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Las Vegas News of the Week

 
November 9, 2009
Vegas4Visitors Weekly

by Rick Garman


Place Your Final Bette
Bette Midler has announced that she will be ending her two year run at Caesars Palace in January 2010 after nearly 200 shows. In other words: more bad news for Vegas.

"What a fabulous two years this has been, and I thank AEG and Caesars Palace for the best partnership a showgirl could imagine. Who knows? These legs have had such a great run in the desert---it may be time to haul them to places with more humidity and fewer slot machines. But first I need to finish recording my album of the sexiest new love songs that only a showgirl could sing," stated Midler.

The Divine Miss M started her run in 2008 and quickly became one of the biggest must-sees in town. I must-saw the show four times and may go back again before it’s over. If you haven’t had a chance to see it, I can’t recommend it highly enough.

The final dates for the show are now through November15 and December 30 through January 31, 2010.

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Bye Bye Bette
Elvis Show Gets a Name
The new Cirque du Soleil production at
Aria featuring the music of Elvis Presley has finally gotten an official moniker: “Viva Elvis.” Yeah, not the most original name but hopefully they all their creative energy into the actual show.

According to the official website, the production will feature dance, acrobatics, and live music that will tell the story of Elvis the man and the myth, including Cirque-style reinterpretations of significant moments in his life.

Tickets are not available yet and, in fact, there is no official opening date, but there are rumors that it may happen on January 8, which would’ve been Elvis’ 74th birthday.

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Whole Lotta Shakin'
Vegas4Visitors Weekly Awards
The Diamonds are a Las Vegas Resort’s Best Friend Award of the Week goes to the eight Las Vegas hotels that received the coveted 5-Diamond Award from AAA including
The Ritz Carlton Lake Las Vegas, Encore Las Vegas, Palazzo, The Venetian, Bellagio, Skylofts at MGM Grand, The Four Seasons, and Wynn Las Vegas. Bestowed only on those hotels and resorts that reach the pinnacle of luxury and service, less than 200 such designations were given out to hotels in the US this year.

The I’ve Got a Right to Sing the Blues Award of the Week goes to the BB King Blues club, now open at The Mirage. The casual restaurant and entertainment venue is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night dining with a menu that is heavy on the southern specialties (gumbo, catfish, BBQ, po-boys, and more). A live blues band performs nightly.

The Really East Las Vegas Award of the Week goes to Ohio, where voters in the state approved a measure to allow full casino gambling in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo. The company that is angling to buy the Fontainebleau on The Strip, Penn National Gaming, will run two of the casinos.

The I’d Like a Cosmo Please Award of the Week goes to Deutsch Bank, the current, and apparently future owners of the under-construction Cosmopolitan resort on The Strip. The bank acquired the place after its developers defaulted on a loan and have been trying to sell it ever since, while funding the construction process. Now they have filed an application to for a casino license so they can open it in September 2010.

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Diamonds are Forever

Feature of the Week

 
Lucky 7: The 7 Best Bathrooms in Las Vegas
No Place Like Home

I’ve never really understood the need for a hotel room to have a bathroom so massive that you could park Deuce bus inside. I use the bathroom for, well, bathroom things and if I’m going to luxuriate in my room I’d rather do it in the big fluffy bed, preferably while eating chocolate covered strawberries and watching TV on the 42” flat screen.

Having said that, I do understand that bigger is better, especially if you are traveling with a companion or twelve, and I like nice things as much as the next guy. With that in mind, here are my picks for the 7 Best Bathrooms in Las Vegas (in alphabetical order):

Caesars Palace
It’s all about which tower you get here, but bathrooms in the newer Augustus Tower are the best of the bunch; massive affairs with whirlpool tubs, a separate shower, skin-pampering amenities, and more marble than they used to build most statues of Roman emperors.

Eastside Cannery
As you read through the rest of this list, you may find it surprising to find this out of the way, relatively economy focused hotel on it. But the bathrooms here are fantastic, with soaking tubs under windows that can allow you to enjoy your bubble bath and a view.

Encore Las Vegas/Wynn Las Vegas
It should come as no surprise that the hotel rooms that are often the most expensive in Vegas have some of the most opulent bathrooms in town. Modern without being sterile, huge to the point of creating echoes, and packed with every convenience you need, these are the kind of bathrooms that you’ll wish you had in your house.

Red Rock Resort
Take all the good stuff at all of the other upscale resorts in town and throw in a slew of interesting design and décor touches and you have the bathrooms at Red Rock. Check out the leather on the walls, the gorgeously designed basin sinks, and the so soft you’ll want to put them in your suitcase bath mats.

Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas
There is nothing about this hotel that is not spectacular, and the bathrooms in the club-level suites are no exception. Bordering on palatial in both size and accoutrement, they give new meaning to the term “rest rooms.”

THEhotel at Mandalay Bay
Although just as big and finely appointed as some of the others on this list, the bathrooms here are more understated both in terms of design and decadence, which I actually really like. There’s something nice about not feeling like you have to get dressed up to use the john.

The Venetian/Palazzo
The bathrooms at Palazzo are nearly identical to those at big sister The Venetian, which is a good thing because they have won awards. Yes, there are actual awards for things like bathrooms. Go figure. But justly deserved, because these places are fit for a king with elegant and modern touches combining into one gigantic package that is bigger my first apartment.

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Feature of the Week

 
Vegas Shortcuts
Lots of Ways to Get Here From There

Getting around Las Vegas can be a challenge. You’re often fighting hordes of people when you walk, waiting in long lines for taxis, and/or sitting in traffic so bad that you can actually see your life ticking away before your very eyes.

But there are few ways to save a few steps and minutes as you navigate your way around Sin City. Here are a few of the best:

The Monorail from Mandalay Bay to Excalibur
This sleek train runs from the corner of The Strip and Tropicana next to Excalibur south to Mandalay Bay and then back again with a stop at Luxor along the way. Note that the southbound route does NOT have a stop at Luxor. It's free and runs about every 10 minutes from early in the morning until late at night.

The Tram from Mirage to Treasure Island
Adjacent to the main entrance of The Mirage you'll find a tram that will deliver you to the rear of Treasure Island. Even though the hotels are right next to each other, this will probably save you time. The tram is free and runs about every five minutes during the day and evening.

The Walkway from Mandalay Bay to Luxor
There is a store-lined bridge (known as Mandalay Place) from Mandalay Bay to Luxor. Access it from Mandalay Bay near the showroom and House of Blues and from Luxor near the main casino cage. It’s a lot easier than going outside and you can shop while you’re doing it!

The Walkway from Luxor to Excalibur
There is an indoor bridge with a moving "sidewalks" between these two hotels so you can save some wear and tear on your feet. Access it from Luxor near the high limit slot lounge and from Excalibur on the second floor attractions level.

The Walkway from Bally's to Paris
There is an indoor walkway with stores and restaurants between these two hotels. Access it from Bally's near the main casino cage and from Paris at the back of the shopping area just before you go up the escalators to the parking garage.

The Walkway from Wynn Las Vegas to Encore Las Vegas
There is an indoor walkway with stores and a big nightclub from Wynn Las Vegas to Encore. Access it from Wynn Las Vegas near the showrooms and from Encore on the opposite side of the casino from the reception area.

The Walkway from The Venetian to Palazzo
There is an indoor walkway with restaurants and stores between these two hotels. Access it from The Venetian at the end of "Restaurant Row" and from Palazzo off the main casino toward the Palazzo Shoppes.

And don’t forget that when CityCenter opens there will be a people mover that runs throughout the property and another that will connect it to Monte Carlo and Bellagio.

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