Royally Flushed

Stay, dine and see a show at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas for less. This plush resort is offering great deals right now.

Mandalay Bay is one of our favorite Strip hotels in Las Vegas and everything from the rooms to the restaurants to tickets for the award-winning show, The Lion King, are on sale now!

From that first whiff of the pineapple coconut-scented lobby, we know we have arrived at Mandalay Bay, a lush Caribbean-themed resort on the Las Vegas Strip.  There are so many things to enjoy while staying here that there’s really no reason to venture out if a laid-back, relaxing trip is the goal.

Mandalay Bay “More for Less” Rates from $89.99/nt. *Includes: $25 Food and Beverage Credit, $100 Cabana Credit, 25% Off Spa Treatments, Complimentary Access to House of Blues Foundation Room, 50% off mid-week entry into Moorea Beach (Monday-Thursday,) 2-for-1 Original Margaritas at Hussong’s Mexican Cantina, and 2-for-1 Breakfast at House of Blues (Monday – Thursday) – (*See site for additional details and restrictions.) Good for travel select dates March 8 – Sept. 9, 2010. Promo Code: PHSPR10 (Exp 9/9/10).

Pool — Home to one of the best pool complexes in Las Vegas, the Mandalay Bay Beach Club is one of the big attractions drawing visitors from all over the world.  Located on 11 acres, Mandalay Bay Beach offers a wave pool, lazy river, three swimming pools, jogging track and 2,700 tons of real sand.  There’s even a beachside casino located just steps from the pool.

Restaurants — Sushi to steaks, burgers to pasta, Mandalay Bay has a fabulous array of restaurants and we have the promo code to get $25 worth of dining for just $2 right now.  Here are the hotel restaurants participating in this money-saving program:  (Click the name of the restaurant for more info and to purchase the certificates!)

Aureole – Home of the famous flying “wine angels,” this beautiful spot features a fabulous seasonal menu from Chef Charlie Palmer.  Be sure to leave room for dessert from the decadent sweets menu.

Mix In Las Vegas – Perched atop THE Hotel at the resort, MIX is one of the most beautiful dining spots in all of Vegas. Inside hangs the largest chandelier in the world with 15,000 hand-blown Murano glass balls plus a menu originally composed by French Master Chef Alain Ducasse and a balcony that offers the best sunset view of THE Strip.

Shanghai Lilly – We’ve heard good things about the eclectic Cantonese cuisine featuring some spicy Szechwan dishes plus the relaxing dining room looks perfect for kicking back and sharing a meal.

Special Online Promotions at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas

Rick Moonen’s RM Seafood — If you love creamy clam chowder, garlicky steamed mussels and the freshest fish prepared in a variety of mouth-watering ways, then RM Seafood is for you. The casual downstairs bar and grill is our favorite place to order up a couple of ice cold beers and enjoy bowls of clams and mussels swimming in fragrant broth served with lots of crunchy cheese-topped country bread perfect for sopping up all that great liquid.

Raffles Cafe — Mandalay Bay’s 24-hour restaurant offers diners breakfast, lunch or dinner in a relaxed yet beautiful atmosphere.  From waffles to prime rib, this cafe has it all.

NEW to Restaurant.com — Mizuya Sushi and Sake and The Cafe plus The Noodle Shop all at Mandalay Bay!

Special Online Promotions at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas.

Save on The Lion King – The Tony award-winning Broadway favorite, The Lion King, has been wowing audiences in Las Vegas with its soaring musical score, fantastic costumes and make-up and magical storyline since opening at Mandalay Bay.  Visit BestOfVegas.com and receive a Complimentary Upgrade to VIP seating (Your Price: $126.00, Regular Price: $177.25) or a Category 3 Upgrade to Category 2 (Your Price: $93.00, Regular Price: $133.25).

Room deal: For Best Rates at Mandalay Bay, Book Online!
Restaurant discounts: Click here for Restaurant.com Gift Certificates
Show tickets and more!: BestOfVegas.com

A bonsai tree constructed from chocolate holds a beautiful cake creation from Jean Philippe Patisserie at Aria Las Vegas.

You know from past posts how much we love desserts and sweets and pastries (oh my!) so we were pretty excited to visit famed pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury’s newest location.  His fabulous new shop is inside ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter.   Located in a prime casino-side spot, this new cafe/patisserie features all the yummy desserts we love from the Bellagio pastry shop as well as lots of gourmet sandwich, salad and beverage choices.  A huge gelato case tempts with a number of flavors both traditional and offbeat.  There is plenty of seating available and the cafeteria-style line moves quickly.

In addition to the cafe, the spot features a retail shop selling Jean-Philippe’s exquisite line of custom chocolates, chocolate sauces, handmade marshmallows plus many other goodies perfect to take home as gifts — or as a sweet reminder of your trip!

Not to miss: A number of Chef Maury’s amazing cake creations plus a dazzling array of chocolate flowers in a glass-enclosed display case are highlights of the cafe’s fun decor.

Stay at ARIA for less when you use this link and promo code! ARIA “7 Day Sale” Rates from $103.20/nt. *Receive 20% off our Room and Suite rates, on select dates (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Jul 6 – Sep 30, 2010. Promo Code: ARLO720 (Exp 7/12/10)

Luscious daisies made from dark, milk and white chocolate at Jean-Philippe.

Picture-perfect pastries at Jean-Philippe at ARIA Las Vegas.

Caesars Palace will turn their huge Roman Plaza into an ice palace for the Fourth of July.

If you’re heading to “Camp Las Vegas” (don’t you just love this year’s ad campaign!) for the Fourth of July you’ll find lots of special events planned to entertain you this weekend.  From celebrity-hosted pool parties to fireworks shows, Las Vegas will be flashier and more fun than ever.  Here are just some of the special events going on plus some links to get more info to turn your Las Vegas Fourth of July into a weekend to remember.

Caesars Palace will be the site of a “fire and ice” celebration as the hotel giant transforms its Roman Plaza into an ice palace then lights up the Strip with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. on July 4th.  The huge plaza area just in front of the hotel (behind Serendipity 3) will be transformed into a winter playground for the holiday weekend!  This cold zone will feature snowboarding and skiing on a four-story snow jump plus plenty of other 4th of July activities.

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino will also host a 9 p.m. fireworks display originating from the hotel’s famed “Mandalay Bay Beach Club.”  A $25 cover charge on July 4th includes admission to the stunning pool area, the fireworks show plus music by Mystic Roots.

Station Casinos celebrates the Fourth of July with five of their casino properties offering free fireworks displays.   Fireworks displays — nine-minute shows at each location — will begin at 8:45 p.m. at Green Valley Ranch, Aliante Station, Red Rock Resort, Fiesta Rancho and Texas Station.

Check out these links for all the Fourth of July 2010 events coming to Las Vegas this weekend:

• “Best of Vegas“ has all the info on the Caesars Palace celebration plus tickets for shows, concerts and more.

• Vegas.com — Find all the special events and fireworks happening in Las Vegas at this comprehensive site.

• The Las Vegas NBC TV affiliate lists lots of July 4th events on this website page:  Fun Events for the Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July and stay cool my friends.

A visit to the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden is always near the top of our list of best free things to do in Las Vegas and last week’s stop didn’t disappoint.  This summer’s display is filled with whimsical creatures, psychedelic mushrooms, over-sized garden tools and a collection of bonsai-styled olive trees — a setting that would make Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter feel right at home.

If you are heading to Las Vegas this summer be sure to check out this fabulous free display.  If possible, be there once the sun goes down as the gardens become even more beautiful when decked out in a custom lighting display that off-sets the night sky above.

Tip:  No stop at the Bellagio is complete without a visit to Jean-Philippe Patisserie for a perfect Napoleon, raspberry tart or fondant-adorned mini-carrot cake.

Enjoy these photos from this summer’s display at the Bellagio gardens.

Click the ad to go to ARIA's sale page.

It’s here…the ARIA Las Vegas room deal.  In an exclusive 72-hour sale,  MGM is offering rooms at the newest hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip for 20% off the usual rates. These luxury Strip rooms and suites can be booked for trips from June 21, 2010 – September 30, 2010.

ARIA Resort & Casino is the centerpiece of the newly-opened CityCenter development.  This 67-acre parcel of prime Strip real estate — site of the largest privately financed construction project in United States history — is now home to a “city within a city,” an urban landscape of shining skyscrapers, public art displays, an elevated train, residential condos, luxury shopping at the Crystals and even a “pocket park.”  (Our full article and photos of CityCenter here.)

Check it out because the sale ends on June 23, 2010.

Grab some great Las Vegas room deals at Strip icon MGM Grand and family-fav Circus Circus LV during this limited-time sale.

Here are more great offers in the on-going summer sales promotion program from Strip giant, MGM Resorts International, the new name for MGM Mirage. These “best rates on Las Vegas hotel rooms” are available to book just until midnight on June 19 so you’ll want to take advantage of these offers quickly.

MGM GRAND Discounts — In this latest offer, guests can book at rates as low as just $55 and get an upgrade to a Bungalow Suite for just $5 more per night! According to MGM, the Bungalow King Suite is a “comfortable 675 square foot petite suite with an over-sized bedroom connected to an extended living area, features a conversational area with a plush couch, chair and coffee table. Bungalow suites are available with one king bed and include a separate tub and shower with a double sink vanity. All rooms feature wireless high-speed internet access.”

MGM Grand Las Vegas link: “72-Hour Sale!” Rates from $55/nt. *Book your limited time exclusive offer now and receive: * Discounted rates starting from $55, $5 upgrade to a Bungalow Suite (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Jun 16, 2010 – Mar 31, 2011. Promo Code: MKT431 (Exp 6/19/10).

Circus Circus Las Vegas — Another Las Vegas Strip casino property featured this week is Circus Circus LV where guests can get an additional 30% off on already-reduced room prices. One of the Strip’s first “theme” resorts, CCLV beckons families with features such as the AdventurDome, America’s larget indoor theme park and a “2010 Best of Vegas” winner for Best Arcade and Best Family Attraction.  A quick check showed mid-week room rates as low as $21 – $23 per night with the promo code!

Circus Circus Las Vegas link: “3-Day Sale” Rates from $22.70/nt. Limited time only! *Stay with us now through May 31, 2011 and receive up to an additional 30% discount off our already reduced online rates(*see site for additional details and restrictions). Jun 16, 2010 – May 31, 2011. Promo Code: XJUN33D (Exp 6/19/10).

Free video poker classes plus a low $42 room deal make South Point Casino in Las Vegas a great summer stay value.

South Point Casino in Las Vegas will be hosting a series of free video poker classes this summer featuring pro player, author and columnist Bob Dancer. The 10-week session begins June 15 with classes held every Tuesday at the casino’s Showroom. Classes start at 1 p.m. with a beginner’s class from 1 to 2:30 p.m. followed by an intermediate class from 3 to 4 p.m. The schedule changes during the final four weeks of the session when there will be one class beginning at 1 p.m.  The schedule along with topics and more information can be found on www.bobdancer.com.

Video poker is one of the most popular casino games and learning proper video poker strategy can have a huge impact on your bottom line.  Different games require different “holds” and knowing which cards to keep when playing a specific game version can spell whether you come out ahead or you let the casino keep your cash.  Luck  will always play a part but having a clear understanding of the game will give you a better outcome on your video poker play.

During this summer’s class run, Dancer will teach two games for the very first time and those are the popular 8-5 Bonus Poker Quick Quads and the 15-9-4-4-3 Deuces Wild version of Ultimate X Poker. Both versions — along with many other favorite video poker games — are from leading manufacturer, Action Gaming.  (If you haven’t played these games, check out the company’s videopoker.com site where you can play video poker for free.)

Stay and Play details:  Hotels.com is offering rooms at South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa for as low as $42 per night PLUS receive a FREE VIP coupon savings booklet containing hundreds of dollars in discounts at spots on and off the Strip including the popular Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.

ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter Las Vegas glows in the late day sun.

Updated promo code available!  Click here to get the latest details on “Aria rooms on Sale.”

The newest addition to the Las Vegas Strip, ARIA Resort &Casino, is the latest property to be featured in this summer’s hotel room promotion from MGM Mirage: the “72-Hour Sale” event.  ARIA is the focal point of the casino giant’s massive CityCenter project located on the Strip between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo hotels.  (A monorail runs among the three properties making it easy for guests to move around in the summer heat.)

Featuring the requisite host of fine dining celeb chef outposts including such digs as Jean Georges Steakhouse from the award-winning Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Sage from Vegas newcomer (and James Beard winner) Shawn McClain plus a stylish ultra-pool, Liquid, luxury spa and the hip-shaking, toe-tapping Viva ELVIS™ by Cirque du Soleil®, ARIA offers guests a plethora of activities.  There’s also a 150,000 square-foot casino to keep visitors entertained.  A high-end poker room named after pro player Phil Ivey recently opened in the casino.

Reservations start at $103 per night (not including taxes or resort fees) for select dates from now through September 10, 2010. That’s a 20% savings off published rates. The room sale is for a limited time only so book before June 9, 2010. Click the link below and use the promotion code ARLO20.

ARIA “72 Hour Sale” Rates from $103.20/nt. *Receive 20% off our Room and Suite rates, on select dates (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Jun 7 – Sep 30, 2010. Promo Code: ARLO20 (Exp 6/9/10).

Check out this description of Cirque du Soleil’s newest show Viva ELVIS!

The Mirage Las Vegas is a great Strip destination.

Las Vegas hotel specials for summer are starting to pop!  Check out this limited-time offer (and we do mean limited!) from MGM property and Strip icon The Mirage.  One of the first luxury properties on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mirage Las Vegas offers guests a number of reasons to both stay and play at the home of the famous fiery volcano show.

Mirage Restaurants

With such favorites as BLT Burger at the Mirage and its justly-famous juicy burgers and decidedly adult milk shakes (try the “Campfire Marshmallows” shake) to the coolly chic interior of the hotel’s Cravings buffet, the Mirage offers a wide-array of dining choices.  Dessert lovers won’t want to miss the New York-style cheesecake at the Vegas outpost of Carnegie Deli.

Bare Pool

What would a Strip hotel be without its own “ultra-pool?”  Bare is the European-style pool at The Mirage and features an expansive pool plus two “dipping” pools, one of which features a see-through wall.

Shows/Entertainment at The Mirage

Take a trip back to the groovy days of the Beatles with the Cirque du Soleil® production of LOVE, the highly-touted musical production that has both critics and show-goers dancing in the aisles.

Jet nightclub at The Mirage is open Thursdays – Saturdays and features celebrity-attended events as well as all-night dancing and partying to the beat of Vegas’ best DJ’s.

Mirage Hotel discount promotion code:

Mirage “72 Hour Sale” Rates from $63/nt. *Book NOW and receive 20% off our lowest rates (*See site for additional details and restrictions). May 26, 2010 – Apr 30, 2011. Promo Code: MIRAGELTO2 (Exp 5/28/10).

The iconic Garden of the Gods pool complex at Caesars Palace debuts a major reno this summer.

Summer comes early to Las Vegas with the opening of “ultra” pools all around town and none is more famous than the sybaritic “Garden of the Gods” oasis at Caesars Palace. Debuting March 19th, Caesars has taken its already iconic pool complex and renovated the Roman-themed attraction to  feature eight — yes, EIGHT — pools primed and ready for summer sunners, swimmers and gamblers.  To celebrate the renovations, Caesars is offering summer “pool packages” with special room rates, pool credits and more.

At the heart of the mega-resort, the sprawling Garden of the Gods has been completely redesigned to highlight lavish amenities, over-the-top statuary and landscaping plus, of course, the stunning new water playgrounds. For instance, the new Fortuna pool features an 18-foot waterfall plus swim-up blackjack for guests who want to catch some rays and, with a little luck, a few 21’s! Over at the “invitation-only” Bacchus pools, private shallow sun chaise pools and butler-attended cabanas are featured.

Private pool cabanas at Caesars Palace

In addition to the extravagant new pools, there are 44 new private cabanas each with a stocked refrigerator of juice and water, flat-screen TV, DVD player, iPod docking station, wireless Internet access, ceiling fan and plush furniture. With hundreds of new vibrant blue deck chairs, plush daybeds and loveseat-inspired scoop chairs, guests can keep it simple and do nothing but enjoy a day of sun-worshiping. Completing the Garden of the Gods additions is an all-new whirlpool retreat and an added garden wedding venue.

Spa treatments at the pool

For guests looking to indulge not only in the sun but also spa, CP’s Qua Baths & Spa, a Strip-favorite, offers poolside treatments. Spa services also include neck massages at deck chairs as well as full-service massages in the large Jupiter spa cabana.

Promo code for special Caesars Palace pool package

To be among the first to experience the new Garden of the Gods, go to caesarspalace.com/gog to book hotel, pool and dining accommodations. The “Garden of the Gods Pool & Hotel Package” includes a 3-day, 2-night stay, $25 Garden of the Gods pool credit and a pool bag complete with bag, towel and other necessary pool items. Package begins at $110 per night, based on availability. Use promotion code: PKGCGOG.

Insider’s Tip:  When staying at CP, escape the crowd with breakfast at the tiny but plush Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace.  Surrounded by buttery walls and vanilla leather banquettes, enjoy the rich, European-style coffee and luscious Eggs Benedict on Croissant.  Before you leave, be sure to pick up one of Payard’s fabulous pastries at the counter next door.

Barry Manilow's new CD, "The Greatest Love Songs of All Time," hit the streets today.

Promising “something new” and a production “definitely not to be missed,” Barry Manilow will begin a new two-year stint at Paris Las Vegas on March 5. The mega-hit singer will perform 78 shows each year in the 1500-seat Paris Theater at the Harrah’s-owned property and tickets for the new Manilow show – including tickets for opening night! – are available online and at the Paris box office.

Manilow has been out and about quite a bit lately with appearances on one of Conan O’Brien’s last “Tonight Show” episodes, an interview on “Access Hollywood” as well as hosting his very own QVC special on January 19 to hawk his newest song collection, The Greatest Love Songs of All Time.  This newest CD dropped today and is already #10 on the Amazon sales list.

The new show at Paris comes on the heels of his long-time run at the Las Vegas Hilton which began in February 2005 and claimed gross ticket sales of more than $70 million over the years. The new show is under the direction of Jeffrey Hornaday (Flashdance, A Chorus Line, High School Musical), and Manilow promises an all-new production for his legion of “Fanilows.”

Check out Ticket Network for Barry Manilow Tickets Las Vegas.

CityCenter's towering Vdara Hotel shines brightly in the Vegas sun.

Like a Broadway debut from the city it’s trying to emulate, CityCenter on the Las Vegas Strip is opening…softly. Beginning last week with the December 1st grand opening party at the 1,495-suite Vdara Hotel, project CityCenter continues to open piece by glittering piece with the Crystals retail and dining complex and the new Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas now open as well. All three properties are, however, a prelude to the main act: the 61-floor MGM MIRAGE Aria Resort & Casino featuring over 4,000 rooms, a new Cirque du Soleil show – Viva Elvis – plus eateries from such well-known chefs as Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Julian Serrano. Aria will open December 16th.

CityCenter is not just another high-end gaming property opening in Las Vegas. This 67-acre parcel of prime Strip real estate — site of the biggest privately financed construction project in United States history — is now home to a “city within a city,” an urban landscape of shining skyscrapers, public art displays, an elevated train, residential condos and even a “pocket park.”

We visited last week and got a first glimpse of the Vdara Hotel and the Crystals shopping area. Both are striking examples of the city-chic contemporary architecture guiding the entire project. All sharp angles and shimmering surfaces, the thin December sunlight bounced from one building to the next creating an urban canyon of sorts.  And, honestly, having lived in D.C. as well as having spent considerable time in NYC, we have to say that we really did feel like we were in a major metropolitan neighborhood.

We entered CityCenter via the new pedestrian walkway running from the Bellagio into the Vdara Hotel. It is a striking contrast to go from the lush Italianate surroundings of the Bellagio and into the stark yet stunning halls of the ultra-modern Vdara. (Be sure to check out the bar at Silk Road restaurant before continuing on into the hotel’s reception area.)

Bar Vdara is a cozy spot for a cocktail (albeit an expensive cocktail )and affords a great view of the interior courtyard of CityCenter which features a Nancy Rubins sculpture in a starburst design composed of castoff canoes. (Read more about the artist and see a similar sculpture here.)

The Crystals retail and dining area can be accessed from the Strip via a new pedestrian bridge and walkway (across from Planet Hollywood) or by tram (the “elevated train” mentioned earlier) from the neighboring Bellagio. (The tram continues on to the Monte Carlo conveniently linking all three MGM MIRAGE properties: Bellagio, CityCenter and the Monte Carlo.)

At Crystals, we found a lot of construction still underway with only about 40% of the retail area occupied by stores. This is high-end (think nosebleed-level) shopping. From the three-story flagship Louis Vuitton boutique ( a Strip-side LED light show will take place every night from dusk to dawn) to Roberto Cavalli, Mikimoto pearls, Hermes and Prada, this is destination shopping at its finest. BESO, a fine-dining spot from actress Eva Longoria Parker with celeb chef Todd English in charge of the kitchen, is open on the first floor. The spot also features, Eve, a swank nightclub.  Additional restaurants from English, Wolfgang Puck and other top toques will be opening in the future.

Here are some pics from our recent trip PLUS the latest promotion codes and links for getting the best room rates at both Aria and Vdara.  Also, check out the CityCenter website for more information on the project.

The multi-level Crystals shopping and dining area at CityCenter Las Vegas.

Opening December 16, the new Aria Resort & Casino is the crown jewel of CityCenter Las Vegas.

Veer Towers form a background for the new Crystals shopping area at CityCenter Las Vegas.

Bar Vdara at CityCenter is highly-recommended for people-watching.

There's a sculptural feel to the burnished metal portico marking the entrance into the Vdara Hotel.

The CityCenter tram runs past the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas and Veer Towers.

Vdara “Winter Special” Rates from $139/nt (2nt Min). *Stay Two Nights at Vdara Hotel & Spa at a Special Introductory Rate from $139 and Receive a $50 Resort Credit (*See site for additional detail and restrictions). Dec 1, 2009 – Mar 31, 2010. Promo Code: VRLVCVA (Exp 4/1/10)

ARIA “Winter Special” Rates from $159/nt (2nt Min). *Enjoy this incredible offer at ARIA, MGM MIRAGE’s newest resort-casino at CityCenter – Stay Two Nights at a Special Rate from $159 per night and Receive a $75 Resort Credit (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Dec 17, 2009 – Apr 1, 2010. Promo Code: AR159G75 (Exp 4/1/10)