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

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).

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).

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)

Vegas is wooing out-of-town shoppers with free tickets to shows like Blue Man Group at The Venetian.

Here’s how to roll three of my favorite things — Las Vegas, shopping and free — all into one sentence:  Do your holiday shopping in Las Vegas this year and get free show tickets.  No kidding.  Non-Nevada residents who shop from 11/29 through 12/13/2009 and spend $500 or more at participating retail shopping areas such as the brand-new Crystals at CityCenter, the Forum Shops at Caesars, the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian and even the stores at the Las Vegas Premium Outlet mall can qualify for two complimentary tickets to shows like Phantom at the Venetian, Peepshow at PH, Donny & Marie Osmond and more.  Find all the details at VisitLasVegas.com.

Speaking of CityCenter, the sure-to-be-spectacular new Aria and Vdara resorts are both taking reservations and you can get special rates when you use the promo codes plus these links:

Aria: 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).

Vdara: 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).

Also, take advantage of more great rates this winter by booking a room at MGM Grand with this cool offer –

MGM Grand Las Vegas “Holiday Spree” — Rates from $75 per night. *Promo includes: $35 Dining credit, $25 Spa services credit, and 15% off retail purchases. (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Nov 4, 2009 – Mar 31, 2010. Promo Code: MKT320 (Exp 1/31/10).

Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas will host special performances by Garth Brooks beginning in December.

Country superstar Garth Brooks is ending his retirement in a deal with Steve Wynn where the singer will perform a  limited number of engagements at the Encore Theatre in Las Vegas.  The all-acoustic performances begin with a single weekend in December and will continue on select dates throughout the term of the 5-year arrangement.

The price for tickets (said to be a point of discussion between Wynn and Brooks) is a very “reasonable-for-Vegas” $125 plus a $5 service charge and a $13 tax to equal a total of $143 and go on sale this Saturday, October 24 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific (9:00 a.m. MT, 10:00 a.m. CT and 11:00 a.m. ET). Tickets are available by calling 702.770.1000 and online at the Wynn Las Vegas box office.

The following weekend dates have been released with all performances happening at the Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas Resort:

December 2009:  11 – 13

January 2010:  1 – 3 and 22 – 24

February 2010:  12 – 14 and 26 – 28

Performance times are:  Fridays – 8:00pm; Saturdays – 8:00pm & 10:30pm; and Sundays – 8:00pm.

More information about ticketing can be found on the official Garth Brooks website plus there’s lots more info on the deal in a good article on CMT News online:  “NASHVILLE SKYLINE: Garth Brooks Goes Back to Work.”

You can check out room rates here for  Encore at Wynn Las Vegas and for Wynn Las Vegas where we found rates ranging from $235 on up with a $75 resort credit.  There are lots of options nearby including TI – Treasure Island Hotel and Casino ($101 – $139,) or The Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino and The Palazzo Resort Hotel & Casino at the Venetian for $219 per night each plus slot credit of $50 and dining credits as well.

New York New York in Las Vegas celebrates Halloween with great room deals and the "Zombie Precinct" attraction.

There’s still plenty of time to book a trip to Las Vegas for Halloween weekend and with rates this good — weekend rates, at that! — we can’t find any reason not to go.  I have been going to Vegas for Halloween for years and I truly cannot remember when I last saw rates this low! Book these hot deals on Strip hotel rooms and you’ll still have plenty of cash left over for a really good costume and lots of Halloween candy, too.

Last-minute deals on Las Vegas hotel rooms include this smokin’ offer from MGM Grand: The “Halloween Treats” room offer includes a $35 beverage credit good at hotel hotspots like Studio 54 and one of our favorite spots for an intimate drink, the elegant Rouge Lounge, PLUS 2-for-1 buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner at their Grand Buffet. Check out these amazing rates:  $67 for Thursday, 10/29; $110 on Friday, 10/30; just $118 on Saturday 10/31 and $84 for Sunday, 11/1.  Use this  link — MGM Grand — and Promotion Code “MKT329″ to get this great deal.

Across the street, check out New York New York “ZOMBIE PRECINCT” Oct 8 – 31, 2009 and the hotel’s big Halloween weekend promotion that includes: Park Avenue Strip View Room Weekend, 2 Haunted Bridge Admissions, 2 Rok Vegas Nightclub Admissions, and 2 Roller Coaster Passes (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Oct 9 – 31, 2009. Use Promo Code: ZOMBIEWE (Exp 10/29/09) and get it all starting at just $199 per night, 2 night minimum.

Other really great deals include the Flamingo Las Vegas ranging from $41 on Thursday to $109 on Saturday night; downtown favorite the Golden Nugget from $58 to just $99 for the weekend nights; and mid-Strip Harrah’s property, Paris Las Vegas, for rates from $56 to the $136 tab for the Saturday night stay. These and other best deals on Las Vegas hotel rooms are available online at i4Vegas.com at: Great Vegas Hotels from $20!

*All rates quoted are pre-tax and do not include any hotel fees or add-ons.  Check each deal for any fine print or other restrictions.

A stunning view of Paris Las Vegas as seen from our 25th floor room at the Bellagio.

“Where to stay in Las Vegas” — Hotel Review — The Bellagio:

After our recent three-night stay at the Bellagio, we’re happy to report that the resort remains one of the best hotels in Las Vegas. From the perfect center-Strip location to the recently-remodeled rooms; the posh selection of shops and restaurants and the sophisticated casino; the Bellagio is a worthwhile splurge for Las Vegas visitors.

We’d recently heard rumors that the Bellagio – open since 1998 — was showing its age but if so, we certainly didn’t see it in the maintenance of the hotel or the room we were given. Our room was luscious and restful: sage green, soft golds and creamy ivory tones in the bedding and upholstery were set off by the dark woods used for the furniture and bath vanity. Adding immensely to our enjoyment of the resort was the magnificent view of the Strip and the Bellagio fountains which we had from our 25th floor front-and-center perch. The biggest complaint we had about the room was the small outdated TV but since we don’t spend much time on vacation watching the tube, it wasn’t a huge issue for us.

Bellagio restaurants

We love the restaurant selection at the Bellagio: Olives by Todd English (read our review of Olives here); Palio for a quick breakfast; the decadent Jean-Philippe Maury patisserie; the Bellagio’s own buffet plus the sunny Café Bellagio overlooking the pool and the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens are a few of our favorites when in town.

The pool complex is perfect for a sunny summer day and offers lots of shady spots courtesy of the many trees and well-placed umbrellas.  Pool aficionados may want to reserve one of the large cabanas ringing the main pool.

A “Best Bet” on the Strip

With its great location, plush surroundings plus all the amenities of a AAA Five Diamond Award Las Vegas hotel we can confidently recommend the Bellagio to our readers looking for a posh Vegas getaway. Take a Virtual Tour of Bellagio here.

The new CityCenter construction provides a back-drop to the Bellagio's pool complex.

A comfy king-sized bed plus soft colors make for a restful stay at the luxurious Bellagio Las Vegas.

Take in a show this fall then head to the new Pink's at Planet Hollywood for one of their legendary dogs.

We’re starting a new feature this week — Friday Finds – featuring news about Las Vegas that we find interesting plus lots of great deals on Las Vegas hotel discounts, travel packages, shows, concerts, restaurants and more.  Take a look at what we’ve seen and heard this week:

We’re really digging some of the shows planned for this fall at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s “The Joint.”  Tickets are on sale now for Van Morrison (September 25,) Creed in concert on September 27, actor/comedian Dane Cook on both October 9th and 10th at 8:30pm plus one of our all-time favorites, Bob Dylan, on Sunday, October 18th at 8 pm.

At Mandalay Bay, Britney Spears is back with her “Circus” tour; this time featuring special guests Jordin Sparks and Kristinia DeBarge.  Special room + ticket deals are available at these properties:

Luxor “Britney Spears” Concert and Room Package. *Package Price of $154.00 plus tax and resort fee on Sunday September 27th includes: One night stay in a Tower Deluxe Room and Two tickets to Britney Spears in concert at the Mandalay Bay Event Center on Sunday, September 27 at 8pm (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Sep 24 – 30, 2009. Promo Code: PBRIT (Exp 9/24/09)

Mandalay Bay “Britney Spears” Rates from $194/nt. *The Final Act of the Circus Tour Starring Britney Spears at Mandalay Bay Sunday, September 27 –Book Mandalay Bay and receive 2 tickets to see Britney Spears Live in Concert on Sunday, September 27 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Sep 22 – 30, 2009. Promo Code: PBRITH (Exp 10/1/09).

Also at the Mandalay Bay Events Center this fall, look for Grammy® -winning superstar Justin Timberlake who’s bringing his “Justin Timberlake and Friends, a Special Evening Benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children” event to the stage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 8 PM.  Ticket prices for this charity concert range from $100 – $250. Check out tickets here: Justin Timberlake Las Vegas

On the restaurant front, don’t forget that Pink’s in now open at Planet Hollywood. The hot dog haven (which has been in business since 1939)  has a loyal following — and a sometimes hour-long wait — at its original location in the city of Hollywood.

This week’s restaurant.com deal: Take 50% off w/every $25 Gift Certificate order! Use code MENU and pay $5 thru 9/8/09 at Restaurant.com. And just a hint, when you do use these certificates toward your meal, be sure to give it to the server early on so they have time to validate the certificate number before you get your final bill.

The Crystals in Las Vegas will open its doors to shoppers on December 3. (Photo/content property of www.RoyallyFlushed.com)

So much has happened since our January report on the happenings at MGM Mirage’s CityCenter Las Vegas that what we’ve decided to do is post our newest CityCenter photos and then give some highlights of the project along with a list of websites/articles you can go to for more info.

Aria Resort & Casino

Scheduled to open December 16, Aria is taking room reservations now at their new website. Click around the ARIA Home Page and you’ll find photos of the rooms, a section on some of the chefs and restaurants planned plus info on the new “Elvis” show at Aria which, to quote the website, comes from the “creative geniuses at Cirque du Soleil® (who) have created a new show exclusively for ARIA. The production pays tribute to Elvis’ music and life, fusing dance and acrobatics, live music and iconic tracks, nostalgia and modernity, high technology and raw emotion. In short, the show will be in Elvis’ image: powerful, sexy, whimsical and truly unique.”

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Las Vegas

This 47-story non-gaming hotel features 227 residences plus 392 Adam D. Tihany-designed rooms and suites with contemporary decor and “subtle oriental touches.”  The 23rd-floor Sky Lobby is just one of the luxurious design elements guests will encounter when staying at the new hotel.  Check out the Mandarin Oriental Hotel website for artist’s renderings of the rooms, the soaring lobby and an exclusive online brochure.  Opening date is currently scheduled for December 4th and the hotel will begin taking reservations on August 17th. (more…)