Wishing you all a very happy holiday season. We’re off for a few days to enjoy time with family and friends — and, no doubt, a little spiked eggnog — but we’ll be back this weekend.
"Harrk the Harrald Angels Sing"...(and play instruments, too!)
"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" -- who looks an awful lot like the next-door neighbor.
Hanging stockings at Caesars Palace.
I think I see Santa! No, wait...it's just that big picture of Donny Osmond.
More photo fun all this week!
A lot of thought went into this intricate light fixture at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Things may not be looking up in Las Vegas — yet — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Look up, I mean. Here’s another entry in our “Las Vegas Look Up” series of posts and photos showing some of the striking design elements we’ve found in Las Vegas casinos.
Today’s entry comes from Caesars Palace — the registration lobby at Caesars to be exact. For some reason, this light fixture really caught my eye. From a distance, it reminded me of some sort of giant cell colony. Don’t ask me why but when I looked up it instantly reminded me of something you’d see under a microscope. Upon closer inspection — click on the photo to enlarge — those cells are actually etchings of classic Roman figures and symbols.
Check out, too, the intricate flourishes painted onto the ceiling surrounding the base of the fixture. And, yes, that is accent lighting surrounding each of these accent lights! I LOVE this lavish attention to detail that you always find in casinos throughout Las Vegas.
By far, one of the coolest interactive maps I have ever seen is at the Las Vegas Sun website. You have got to go check this out to see a graphic history of the rise and fall of casino development throughout the Las Vegas area.
There are actually three maps to explore — The Strip, Downtown and the Valley — and on each one, you click on what era you want to see and the map shows you what casinos were in place at that point in time. For instance, head to “The Strip” map and click on the tab “1960″ for an idea of the places Frank, Sammy and Dean were hanging out at during the Rat Pack years. As you click on each casino, a pop-up appears and you can read a short history of the property and see some photos. I thought it really interesting to see the original Caesars Palace pics to get an idea of the multiple expansions that property has gone through in order to morph into what we now see on The Strip.
The entire History section, aptly called “A Gamble in the Sand,” is a goldmine of facts and photos and a truly fascinating look at a remarkable American city. Spend some time there and you’ll know Vegas as never before.
Beautifully-rendered bunches of colorful spring flowers await at The Bellagio... if you just look up.
What do the Sistine Chapel and Las Vegas have in common? Well, if you want to see the good stuff at either place, you’re going to have to stop walking (recommended if you don’t want to crash into other people,) throw your head back and look up.
While much is made of the crazy colorful carpeting found in casinos all around the country — and rightfully so - you also need to look UP as well as down to see some of the more remarkable design elements scattered throughout favorite casinos. Nowhere is this truer than in Las Vegas where over-the-top design is simply commonplace and excess is the norm rather than the exception. But hey, this is why we love the place! (more…)
Watch the Las Vegas sunset at Mix lounge atop THEhotel at Mandalay Bay.
Whether it is your first trip to LasVegas or your 20th, one spot you do not want to miss is Mix lounge at THEhotel in the Mandalay Bay resort. Be sure to time your visit so you’re there when the sun is setting and you will be treated to an absolutely magical view of Las Vegas.
When you arrive at Mandalay Bay, head for the back of the casino, near the theater, where you’ll find the reception area for THEhotel and the Mix elevator bank. While the glassed-in lift slowly ascends to the 64th floor, you get your first view of the Las Vegas landscape laid out before you and a preview of what’s to come. (more…)
Casino carpeting features intricate designs, wild colors.
It’s nice to know I am not the only person fascinated with the over-the-top colorful designs on casino carpets. I have to confess that while walking through a casino or down a hotel hallway, I have been known to run into people - as well as inanimate objects - because I am so focused on what’s under my feet. The exhuberant colors and the intricate patterns never cease to entertain me.
Well, David G. Schwartz, who writes extensively about Las Vegas, gambling, and history has several photo pages on his website, The Die is Cast, devoted to current and defunct carpets at casinos throughout the U.S. Who knew? His gallery organizes the carpet photos mostly by location but if you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you’ll find his “Hall of Fame” page which features extinct carpets as well as extinct casinos…think Stardust and the Aladdin among others.
Schwartz is the Director of the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV and has a Ph.D. in United States history from UCLA. Check out his website for lots of fascinating information. After spending some time on his website, I definitely plan on purchasing his book, Roll the Bones, A History of Gambling.
Oh, and the carpet pictured above? You can find it in all it’s dashing purple glory - at Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde, Arizona!
Well, yes, it is a different kind of green but The Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden is always a sure bet in the “oohs” and “aahs” department. P.B. and I don’t think a visit to Las Vegas is complete unless we’ve dropped by to see the consistently outstanding floral displays located just off the Bellagio’s main reception area. A riot of color and form, this amazing and FREE attraction delights visitors with its use of flowers and greenery, water and light, beauty and whimsy. The soaring light-filled space changes with the seasons - the Christmas display is always spectacular - so you’ll most likely see something different on each visit.
Where else can you see a father and son bear duo - each fashioned from moss, bark and colorful button mums - outfitted for a summer fishing trip? Or how about a miniature train running through a covered bridge constructed of twigs? And then there is my personal favorite from this summer’s display - a reproduction of The Bellagio and its lakeside “village” all done in flowers and other natural materials. The attention to detail was stunning!
When you’re done touring this indoor oasis, be sure to check out theGiardini Garden Store at the back of the display. There you’ll find lots of high-style home and garden items such as exotically-scented candles, colorful glassware and more. Bring your casino winnings because the gorgeous items here aren’t cheap.
Location - The Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden is located off the main reception/registration area. If you arrive at the Bellagio from the pedestrian bridges coming from either Caesars or Bally’s, walk through the shopping galleria and veer left then continue through the casino and into the main entry hall. You’ll see the garden at the back. Also, don’t miss the floral displays behind the registration desks - they, too, change with the seasons.
Player’s tip - Bellagio has some fun multi-denomination Spin Poker machines in the middle of the casino near the blackjack tables and also near the entrance to the shopping gallery. We’ve played - and won - on them more than a few times.
Treat tip - Stop at Jean Philippe Patisserie - down the hall from the garden, toward the back of the hotel - for a cappuccino and a pastry that is almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
