Wynn Fairway Villa, photo courtesy of The Wynn
Jessica, Elana and I recently took a caffeine-fueled jaunt to Las Vegas to attend and cover the larger-than-life home furnishings show at The Las Vegas World Market Center. As part of the offerings of the show, I got to take a tour called Cool Pools and Other Jewels. It was a true gem of an afternoon spent perusing some of the most exclusive and eye-popping high-roller suites that Las Vegas has to offer.
It’s easy to think of Vegas as nothing more than a party town full of gambling and show girls, and indeed it is, but it’s also a Mecca for hotel, resto and theater design. I’m no stranger to the City of Sin. I’ve visited several times and even got hitched there in 2006. But I’m very aware that there’s a side to Vegas that us regular folks aren’t often privy to, so obviously I jumped at the chance to get a peek at how the other half rolls.
My tour started at the magnificent Wynn Tower Suites, part of the Wynn Las Vegas hotel and casino. The tower suites are found in an exclusive section of the larger hotel complex and feature a private entrance, lobby and pools. The intimate vibe in this place exudes luxury and pampering at every turn -- you need a key just to ride the elevator. It’s the only hotel in Vegas to be awarded both the Forbes 5 star award and the AAA Five Diamond award at the same time, which they received in 2010. (See gallery below for photos.)
The suite is spectacular, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a 400 square foot massage room (masseuse not included, I asked), but the real stunner was the terrace, which overlooks the only golf course on the LV strip. This suite was on the second floor, but I couldn’t help but gawk down at the quarters below me and observe that all the ground floor units have private pools.
If you're at a suite sans plunge pool, however, you’ll still have access to the VIP pool area, complete with circus-tent style cabanas that rent for somewhere around $400 – 600 a day (they include LCD flat screens, personal servers and a stocked bar.) I must mention that the pool area at the Tower Suites also features a “European Style day club” (and yes, that means topless).
Grand Villa Suite, photo courtesy of Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa
I was smitten with the Tower Suites, but alas, it was onto the next venue for me, and WOW! Was it ever worth the 25 minute drive out to the Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa.
While the Wynn suites ooze classic comfort and wealth, the Red Rock pumps out full on sexy Vegas opulence and flash. Situated off The Strip, this resort knows it has to work a little harder to captivate those with discerning tastes. Well they captured me! A sleek, sensual lobby featuring a magnificent 32-foot crystal chandelier (180,000 crystals to be precise) that made me gasp out loud, and suites that made me want to move in and stay forever... Next trip to Vegas, I will be staying with them.
I will not, sadly, be staying in the 3000 sq ft Grand Villa Suite however. But you know who does? Routinely? George Clooney! This is apparently his favourite room in Vegas, and I can see why. The suite overlooks the resort’s pool area, just far enough from the action but close enough that one could easily beckon to a bikini-clad guest should it suddenly strike one's fancy.
The furnishings are oversized, but understaed and comfortable, in a sexy boutique-chic style. The section of the giant couch immediately in front of the 42” flat screen TV is basically a Queen-sized bed. There are two master-sized bedrooms, each with an en suite bath; a Queen-sized bed on the terrace next to your own private pool; a pool table; full bar; kitchen; dining room and powder room. Feel dizzy yet? I did!
One 80 Suite terrace, photo courtesy of Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa
Just then I died and went to heaven. Well, actually up to the 20th floor, to a suite called simply, The One 80. Named for its 180 degree views, this 6,560-square-foot space is unfathomable. The entire suite is encased in floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular, spectacular views, of both the surrounding red rock mountains and the LV Strip.
The aesthetic is modern, masculine and super sophisticated. Black lacquer and blue backlit walls make it feel more like an exclusive nightclub rather than a comfortable retreat, but it’s obvious this was a space designed for entertaining. The dining table and bar seat 12, one of three separate sitting areas features a 103-inch plasma-screen TV -- the biggest I’ve ever seen -- and the master bedroom features an in-room Jacuzzi with a private balcony overlooking The Strip. There’s another large Jacuzzi on the gorgeous wrap-around terrace.
While the overall style of this suite was a little over the top for my tastes, for a true Vegas experience, this suite can’t be beat. Walking around its suped-up expanse I felt like a Bond girl, and I’m not going lie: I liked it.
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So there it is. My day in the fast lane. Chances are good that I'll never stay in a suite anywhere close to these, but I sure did enjoy cruising around them for a while. How about you? Ever stayed in a super-luxury suite? Ever plan to? Tell us about it!
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