Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 - (Page 50)

DESTINATIONS L AS VEGAS NEWS & NOTES BY DAVID EISEN Five-Diamond Hotels and Restaurants Four Las Vegas hotels were honored with five diamonds in AAA’s 2008 list, including the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas (www.fourseasons.com/ lasvegas), which captured the accolade for the ninth consecA suite at Bellagio utive year. The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino (www. venetian.com) was awarded five diamonds for the first time, and in doing so, became the largest property in the U.S. to ever receive the distinction. Skylofts at MGM Grand (www.skyloftsmgmgrand.com) and Bellagio (www.bellagio.com) were rated with five diamonds, as were restaurants located at the properties. Bellagio is the only hotel in the United States to have two AAA five-diamond restaurants: Picasso, headed by chef Julian Serrano, and Le Cirque, overseen by Sirio Maccioni. This was the fifth consecutive year Le Cirque made the list. Meanwhile, chef Joël Robuchon won for his restaurant at MGM Grand. In all, 100 hotels and 60 restaurants in North America, Mexico and the Caribbean attained AAA five-diamond status. That represents about 0.27 percent of the 60,000 diamond-rated lodgings and restaurants. “The physical attributes of these properties are extraordinary in every manner, and personalized services for guests consistently exceed the expectations of even the most refined traveler,” said Michael Petrone, director of AAA tourism information development. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: THE WAY TO GO DURING THE HOLIDAYS With the holiday season in full swing, the best way to make your way up, down and around the Las Vegas Strip is public transportation. Come New Year’s Eve, when the Strip is shut off to cars and buses, public transportation is the only way to get around. The Las Vegas Monorail (www.lvmonorail.com) will operate until 3 o’clock in the morning and is extending its promotional fare of $9 for an all-day pass (discounted from the usual $15) through December 31. “Rather than walking, visitors can let the monorail do the driving for them, traveling the entire distance of the Strip in 15 minutes or less,” said Ingrid Reisman of the Las Vegas Monorail. Meanwhile, another form of public transportation just launched in Las Vegas, composed of a network of buses and trolleys that pull right up to hotels, attractions and city landmarks. The Vegas.com Arrow (www. vegas.com/vegasarrow), which began service in early November, features a contemporary fleet outfitted with video screens, which can be used for things like purchasing show tickets or club passes. Vegas.com is introducing a $10 combination ticket that provides unlimited daily rides on the Vegas.com Arrow and the Las Vegas Monorail. Single-ride tickets cost $2.50. The Strip Welcomes Palazzo Las Vegas The Las Vegas Strip is set to welcome another newcomer to the scene when The Palazzo Las Vegas (www.palazzolasvegas.com) opens its doors December 20. The hotel, which sits adjacent to The Venetian, promises modern European-style luxury through amenities such as spacious suites (all of Palazzo’s rooms are suites), Broadway-style entertainment and high-end shops anchored by an 85,000-square-foot Barneys New York. The hotel will also feature restaurants by celebrity Exterior of The Palazzo Las Vegas chefs Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, Mario Batali and Charlie Trotter; the 40/40 Club, a sports-themed nightclub that originated in New York under the direction of famed hip-hop artist Jay-Z; and a Canyon Ranch SpaClub. The Vegas.com Arrow shuttle service 50 | TravelAgent December 10, 2007 http://www.fourseasons.com/lasvegas http://www.fourseasons.com/lasvegas http://www.venetian.com http://www.lvmonorail.com http://www.venetian.com http://www.skyloftsmgmgrand.com http://www.bellagio.com http://www.vegas.com/vegasarrow http://Vegas.com http://www.vegas.com/vegasarrow http://Vegas.com http://www.palazzolasvegas.com http://Vegas.com http://Vegas.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - December 10, 2007

Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 Online Now From the Editor Contributors Europe: Liverpool, The Beatles Hometown, Is also Known for it's Maritime Heritage, Art and Architecture European Hotel Highlights Central and South America: What You Need To Know About Selling Quito, the Historic Capital City of Ecuador Pacific/Asia: Malaysia Seeks to Grow Tourism as it Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of it's Independence Spa Resort in Goa, India Caribbean: Venerable Jamaican Resorts Tryall Club and Half Moon Marry Contemporary Design and Old-Time Elegence Caribbean Deals Las Vegas: A Three-Day Itinerary for Your Gen-Y Clients Las Vegas News and Notes Hotels: Sandals' 6th Annual Star Awards Tours: Escorted and FIT Packages in Western Canada Cruise: Barging 101 Cover Story: Wyndham's Way Agent Profile: Casto Travel's Marc Casto Technology Transportation Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Carnival's Plans for the Future Fairmont Expands in Africa Liberty Travel/Gogo is Sold Turks and Caicos Developments The New River Cruise Line, Jewel How to Protect Yourself When a Tour Operator Shuts Down In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Destination Africa

Travel Agent - December 10, 2007

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