke-free hotel and spa. Believe it or not, there are people who go to Vegas who don’t want to play the tables and party all night.
Vdara also offers a state-of-the-art fitness centre that takes over two floors and the whole property has been designed to reduce energy consumption, promote water conservation and improve indoor air quality.
Who would it suit? Eco-warriors and fitness freaks who love Vegas, but prefer to enjoy it in a non-gaming and smoke-free environment.
Mandarin Oriental
This luxury 400-room, 47-floor resort promises to offer the tranquillity and exceptional service typical of a Mandarin property.
The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas is a perfect place for people to recharge their batteries ready for what Vegas has in store for them. With an elevated pool and cabanas, and a top-notch spa and fitness centre, your clients can relax and take in Vegas at their own pace.
Who would it suit? Sophisticated clients looking for harmony and balance and a respite from this high-energy city.
Fontainebleau
At 63 floors, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will be the tallest hotel in Vegas when it opens this autumn at the northern end of the Strip.
The development, which is costing a staggering $2.9 billion, features 3,800 luxury rooms and a casino flooded with natural light, thanks to its surrounding floor-to-ceiling windows – a first in Vegas.
Other features include a 60,000sq ft spa with 55 treatment rooms, a 3,200-seat theatre, five outdoor swimming pools, a huge shopping mall and three restaurants, including an offering from celeb-haunt Nobu.
Who would it suit? Glamorous, high-energy types who want to have fun and look great in luxurious surroundings.
What else is new?
MGM Mirage’s lastest project is the $9.2 billion CityCenter, a 67-acre resort being built slap bang in the middle of the Strip. Due to open in December, it includes The Aria Resort and Casino, Vdara, Mandarin Oriental and Crystals, as well as a 500,000sq ft retail and entertainment complex.
Caesars Palace is currently undergoing a $1 billion expansion, the highlight of which will be the new 665-room Octavius Tower, which includes three new pool villa suites. It is due to open in mid-2009 but the project is currently on hold due to financial constraints.
Planet Hollywood Towers is building a 50-floor glass marvel extension featuring 1,200 luxury villas and 28 penthouse suites. It also offers a tropical pool, sandy beach and private cabanas, and is connected to the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has announced an expansion that will include 950 guest rooms, meeting and convention space, casino and an expansion of the existing pool area with new restaurant facilities.
New attractions for 2009
Dinner in the sky
Suspended securely 160ft up at the 22-person Sky Table, diners can take in the spectacular views of the Las Vegas skyline while enjoying a great meal.
Las Vegas balloon flights
During the flight you have a 360-degree view of the city and the gorgeous landscape that surrounds Las Vegas. The flight will start in the southwest valley, giving you a chance to see the renowned Las Vegas Strip to the east and the majestic Red Rock Mountains and Red Rock Canyon to the west.
The flight time varies from 45 to 75 minutes depending on the time of year. The flight also includes a glass of champagne and nibbles.
Attraction World’s top five-selling attractions for Las Vegas
1. Grand Canyon West by aircraft/helicopter/boat
Guests fly from Las Vegas to the Canyon’s West airport, jump into a helicopter for a thrilling 4,000ft descent to the base of the Canyon, before landing alongside the Colorado River for a 20-minute pontoon boat cruise.
A return helicopter ride takes guests to the Canyon rim for sightseeing and a chance to experience the suspended glass Skywalk viewing platform that juts out into the canyon. Price: £305 per person.
2. The Grand Canyon aerial sightseeing tour
For visitors with limited time, this tour by small aircraft provides a 60-minute bird’s eye view of the western Grand Canyon as well as the Colorado River and the Hoover Dam. The tour, which lasts three hours, starts from North Las Vegas airport. Price: £119 per person.
3. Vegas neon night flight in a helicopter over the Strip
Quaff a complimentary glass of champagne before taking a night flight over the Strip and downtown Las Vegas in a luxury seven-passenger helicopter. Price: £89 per person.
4. Grand Canyon South Rim by coach
Trips to the most popular viewing areas, including Mather Point and the Bright Angel Lodge. Price: £83 per person, including lunch.
5. The Romance Package
Spend a romantic afternoon or evening at the Venetian Hotel, taking a gondola along the outdoor Grand Canal before visiting Madame Tussauds and enjoying lunch or dinner at the hotel. Price: £47 per person.
Sample product
Virgin Holidays is offering a three-night break at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino from £648 per person, based on twin-share in a standard room. The price includes transfers and direct Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow and is valid for departures between May 20 to June 30. (0870 990 4209, virgin.com/holidays)
Travel 2 has a seven-night stay at the five-star Bellagio hotel from £730 per person, based on twin-share in a standard room. The price, which is valid for May 1 to June 30 departures, includes direct flights with Delta Airlines from Gatwick. (0800 022 4182, travel2.com)
Funway Holidays has three-night Las Vegas city breaks from £575 per adult, from June 1 to November 30. The price includes return Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick, three nights at the Riviera Hotel and Casino and a Macy’s 11% discount shopping card. Funway can also pre-book tickets for shows, including The BeatlesLove, as well as helicopter sightseeing tours. Vegas wedding packages start from £367. (0844 557 0626, funway.co.uk)
For those who fancy a something a bit different, Keycamp has a seven-night break staying in an iconic Airstream trailer in the grounds of Circus Circus. The break costs £842 for a family of two adults and two children from August 25, including car hire and use of the hotel’s facilities including its spa, swimming pool and indoor theme park. Flights are available at a supplement. (0844 844 0000, keycamp4agents.co.uk)
