VegasChatter

VegasChatter Questions / Signature at MGM Grand / Vegas Observations / Vdara / Mandarin Oriental / → All Tags

Where To Stay When Vegas Is Fun, But Quiet Is Key?

Time for another VegasChatter Question! Do you have a question about Vegas? Send it to us and if we deem it clean enough, we'll post it here on VegasChatter!

Today we're fielding a request from reader Derek who wants to bring his parents to Vegas for another fun-filled Vegas trip. The only thing is, they don't want the fun of Vegas to follow them back to their hotel room. Derek writes:

Hi Vegas Chatter chaps, I know this might seem a strange question, as the whole point of Vegas is that it's a lively, noisy, 24/7 kinda place, but I do have a very good reason for asking it.

I am hoping to venture back to Vegas later this year on a trip with my parents, who are both in their mid sixties. They have been to Vegas twice before & loved it except for one big problem, both hotels were far too noisy at night for them to sleep properly. Once they were in a room overlooking a pool, which became a club at night, & the second time the hotel seemed to be full of spring breakers partying in their rooms.

They both would dearly love to go back, but as much as they love the madness of Vegas, when they want to sleep they want a little peace. I know such a thing can't be guaranteed in any hotel in the world, let alone Vegas, but are there any particular places we should consider that are more likely to be quieter at night, less likely to attract a party crowd, no poolside nightclubs, etc?

On the Strip or as near as possible would be ideal as we may only have three nights and don't want to spend too much time and money commuting. Price is not too much of an issue, as we are happy to pay to get what we want (within reason!) to avoid the problems they have had before. Again, sorry if this seems an odd request, but when you get to my parents age (and mine in fact), once the noise and craziness of Vegas finally hits you, it's nice to have someone to relax in peace. Hope you can help!

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Pools / Pool Scenes / Cabanas / Venetian / Palazzo / Vdara / The Mirage / Monte Carlo / MGM Grand / Mandalay Bay / Bellagio / Aria / → All Tags

How Much That Poolside Cabana Costs

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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Resort Fees / Bellagio / Aria / MGM Resorts / Vdara / Circus Circus / The Mirage / Monte Carlo / New York-New York / Excalibur / Luxor / MGM Grand / → All Tags

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

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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Spas / Deals / Vdara / MGM Grand / Mandalay Bay / THEhotel / The Mirage / Luxor / → All Tags

Spahh For Cheap In Vegas This Month

Getting a spa treatment in Vegas can actually make you tense, with typical services running $200 or more. But, this month, Vegas visitors will have the chance to spa around The Strip for half off or $50. And, one case, for just $25 bucks.

The spas of Vdara, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, THEhotel, The Mirage and Luxor are all participating in SpaFinder's Wellness Week March 19-25.

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CityCenter / CityCenter Fine Art Collection / Art / Art in Vegas / ARIA / Vdara / Veer Towers / Mandarin Oriental / → All Tags

The One Where We Remembered CityCenter's Art Collection Is Hidden in Plain Sight

Forty million dollars can buy you a lot of art. And to quote one of artist Jenny Holzer's Truisms, "money creates taste." The CityCenter Las Vegas Fine Art Collection aimed to make a splash and a forceful statement by positioning a tour of the modern art world around its properties. Sixteen artists in varied CityCenter locations and millions of dollars invested. Yet, many visitors will have walked by and never noticed these creations, or realized the fame or international impact of the artists chosen to be included in this grand experiment.

There are plenty of art world Blue Chip names: Henry Moore, Claes Oldenburg, Julian Schnabel. But none of their work carries the impact of a Jenny Holzer installation hidden in Aria's north valet pick-up area. If you go downstairs to the Haze nightclub, you'll see the video reflected in the windows to your left. If you are not going to the club or to pick up your car, you'll never know its there. Which is a shame, because its the crown jewel of the whole collection -- in this writer's opinion, at least. Brilliantly presented and utterly hypnotic. A streaming continuum of thought provoking texts. The display and lighting changes bring variety to the eye, as you stare intently for the next round of insights to appear.

This video installation includes 200 of Holzer's Truisms. Aphorisms, wisdoms, fragments. Good examples can be found in this list. A number of these phrases are melancholy, bitter and completely contrary to the Las Vegas landscape in which they are placed. But, it also fits perfectly. It's a true shame that it is hidden downstairs, though if placed in the lobby you'd probably create a mass pool of tranced-out viewers reading along.

Like the Holzer installation, a few of CityCenter's exhibit pieces are not immediately obvious to the visitor. Anthony Gormley's sculpture is described as located in the "VIP West Oculus." Next to the Aria buffet might be more helpful. And even then you'd probably not spot it. Others, such as Richard Long's pieces at Veer only really work at certain times of the day. Longs' enormous pieces are best appreciated at night. An advertised Robert Rauschenberg piece was moved when Vdara built Market Cafe and now resides in the Bellagio's collection.

Seeing all the current art takes you to Aria, Vdara, the Mandarin Oriental, and the exteriors of Crystals as well as to the Veer Towers. Go early. It's quiet, empty and people are nice and friendly. Particularly the staff who are used to seeing people on this artistic treasure hunt. Some know where the art is. Some most certainly don't. Make it an adventure. And, this gallery will give you a visual guide to help see all 16 art works:

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CityCenter / Vegas Weather / Veer / Vdara / Walk of Shame / → All Tags

At Veer, The Winds of Change Can Blow Folks Straight to Vdara

If you've ever been through CityCenter on a really windy day, you've heard it. An eerie yet almost melodic tone produced from the wind tunnel that is Veer.

While it's caught our attention before, we've walked on and never really thought about how it must be for the residents inside the leaning towers of condos. At least until now.

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Vegas Smells / Vegas For Sale / ARIA / Vdara / CityCenter / → All Tags

Funny, Your Home Smells Just Like ARIA

While Vegas is definitely a town built on eye-popping visuals, Sin City's smells can also draw you in. (And, we're not talking about the funk coming from Imperial Palace or that cladslapper on the corner.)

Whether it's the beachy sunblocky scent of Mandalay Bay or the citrusy smell of MGM Grand, eau du Vegas can be just as memorable, and memory provoking, as the city's blazing lights. And, now, fans of ARIA and Vdara can take the scent of their favorite CityCenter resort home with them.

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Vdara / Hotel Promotions / Hotel Rates / → All Tags

Vdara Wants You To Stick Around For A While

When we think extended stay in Las Vegas, usually brands like Residence Inn and fill-in-the-blank Suites (Budget, Emerald, Embassy, and Luxury, to name a few) come to mind. Now, we can add Vdara to the mix.

Yes, CityCenter's boutique condotel is now available for corporate housing extended stays long-term rentals. Guests who book at least a 30-day stay will get daily pool and fitness room access, in-room WiFi and weekly housekeeping, too. The perks seem to be almost identical to what you'd get as a condo owner. Except, visitors who don't want to leave will still need to fork over a 12 percent room tax for their first 30 days.

Rates for a month-long stay at Vdara start at $2,900 for a Deluxe Suite, Vdara's standard accommodation, which includes a mini-kitchen. You can only book six nights in a row online so we pulled up the rate calendar for August and fired up the ol' calculator to see how rack compares. We ended up with a total of $4,279 for the month of August.

Next, we dialed the number provided to book long-term rentals (702.590.2405) to find out how much the same suite would be through the rental program. That number happens to be to Vdara's front desk who handily told us we wanted another department and promptly transferred us to... Veer... who sent us back to Vdara... where front desk rep #2 said they would be happy to help and quoted us $2,900 for the month of August.

For a whopping savings of $1,379, though, we'll forgive a little confusion.

New Year's Eve / Hotel Rates / The Plaza / Palazzo / Encore / Planet Hollywood / Vdara / New York-New York / Tropicana / Bellagio / Hard Rock / Golden Nugget / Caesars Palace / Treasure Island / → All Tags

Almost Halfway There, How Are NYE Rates Looking?

We know. It's not even Fourth of July yet nor Labor Day weekend and already we're thinking of New Year's Eve? Why, yes. Yes, we are.

It all started when we were checking out rates for the new Plaza recently and noticed that a stay on New Year's Eve is $199 right now. It got us wondering, what are the rest of the rates for the biggest party weekend to come looking like? Here's what we found after a little digging on our mega-booking engine hotelrates.hotelchatter.com:

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Gay Vegas / The Mirage / Luxor / Pools / Adult Pools / Pool Parties / Pool Scenes / Vdara / Mandalay Bay / → All Tags

Luxor Tempts, Mirage Is Heaven: LGBT Pool Parties Beckon

The main pools are open, adult daylife rockin' and now the Vegas pool scene will crank it up another notch with the return of LGBT pool parties.

Heaven returns to Bare at The Mirage tomorrow, April 30 starting at 10:30 p.m. The nighttime pool party will then take place six more times before the pool season draws to an end this September. Promoters are promising a memorable summer with "top-of-the-line live performances, celebrity appearances, and the hottest DJs" each month.

Sundays will get even more tempting at Luxor starting May 22 when Temptation Sundays makes its splashy return to the pyramid. Once again, fun themes will keep things interesting with Cowboys of Summer, 70s Disco and Christmas in July parties among the planned events. Get wet every Sunday from May 22 through September 4 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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Salons / Vdara / → All Tags

Feeling Fine-Feathered? Preen Like A Peacock at Vdara

We're not too proud to say we remember rockin' banana clips. And, scrunchies. And, quite a few other hair fads. That's why we're a bit scared about how fascinated we are with the newest hair trend.

Both guys and gals - from Steven Tyler and Jennifer Love Hewitt (see above) to the average Jane in the cubicle next door - are flocking to the salon in order to be one of the first to shake their hair feathers, on the dance floor or in the office.

If you've been wondering how you'd look well-plumed, your next trip to Vegas may be just the place to give this fad a test flight before trying it out at home. Vdara Spa and Salon is ready to feather your tresses for $15 a plume or $60 for a bundle of five. No one said beauty was inexpensive, loves.

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Eating / Dining / Vdara / Market Cafe Vdara / → All Tags

This Is What Vdara Thinks You Want To Eat

It's been more than a month since Vdara was forced to shutter its sole restaurant, Silk Road. In its place, guests and which-way-to-the-tram passersby can now nom on the run at Market Cafe Vdara.

When we ambled by late in the afternoon a few days ago, there were only a handful of diners inside, but from what we hear the cafe gets quite packed during the breakfast and lunch hours.

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