It’s no secret that the City of Sin promises a good time, but sorting the sterling from the sleazy can be a daunting task.
Signature Luxury Travel & Style follows the neon-lit road to find the best experiences that Las Vegas has to offer.
Though it earned its questionable reputation for good reason, the allure and flippant fun of this desert city are undeniable. Peel back some of the tackier top layers and sophisticated Vegas will emerge, just as full of frivolity and photo opportunities, but with an added edge of elegance. 10 ways to find the luxe in Las Vegas .
1. Take to the skies with Sundance Helicopters
Those heading to Vegas are on the lookout for extravagance, and nothing says over-the-top like a helicopter. Multi-award-winning Sundance Helicopters takes guests up and over the city, offering unmatched views that not many get the opportunity to experience. Due to an agreement with traditional landowners, Sundance is the only company able to land in the Grand Canyon and thus have been able to craft multiple exclusive experiences. Explore the awe-inspiring canyon from the air, along with panoramic views of the Mojave Desert and Hoover Dam, before settling in for a champagne picnic in the depths of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. There are a plethora of tours on offer at Sundance, including short flights for those that are low on time and the ultra-opulent Royal Tour.
2. Knock back a cocktail at The Chandelier Lounge
The last word in lavish, the swanky Chandelier Lounge boasts both cascading crystals and mixology magic. Each of the three floors in the metropolitan sanctuary has honed a here-to-see-and-be-seen ambience, and this, paired with the two million crystals making up this palatial chandelier, makes it the first stop for the Vegas jet-set looking for a party or pre-dinner drinks.
3. Embark on sensory overload at Rose. Rabbit. Lie.
A twist on the supper clubs of old, Rose. Rabbit. Lie. is so much more than dinner and a show. Blurring the lines between a fine-dining restaurant and funky night club, this new-age dining concept rolls out refined reinventions of American favourites and memorable cocktails. Bearing some resemblance to a cabaret show, guests are treated to Vegas Nocturne, made up of three cantos and featuring innumerate wild acts, from table-top tap dancing to aerial acrobatics. The four-piece band is led by Malik Pointer, a descendant of the famous Pointer Sisters, rounding out the impressive team of orchestrators that make a night at Rose. Rabbit. Lie. so extraordinary.
4. Go for gold at the Encore
As the City of Sin starts to make a name for itself in the world of wellness, it’s unsurprising that the five-star spas inside Vegas’ troupe of hotels are stepping up their game. Delivering the ‘wow’ factor with style and grace, The Spa at Encore Las Vegas is a dreamy escape from the hustle and bustle of The Strip, with plush decor inspired by Buddhist principles and the interiors of Morocco and France. With an emphasis on rejuvenation, the Encore uses premium products and timeless techniques in their treatments; the Deluxe 24-Karat Facial is the ultimate indulgence, using the benefits of gold to achieve radiance in a treatment traditionally reserved for royalty.
5. Satisfy a need for speed with Exotics Racing
It’s the dream of many to get behind the wheel of a million-dollar car, and Exotics Racing is the fairy godmother that makes it happen. The 2.4-kilometre Las Vegas Motor Speedway has been designed with speed in mind, with professional racing drivers creating a track that allows visitors to see the full extent of the supercar’s capabilities and drive like they do in the Grand Prix. Book into driving school or spoil yourself with a VIP experience, taking on hairpins, chicanes and banked turns in a McLaren or a Lamborghini with the option to purchase an HD video of your time on the track.
6. Tantalise the taste buds at Mott 32
Checking off one of the seven deadly sins is on every Vegas bucket list, and at Mott 32 it’s far too easy to give in to gluttony. Purporting to represent a new era of Chinese dining, this divine eatery has made a home in The Venetian, named after the famed convenience store on 32 Mott Street in New York City. The venue has won awards for both their food and their design, with not-so-subtle nods to their host city including a dining table made from a vintage roulette wheel and chandelier artfully constructed of feathers. Complex cocktails are a given and the applewood-smoked Peking duck is the stuff of legend, with a 48-hour preparation time requiring it to be ordered in advance.
7. See the Mother Monster in all her glory
It wouldn’t be Vegas without a show and although Cirque du Soleil has ruled the strip for years, Enigma by Lady Gaga is a sure contender for legendary status. One year into her two-year residency, the popstar-come-fashion-icon’s Vegas debut has received praise from all directions, described as “stellar” by Rolling Stone and Billboard commenting that the creative looks would have made David Bowie proud. The show follows the alien-esque character of Enigma through a series of the singers greatest hits, paired with surprising emotion and spectacles including an aerial descent from Gaga herself. As you’d expect from the famously out-there celebrity, the performance is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
8. Visit the iconic Smith Center for some smooth tunes
As synonymous with Vegas as gambling debts and shotgun weddings, the three-theatre Smith Center has housed every act under the sun in its 10-year lifespan. Though it’s easy to be lured in by the larger acts, Myron’s Cabaret Jazz is an unmissable experience, set in an intimate 240-seat theatre and hosting all the big names in jazz that pass through the city. It’s a completely different side to Las Vegas; the venue is the definition of classic cool and makes for a memorable night out.
9. Get a dose of culture at Carson Kitchen
As quintessentially Vegas as eating out can get, Carson Kitchen has been winning awards since 2014 when it was opened by celebrated restaurateur Cory Harwell and the late chef Kerry Simon. Casual dining at its best, the restaurant reinvents American favourites, resulting in an innovative menu that features creations such as bacon jam, lollipop frogs legs and ‘beerimisu’. Liberations evoke vintage Vegas nostalgia, paired with the sentiment that “no good love story started with someone ordering a salad”.
10. Take up a few tables with a group dining experience
The motto of this infamous city is to go all out, and mirroring that with an outrageous dinner party is not only expected but encouraged. The team at Caesars Experience Vegas assist in finding a dream venue for such a dining experience, pairing superior service with the most spectacular gourmet journeys on the strip. Alternatively, the 14-seat dining room at Best Friend is perfect for a larger gathering, particularly when the menu has been curated and cooked by none other than Chef Roi Choy.
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