Neon lights in an adults playground
Las Vegas is a city which does not apologise for being what it is. It’s bright, it’s loud, it’s big and it’s in your face! The mere size of the hotels and themes they replicate is surprising! If you’re going to walk along the strip and take it all in, do plan for most of the day. Not only are the hotel complexes large but you will find amazing little places to stop, eat and drink along the way!
Some of the cool new and exciting places I have discovered during my visits is the trendy and upbeat Cosmopolitan Hotel, which you will come to call Cosmo. It has vibrant bars around a multi floor crystal chandelier draping all around you, distinguished food outlets, the first one that pops to mind being Californian chain breakfast takeaway restaurant, Egg Slut. My top tip for Egg Slut though is to rise early for breakfast for this gem and be prepared to queue for at least thirty minutes but the potato mash and egg, their signature item, is honestly worth the wait.
Pool parties! If I asked you to pen some thoughts on Las Vegas, I am certain this would make an appearance and let me say you are justified with the likes of Daylight Beach Club at Mandalay Bay, Wet Republic at MGM, and Wynn Hotel Beach Club. These venues are attracting the hottest DJ’s and thousands of revellers to enjoy sun, pools, cocktails and incredible tunes.
However, don’t be fooled, if you prefer a more elegant and sophisticated holiday, Las Vegas has you covered. The city is dotted with amazing Cirque-Du-Soleil shows, renowned artists have held residencies: Elton John, Cher, Celine Dion to name an amazing few while Britney Spears and Lady Gaga have just signed on to make Las Vegas their home for 2019. You will find Michelin star restaurants dotted along the strip whilst designer and boutique shopping never far when you consider Crystals Shopping Mall and The Forum Shops at Caesars. And when you’re finally ready to kick back and retreat to your hotel, my personal favourite, Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas (previously the Mandarin Oriental). This elegant hotel in the heart of the city centre offers a non-gaming hotel, 300 hotel rooms and suites and the service standards you would expect at such a hotel.
I have always found that the Las Vegas strip is so overwhelming it is easy to lose yourself amongst it and before you know it you’re leaving with so much to explore still. I always find it essential to choose one thing at least to do off strip and make the effort to enjoy. I have done a helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon and let me say, when the helicopter flew into the canyon and I could see the sheer rock walls either side of the helicopter it truly puts this natural wonder size into perspective. One evening, I always take a short cab ride into Downtown Las Vegas and enjoy the bright lights and entertainment, the birthplace of Las Vegas as we know it today.
Hiring a car is another adventure with fashion outlets on the outskirts of the strip or going to see towering brightly coloured rocks, an art installation by Swiss artist Ugo Rondione. This project was five years in the making and privately funded at $3.5million for completion. A few miles west of Las Vegas you will find Red Rock Canyon which encompasses 195,819 acres within the Mojave Desert and includes a scenic 13-mile drive through the canyon for those days where the desert sun is sweltering down on you or perhaps the night before calls for an easier day. This drive allows exploration of the highs and lows of the canyon from the comfort of an air-conditioned car.
I truly am a firm believer that Las Vegas is a destination that is built to cater for everyone, the gamers, the partiers, those luxury city breaks and, surprisingly families can also enjoy this city. I will continue to visit Vegas as every year it changes, and I will continue to discover something amazingly unique about this city which continues to draw me in like many others back to this adult playground in the middle of the desert!