Posted by: admin in Las-Vegas
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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Over the top is an understated way to describe Las Vegas.
Glitz: Sin City is home to the Neon Museum.
Fine dining: At just Mandalay Bay, Michael Minna has StripSteak and fellow Bay Area chef Charlie Palmer has Charlie Palmer Steak and Aureole.
Gambling: There are 78 casinos in downtown Las Vegas.
Shopping: Luxury boutiques from Tom Ford to Jimmy Choo dominate Crystals at City Center. Las Vegas is also the first city outside of Hawaii to have an ABC store — currently there are ones at Fashion Show Mall, Miracle Mile Shops and two at the Riviera Hotel & Casino and Planet Hollywood Resort Casino.
Entertainment: Headliners currently include Barry Manilow, Shania Twain, Elton John, Debbie Reynolds and Donny and Marie Osmond — as well as regulars Carrot Top, David Copperfield and comedians-magicians Penn & Teller.
With all that said, Las Vegas can be, well, overwhelming. Not in a bad way, but in a Las Vegas kind of way. And as much as I love staying on the Strip, sometimes I wish I could escape it. Just for a little while.
The answer: the Four Seasons.
The intimate, nongaming hotel is the ultimate respite to the glittering, anything-goes atmosphere of Sin City. Although you are literally steps away from Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, the hotel — which has its own entrance and check-in area and private elevators — is high above the crowds.
Occupying just four floors — the 35th to 39th floors of one of the three Mandalay Bay towers — the hotel’s 424 nonsmoking rooms can only be accessed by security-keyed, express elevators. And with room rates starting at $179 per night, staying here was a no-brainer.
Serenity in 16 treatment rooms
Big doesn’t always mean best when it comes to spas in Las Vegas. Unlike the giant hotels that line the Strip, the spa at the Four Seasons — which ranks No. 1 by Trip Advisor among 280 hotels in Las Vegas — is neither huge nor flashy.
Small by Las Vegas standards, the spa — which measures 12,000 square feet and offers 16 treatment room, men’s and women’s locker rooms and a relaxation lounge — is perfectly run; In fact, Conde Nast Traveler this year ranked it No. 4 among the top 100 spas in the U.S.
Managed by Shane Kelly, the spa offers a menu of fully customizable treatments, seasonal treatments and treatments that cater to desert-wary skin — focusing on hydration, anti-aging and relaxation.
Pick a treatment, make it your own
In lieu of donating cash to the casino’s black jack tables, consider indulging instead in a treatment or two. During my visit last month, I indulged in two treatments. First, I scheduled an 80-minute Lavender Dreams massage — a full-body aromatic salt-and-lavender-oil exfoliation and the spa’s most-popular offering — followed by a 50-minute Youthful Intervention facial, a treatment that uses an alpha-hydroxy acid scrub to resurface your skin as well as sea retinol to boost cellular turnover and skin regeneration.
What set this spa apart from the others on the Strip are two things: individualized service and attention to detail. The spa’s highly trained aestheticians only work with premiere product lines — such as Image Skin Care, a line that incorporates organic ingredients — to provide visitors with medically effective results.
Bargain
A night at the Four Seasons Las Vegas
Starting at $179 per night
Offered year-round, this is the best available rate at the Four Seasons. The hotel also offers several complimentary services — perks that almost all other Las Vegas hotels charge for in addition to room rate. The perks include access to the Four Seasons pool and poolside amenities, the adjoining Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s pool facilities, the hotel’s house car service and the fitness center. For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com/lasvegas.
Splurge
Lavender Dreams massage at the Four Seasons
Starting at $240
An 80-minute Lavender Dreams massage — the most popular treatment at the spa at the Four Seasons Las Vegas — is exactly how it sounds: dreamy. As your skin replenishes, the treatment — a full-body aromatic salt-and-lavender-oil exfoliation — is followed by a scalp and foot massage; for a real splurge, book the 100-minute treatment ($310). The spa — located on the ground floor of the hotel near the front lobby — is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com/lasvegas/spa.
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Posted by: admin in Las-Vegas
Forbes Travel Guide unveiled its 54th annual list of five- and four-star award-winning hotels, restaurants and spas today, along with a new Web site Startle.com. The interactive site gives readers an inside look into the world of the Travel Guide’s team of inspectors as it scours the globe looking for the ultimate in luxury travel at top-rated spots.
The star ratings system has been the gold standard in the global travel industry since 1958. This year’s list included four new five-star restaurants highlighted by Twist by Pierre Gagnaire at Mandarin Oriental on the Strip. Las Vegas winners of five-star hotel awards were Mandarin Oriental, Skylofts at MGM Grand and the Tower Suites at Steve Wynn’s hotels the Wynn and Encore. Four-star hotels named were Aria, Aria Sky Suites, Bellagio, Four Seasons at Mandalay Bay, Encore, Palazzo, Signature, Venetian, Vdara, Wynn and M Resort.
Five-star restaurants were Joel Robuchon (MGM Grand) and Twist. Four-star restaurants were Aureole, Bartolotta, Sinatra and Country Club (Wynn); L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon (MGM Grand); Le Cirque, Picasso and Michael Mina (Bellagio); Restaurant Guy Savoy (Caesars Palace); and Sage and Shaboo (Aria). Five-star spas: Four Seasons, Encore, Wynn and Mandarin Oriental. Four-star spas: Canyon Ranch, Bellagio, Aria, Trump and M Resort.
*Magician David Copperfield joins the Disney Channel’s “The Wizards of Waverly Place” for their series finale Friday, with David playing himself. The show stars Justin Bieber’s girlfriend Selena Gomez.
*Illusionist Penn Jillette is back from New York, which means his filming of Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” has concluded — for now. Penn & Teller’s shows have resumed at the Rio but are dark tomorrow through next Tuesday, then full time and normal again.
*When Palms head honcho George Maloof celebrated the casino resort’s 10th anniversary yesterday, he gave the 600 original employees still working there an autographed 10-set of special chips. … Coyote Ugly at New York-New York celebrated its 10th anniversary serving free shots to members of the military.
*Model Angela Marcello celebrated her last night as a single lady with a bachelorette party at Laura Croft’s Night School 4 Girls in the Excalibur. Angela and her gal pals learned pole dancing moves from pro instructor Tracey of “Fantasy” at the Luxor.
*The entire Kardashian-Jenner clan turned out to celebrate their teen queen Kendall Jenner’s 16th birthday in Hollywood, and sweet treats were shipped in from Sugar Factory at the Mirage. Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Rob, Kylie and parents Bruce and Kris made sure the budding model’s special day was as sweet as could be with an unforgettable bash and a one-of-a-kind “candy bar” from Sugar Factory.
*News from two of my good pals: Actor Alan Thicke told me he’s starting a weekly humor column Boomerology for Huffington Post. To read Alan’s first contribution, go to HuffingtonPost.com/Alan-Thicke. And James Bond villain and “Wise Guy” actor Robert Davi is celebrating the success of his album “Davi Sings Sinatra: On the Road to Romance” on Amazon.com. Robert, who hosts “Siriusly Sinatra” on Sirius Radio, will be at the Venetian in the New Year with his live Sinatra show.
Tonight’s Tips
“Jersey Shore” star DJ Pauly D spins the wheels of steel at Snitch in Ghostbar at the Palms. Also, DJs Mike Attack and Rachel Wenman team up for a double birthday celebration at Ghostbar. And comedian Gilbert Gottfried begins a five-night run in the Icons of Comedy series at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Tomorrow’s Teases
It’s a staggering superstar list of more than 60 TV legends, including Joan Collins, Barbara Eden, Loni Anderson and Ernie Borgnine as they invade for the Strip’s first-ever and largest autograph show in the world, and we’ve got the full inside story from the stars themselves. Plus, Holly Madison reflects on her settled-down life in Las Vegas, a local teen hits stardom with her debut record and a chef canned from a Strip hotel finds fame and fortune on a new Bravo series.
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Posted by: admin in Las-Vegas
SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Oct 11, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — It’s a favorite destination of Travelocity customers, but with so many great Las Vegas hotels to choose from, how does a traveler pick? Travelocity culled through thousands of Las Vegas hotel reviews to find out which ones the experts — our customers — liked the best. Following are Travelocity customers’ top 10 hotel picks in Las Vegas.
– Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas. The hotel “surpassed all my expectations in every way,” said one Travelocity customer. It “allows you easy access to all that Vegas has to offer, but also allows you to retreat into a tranquil space that this hotel has to offer,” said another. “We enjoyed unparalleled views of the Strip,” said a third.
– Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. One customer stated that the “service was over the top,” while another said they enjoyed the “spacious room with wonderful views. The bed was so comfortable, it was difficult to get out in the mornings.”
– The Signature at MGM Grand. “The bathroom! WOW…the bathroom!” wrote one impressed customer. Another writes they “will not stay anywhere else but here!” A third put it simply, stating, “The hotel is beautiful. The service was great.”
– Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa. “This hotel looked nice from the outside, but the inside was gorgeous.” On the location, one customer wrote, “If you’re looking for a resort a short ways away from the Strip but with all the amenities then this hotel is the one!”
– THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. One customer was wowed right from the get-go: “The immaculate lobby area and the serene aroma was truly a warming inviting welcome.” Another was impressed by the pool, calling it the “best in Las Vegas.” To sum it all up this was the: “best hotel stay I can remember.”
– Bellagio. “The hotel, staff service, room quality, cleanliness and convenience to everything in the heart of Vegas was superb!” As far as location, the Bellagio is “right in the middle of all the action!” Overall, this hotel is “luxury at its finest.”
– Suncoast Hotel and Casino. “We wanted a nice hotel, NOT on the Strip. The casino was fun, clean and friendly,” said one customer. “We enjoyed all of the excitement of Vegas, but we enjoyed our stay because we were away from the hustle and bustle.” All in all, “Great casino, spacious rooms (at a great price) and wonderful service.”
– Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino. “The room was exquisite and I’ve never slept in a more comfortable bed in my life,” raved one customer. “The pool and cabanas are wonderful,” said another. Overall the “staff was friendly, polite, helpful and the rooms were excellent.”
– Embassy Suites Las Vegas. “Great location, friendly staff, clean and quiet,” wrote one customer. Location was also a bonus for this customer, who said the “location is great, relatively close to the strip but far enough away to get out of the craziness.” Another remarked the hotel was “gorgeous and the rooms were spacious, clean and nicely decorated.”
– Wynn Las Vegas. The view is “spectacular,” said one customer, while another commented on the “great restaurants and nightlife.” One customer summed up their stay as “Impeccable! You will never go wrong staying at the Wynn.”
About Travelocity Global
Travelocity(R) is committed to being the traveler’s champion — before, during and after the trip — and provides the most comprehensive and proactive guarantee in the industry ( http://www.travelocity.com/guarantee ). This customer-driven focus, backed by 24/7 live phone support, competitive prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity one of the largest travel companies in the world. Travelocity also owns and operates: Travelocity Business(R) for corporate travel; igougo.com, a leading online travel community; lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel; and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation, a world leader in travel marketing and distribution.
SOURCE: Travelocity
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Posted by: admin in Las-Vegas
Our best-selling Las Vegas promotion is back. Purchase a three-night air-and-hotel vacation package, with stays at an MGM property, and receive two free show tickets. Packages must be purchased by Oct. 10 for travel arriving Nov. 6 through Feb. 2, and the minimum stay is three nights.
You will receive two free show tickets per room based on double occupancy to your choice of “Viva Elvis,” “Lion King,” “Terry Fator,” “KA,” “Jabberwockeez,” “Zumanity,” “Criss Angel’s Believe” and “Tournament of Kings.” These show tickets can cost as much as $300 per couple.
Stays are available at MGM hotels, including ARIA, Vdara, Bellagio, MGM Grand, the Signature, Mandalay Bay, THEhotel, Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York New York and Luxor. Blackout dates and other restrictions apply. . For further details on the show tickets, visit www.mgmresorts.com/sept22/showinfo.
To get the best rates on these packages, we’ve found it’s best to depart on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. The worst option for travel is departing on a Thursday and returning on a Sunday because the cost can double.
If you must go on the weekend, depart on a Saturday and return on a Tuesday because it will only cost 20-30 percent more than the cheapest rates.
As we move into fall, we are seeing some great deals on airfares. While most sales have been for travel through Dec. 15, some have included Thanksgiving, the winter holidays, spring break and early summer. It’s a great time to be looking for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s fares. Last year there were more than 20 dates that had peak holiday surcharges of up to $30.
The good news this year is that most carriers only have six peak surcharge days, but the bad news is that you may pay more in surcharges. When we checked the surcharges, many carriers were charging $40 for travel on Nov. 27, $20 for travel on Nov. 28 or Dec. 23, $10 for travel on Dec. 22 and $30 for travel on Dec. 26 or Jan. 2.
If you are flying on US Airways, you’ll want to be especially careful about dates because the airline has 18 peak travel days during the holidays. If you travel on Nov. 27, Dec. 26 or Jan. 2, the surcharge is $50.
Another thing you’ll want to keep in mind when planning a holiday trip is that fares for travel on Fridays and Sundays are usually much higher than travel on other days, even before the surcharge. Because Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Sundays and many people will have Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 off, we will see higher demand and higher fares on those Mondays.
The last day of school before winter break is Dec. 16, and if you are looking for a seven-day getaway during the holidays, fares between Dec. 17 and 22 should be pretty reasonable. However, you may want to avoid travel Dec. 23-26 and, on some routes, Dec. 27, because those fares can be double the price. You’ll want to use a website like Bestfares.com or Travelocity.com so you can compare fares on multiple carriers.
One thing we don’t want to forget is that Southwest’s 40th anniversary is still going on, and because of that, I think we could see a great sale in the coming weeks.
We predicted a blowout sale that happened in June, and I think we could see another sale launched on one of the Tuesdays in October. My guess is that it will cover travel during the two-week lull between Thanksgiving and Christmas and post-holiday travel in the first five or six weeks of the new year.
We could see fares as cheap as the June anniversary sale, which offered zone fares of $40, $80 and $120 one way. One thing to note is that the June sale included both Southwest and AirTran routes, but AirTran will end service out of Dallas on Nov. 21. Instead of seeing 100 destinations from Dallas, we’ll see approximately 70 cities in a future sale.
Even though we think the sale will be launched on a Tuesday, you may want to check fares daily because we have been seeing some incredibly short-lived sales. Sample recent round-trip fares from Dallas included $98 to Chicago, $99 to San Diego and $118 to Las Vegas or Santa Barbara. We even saw a $118 round-trip coast-to-coast fare from Atlanta to Los Angeles.
You should look often and be prepared to buy. Many of these cheap fares last only one day.
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