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Tags: Mother's Day / Restaurants / Salon Bellagio / Mandarin Oriental / Society Cafe / Trump Las Vegas / Joel Robuchon / Kris Jenner / → All Tags

Where to Take Moms for Mother's Day in Vegas

Kris Jenner, mamma to all the Kardashians, loves Vegas and we love her back. We know, it's a weird obsession to have.

Heading to Sin City with your mom this weekend? That's so Kardashian of you! But seriously, we like it when moms can party with their children in Sin City. And so does Vegas as there are plenty of mom-centric things to do this weekend. Here are the ones we think Kris will like:

1. Brunch at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon: You can't go wrong by taking mom to a restaurant helmed by the Chef of the Century, Joël Robuchon, inside the MGM Grand. While Robuchon may not be in the kitchen that day, his master chefs will be and Mom will have a front row seat to the cooking show. An added bonus? You will get a complimentary signed copy of his new cookbook “The Complete Robuchon.” (Cost: $175 per person and seatings are 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m.)

2. Afternoon Tea at the Mandarin Oriental: Take mom up to the Mandarin Oriental's 23rd floor for some quiet tea time from 3pm to 5:30pm. Here, you can watch over the hustle and bustle below on The Strip but in a relaxed and serene setting. No slot machines, no loud music and no drunk folk tottering around. Choose from a traditional English tea menu ($40)with freshly brewed loose teas, tea pastries and finger sandwiches. Or you can try the Miniature Cupcake Bento ($40) with T Leaf teas and a selection of vanilla, red velvet, s'mores and strawberries and cream cupcakes.

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Tags: Pools / Mandarin Oriental / Weekends / → All Tags

Mandarin Oriental's Upscale Pool Scene Will Open on Monday (Don't Expect Stripper Poles)

Pool season is almost upon us. Just a few more days to go kids! While everyone is GTLing like crazy for next weekend's pool debuts, upscale folks can kick it at the Mandarin Oriental pool which officially opens on Monday.

The luxury hotel tweeted about the opening today even dropping a Tweetphoto teaser.

As expected, there are no stripper poles at this pool scene but there will be butlers catering to folks in the cabanas. The pool looks rather tiny and we also think this might be CGI so we'll have to update you on the real thing next week.

If you're interested in staying at the MO, do it as the hotel is having a rather good deal right now. Room rates at the hotel start at $335 a night and that includes a complimentary night stay so essentially, $167 a night plus taxes. You can put your savings toward spa treatments or the valet parking charge.

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Tags: Restaurants / Aria / Mandarin Oriental / Sage / TWIST / CityCenter / → All Tags

Food Critics Dish on Sage and TWIST at CityCenter

Every week, we get our cyber foodie news from around the world fix via Esquire columnist,John Mariani’s Newsletter, Virtual Gourmet. Mariani is also the author of The Encyclopedia of American Food & Drink and The Dictionary of Italian Food and Drink.

We were especially tickled this Valentine’s Day to find Las Vegas food critic, John A. Curtas weighing in on two of our top new "wish list" restaurants at CityCenter, TWIST by Pierre Gagnaire at Mandarin Oriental and Sage at ARIA Hotel & Casino. We paraded through the former on a recent media trip, and partook in an absinthe tasting at the latter, but have yet to dine at either. Soon, our pretties, very soon. You can read a teaser of John’s reviews here, or click here for the real, mouth-watering deal.

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Tags: Cashing Out / Mandarin Oriental / Mandarin Bar / → All Tags

In Case You Can't Find Your Way to the Mandarin Bar...

...Mandarin Oriental has helpfully outlined the space on the exterior of the building in lights. If you're still confused, The Mandarin Bar is on the 23rd floor just off the check-in desk. It's open from 5pm to 2am every day.

Here's what else is on in Vegas:
· Todd English's PUB to now open on Feb. 11 [CityCenter News]
· Also, Wolfgang Puck's BRASSERIE and PODS are now open at The Crystals [VegasChatter Flickr Pool]
· Air Guitar Contest set for Feb. 13th at Tommy Rockers [Resodence]
· Hooters to be featured on Undercover Boss. This might be the only time we tune in [@HootersCasinoLV]

Tags: Cashing Out / Mandarin Oriental / Weekends / → All Tags

Look What We Found in the Hallways at Mandarin Oriental

Bonsai Trees!

These are actually found in the elevator banks on the guest room floors. Yet while you can call Daniel-san to tell him where to meet you later that evening, we suggest you leave the Bonsai pruning to Mr. Miyagi or more qualified experts hired by the Mandarin Oriental.

Seen something just as funky or cool in the elevator banks at your Vegas hotel this weekend? Tell us about it. Here's how to let us know:

· Become a Member: Sign up to VegasChatter to become a member and comment on our stories.
· Follow us on Twitter: Find us on Twitter and @reply us what's going on. Somebody leave their panties behind at the pool? We kinda wanna know that.
· Send Us Photos: Join our Flickr photo pool and drop in all of your Vegas snapshots.
· Email Us: Of course, we take emails too. Whatever way you wanna get in touch, we're here for you!

Tags: Mandarin Oriental / High Tea / CityCenter / → All Tags

A 'Tea-Riffic' Time at Mandarin Oriental

We tore up the town last week while staying at Aria at CityCenter, indulging in all the activities that Vegas is known for--drinking, eating, shopping, relaxing and taking in a show or two.

But the one thing we never thought we’d do in Las Vegas was actually one of the highlights of our trip--high tea at Mandarin Oriental.

Maybe it was the never-ending deluge of rain and uncharacteristically damp weather that made the prospect of tea so appealing? Perhaps it was the stunning Strip views from Mandarin Oriental’s Lounge on the 23rd floor?

It doesn’t really matter, because as soon as we arrived and settled into our well-upholstered seat, all the hustle and bustle of Vegas seemed to melt away and we were transported to a far more civilized place.

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Tags: Cashing Out / Mandarin Oriental / Spas / → All Tags

If You Can, Relax at the Mandarin Oriental Spa During the Week

It's true that everything costs more in Vegas on the weekends than it does during the week, especially hotel rooms. If you can somehow swing a vacation from Sunday through Wednesday, you can pay up to 50 percent less for your hotel room. And it turns out, your massages at the Mandarin Oriental are cheaper mid-week as well. But only by about $20.

This is a page from the in-room spa guide that we perused during our stay last month. We were tempted beyond belief to book a treatment but we didn't have enough time, nor money. And although we know that some spas do charge more on the weekends, we were a little put out that the Mandarin would charge $20 more Friday-Sunday. These are not $45 massages after all.

That's not to say we won't ever try The Spa at The Mandarin Oriental spa which is supposed to be magnificent not only in treatment offerings but in relaxation spaces as well. The Spa boasts views of the Strip, private hammams, ice fountains, a Chinese foot spa and a laconium room which is a heated relaxation space.

And just so you know, the hotel doesn't charge you for valet parking if you're just visiting the spa. Phew. Now, you can really relax in your hammam.

Here's what else is on in Vegas:
· Speaking of spas, Aria's Spa is the only one in the country to have Japanese stone sauna “ganbanyoku” beds [Aria Las Vegas]
· Harrah's to pay fines to Gaming Control Board for sportsbook violations[LV Sun]
· Will Holly Madison ever stop doing photo ops? [VegasDeluxe.com]
· Think Pink! The Flamingo is having a 7-day sale [Flamingo Las Vegas]

Tags: Mandarin Oriental / CityCenter / Luxe Vegas / Parking / Fees / → All Tags

The Mandarin Oriental Charges $30 to Park Your Car Overnight

If you didn't know, parking, even valet parking, is free at nearly every hotel on the Strip. Vdara in CityCenter has valet-only parking for guests but the service is rolled into the $15 resort fee which also includes internet access and use of the gym.

However, the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas charges $30 a night for overnight parking. Ugh. If this was New York or San Francisco, we would understand. $30 would even be considered a deal. But no one charges for valet parking on the Strip so why did Mandarin Oriental decide to do this? Especially when their rooms are upwards of $300 a night?

We'd much rather they charged a resort fee and rolled that in there like Vdara does. That way we also wouldn't have to shell out $18 for in-room internet access. Yes, it's one of the most expensive hotel WiFi charges we've seen in the U.S.

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Tags: Mandarin Oriental / CityCenter / Luxe Vegas / → All Tags

The Mandarin Oriental Has Luxury Las Vegas Has Never Seen Before, But at a Price

This video comes with its own soundtrack!

We recently spent two nights at the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, admiring the new Vegas skyline from some seriously luxe digs.

But this was not without a serious strain on our bank account. We were able to book the Mandarin's "We Fan Las Vegas" offer which gave you a complimentary night for each night you booked. The bill before taxes was $465 for two nights which is really, a terrific deal when talking about the esteemed Mandarin Oriental brand and their incredible service. Seriously, it was some of the best we've ever experienced.

However, it's the little charges that nearly broke our hearts here. Yes, we know this is Vegas and everything you want costs money but some of the "services" here felt like blatant price-gouging.

You know it's bad when you wish the hotel would just institute a resort fee instead of charging you a la carte. Sigh. More on that tomorrow but for now enjoy the photos we've put up over on HotelChatter and this here video room tour. (And yes, that music playing is coming from the room. It's not something we dubbed into the video.)

Tags: CityCenter Grand Opening / Mandarin Oriental / CityCenter / Spas / → All Tags

Sorry Wynn and Encore, There’s a New Luxury Kid in Town

It was with much excitement that we donned a tuxedo Friday for the opening gala at the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas.

Yes, the party included bottomless flutes of Dom Perignon. And yes, there was a “Whiskey Salon” and a “Chocolate Bar,” both of which ranked among the places we spent most of our time. There was a violinist. There was also Aubrey O’Day. Oh, and they sent us home with hot chocolate and Courvosier.

Still, perhaps the most impressive part of the opening bash was, in fact, the resort itself. While A-list partygoers were hobnobbing on the 23rd-floor SkyLounge, Mandarin staffers took at least one intrepid reporter on a tours of on-site restaurants, guest rooms and the spa (which is open only to guests).

The bottom line: this place was made for business travelers.

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Tags: Snapshot / CityCenter / The Crystals / Mandarin Oriental / Shopping / → All Tags

While Folks Are Perusing The Luxury Goods at The Crystals...

...we found this charming aisle of suitcases and souvenir t-shirts in the CVS located next to The Crystals and the Mandarin Oriental. Hmmm...not quite the luxury neighbor CityCenter probably would have liked to have.

Still, it's convenient for folks to have a drugstore right here. There's also a Walgreen's across the street which has way better offerings. But you have to walk up to the next light to cross the street as jaywalking will either get you in trouble with the police or run-over.

Oh and don't forget about CVS's selection of travel pillows!

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Tags: Restaurants / Mandarin Oriental / Twist / Pierre Gagnaire / CityCenter / → All Tags

All Hail Gagnaire at Mandarin Oriental

And finally, some non-Vdara CityCenter news....

Twist, you know, Pierre Gagnaire’s $7 million dollar restaurant at Mandarin Oriental inside CityCenter, got one heckuva write-up last week in the New York Times.

All eyes are on the Michelin-starred chef, who owns six other restaurants around the world, as he joins the Vegas ranks of culinary royalty with other French chefs, Alain Ducasse, Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon. The former grande dame of Gourmet magazine, Ruth Reichel hailed Gagnaire a “wizard” more than a decade ago, so he should fit in with Vegas' colorful cast of characters just fine.

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