Spending the holidays in Las Vegas has been our tradition for several years. On Christmas morning we boarded the flight for our annual holiday getaway.  The airport was electric with the excitement of holiday travelers. The other passengers on the flight were also energized with the anticipation of what Las Vegas had to offer during this special time of the year.  The flight seemed to only take minutes and in no time we were whizzing up the Strip, passing fabulous resorts like Mandalay Bay, MGM, Paris and the Bellagio.

Our first stop was the newly opened Cosmopolitan, the latest addition to the City Center complex and Las Vegas’ newest property. It is a 2995 –room casino resort that features dining venues, retailers, 3 unique pools nightclubs, a departure from nightclubs into “day club” experiences, the Sahara Spa and Hammam, and a 3-story Swarovski chandelier that defies description.

We were anxious to see how it measured up to other luxury Strip properties. The valet and bell staff warmly welcomed us where we received “red carpet” treatment. We found the décor modern and eclectic with an urban vibe.  We had arranged a private tour so that we could compare the room types.  All of the rooms were spacious and well appointed with spectacular views from the balconies; many overlooking the dancing fountains of the Bellagio Hotel.  We were eager to see what the dining choices were and found that there were 13 restaurants to choose from, including China Poblano, and the Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill.  At the recommendation of the concierge, we decided to try the Wicked Spoon Buffet. Las Vegas has a long history of lavish buffets, dating back to the El Rancho Vegas that opened in 1941. Since we have dined at all of the major Vegas buffets, we wanted to see how the Wicked Spoon Buffet would set itself apart. It did not disappoint. We would definitely give it 4 stars. The food was delicious, well prepared and beautifully presented. It was an excellent value for the price.  Although the property is quite new, it was obvious to us that this great resort will quickly establish a client base. We would highly recommend it.

Upon leaving the Cosmopolitan we checked into our favorite hotel, The Palazzo. The lobby was resplendent with elaborate holiday decorations and the excitement of our fellow-guests was palpable. The hotel was filled with guests of all ages from numerous countries. Our suite on the 42^nd floor had a sweeping view of the Strip. Once we settled in we began to make dinner plans. The Palazzo offers a plethora of dining experiences including Mario Batali’s Carnevino, Wolfgang Puck’s CUT and Dal Toro Ristorante. Our choice for the evening was Zine Noodles Dim Sum, which was voted one of the top 10 Chinese Restaurants in the U.S. The delicious food and beautiful décor combined to provide a feast for the senses.

The next day we spent several lingering hours at the Qua Roman Baths and Spa at Caesar’s Palace.  What a luxurious experience and a perfect way to rejuvenate.  Our restaurant of choice for the evening was Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio, located on St. Mark’s Square in the Venetian. As always the food was delicious and the service was exceptional. We highly recommend the Chicken Picatta. St. Mark’s Square is a very pleasant place to stroll, shop, listen to music or just enjoy some gelato. The Venetian features gondola rides, complete with singing gondoliers much like what we have experienced in Venice. 

Once again our holiday getaway to Las Vegas was a winner. If you are looking a unique way to spend the holidays, consider Las Vegas.

The morning of July 4^th found us landing at the McCarran airport in Las Vegas. As soon as we arrived we could sense the energy of the city. Some things never change.  Although we have visited Las Vegas dozens of times, we were drawn by its non-stop excitement and our knowledge that a Las Vegas vacation can be anything we want it to be. The acclaimed dining scene, golf courses, spas and shops have something for everyone. The attractions and entertainment options continue to get better.  Headliners such Cher, Wayne Brady, and Barry Manilow are regulars on the Strip. Cirque du Soleil mounts shows in 5 different theaters. Other nightly acts include the Jersey Boys, Blue Man Group and magicians Lance Burton and Criss Angel.  There are even Broadway shows like Phantom of the Opera and Lion King.

Las Vegas is also a family-friendly vacation destination. Hotels such as Circus, Circus and New York, New York offer arcades and theme park attractions. The Stratosphere features heart-stopping thrill rides high above the Strip like Sky Jump, X-Scream and Big Shot – not for the faint of heart.

Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find in Las Vegas. With so many options, where does one begin?  We began with a slow drive up the Strip, taking in the sights that had changed since our last visit. Most prominent was the new City Center complex that includes the Mandarin Oriental, Vdara and Aria hotels. We soon arrived at our hotel, the Palazzo. Although we had stayed at the Venetian Hotel several times, this was our first visit to the Palazzo. We were given a lovely suite on the 30^th floor with a view of the Strip and 5 swimming pools. Since the Venetian and Palazzo are shared properties, guests have access to pools at both resorts. After settling in, we ate at the Grand Lux where our favorite brunch entree is their famous chicken and waffles. 

Since it was July 4^th, we had done prior research to find out the best places to watch fireworks. Little did we know that the view from our window would be the best place. We were able to see the complete 30-minute Caesar’s Palace show from the comfort of our suite; and it was spectacular.  We could also see other shows across the valley.

The following morning we went over to Caesar’s to enjoy a few hours relaxing at our favorite spa, Qua (www.quabathsandspa.com) a one-of-a-kind experience.  It has a fitness area, Roman baths, mineral pools, Laconium room and Arctic Ice room. After their workout Robert and Marcus watched a World Cup soccer match while relaxing in the gentleman’s lounge, sipping on specialty teas and organic juices. Adrienne also enjoyed the elixirs brewed by the in-house tea sommelier while reclining on a thermal stone deep relaxation chaise. What a great way to rejuvenate and gear up for a day of shopping.

We have taken advantage of the great shopping that Las Vegas has to offer for more than 2 decades. It offers everything from top designers to great outlets. We have found some of our best deals on the clearance racks of high-end boutiques. This trip was no different; the deals were plentiful.

With the triple-digit temperatures, we enjoyed our time at the pool. The water was refreshing and so was the environment.

One of the highlights of the trip was our visit to the buffet at the Wynn Hotel. The word “buffet” does not do justice to this dining experience. You have to witness it to really understand this level of culinary artistry.  It is much more than taste; it engages all of the senses. It is an international gourmet dining experience.

We left Las Vegas feeling rejuvenated and satisfied. We got what we expected – and a little more. As our plane departed heading back to San Francisco, we began planning for our next trip – to Las Vegas.