Royally Flushed

Sunset Station is one of the casino resorts taking part in this year's huge "Station's 4th of July Blast" fireworks show. (Click the pic to check on rooms.)

Station Casinos will be hosting the biggest fireworks show in Las Vegas this 4th of July 2009 when each of the Company’s nine properties participate in a huge simultaneous pyrotechnics show to celebrate the holiday.  Called the “Station’s 4th of July Blast,” the monster production will go off at 9:30 pm on Saturday with shows at Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch, Palace Station, Boulder Station, Fiesta Henderson, the new Aliante Station, Santa Fe and Sunset Stations plus the shared location of neighboring properties Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho.

The show will be coordinated and produced by the Grucci Family, a company famous for providing magnificent displays at presidential inaugurations as well as legendary Fourth of July shows from coast-to-coast. During the show, several radio station including KSNE Sunny 106.5 FM, KWNR New Country 95.5 FM and KOMP The Rock Station 92.3 FM will provide a musical accompaniment choreographed to highlight the nine-minute fireworks show.

Want the “best seat in the house” for watching the show?  Here’s a list from Station Casinos of recommended public viewing areas that  each property has carved out  for their guests:

* Aliante Station – Hotel valet/parking lot area

* Boulder Station – Parking garage rooftop

* Fiesta Henderson – Parking garage rooftop

* Fiesta Rancho – Parking garage rooftop

* Green Valley Ranch – Backyard pool area

* Palace Station – Parking garage rooftop (south parking garage connected to casino entrance)

* Red Rock Resort – Pool area and amphitheatre

* Santa Fe Station – Parking garage rooftop (north parking garage) and the race and sports book patio

* Sunset Station – Amphitheater

* Texas Station – Parking Lot C off Rancho entrance

In addition to the free fireworks show, all Station Casinos will be celebrating the holiday weekend with food and drink specials, live entertainment and more.  Be sure to check with each casino for more info on the big Fourth of July bash.

Holiday Hint: Make it a “playcation” and book a night or two at one of the hotels.  Rooms are still available at several resorts including: Sunset Station Hotel And Casino,  Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa and Fiesta Rancho Station Casino Hotel.

Fourth of July fireworks explode in the sky between The Bellagio and Caesars Palace during 2008's display.

There’s still plenty of time and great hotel deals available if you want to spend this Fourth of July in Las Vegas.  P.B. and I usually spend three or four days at one of the resorts on The Strip hanging out at the hotel pool; sampling any new restaurants and ice cream joints (thinking Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace this year;) and just relaxing over the lazy holiday.

This year we’re going to head for Fremont Street for at least one evening and check out the downtown’s “American Pie 4th of July” celebration which starts Friday, July 3 and goes through Sunday, July 5. The popular Fremont Street Experience has been running a “Summer of ‘69″ event featuring the Viva Vision show, “Don McLean’s American Pie,” so we’ll see that plus enjoy one of the weekend concerts. Headliners this year include Janis Joplin’s original band, “Big Brother & The Holding Company,” on Friday with “The Grass Roots” playing on Saturday. The evening of the 4th also promises a brilliant virtual fireworks show on the Viva Vision canopy.  Get more info here – Fremont Street 4th Celebration.

The Brooklyn Bridge at New York New York Hotel & Casino will be the scene of another week-end long event – the Fourth of July “Beer Bash on the Bridge.” Tickets for this party include unlimited beer from 20 brewers plus a changing schedule of daily entertainment featuring groups like “Boogie Nights,” ” The Spazmatics,” and “Phoenix.” Check out the details at the NYNY Hotel & Casino website, promotion section.

We found some really good hotel deals through Expedia’s big summer hotel sale with great rates at Treasure Island, Luxor, NYNY and The Flamingo plus a great offer at the downtown California Hotel.  Be sure to make your reservations by June 30th and don’t miss the special offer available for using your MasterCard® plus all the special coupon books and other cool freebies when you book through Expedia.

Expedia Hotel Sale! 5000+ Deals worldwide, hotels from $24! – Expires 6/30/09

We’ll be posting more events in Las Vegas as the holiday weekend gets nearer.

Looking for something cool to do with Dad this Father’s Day?  Check out a couple of creative Father’s Day restaurant promotions taking place in Las Vegas this month.

We love the Spanish-influenced menu at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba in the Fashion Show mall (not to mention the very yummy sangrias and specialty cocktails!) so we really dig their fun Dad’s Day deal — the perfectly named “Tapas for Papas” breakfast happening this Sunday.  Dad can nosh on goodies like Eggs Benedict with Spanish Ham and Hollandaise or the homemade Waffle with Bananas and Cream from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. plus all Dads dining that day will receive a $25 gift certificate good for a future visit!

Down the street, at another of the Strip’s major shopping venues — the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood — Dad can eat free at Pampas Brazilian Grill.   Just send your first and last name to saleslv@pampasusa.com and receive a complimentary $40 gift certificate for Dad to enjoy a FREE DINNER anytime from now through June 30!  The offer is valid for dinner only and with purchase of additional dinner Rodizio and two drinks but hey, you are going with him, right?

For more information on these offers plus menus and more click on the “Tapas for Papas” deal at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba and the “Dad’s Eat Free” deal at Pampas Brazilian Grill.

Enjoy a special "Taste of Wynn" menu -- and price -- at Wazuzu at Encore this summer.

It’s not going out on much of a limb to say that the best Las Vegas restaurants — as a group — are found at Wynn Las Vegas and sister property Encore.  From the rarefied atmosphere of Alex at Wynn to the over-the-top “Muffy in Wonderland” decor of Society Café at Encore, Wynn restaurants are a “must-do” for any Vegas visitor.  So, when we heard about the “Taste of Wynn” dining promotion, we couldn’t wait to check out the menus, prices and all the details.

Here’s the deal:  Ten top restaurants are offering special signature menus this summer with prices starting at just $29 for pan-Asian stunner Wazuzu at Encore and ranging up to $95 for dinner at our absolute favorite Vegas restaurant, Alex.  Special times and days do apply and you have to mention the “Taste of Wynn” promotion when calling for reservations.

Currently on the menu at Alex, guests can choose from a starter of sea scallops or black truffle risotto; a main dish of beef tenderloin or Hawaiian onaga plus a choice of dessert with an agonizing decision between Vanilla Citrus Parfait with Toasted Marshmallow Creme or Crunchy Chocolate Caramel Bombe.  (Okay, I give up — just give me both!)

Another feature of the “Taste of Wynn” dining discount ties the special restaurant prices to a $25 discount on show tickets to Wynn resort’s aquatic spectacular, Le Rêve.

You can check out all the menus, prices, times and more on this fantastic Las Vegas dining deal at Wynn’s website.  Reservations for dining and/or show tickets can be made by calling (702) 770-DINE.  Be sure to mention “Taste of Wynn” to get the special pricing.

And for more great dining deals, don’t forget to check out 80% off of $25 Gift Certificates when you use code PRESENT. Pay just $2 thru 6/15/09 only at Restaurant.com.

Summer continues to sizzle in Las Vegas — especially with the opening of Azure, a new luxury European pool concept created for guests of The Palazzo Resort at Venetian.  From champagne to frozen grapes, ice towels to Evian® water mistings, those guests lounging away a day in the Las Vegas sun will be treated to an amazing array of amenities to choose from along with special poolside service from “butlers and butlerettes.”

In addition to sophisticated pampering, guests of this newest “ultra-pool” can indulge in culinary creations from celebu-Chef Wolfgang Puck whose Azure pool menu includes his signature pizza (this one with smoked salmon and black caviar,) a Maine lobster salad featuring heirloom tomatoes and avocado or consider this — crisp calamari with grilled zucchini and oven-roasted tomatoes.  And, of course, wines and champagnes are available by the glass or even by the magnum!

The pool scene will really heat up when Azure presents Absolut® Vodka Saturdays — a daytime event featuring fashion shows from Palazzo Shoppes favorites like Tory Burch and Barneys New York; signature spa services from the resort’s own Canyon Ranch SpaClub®; live DJ’s and other entertainment plus inventive cocktails like the “Spiked Bellini” from the Absolut® drink menu.

Azure will be open from 11 AM – 6 PM, Friday through Sunday, for guests 21 and over with reservations for cabanas, daybeds and lounges available by calling 702-607-1218.

The resort is offering an “online” only Palazzo suite deal with rates as low $129 per night which includes a list of great extras including restaurant and spa discounts plus a $50 per stay slot credit using promotion code EPNJUNX for reservations made by June 15, 2009.

The Las Vegas landmark, Caesars Palace, features prominently in new comedy, "The Hangover."

What’s the next best thing to being in Las Vegas?  Seeing the city in all its racy, glitzy glory up on the silver screen of course!  Ready for its close-up, Caesars Palace Las Vegas plays a starring role in the new comedy, “The Hangover,” which opens nationwide, tomorrow, June 5th.  The film stars Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper (you may know him from “Nip Tuck” and “Alias” plus lots of big screen flicks,) Ed Helms (we love Andy on “The Office”) and Zach Galifianakis (yeah, spell that 20 times really fast!) as guys out on the town in Las Vegas for a last bachelor party splash.

Things go completely awry when three of the friends wake up in their Caesars Palace suite only to find a tiger in the bathroom, a baby in the closet and no groom-to-be in sight!  The comedy, directed by Todd Phillips of “Old School” fame, is already garnering good pre-opening reviews including this article at “The Hollywood Reporter” which calls the movie “head-poundingly (in a good way), sidesplittingly funny.”

Look for lots of of great shots of Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino, the Strip and other easily-recognizable Vegas landmarks as the boys re-trace their steps while trying to find the missing groom.  It may not be Vegas but it could serve as a “fix” until you can make that next trip out.

Expedia Hotel Sale! 5000+ Deals worldwide, hotels from $24! – Expires 6/30/09

We love technology and anything that can get us the best and most up-to-the-minute deals on Vegas shows, restaurants and more is something we are definitely interested in using.  So when we heard that you can get notice of great deals while you are AT the casino, we had to investigate.

Introducing the newest of the new technology where special offers come via your cell phone and its “text messaging” feature!  Called “mobile marketing,” this tool is currently being tested in some of the Harrah’s Entertainment properties such as the Rio in Las Vegas.   According to the company, the program provides real-time offers, property information, and Total Rewards® points balance to Rio guests directly to their mobile phones.

For example, visitors to the Rio will see signs posted throughout the property informing them of a number to call if they wish to “opt-in” to receive text messages.  If they choose to participate, guests can then expect to receive text alerts offering special deals on show tickets, dining and more sent right to their mobile devices.

According to David Norton, chief marketing officer, Harrah’s Entertainment, the new program offers the casino operator “the capability to communicate directly with specific guests via their mobile devices, offering great promotional opportunities when it’s most relevant.”

With growth predicted to be in the 150% range over the next five years, expect to see even more of this targeted mobile marketing from casinos and resorts in the future.
Click Here for the Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

It seems we are always looking for cool travel bags.  Bags that hold all our can’t-live-without-’em electronics and overnight “stuff.”  We’ve also been on the prowl for some great Father’s Day gift ideas so this exclusive one day only sale from eBags.com is just in time for summer travel and for Father’s Day gift-giving.  We are big fans of eBags when buying all types of luggage, laptop bags, travel cases, handbags and more. (Honest. We’ve bought lots of travel pieces and laptop bags from eBags and have nothing but good stuff to say about the products, service and prices!) Good on May 28th ONLY, you get 25% off on a single item when you use the link below!

Check out some of these nifty bags for the special guy in your life:

A cool option for Dads or grads is this Commute – Medium messenger bag from Timbuk2. It’s available in lots of different sizes and colors (we like this chocolate/licorice combo) plus the rugged line offers a wide array of coordinating wallets, travel bags, backpacks and more.

This all-business-black CaseLogic
16″ Executive Laptop Case will hold all 15″ – 16″ computers in style. Constructed of nylon with leather straps and accents, the case has lots of padding plus adjustable straps to keep you comfy and your computer safe while traveling.

We LOVE this rolling duffel bag — the Mother Lode TLS Mini 21″ Wheeled Duffel. Check out all the inside compartments — perfect for packing our travel necessities — plus there are lots of outside pockets for stashing books, magazines, files, iPods and more. This funky “soylent green” shade is our choice but you can get it in a much more subtle gray or even basic black!

Be sure to click on the link below when going to eBags so you get this terrific one-day offer. (And, ladies? If you don’t see something for him, be sure to scope out the handbag section on the site. This summery Tignanello hobo will definitely be in our shopping cart today!)  Touchables Cargo Hobo

Exclusive Offer – Get 25% Off a Single Item at eBags.com – valid 05/28 Only!
*Some brand restrictions apply.

Summer deals await at The Venetian Las Vegas.

Time is running out to book this Las Vegas suites and dining deal from The Venetian.  Starting at just $109 per night weekdays, The Venetian, one of the top Las Vegas hotels, is offering guests a luxury suite plus:

• 25% off bill at Postrio, Wolfgang Puck’s trendy Grand Canal Shoppes eatery.
• $50 off any spa service 80 minutes or longer at Canyon Ranch SpaClub®.
• $30 off your dining bill at Woo (with $60 minimum purchase) located at sister property, The Palazzo.
• Complimentary upgrade to Blue Zone tickets with purchase of Red Zone tickets to The Venetian’s popular Blue Man Group stage show.
• $50 in Slot Credits per stay.

Be sure to use Venetian promotion code “EVBMAY” when booking your Las Vegas room.  Hotel reservations at The Venetian must be made by May 31 to take advantage of this special offer.

To book your luxury Las Vegas room, click here:  Venetian Summer Room Promotion

Other great Las Vegas promotions can be found here: Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

MGM Mirage has some great news for slot club players!  Not only will the wildly popular “Players Club Holiday Gift Shoppe 2009” take place over TWO weeks this year but to sweeten the deal even more, the club is doubling the points earned on slot play beginning June 1 and continuing through August 31.  (Las Vegas properties only.)

Players Club members have been accruing Gift Shoppe points since January 1. Gift Shoppe points are completely free and club members accrue them automatically – no extra sign-ups required.  Plus, these points are in addition to other slot club points and benefits.

Players can redeem Gift Points at the fabulous year-end Players Club Holiday Gift Shoppe 2009 which will take place during the two week event happening November 28 – December 13 where you can get watches, jewelry, electronics, home & sporting goods, Gift Cards, FREEPLAY^® and more!

Check for details at MGM Mirage’s website at playersclub.com or at the players club desk at each casino location.    Click Here for the Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

Get great room deals this summer in Las Vegas.

Looking for low rates and great hotel deals for your Las Vegas vacation?  Here is a booking site plus several  hotels in Las Vegas offering not only smoking hotel room rates but also lots of vacation package add-ons like free room upgrades, food coupons, show discounts and more.  These are — by far — some of the best deals in Las Vegas.

The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is offering i4vegas.com customers a FREE UPGRADE TO A RESORT ROOM for stays through 6/26/9. (Stays during May 18-19 & 22-24 are excluded.)  This is a $50.00 per night value! Just book a Hollywood Hip room, and you will be upgraded at no charge when you check-in.  Now thru Sept 30, guests also receive a $25 Buffet Credit (liquor excluded), and these coupons: Read the rest of this entry »

The adults-only GO pool at Flamingo Las Vegas is a tropical oasis in the summer.

It may be hot outside but Las Vegas offers lots of great attractions all summer long and you don’t have to break a sweat to enjoy them.

1.  Tour Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Resort And Casino.  Cruising through the more than 1 million gallons of seawater can’t help but make you feel a whole lot cooler.

2.  Order TWO scoops of super-rich, intensely-flavored ice cream at Sugar & Ice at Wynn Las Vegas.

3.  Enjoy a frozen, fruity concoction while lying poolside at any of the city’s fabulous “ultra-pools.” We enjoy the surprisingly hidden tropical gardens and pool complex at Flamingo Las Vegas — complete with real pink flamingos.

4.  Sip a cold beer inside the Fontana Lounge at the Bellagio while watching the fabulous fountain show taking place just outside.

5.  Wander the wide halls of the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood then stop for lunch at the beach-themed Hawaiian Tropic Zone restaurant (complete with bikini-clad servers!) Read the rest of this entry »