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Where Do You Get Lucky In Vegas? (And, Where Do You Not?)

April 30, 2012 at 5:47 PM | by | Comments (7)

Now that we know where you like to gamble, which casinos are the luckiest for you and which seem to be cursed?

We know that, in the long run, gambling odds will even out. For example, if a game of blackjack offers returns of 96% then playing long enough we'll eventually lose just $4 of every $100 we wager. Of course, few of us will sit and play at the same table long enough to attain true odds. It's more likely that we'll hit a string of wins or losses and move on. With that being said, we can understand that many (not all) of our wins and losses are really a matter of timing.

Our gambling at Aria is minimal because we never seem to win at most games we play. Maybe it's the constant shuffle machines at blackjack or maybe it's the cold feeling we get by the decor and maybe it's just bad timing. We don't always lose here, but we lose a lot more than we win so we tend to avoid it unless visiting friends want to check it out. The same cannot be said for the Golden Nugget where we've never had a winning session on any game.

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At Aria, Another Resto To Close, But Plans Already Announced For Its Replacement

Where: 3730 Las Vegas Boulevard South [map], 89109
April 26, 2012 at 5:50 PM | by | Comments (3)

You probably never dined there, considered dining there or, perhaps, even knew it existed. But, Shaboo, the $500 a meal restaurant-inside-a-restaurant (or, rather, inside barMASA) at Aria will close on April 28.

With all the pizza joints, Tropical Smoothie Cafes and chain Mexican restaurants exploding up and down The Strip, its closure is a sign of the times. Even back in 2010, a writer with Bloomberg dropped in and noted he "was the only one dining at Shaboo, probably the U.S.’s most expensive restaurant."

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What's Going to Happen To Gold Lounge?

Where: 3730 Las Vegas Boulevard South [map], 89158
April 16, 2012 at 7:19 PM | by | Comments (0)

While imagining ourselves as a big-time celebrity about CityCenter, we realized there's a problem at Aria that no one has seemingly pondered just yet. With Viva Elvis marking its last curtain call later this year, what will become of Aria's Gold Lounge, a nightlife mash-up just as entwined as PB&B.

The entire theme of Gold Lounge was meant to capture Viva Elvis attendees who still felt a hankering for a hunk of burning nightlife. The nightspot's website describes it as inspired by Graceland with connections to Elvis just about everywhere you looked from the golden monkeys ringing its perimeter (Elvis loved 'em) to a horse-shaped lamp (Elvis loved them, too). The food and beverage service also offers nudge/wink tributes to The King. There's also that whole thing of the lounge being a partnership between Aria, The Light Group and Cirque du Soleil.

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What Woody Harrelson's Night At Aria (Probably) Looked Like

Where: 3730 Las Vegas Boulevard S [map], 89109
April 12, 2012 at 12:08 PM | by | Comments (0)

Woody Harrelson and Isla Fisher were on set at Aria Tuesday filming an upcoming flick called Now You See Me. The movie, to be released next year, stars a group of illusionists who rob banks and give the cash to their audiences. Kind of the opposite of that nightly show at Luxor about an illusionist who robs his audience and banks the money. Yep, we just did that.

Turns out we just missed the movie cameras by that much as we were in the house of Aria the night before. So while we don't have the crappy pics of Woody's fedora, we can create our own set through the magic of digital film.

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Meet Celebrities At The Legendary Shadow Creek Golf Course (Limited Time Offer)

Where: 1 Shadow Creek [map]
March 30, 2012 at 2:03 PM | by | Comment (1)

It's the Area 51 of golf courses. None of its neighbors can see inside. It would normally cost you $500 just to walk through the gate. But, for a limited time -- if you hurry -- an oasis in the desert is open for you.

The Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational golf tournament is being held at the legendary Shadow Creek golf course this weekend. The event makes millions for charities, is chock full of celebrities and tickets start at just $35 a day for us normal folk.

Built by Steve Wynn, Shadow Creek used to be an invitation-only course. If you didn't know the right people, etc, no golf for you. It's even built so lookie-loos can't see over the fences to gauge what's inside. You really can't. In recent years, they've loosened up and if you are staying at any MGM Resorts hotel, and have the $500 a person entry fee, they'll pick you up in a limo and let you play.

This is only the second year that a public event has been offered. Celebs like Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretsky and Maury Povich (yeah, apparently he kills on the greens) are paired with amateurs and each other. You can walk the course, or stay in one spot and watch them tee off, right next to you.

There are rules. And, they enforce them. Check the website. The metal detectors are as sensitive as McCarran Airport. And, they don't want you bringing in a whole bunch of stuff. Especially the autograph collectors. Of which there are many. We witnessed a gaggle of Gretsky fans huddled in the brush waiting for the Great One to arrive. No kidding. However, if they'd picked up one of the pairing sheets they'd have known he didn't tee-off for another three hours. So tip one: look at the schedule if you want to seeparticular famous folk. (Yes, you'll see Michael Jordan if you plan. We didn't plan and missed Angie Everhart. And now, somehow, we have to live life with that knowledge haunting us.)

If you are visiting from out of town, you don't even need a car. Aria is doing an amazing job providing non-stop shuttles from the North Valet entrance, direct to the course. For free. So, for as low as $35, you can ride from The Strip out to one of the world's most mythic golf courses, see someone famous and discover the burgers aren't that bad, either.

Get there crazy early and you can escape the crowds, players and Las Vegas. We experienced many minutes totally alone. Enjoy the outdoors and hear sounds of Air Force jets, swans, geese, pheasants, the clack of clubs, sliced shots dropping into water hazards and celebrity profanity. Quite a bit of that. There is also mythic black swan to look out for, and we think we saw the cloned velociraptor. Not sure about the last one.

One surprising discovery for us -- how good some of the celebrity players were and how truly bad some of the amateurs are. When the caddies yell "fore!" they mean it. You can easily be in direct hit range. We also discovered following a group of slow-paced golfers at a low to medium skill level isn't that exciting. So, if following a pack, make it a good one. There are comedians on the roster. At worst, you'll still have the distraction of the verdant greens.

Yes, you can get close to the famous. Want an autograph? We suggest the driving range. Many celebs were happy to sign in that section. If you stalk them while they play, you might not have luck, or catch them at a bad point in their game. Be polite. It's a very civil and classy event folks. Proper golf etiquette.

The leader board is pleasantly analog. Names spelled out in letters by hand. However, there is constant digital communication between the many volunteers and staff. They are looking out for the participants and you. All the workers we met were unfailingly charming and polite. Very, very welcoming people, enjoying the event as much as the visitors. It's a great atmosphere.

We think the best place to watch is the 18th hole. If you can find a seat in the open bleachers, go to the far right. (VIP access to a covered seating area is available. For more money.) Second shots will invariably drop in front of you. The 18th hole also features a vicious water hazard that messes with everyone. It's a heart-beaker hole. more celebrity profanity

Another tip. Check the weather. It can get hot. Also: check the weather. It can get very windy and just might this weekend. The ranges you see in distance create a wind funnel effect that makes play and viewing precarious.

Yes, there is a lot of sponsorship, so an anachronistic enormous inflatable whiskey bottle is par for the course. (Oh, see how long we held that line back.) But it's all for a good cause. We think if you have any interest in golf, or just want a rare backstage visit to this amazing park, you should go for a few hours. Plus, your golf pals will be insanely jealous. Want to come back and play here? Take a look see at our gallery and decide if it's worth the $500.

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How Much That Poolside Cabana Costs

March 27, 2012 at 6:21 PM | by | Comments (2)

The view from here... at Monte Carlo's wave pool.

It's probably the most asked question after "are Vegas pools open?" How much does that shady seat or cabana cost?

A simple question, that's not always as easy to discover. A lot of resorts don't even like to quote starting rates as they can (and do) change based on demand, just like hotel rates. But, we give a lot of props to the hotels that do say because at least we have some idea of when to cut back on those tanning sessions what to expect.

So, how much is Vegas charging for pampered fun in the sun these days? Check out our list below, but keep in mind, the prices you find in person may appear larger than the ones on your screen.

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Las Vegas Asks, Where's The Foodie Love?

March 20, 2012 at 1:01 PM | by | Comment (1)

Oh, those anxious moments before the announcers take to the podium. The James Beard Foundation announced the 2012 finalists yesterday in the food equivalent of receiving an Academy Award nomination. And, this year, all the tension was bottled into a room at the Palazzo. But, despite Las Vegas hosting the event, the city was offered little love on the voting forms. Categories ranged from Outstanding Chef and Restaurant to best food blogger and humorous food writing. (Our review of the city's fried Twinkies is mysteriously absent.)

Over 550 judges tabulate the results derived from over 59,000 entries which sounds like a statistical nightmare. But, the Beard Foundation Awards are the apex of respectability within the food community and enormously prestigious for peer recognition and helping build an audience of informed and appreciative diners. The Venetian and the Palazzo's own collection of restaurants includes more James Beard award recipients than any other hotel in the Vegas. And, even more impressively, the world.

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Who Do They Think They Are? MGM Resorts Bumps Up All Its Resort Fees

March 8, 2012 at 4:18 PM | by | Comments (10)

Just when we started to surrender be ok with the idea of resort fees -- after all, these daily charges do include some worthwhile amenities like Internet, fitness center access and bottled water -- comes some horrible, awful, infuriating news.

MGM Resorts has hiked resort fees at each and every one of its properties. All of them. At some, it's just a $1 (Circus Circus), but at others (far too many others) it's by $5 bucks. And, no, it doesn't appear as if any new amenities were added. Can you say price-gouging? Oh and don't forget, that's $25 PLUS TAX. Arrggh. Here's how it all shakes down:

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It's A New (Already Tested) Cirque Show for Aria This Fall

March 7, 2012 at 8:09 PM | by | Comments (2)

What do you do with a Cirque du Soleil show that's performing even worse than Criss Angel Believe less than expected? Replace it with an already tried, tested and popular Cirque production. Duh.

If you were expecting a totally new original show to replace struggling Viva Elvis, Aria has already been there, done that. No, instead Cirque has tapped the touring "surreal acrobatic spectacle," Zarkana, to keep Aria's crowds from leaving the building.

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We Know Exactly What Your Favorite Cocktail Is Missing: Bacon

February 28, 2012 at 12:36 PM | by | Comment (1)

If you strive to add a little dare and novelty to your Las Vegas visits, may we suggest adding something extra to your adult beverage: bacon. Sure, it's been done before, but at Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer in Excalibur, we discovered a little bit of surprising thought was enlisted in the process.

VegascChatter's own Mr Pappagiorgio has tried and chronicled the bacon elements of the Bloody Mary at I Love Burgers at the Palazzo. Away from The Strip, the Double Down Saloon flaunts their original invention, the bacon martini, rooted in bacon-infused vodka and they include an actual piece of bacon, too.

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Woohoo, Javier's is Coming to Aria! Wait, Who is Javier?

February 27, 2012 at 5:30 PM | by | Comments (0)

This morning, we received a very excitable press release hyping the announcement that Javier's would be joining the culinary funhouse of Aria later this summer (taking the space of the just-closed Union). The only problem was, we didn't know who Javier was. Oops?

As it turns out, Javier is Javier Sosa, the chef behind a "favorite hot spot for those in-the-know in Southern California and Los Cabos, Mexico." We guess we're not in-the-know as we've never been to Javier's before, not to the two locations in Orange County nor the one down in Los Cabos. Nevertheless, the fare is described as regionally-influenced Mexican cooking.

So, in short, Las Vegas is getting another Mexcian restaurant.

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Sometimes It's The Little Things That Make Our Hotel Stays

February 17, 2012 at 1:28 PM | by | Comments (3)

As you've seen from our coverage of CES, technology has come a long way in the past few years. In Las Vegas, Aria and The Cosmopolitan are both known for offering fancy technology in their hotel rooms as standard amenities.

We may be able to check out our hotel room using our iPhone now or watch TV in the bathroom, but it's some of the simpler bits of technology that give us the most pleasure.

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