Recommend January 2011 - (Page 62)

THE M RESORT hits its off-strip stride north america W donna ray 62 january 2011 onsite review october 2010 When it comes to designing and developing Las Vegas resorts, the Marnell family is lauded for pioneering outside-the-box concepts. Anthony Marnell II (Tony) launched the destination’s first all-suite hotel with The Rio and debuted rooftop dining with that property’s VooDoo Steak & Lounge. He also wooed a roster of world-class chefs like Jean-Louis Palladin to open signature Vegas dining venues that have bolstered Vegas’ culinary scene in extremely palatable style. So when Anthony Marnell III began the process of conceptualizing The M Resort, he collaborated with his guru father to push the envelope once again. And in doing so, this off-The-Strip standout is garnering hype as Vegas’ next generation of architecture, dining and service. It’s easy to see why, especially if you’re into gaming but phobic of the 24/7 party culture that thrives on The Strip. While the 390-room property that opened in March 2009 flashes a Las Vegas Boulevard address, it’s some 10 miles from its nearest mega-resort neighbor, Mandalay Bay. From the moment you enter, it’s all about openness and natural light thanks to an abundance of windows, skylights and high ceilings. In fact, there are actually times during the day when you can see through the building from the porte cochere, with the glass on either side unobstructed by internal clutter. Chalk up another first for the Marnells. To the right of the entrance through a corridor lined by the Lobby Bar, Baby Cakes patisserie and Marinelli’s Italian restaurant, the casino brings the outdoors inside with naturally illuminated gaming areas. The 92,000-sq.-ft. floor buzzes with 1,846 machines, 64 table games, a live action poker room, and a race and sports book with “in-running” that allows wagering on live games. There’s also an exterior poolside casino and high-limit gaming salon with private terrace and VIP lounge. No matter where you find yourself, the resort seems to have a refreshing attitude. It’s void of that stereotypical low ceiling, smoke-filled casino clamor that screams, “Ante up!” Even the swirling geometry of the casino floor carpeting is a tasteful cut above, inspired by a Versace tie design. It’s very apparent that the Marnells set out to deliver aesthetics and elegance without compromising a high level of functionality. Those concepts play out in guestrooms and suites as well. Complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, 70 percent of these oversized accommodations look out over the pool area toward the colorful Las Vegas skyline. It’s somewhat surreal to peer at The Strip on the horizon and know that you can be smack dab in the middle of all that hot action in a matter of minutes. “Our location allows The M to sit 400 ft. higher in elevation than The Strip properties, which means our views of that world-famous skyline recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend January 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
A New Look at Ancient Egypt
Celebrity Cruises' Eclipse
Asia Travel Planner
Viking River Cruises' Viking Sky
Discovering Piedmont, Italy
Latin America 2011
The M Resort in Las Vegas Hits its Off-Strip Stride
Gansevoort Miami Beach
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Recommend January 2011