Travel Agent - May 26, 2008 - (Page 18)

DESTINATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 Koi illustrates another phenomenon that continues to sweep the city: the establishment of gourmet restaurants by top chefs. Since the first Las Vegas Michelin Guide stars were announced in November, the influx of stellar chefs continues. One of the more interesting is Louis Osteen, the award-winning master of Southern cooking who has just opened two adjoining restaurants: the elegant Louis’s Las Vegas, and the livelier, less stuffy Fish Camp. He pulled off the double play by eschewing the Strip and setting up shop in the new 1.5million-square-foot Town Square Las Vegas shopping mall, not far from McCarran Airport. The main dining room at Koi, Planet Hollywood More Changes Back on the Strip, Payard, a new French patisserie and chocolate shop at Caesar’s Palace (www.harrahs.com), features an innovative all-you-can-eat continental breakfast, and a machine in the shape of an antique clock that automatically dispenses complimentary truffles. Meanwhile, Wynn Las Vegas (www. wynnlasvegas.com) is celebrating Wing Lei, the first Chinese restaurant in the United States ever to win a Michelin star, and the Mirage (www.mirage.com) has introduced Cravings, a new take on the buffet scene that highlights fresh-food stations rather than snaking lines. The biggest grand opening of recent months was the Palazzo (www.palazzolasvegas.com), the $1.9 billion sister property of the Venetian (www.venetian.com). All of its 3,666 suites contain complete offices, with fax machines and printers ready to be hooked up to guests’ laptops. The Palazzo also has the Shoppes retail complex; a Lamborghini dealership; a new theater built expressly for the hit musical “Jersey Boys”; the 40/40 Sports Club (owned by hip-hop mogul Jay-Z and sports superstars LeBron James and Alex Rodriguez); seven swimming pools; and a stellar lineup of restaurants, including Mario Batali’s Carnevino, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Dos Caminos, Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro (with Nevada’s largest selection of cheeses), Grand Lux Cafe, A guest room at the Palazzo Emeril Lagasse’s Table 10 and Restaurant Charlie by Charlie Trotter. The Canyon Ranch Spa (www.can yonranch.com) at the Venetian is currently expanding in order to serve the Palazzo as well. When completed, it will be the largest spa in Las Vegas. In other spa news, Qua (at Caesar’s) has appointed a tea sommelier who will brew a customized herbal beverage to complement your treatment. Caesar’s is also tinkering with its format in order to guarantee that there will always be a world-famous headliner at the Colosseum: it will bill comedian Dane Cook this Memorial Day weekend, as the first of a series of special events on holiday weekends, when the usual rotation of Bette Midler, Cher, Elton John and Jerry Seinfeld is not in effect. Finally, May 1 marked the seasonal opening of Vegas’ “European-style” (aka top-optional) pool clubs. Besides the lure of skin, these pool areas are trotting out new gimmicks to attract young bathers: the Flamingo’s Go Pool (www. harrahs.com), for example, has roving male and female “tanning ambassadors” who dispense a variety of lotions and sunblocks (and even pasties); its cabanas will also feature X-Box consoles. Most of these less-inhibited pool clubs (such as Bare at Mirage and Tao Beach at the Venetian) also provide more imaginative lounging alternatives than the usual beach chair or chaise lounge, in the form of large “day beds” that can accommodate groups of recliners. I CONNECTING YOU For more information on what’s new in Vegas, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/usa-las-vegas 18 | TravelAgent May 26, 2008 http://www.venetian.com http://www.harrahs.com http://www.canyonranch.com http://www.canyonranch.com http://www.wynnlasvegas.com http://www.wynnlasvegas.com http://www.mirage.com http://www.palazzolasvegas.com http://www.harrahs.com http://www.harrahs.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/usa-las-vegas

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - May 26, 2008

Travel Agent - May 26, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Las Vegas: New Luxury Lounges and Gourmet Restaurants Lure Non-Gambling Vacationers Europe: Bettoja Hotels Provide a Personal Touch in Italy Pacific/Asia: Kyoto Blends History and Culture in a Serene City Pacific/Asia News and Notes Mexico: Food and Service Entice at Four All-Inclusive Riviera Maya Hotels Special Supplement: The Best of Portugal with Pestana and Pousadas Mexico Deals Caribbean: Region Makes Great Strides in the Ecotour Niche Caribbean News and Notes Cruises: A look at the Swiss Sapphire River Cruiser from its Christening and Inaugural Sailing Norwegian Cruise Lines offers something new Cover Story: Selling Golf Hotels: Golf Resorts with the Budget Golfer in Mind Resorts on Florida’s Gulf Coast Offer Getaway Deals for Summer and Fall Going for Gold: Hertz Incentive Program Encourages Agents to Book Car Rentals Tours: Summer Tour Packages Make the World Affordable for Your Clients Agent Profile: Connie Majors Goes the Extra Mile Members Know: American Express Joins the Networking Bandwagon Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar What Makes a Professional Agent? Hawaii Tourism Adjusts to Changes Asia is the Hot New Cruise Destination The Latest Caribbean Trends In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - May 26, 2008

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