Story: Ed Salvato, editor in chief, OutTraveler.com
Photos: Las Vegas News Bureau/LVCVA
Somehow Saturday dawned late for me. Noon time noshing at Zine (pronounced Zen) Noodles and Dim Sum at the Palazzo was the right choice. They've got amazing, fresh juices alongside gourmet versions of traditional dim sum offerings.
Ok, skip to the next paragraph if this seems too indulgent: mani/pedi/haircut at the famous salon of Kim Vo at the Mirage. This hair stylist and colorist to the stars, whose clients include Britney Spears and Kobe Bryant, has created a really nice, clean, sophisticated space that's not too froufy for men to feel comfortable getting their nails done (with optional Nails for Males clear polish!)
Saturday's entertainment was Le Reve at Wynn. I'd seen this show before but they've changed it 
quite a bit, so it's worth seeing again. The VIP Indulgence Package (surprised I opted for this?) includes
champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a video screen showing backstage and underwater scenes not visible to other audience members.
Yes of course dinner; because we needed more calories. Carnevino at The Palazzo is one of several excellent steakhouses on property and truly remarkable. The well trained service staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The Italian-accented food is mouthwatering good from the various cuts of meat to the pastas to the to-die-for chocolate cake desert.
We finished off the night at the "Naked Hearts" benefit at KRAVE Las Vegas. This is the only gay club on the strip and it has huge bill board ads around town. The evening's performances included the Chippendales. Hot.
On Sunday we went off the Strip for brunch at Simon in Palms Place, a hip, contemporary space popular with locals and in-the-know visitors who venture away from their own hotel resort complexes. For $38 per person brunch includes items ordered from the menu as well as fruit, smoothies, sushi and paninis from service stations. In nice weather, you can dine outside. It feels more like West Hollywood or Miami than Vegas.
For my final night I checked into the you-must-see-to-believe SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand. Guests may be picked up by one of three Maybachs (each of which costs up to $500,000) if available. You are whisked through your own private entrance to the hotel and onto dedicated elevators. There are around 50 SKYLOFTS at the top of the MGG Grand, some one-bedroom suites (approximately 1,500 square feet), two-bedroom suites (3,000 square feet) and one obscenely sized three-bedroom suite (6,000 or so square feet, but at that point who's counting?!). Upon arrival you are greeted by your personalized receptionist who checks you in inside your room then the private butler guides you through the suite and explains the amenities, including totally wireless control of TV, radio, lights, drapes. There's a steam room in each bathroom and an infinity Jacuzzi bathtub. So amenities to try; so little time!
For my final Vegas dinner, I tried L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon. This small but topnotch eatery in an intimate space offers roughly equal numbers of table seating and bar seating. It's perfect for the solo traveler. The bar staff is super friendly and as interactive as you want the to be. Try the tasting menu paired with sommelier-selected wine choices. A worthwhile splurge at around $179 per person. It was among the best meals I've ever enjoyed in Las Vegas.
And what better way to finish off a Valentine's weekend than with Love? That is with The Beatles LOVE at the Mirage. A really unexpected Cirque du Soleil performance with acrobatics accompanying beloved Beatles songs.
Story: Ed Salvato, editor in chief, OutTraveler.com
Photos: Las Vegas News Bureau/LVCVA
Somehow Saturday dawned late for me. Noon time noshing at Zine (pronounced Zen) Noodles and Dim Sum at the Palazzo was the right choice. They've got amazing, fresh juices alongside gourmet versions of traditional dim sum offerings.
Ok, skip to the next paragraph if this seems too indulgent: mani/pedi/haircut at the famous salon of Kim Vo at the Mirage. This hair stylist and colorist to the stars, whose clients include Britney Spears and Kobe Bryant, has created a really nice, clean, sophisticated space that's not too froufy for men to feel comfortable getting their nails done (with optional Nails for Males clear polish!)
Saturday's entertainment was Le Reve at Wynn. I'd seen this show before but they've changed it quite a bit, so it's worth seeing again. The VIP Indulgence Package (surprised I opted for this?) includes
champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a video screen showing backstage and underwater scenes not visible to other audience members.
Yes of course dinner; because we needed more calories. Carnevino at The Palazzo is one of several excellent steakhouses on property and truly remarkable. The well trained service staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The Italian-accented food is mouthwatering good from the various cuts of meat to the pastas to the to-die-for chocolate cake desert.
We finished off the night at the "Naked Hearts" benefit at KRAVE Las Vegas. This is the only gay club on the strip and it has huge bill board ads around town. The evening's performances included the Chippendales. Hot.
On Sunday we went off the Strip for brunch at Simon in Palms Place, a hip, contemporary space popular with locals and in-the-know visitors who venture away from their own hotel resort complexes. For $38 per person brunch includes items ordered from the menu as well as fruit, smoothies, sushi and paninis from service stations. In nice weather, you can dine outside. It feels more like West Hollywood or Miami than Vegas.
For my final night I checked into the you-must-see-to-believe SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand. Guests may be picked up by one of three Maybachs (each of which costs up to $500,000) if available. You are whisked through your own private entrance to the hotel and onto dedicated elevators. There are around 50 SKYLOFTS at the top of the MGG Grand, some one-bedroom suites (approximately 1,500 square feet), two-bedroom suites (3,000 square feet) and one obscenely sized three-bedroom suite (6,000 or so square feet, but at that point who's counting?!). Upon arrival you are greeted by your personalized receptionist who checks you in inside your room then the private butler guides you through the suite and explains the amenities, including totally wireless control of TV, radio, lights, drapes. There's a steam room in each bathroom and an infinity Jacuzzi bathtub. So amenities to try; so little time!
For my final Vegas dinner, I tried L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon. This small but topnotch eatery in an intimate space offers roughly equal numbers of table seating and bar seating. It's perfect for the solo traveler. The bar staff is super friendly and as interactive as you want the to be. Try the tasting menu paired with sommelier-selected wine choices. A worthwhile splurge at around $179 per person. It was among the best meals I've ever enjoyed in Las Vegas.
And what better way to finish off a Valentine's weekend than with Love? That is with The Beatles LOVE at the Mirage. A really unexpected Cirque du Soleil performance with acrobatics accompanying beloved Beatles songs.
