What can $40,000 buy you in Vegas these days? A down payment on a small home. A couple of years of college tuition. A fully-loaded SUV. Or, for those with cash to burn, a night at the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms.

Inspired by the world’s most famous playboy, the 10,000-square-foot suite features artwork selected by Hef, himself, a round rotating bed, a massage room, an outdoor terrace with a cantilevered Jacuzzi tub and an incredible infinity pool that juts out of the side of the building.

Until a few years ago, you had to be a high roller to experience the city’s most excessive excesses. Now, all you need is a credit card with a really, really high limit and Vegas’ most luxurious accommodations — many of which are larger than the average home and include everything from butlers to swimming pools — can be yours for the taking.

Looking for something less Hefner-esque? The Palms offers other super-pricey themed Fantasy Suites. For instance, the 10,000-square-foot Hardwood Suite — the only hotel room in the world with an indoor basketball court — includes a lounge, a full bar and extra-long beds (it was originally built for actual basketball players). After an intense game, head to the locker room, which, upon request, can be stocked with customized basketball jerseys or cheerleading outfits. A slam dunk at just $25,000 a night.

For something a bit more elegant, the Skylofts at MGM Grand offer a private sanctuary of sleek two-story suites costing up to $10,000 a night and perched high above the Las Vegas Strip. Skyloft guests are picked up from the airport in an attention-drawing Rolls Royce Ghost, transported to a private Skylofts entrance, and then greeted by name by their own personal butler, who assumes around-the-clock pampering duties (he’ll even draw you a bath). The décor is contemporary and supremely distinctive, while the highlight is definitely the 24-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, with dramatic Strip-to-mountain views from every angle. To complete the luxury experience, there’s a $25,000 A/V setup including a remote that controls the drapes and lights, a 500-album music library, 500-thread-count Egyptian cotton bedding and a pillow menu with 14 offerings.

Creating sublime relaxation is the mission of the $6,000-a-night Chairman and Presidential Suites atop theBellagio’s Spa Tower, which you enter by crossing a walkway that seems to float above a tranquil reflecting pool. Each suite, which includes 24-hour butler service, has been designed with a solariam, a fireplace, an L-shaped bar with seating for six and an indoor garden with a fountain. A separate room, complete with a butler pantry, can be used as a boardroom or dining room with seating for 10 (or so) guests.

The Chairman Suite at the Venetian is an experience of regal proportions. The mosaic tile entryway, with a fountain and Oriental artifacts, may make you feel as if you’ve traveled to a bygone era. But the suite’s eight-seat theater room, 27 televisions, karaoke room, beauty salon, spa and gym will quickly convince you otherwise. The opulent 10,000-square-foot suite also boasts a Steinway & Sons grand piano, three fireplaces made from Venetian marble, onyx sinks, a dry sauna and steam room, and four bedroom suites. Butlers and housekeepers enter discreetly through the suite’s private entrance, while guests are whisked away on their own private elevator. All this for $15,000 a night.

It’s Vegas, after all. Why skimp?

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Ever wonder what the most unique room amenities are in Las Vegas? Hotels here will do almost anything to entice guests. From a menu of seduction-oriented accessories to themed baths drawn by bath butlers, some of the extravagant extras in the Entertainment Capital of the World go over the top! Below we’ve assembled a list of 10 truly unusual ones.

• A menu of sensual trinkets

Forget to pack your sex toy? The Hard Rock Hotel, the off-Strip adult playground known for its rock ’n’ roll vibe, is trying something new to woo customers. Earlier this month, the resort debuted a room service-style program that delivers some “hot” accoutrements. The menu is supplied by Love Jones, a  lingerie boutique in the hotel’s retail area. It carries a wide range of intimate items, so the list of options is designed to help guests unleash their inner spirit and surrender to a night of passion.

“We wanted to introduce people to the Love Jones brand while providing an amazing amenity for our guests,” said Nicole Dineen, the retail buyer for the Hard Rock Hotel. “The idea is that you can fulfill your fantasy without even leaving your hotel room.”

According to Dineen, the most requested item is vibrating panties. To practice the art of seduction, Love Jones’ in-room menu also includes flirty peek-a-boo bras and panties, naughty feather spankers, fur handcuffs, sensual silk blindfolds and an aphrodisiac-like bath milk. In addition, couples that need creative inspiration in the bedroom can request the steamy Intimacy Love Kit or the Sexiest Scenario Kit.

“This is such a unique concept – most people have never seen anything like this,” said Dineen. “Some are even taking the menus home with them.”

Aiming to heat up your vacation, the menu is placed inside a beautiful envelope and laid on the pillow of every room.  Guests can order from it as they would an in-room menu for food or beverages.  All of the items arrive wrapped in a Love Jones bag for privacy. No one will ever know what’s inside!

“The Love Jones menu is edgy, sexy, daring and very rock ’n’ roll,” said Dineen. “It’s not something that most hotels would offer, but that’s part of what makes us different and that’s why we can attract the audience that we do.”

• A high-tech control system

Design and technology combine to engulf your senses in Aria. Each room at this resort located in CityCenter puts guests in complete control of their surroundings – with the push a few buttons. Created for the ultimate in comfort and luxury, an intricate automated system allows you to customize the lighting, curtains, room temperature and your music choices.

Just imagine: Upon entering your room for the first time, you are welcomed with the turning on of lights, the automatic parting of curtains to showcase a spectacular city or mountain view, and the turning on of the TV to display a list of controls ready for personalization. Once that is done, those preferences will be remembered every time you are in the room. This level of automation is usually only found only in high-end custom homes.

Other high-tech amenities in the rooms at Aria include a fiber network that provides one gigabit of bandwidth for matchless internet connectivity. There are keyless locks utilizing radio frequency identification to reduce the failure of room keys. Plus, a 42-inch LCD HD television with a smart panel allows you to connect laptops, game consoles, cameras, MP3 players and more.

• A bath butler

These days discerning travelers demand not just comfort, but all the amenities once reserved for VIPs and high rollers. That’s the concept behind Prestige, an exclusive level of suites at The Palazzo situated 23 floors above the Strip. There are no lines for check-in here. Instead, you’ll head up and be greeted by a personal concierge with a glass of champagne. During your stay, you’ll have access to a 12,000-square-foot lounge, where there’s a deluxe breakfast option, an open bar every afternoon and live cooking demonstrations.

But none of these things are the best part. Prestige suite guests enjoy Roman tubs with a menu listing a selection of themed baths. If you want to create a special moment or experience the ultimate in relaxation, this is it!

“For couples looking to fan the flames of passion, we recommend one of our signature bath menu options drawn by our bath butlers,” said Heidi Skaar, the manager of the Prestige suites. “From a lavender bath to a cute rubber ducky bath, this is the perfect way to wind down after a night on the town.”

The bath menu in the Prestige suites boasts four wonderful options: the Cioccolato Calm Bath, the Phantom Bath, the Not Just for Kids Bath (it comes with a rubber duck) and the Tropical Escape Bath.

• A complete kitchen

The Signature at MGM Grand provides guests with all the comforts of home in three luxurious all-suite towers adjacent to the emerald green megaresort.

Generally speaking, the accommodations feature private balconies, pillow-top beds, flat-screen TVs and lavish bathrooms. But the one- and two-bedroom balcony suites have an extra benefit: full kitchens with Sub-Zero, Miele and Bosch stainless steel appliances and cookware. Gourmet in-room dining is also available here around the clock.

• A personal suite assistant

Hotel32, located on the 32nd floor of the Monte Carlo, offers a boutique hotel experience. Every guest is cared for like a celebrity. The VIP treatment starts upon arrival, as you’ll be picked up from the airport in a limousine. When you set foot on the premises, a “suite assistant” will be ready and waiting to personally escort you to your room via a private elevator. There’s no check-in desk to contend with here. Your suite assistant then provides a tour of your room’s amenities – which include such indulgences as a menu of 12 different pillow types, a Nintendo Wii gaming system, a fridge stocked per your request and a soothing hydrotherapy soaking tub. The service doesn’t stop there because your suite assistant will remain at your beck and call. From complimentary clothes pressing to making reservations, they will provide butler and concierge support for the duration of your stay.

• An SIP phone

Earlier this month VTech, the world’s largest manufacturer of cordless phones, finished installing SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) phones in the luxurious new Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace.

SIP is among the most sought-after telephone systems because it allows you to receive and make phone calls using VoIP (voice over internet protocol) technology, adding to the convenience and luxury of the guest experience.

“We are proud to be partnering with Caesars Palace during its expansion of one of Las Vegas’ most iconic hotels. Hospitality is one of our strategic areas of focus and we expect it will be one of our growth drivers,” said Allan Wong, chairman and CEO of VTech Holdings Ltd. “Our strong R&D capability and economies of scale have always enabled us to introduce innovative, feature-rich products that are competitively priced. We are now leveraging this expertise to benefit our customers in the hospitality industry and their guests.”

All 660 rooms in Octavius Tower are now outfitted with the S2420 two-line SIP cordless phone in the bedrooms and the S2320 SIP TrimStyle phone with tethered handsets in the bathrooms.  VTech is also installing analog models in other room towers at Caesars Palace.

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No matter where you live, chances are you have heard a thing or two about Las Vegas. Often referred to as “Sin City,” Las Vegas takes entertainment to a whole new level and offers more to see and do than one could possibly fit in their day. With more casinos per square foot and a population teetering at 600,000, Las Vegas is internationally renowned for its gaming and adult entertainment. However, Las Vegas is not all about late-night debauchery, as the city exudes opulence around every corner. Luxury lovers from near and far heard to the city to partake in its rich culture and refined offerings. The city that never sleeps has reinvented itself time and time again and has proven to be a lasting landmark in American history.

When one thinks of Las Vegas it is usually “the strip,” which first comes to mind. This three-mile stretch is home to some of Las Vegas’ most extravagant hotels, entertainment venues, restaurants and fine boutiques. With themed hotels and casinos canvassing the boulevard, the strip draws swarms of tourists from around the world, making it one of the most traveled tourist destinations on the map. With so many top luxury hotels in Las Vegas to choose from, we compiled a list of some of our favorites with quick overviews.

Bellagio Las Vegas: The Bellagio Las Vegas Hotel is a five-star resort and casino holding the AAA Five Diamond Award for six consecutive years. It has also been on the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List for the past six years as well as having received the Four-Star Mobil Travel Guide Award for seven years running. This luxury hotel in Las Vegas provides only the best in quality and service, a long lasting tradition with the Bellagio Las Vegas. The entrance hall is a magnificent reception area dazzling our guests with its marble and Bellagio-themed art décor, plunging them in a realm of Luxury and past splendour.

ARIA Resort and Casino: ARIA Resort & Casino is a fusion of energy, inspiration and vision. Forming the core of CityCenter, the dazzling urban resort destination destined to refine and redefine the Las Vegas Strip, ARIA features an unprecedented combination of striking architecture, sustainable design, high-end service and spectacular amenities. Guests are swept away by its breathtaking beauty, stunning innovation and the refreshing level of consciousness found in every detail. Even in a city such as Las Vegas, with its extraordinary history of dynamic cutting-edge developments, ARIA introduces a new generation of experiences, unlike any of the luxury hotels in Las Vegas, and more remarkably the world, has ever seen.

Wynn Las Vegas: Wynn Las Vegas is an extraordinary luxury resort with abundant amenities and activities for all guests. There is the casino with myriad gaming options, including a VIP player’s club. Shoppers have 14 specialty boutiques of world-recognized designers and merchants from which to choose. Wynn’s spa is Las Vegas’ official capital of relaxation with its body treatments, massages, facials and beauty salon. Guests emerge from rejuvenated, replenished, revitalized, and ready to party. The resort’s award-winning chefs are more than bosses, as they actually prepare meals for guests. The gastronomical experience stemming from Wynn’s eight scrumptious restaurants is a world tour for the palate, as various cuisines are deliciously represented.

The Palms Hotel Resort Hotel and Casino: The Palms Hotel Resort Hotel and Casino was at the centre of attention from the very beginning, with season twelve of MTV’s “Real World” being filmed on the property. Part of the luxury hotels in Las Vegas, the hotel stands 40 stories high offering breathtaking views of the Las Vegas Strip and the splendid mountains surrounding the city. There are more than 800 suites and guest rooms at this. Most well known are the Fantasy Suites. The Fantasy Tower features themed suites that vary from the all-pink bachelorette motif, to in-room bowling alleys and basketball courts. On the upper levels of the Fantasy Tower are six Sky Villas, each offering an outdoor pool overlooking the Strip.

MGM Grand Hotel and Casino: With premiere accommodations, jaw-dropping entertainment and five-star restaurants, the MGM Grand offers the ultimate Las Vegas experience. The hotel and casino opened its doors in 1993 as a Hollywood-themed resort, and has been thriving ever since. With more than 5,000 guest rooms this is one of the luxury hotels in Las Vegas. The Marquee Suites feature a grand foyer, which separates two master suites, covering more than 1,500 square feet. For the ultimate in luxury, travel two floors up and submerge yourself in The Skylofts. The MGM Grand provides something for every member of the family.

Take the guesswork out of your next luxury vacation by discovering some of our favorite local attractions. See our list of things to do in Las Vegas.

Events in Las Vegas

Best Dining in Las Vegas

Best Nightlife in Las Vegas

Luxury Shopping in Las Vegas

Things To Do in Las Vegas

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Few surprises are delightful as discovering the hotel room you just checked into has a gorgeous, spacious bathroom. Amenities like deep-soaking tubs, steam showers, high-tech toilets and amazing views make these places feel like your own personal spa. So if you’re the kind of traveler who cares more about the bathroom flat-screen and complimentary soaps than the size of the bed or down fill in the duvet, here are five bathrooms around the world to check into:

Skylofts at MGM Grand

Who needs a whale suite with a bathroom this luxe? The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel is located right on the Las Vegas Strip on the top two floors of the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino—which means views from the aptly named Skylofts run as far as the eye can see. The centerpieces of the oversized bathrooms are the deep-seated infinity tubs, where you are completely immersed (no cold shoulders here) as you watch an in-wall oversized flat-screen TV. Water continuously overflows on all sides of the tub and then rises back to the top, with fine bubbles emerging from the jets. You can indulge in some chromotherapy with underwater LED lighting (change colors with a control panel to get your ideal lighting effects). The giant showers have seating, oversized rain-style showerheads and double as very effective steam rooms. Other amenities include Bulgari White Tea Collection bath products, heated towel racks and fogless, in-mirror Sony TVs. For the ultimate luxury, put a call into the spa butler who will draw a scented bath (ocean, green tea, lemongrass sage), adjust the lighting, music and bring some beverages—champagne, anyone?

Mandarin Oriental, New York.

The views make this lavatory worth a visit alone. Mandarin Oriental, New York has unobstructed panoramas of Central Park, Midtown Manhattan and the Hudson River. But the best of bathrooms resides in the Presidential Suite where an oversized soaking tub overlooks the park through floor-to-ceiling windows. (For those who can’t leave technology behind, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV is also in view from the tub). The glass-enclosed steam shower is big enough for two and is made of rare stone and tiles imported from around the world—golden onyx, French marble with deep chocolate veining and Italian pearlized mosaic tiles. The marble floors, ample seating and sugar-lemon scented Fresh bath products round out the luxury experience.

Four Seasons Resort Hualālai at Historic Ka’ūpūlehu

Privacy and alfresco bathing unite at this Four Seasons Five-Star resort. All of the ground floor rooms and villas feature an outdoor lava rock shower located just around the corner from the indoor bathroom. (Second-floor rooms have bigger lanais and better views of the secluded Kona-Kohala coast, since they are higher up.) Move from the bathroom to the slate stepping-stones on your private lanai for a blissful outdoor rain shower. This is no second-rate shower—smooth river rocks, tropical plants and bamboo shades (for total privacy) make this luxe Hawaiian experience. You can lounge outdoors a little longer if you book a suite—the lanais are equipped with hot tubs. Indoors, you’ll find a deep-soaking tub, L’Occitane bath products and your choice of two robes—thick, white terrycloth or a lightweight Hawaiian print yukata.

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund

As you open the door to a bathroom in this Shanghai hotel, you’ll see the marble-finished room’s modern-but-elegant décor—you’ll also hear the lid of the toilet rise up. The designer TOTO appliance virtually steals the show—it has a heated seat, bidet and wall-mounted control panel. You can click water settings with various positions and pressures (we had fun just watching everything it can do). But there’s plenty more to enjoy here, including heated tile floors, a large clawfoot tub, an opulent hanging chandelier, a shower room (with a rain-style showerhead), a double vanity area and an in-mirror TV. It’s also one of the more well-stocked bathrooms we’ve seen, with Salvatore Ferragamo bath products, a shaving kit, a vanity kit, a shoe mit and more amenities.

The Peninsula Chicago

The Peninsula Suite has several beguiling features (private workout room, baby grand piano, fireplace), but we’re partial to its luxe bathroom. A roomy whirlpool tub surrounded by sandy-hued marble boasts a huge picture window with a view of Chicago’s bustling Rush Street from the 18th floor of The Peninsula (a shade can be drawn to cover every last square inch of the window if you so choose). The suite also has a rare perk found in urban retreats: a wrap-around terrace with an outdoor whirlpool. And although this bathroom doesn’t have flashy amenities, it does have the top-of-the-line fixtures you’d expect from a Five-Star hotel, including a large separate glass shower, a water closet, a steam-free, flat-screen TV, a hands-free telephone, mood lighting and plenty of room to spread out.

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Many luxury hotels have cabanas tucked next to their glimmering pools or sandy beaches, but a few take the concept of shade and relaxation over the top. We’ve collected five private cabanas from Palm Beach to Maui with unique amenities (think: your very own pool butler),  truly cushy comfort and indescribable views. Check out our list and let the daydreaming begin.

1. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora. These thatch-roofed cabanas with waterproof upholstered beds and throw pillows are all about the view—you’ll peer out to an infinity-edge pool, a turquoise lagoon and the foliage-covered Mount Otemanu. And unlike many resorts, the cabanas here are complimentary. Spend the afternoon taking in the view, sneak in a nap, and wake up to lunch and cocktails. Attendants are on hand to provide ice water and chilled towels. More luxury amenities include Evian water spritzes, sunglass cleaning, fresh fruit and Popsicles—if you’re in the mood for heavier fare, you can stroll over to the shaded pool bar.

2. The Resort at Pelican Hill. The Coliseum pool, inspired by Rome’s iconic landmark, is the centerpiece of this Four-Star Newport Beach, Calif. resort. It makes perfect sense—the pool is certainly grand. Below three-feet of heated salt water, the pool’s bottom is decorated with a mosaic of 1.1 million hand-cut glass tiles. The Roman-influenced architecture of the pool area has vaulted arches, corniced columns and an amphitheater of terraced decks that house the 18 suite-like (170-square-foot) cabanas which come with drapes for privacy and views overlooking the ocean and pool. Guests can take advantage of pool butler-delivered food and beverage service, a Bose music system, 30-inch flat-screen HD TV, a mini refrigerator (stocked with complimentary sodas, juices and water), seasonal fruit, and Wi-Fi. Not just for daytime lounging, the cabanas are also equipped for romantic dinners—there’s recessed lighting on dimmer switches, a circular dining table and lounge chairs for two.

3. Bellagio. Las Vegas is home to excess, and the cabanas on the Strip at the Four-Star Bellagio keep up with the trend. Each of the 51 private cabanas are assigned a personal cabana host, available to help with anything you need all day long. The luxe cabanas, with their own individual patios, are decked out with oversized wicker lounge chairs, a settee and a dining table with four chairs. Don’t worry about dehydration in the desert sun—the refrigerator is stocked with a grand total of 25 assorted beverages, plus treats from chocolate-dipped strawberries to birthday cake, depending on your request. Some cabanas also have private dressing areas, misting systems, pool rafts, music systems and HD cable TV. For extra comforts, you can arrange for an in-cabana massage, or to rent a Wii or iPad.

4. The Ritz Carlton, Palm Beach. You choose between oceanfront or poolside cabanas at this Five-Star resort, so you can spend the whole day outside whether you prefer your water salty or temperature controlled. Kick back on classic striped loungers and enjoy views of the Atlantic—you can even snap a shot on the disposable cameras stocked in the cabanas. The fully loaded oases also come with sunscreen, water, fruit, magazines and newspapers—everything you need for a beach day—but you can also take it up a notch by having one of the hotel’s chefs cook dinner tableside while you enjoy live music of your choice.

5.  Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. This Five-Star resort has three pools, but our favorite is the 4,100-square-foot, infinity-edge saline Serenity Pool, reserved for adults only. With underwater music, bubble loungers and a swim-up bar, the pool also has views of the Pacific Ocean, Lanai and the West Maui mountain range. It’s flanked by six luxury cabanas, including two new Missoni cabanas designed by the acclaimed Italian fashion house. The stylish cabanas are decked out in the designer’s bold prints and are angled to face the ocean. True to the Four Seasons’ reputation for ample amenities, they include a long list of luxuries such as an espresso machine, a 42” flat screen TV, Pellegrino, Wi-Fi, chilled hand towels and two splits of Veuve Clicquot to toast some truly lavish pool time.

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