Las Vegas Journals

Long Weekend in Vegas

A March 2005 trip to Las Vegas by Seano

Quote: There is so much to do here in addition to the casinos: incredible restaurants, great bars, amazing cocktails, and spectacular shows! Ride a roller coaster high above New York. Walk through a Parisian village after strolling on the Grand Canal. And try the roulette tables!

Long Weekend in Vegas

Best Of IgoUgo

Overview

Quote:
The first time I went to Vegas, I was prepared not to like it at all. I could not have been more pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed it so much that I returned seven months later. The traditional gambling is just one way to spend your time (and your money). The restaurants are fantastic and varied in food and price. You can go as high-end or as low-end as you might like. Aureole in Mandalay Bay is amazing and on the high end. (To go high-end on the weekends, reservations are encouraged, lest you get shut out.) The shows are incredible. Cirque de Soleil continues to impress. Zumanity is a favorite! Walking from one hotel to another - each with its own character and schtick - is an experience. And the gambl...Read More

Grandview at Las Vegas

Hotel | "Grandview Resort"

Quote:
Best Things Nearby:The Strip is at least six miles away. The resort offers a shuttle that runs only every 75 minutes, which is not the most convenient schedule. A cab is $20 each way.Best Things About the Resort:That said, the rooms are very well-appointed and clean. The one-bedroom unit is very comfortable. The in-room Jacuzzi is a nice perk. The pools are nice, and the exercise room and treadmills provide a good place to run.Resort Experience:If one is looking to spend down-time in Vegas off the Strip, this is a good option. Its location - at least six miles off the Strip - puts it a little out of the way for those looking for a more traditional Vegas experi...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 30, 2005

Grandview at Las Vegas
9940 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas 89123
(702) 966-4700

Royal Star

Restaurant

Quote:
Royal Star is located in the Venetian, one of Vegas' premier hotels. Located near Aqua Knox and Delmonico's Steakhouse, Royal Star offers a more casual upscale experience than its competitors. (We dined here because they accepted guests without reservations!) The dining room is very comfortable - well lit and open. It seemed there was not another table within hearing distance. (I dined with only one other person, but there were several tables designed to share a meal with larger groups, complete with very large lazy Susans allowing all diners access to each wonderful dish!) Our meal was incredible. We started with lettuce cups and moved onto Yin Yang scallops (half served with spinach and half in a...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 3, 2005

Royal Star
3355 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
+1 702 733 5000

Aureole

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote:
Aureole in Vegas was perhaps one of my most enjoyable dining experiences ever. As you descend the four stories of stairs - and, on the way down, discover the magic that is the restaurant's eclectic and vast wine "cellar," visible for all to see - you get the feeling you are onto something unique. We had dinner at the bar, where there were only three other diners, and the staff I will rave about the food momentarily. First, though, wine lovers (or even likers) will be amazed by the electronic wine list. The PDA-like device allows you to sort your options by country, grape, price, vintage, and I’m sure anything else you might need to sort by. In addition to providing many entertaining moments, the te...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on April 10, 2005

Aureole
3950 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
+1 877 632 7800

Rumjungle

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote:
Rumjungle is many things to many people -- an awesome cocktail lounge, a trendy restaurant, and a happening nightspot. We enjoyed its cocktail-lounge aura on an early evening before the crowds arrived. Juxtaposing actual fire and water (both are everywhere throughout the space), the space ensconces you in its black, cavernous surroundings, like so much of Mandalay Bay. Vegas is over the top, and this place transports you to the next level. Any place built on rum drinks can't be that bad, especially when the rum drinks are served in 16-ounce glasses. Go for it! And if you like it, go for it twice. Each of the specialty drinks we sampled was as good as the one before, so I would imagine you can let y...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on April 10, 2005

Rumjungle
3450 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89118
+1 877 632 5300

Red Square

Attraction

Quote:
Red Square is another amazing place to have a good time in Mandalay Bay. (Mandalay can do nothing wrong, as far as I am concerned!) In terms of creating an ambience, this place is stellar. Before you walk in, the beheaded statue of Lenin outside the entrance sets the tone for a truly exotic experience. The red lighting adds a visual cue, as does the Cyrillic-inspired decor. The bar - which specializes in vodka and martinis - is built to keep drinks cold. The bartenders are your comrades in cocktails; they are adept at making a wide range of drinks. We went here for our last drink of the evening (which, in Vegas, can probably come at any time of the day), and the crowd was fun and conversational. I rec...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on April 10, 2005

Red Square
3950 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
+1 877 632 7800