Tag: CityCenter
View All TagsClosings / The Crystals / CityCenter / Aria / Starbucks / Coffee / Roasted Bean / → All Tags
The Cup Shutters at Crystals
With three Starbucks and a Roasted Bean all within a few minutes walk, it wasn't hard to see where this one was going. Crystals' original coffee shop, The Cup, has folded.
Recently, CityCenter debuted three new Starbucks and one was just a short escalator ride away from The Cup. (It replaced the closed Pods by Wolfgang Puck.) Another Starbucks opened inside Aria (where you can find the Roasted Bean as well) while a third now can be found alongside the Strip, just in front of Mandarin Oriental.
And, that's not counting the Starbucks you can find next door at Monte Carlo. Or, the coffee you can order up at the Jean Philippe Patisseries you can find inside both Aria and Bellagio. Or, the cup of Joe you can grab at Va Bene Caffe inside The Cosmo. Or...
RIP "The Cup" at @crystalslv :(twitpic.com/cq5qtr
— Dayna Roselli (@DaynaRoselli) May 12, 2013
(PHOTO: @daynaroselli on Twitter)
Openings / Aria / Chapels / Weddings / CityCenter / → All Tags
Inside Aria's New Chapel
When Aria opened in 2009, it did so without something that had become a standard amenity within Vegas resorts -- a wedding chapel. Whatever the thinking, the CityCenter hotel-casino must have tired of seeing couples in love spend wedded bliss and dough elsewhere because it built, and recently opened, a chapel of its own.
The Wedding Chapel at Aria was culled from convention space, but despite coming several years after the resort, looks as if it's been there all along. Located on the first floor of the convention center, an oversized frosted glass window, two dark-colored wooden doors and a simple plaque provide a discreet facade for the 2,750-square-foot venue hidden away from sight.
Stepping inside reveals a small, yet elegant reception area as well as a meeting room for planning sessions, both adorned in neutral hues. The understated decor subtly impresses through a chic mix of textures and patterns rather than too bright colors and trite floral designs. (Although, we did fall in love with the vivid, amethyst-colored light fixtures floating overhead that reminded us of jewels.)
Just beyond these rooms are the chapel's biggest selling points, contemporary his and her spaces for the bride and groom. For him, a room dominated by a pool table. For her, a plush boudoir filled with plenty of seating and, likely more importantly, plenty of mirrors. Another big plus? There is only one wedding hall (the muted design continues here with touches of cream, beige and mauve) meaning you won't bump into other couples nor need to compete for attention. Your union will be the sole focus while you are there. Photos of all the spaces can be found in the gallery below.
Openings / CityCenter / The Crystals / Bobby's Burger Palace / Bobby Flay / Restaurants / Eating / Dining / → All Tags
Bobby's Burger Palace Coming To Crystals
"Crystals is not a mall..."
Those are the words of an MGM Resorts executive during a first quarter earnings call so it makes sense that the company is leaving that burger shack to the coming promenade between Monte Carlo and New York-New York. No, here at this high-end shopping destination only a burger palace will do. Bobby Flay's Burger Palace, to be exact.
Pool Scenes / Pools / Mandarin Oriental / CityCenter / → All Tags
You Can Now Hang Poolside At Mandarin Oriental And Not Be A Guest
The Vegas pool season is here, baby! With highs finally climbing into the 80s, the time is now to get nearly naked, poolside. And, for the first time, you don't have to ask friends if they have an old MO key card book a stay at Mandarin Oriental to lounge poolside at Mandarin Oriental.
The CityCenter resort is now opening its 8th floor pool (shown above) to everyone... willing to book a cabana. Before you pfft, rates start at the fairly reasonable (for Vegas pools, anyway) rate of $350 and includes a bottle of Moet Ice champagne (a $60-ish dollar value according to Google).
Eating / Dining / The Buffet at Aria / Aria / CityCenter / → All Tags
Our Favorite Thing About Aria's Buffet Can't Be Eaten
Most diners are fortunate enough to eat whatever they want, whenever they want. Others, though, need to intensely study menus and quiz wait staff before anything can be enjoyed.
For this Chatter'er, having a mom and two sisters with Celiac disease -- and one of those sisters dealt the double whammy of also being lactose intolerant -- has made me especially aware of just how hard it can be to eat gluten and dairy free in Las Vegas. Dining experiences that are often made even more trying when a server gives you a blank stare when you inquire about gluten-free options (as happened to us at downtown's Eat). Or, made surprisingly refreshing when the waitress not only knows what you're talking about, but can rattle off appropriate items without looking at the menu (as what happened to us at the now shuttered Rattlecan).
Shopping / Name Changes / Aria / CityCenter / The Crystals / → All Tags
FYI, Crystals Has Shops
Recently, Crystals started to quietly roll out a new, updated, let-us-spell-it-out-for-you rebranding that centers around an expanded name -- The Shops at Crystals. The high-end shopping center mecca has also ditched a CityCenter location reference for an Aria name check, instead. Perhaps, due to a sign from above?
To further tip folks off who are unsure of what a Crystals is, there's a new ad campaign being put into place (as pictured above) and Crystals' social media channels have been updated as well. You'll now find them listed as The Shops at Crystals on Facebook and TheShops at Crystals on Twitter. (Although, both website addresses and the official Twitter handle still refer to CrystalsLV.) Crystals' website, crystalsatcitycenter.com, is likely the next in line for a change.
(Images: SK+G Public Relations on Facebook, @CrystalsLV on Twitterc)
Construction / CityCenter / Aria / Vegas Signs / Pylon War / Pedestrians / Walk This Way / → All Tags
Checking In On Some Construction Projects Around CityCenter
Time to check in on a few Strip construction projects we've been monitoring. And, all within a stone's throw of each other.
First, the elevator outside of Harmon Corner that will head down to Planet Hollywood and the PBR Rock Bar. If you’ve ever walked around here you'll know it's been an unnecessary pain to travel in the opposite direction if you want to head downstairs. Trust us. If you are at this section of the Strip when it's crazy busy, you’ve probably cursed the architects. Well, back in August they started building a $2 million escalator to fix the congestion. And, to our surprise, it’s really close to finishing. Looks good to us. And, in a related note -- yes, it took two million dollars to build an escalator.
Weddings / Chapels / Openings / Aria / CityCenter / → All Tags
At Aria, Here Comes The Chapel
Google is filled with images of couples in love (and in full bridal regalia) around CityCenter. But, while they've been the picture of wedded bliss, they could never actually wed in a true chapel there. Neither Aria, nor Vdara, nor Mandarin Oriental offer one. Well, at least until April when Aria will debut one.
The appropriately named Wedding Chapel at Aria will be culled from meeting space and situated on the first floor of the resort's convention center. There will be only one chapel meaning only one marriage will happen at a time. A good thing for brides who don't want to share the spotlight. The venue will be capable of accommodating up to 60 guests and will feature special retreats for bride and groom:
CityCenter / Aria / Openings / Construction / Vegas Carpet / Zarkana / SKYBOX / FIVE50 / The Buffet at Aria / Starbucks / → All Tags
Seven New Things at Aria
Things are changing again at CityCenter, but -- for now at least -- most are occurring at Aria. A walk through the resort this week found seven new things, either just installed or on the way. Here's what to expect on your next visit:
1. The Carpet
We never really had a problem with Aria's casino carpet, but now that we've seen the new Vegas carpet going into place, we've changed our minds. We hate it. The new carpeting brings a new lightness to the space with a faux sun-dappled look of beige teardrops laced with lavender ribbons. See for yourself.
Old:
Openings / CityCenter / Aria / The Crystals / Starbucks / Coffee / → All Tags
CityCenter Wants To Wake You Up With Three Starbucks
Good news for all of you that only go to Roasted Bean as a last resort (like us), there are not one. Not two. But, three Starbucks brewing (hee) at CityCenter.
The construction wall for the one inside Aria is shown above. It is replacing the Sweet Chill gelato bar which did give us a sad because that gelato was da bomb.
A second is coming to Crystals and is replacing The weird Pods by Wolfgang Puck. The pods are still there, but already the seats, tables and order counter have been removed.
Opening / CityCenter / Aria / Pizza / FIVE50 / Shawn McClain / Sage / → All Tags
CityCenter To Get Second Pizza Joint
Pizza. It's what's for dinner. And, for lunch. And, what the people want.
Already home to Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina, CityCenter will serve up a slice of a different kind this spring with FIVE50, a "pizza bar" by acclaimed chef Shawn McClain. If that name sounds familiar, it's because Chef McClain already has a CityCenter resto, Sage.
CityCenter / Openings / Closings / Vdara / The Crystals / Aria / → All Tags
Things Are Changing Again At CityCenter
It's been just over three years from the opening of CityCenter and the mega-resort complex is still trying to discover just what will make tourists hand over their money happiest.
Yesterday, Aria announced that SKYBOX Sports Bar and Grill will close next week on January 2 for "an exciting new concept." Rumor has it that it will be a second, more casual concept by chef Shawn McClain who already operates Sage restaurant at the resort. (Rumor confirmed. It will be a pizza joint, FIVE50.)
Earlier this month, Aria's sweet spot, Sweet Chill, shuttered to make way for a Starbucks. And, another Starbucks is headed to the nearby Crystals mall as well, according to employment sites. So much has been happening at CityCenter that it may feel as if a scorecard would be handy, so we created one:
