New Years in Vegas

Spending New Years Eve in Vegas is something everyone should do once.

Unless you do not like crowds.

New Years Eve is one of the most crowded days to be Las Vegas. It will be interesting to see whether the economy will impact the New Years Eve party in Vegas.

Want fireworks?

At midnight a spectacular fireworks show, coordinated with a musical soundtrack, will launch from eight ground locations along Las Vegas Blvd. from Mandalay Bay, Luxor, MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island/Mirage, Las Vegas Convention Center, Stratosphere and Fremont Street Experience.

Want stars?

Three-time Grammy Award-winning artist, Fergie (from the Black Eyed Peas) performs live at The Venetian and The Palazzo before heading to LAVO nightclub to take on duties as celebrity host. At the Playboy Club in the Palms, Kid Rock, will host and DJ the 2009 New Year's Eve celebration following his live performance at the Pearl Concert Theater while AKON rocks the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Pink will turn up the heat at Wasted Space at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

The Kardashian Sisters will host a party at LAX inside Luxor, while Carmen Electra hosts the annual bash at Tao inside The Venetian. In addition to the street party outside, Las Vegas Blvd. morphs into a celebrity block party within Strip nightclubs. Usher celebrates all night at The Bank in Bellagio, while Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz party at PURE next door in Caesars Palace. Just on the other side of Caesars, JET at The Mirage rings in the New Year with New Kids on the Block, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood, while hit reality-stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt host festivities at Christian Audigier at TI. The newest nightclub to hit Las Vegas, XS at Encore, is sure to please New Year's crowds with 40,000 square feet of party space.

Getting around

With thousands of revelers descending upon The Strip for New Year's Eve, the Las Vegas Monorail will be the only form of public transportation available because Las Vegas Blvd. will be closed to traffic. The Monorail offers visitors a convenient option to and from the city's hottest spots safely, quickly and efficiently. On New Year's Eve, the system will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m.

General tips
1. Eat early - You WILL be waiting in line for everything.
2. Bring a jacket - It snowed in Las Vegas for only the second time that I remember (because I was there both times). It's December and it can get cold.
3. Park and walk - It's probably the only day of the year that you have to pay for parking unless you are a hotel guest. So leave the car in your hotel parking lot or pay $10 to $20 bucks to park and walk to where you need to go. But once you park, leave it until you are ready to go home.
4. Stay the extra day - The airport will be in chaos. The hotel check out will be in chaos. If you stay on the Jan. 1, you can watch the bowl games and the town will go back to normal.
5. You can still get a room for NYE now if you move. Look on different hotel websites for the rates. If you are driving to Vegas, you can still get a room and have a blast.

Strip or Not to Strip? That is the question.

For hotels (this is a clean blog, people)

For a town with over 150,000 hotel rooms (according to a dated New York Times article), figuring out the best place is a bit of a trick. To answer, you need to ask a few questions.

Who's going? You and your honey, you and your friends, you and your family, or just you.

How much do you want to spend on a room per night?

Is it your first time to Las Vegas?


Answering those questions will determine the best hotel for you. Some people chose the place with the cheapest hotel prices. That's fair too because I do the same thing.

More guidelines later. But here are some general rules to start with.

If it is your first time to Vegas, stay on the "Strip". The Strip is S. Las Vegas Blvd. (type it into Google maps. From the southernmost hotel (Mandalay Bay) to the northernmost (Stratosphere). The hotels between those two points are considered the Strip. Pick one of those hotels. Once there, you can walk or take a quick cab to anywhere you want to be.

Also, if you can, be flexible on the dates you can go. The best deals for hotel rooms are between Thanksgiving and New Years and, after the Fourth of July to Labor Day. So, plan around the times when rooms are cheap.

Finally, weekends will see room rates double or triple. No matter the time of year. So go during the week or be prepared to move into a cheaper hotel for the weekend. So look for weekday prices and weekend pricing if you are going to be in town for the weekend.

Even in this economy, there are still deals to be found if you look for them.

Vegas solo vs. group

A popular question that comes up is can I go to Las Vegas alone. How safe is it? What do I do? etc.

I guess it depends on what you want to get out of your trip. For example, I wanted to go to Vegas with someone I was dating at the time. She doesn't gamble. I do. She loves shopping. I don't. She would like to go to a show. I would tolerate it. So my choices were to do separate things or one person hating what they were doing while on vacation.

So, if you go with a group, make sure you are all of like mind. If it's a gambling group, go gamble. If it's a clubbing group, hit the clubs. If it's a poker group, then play poker. If it's a sightseeing group, then see the sites. So at least have a mix of people so one person doesn't feel like an outcast from the group.

FREE TIP OF THE DAY: If your group scatters, always have a set time to meet every day either for a meal (lunch usually) and gameplan the rest of the day. Trying to do it on the fly causes problems. It doesn't have to be in the room. It can be in the lobby of your hotel.

Going solo

No big deal. It's not a hassle to eat in restaurants. There are people eating by themselves all the time. It's actually easier to get tickets to popular shows. For some shows on Saturday night, it could be impossible to get 2-4 seats together. Finally, you are not on a timetable. You can do what you want when you want.

It's also safe as long as you don't act like an idiot or flash cash on the streets. Be smart and stay relatively sober.

Bottom line

Don't fret if you can't get a group together for a Vegas trip. Trust me, you will have fun going solo.

Vegas airfare news

Cheap, last-minute trips to Vegas might be a thing of the past if you need to fly.

According to various reports, fuel prices will be causing cuts in flights to vacation spots. Delta will be cutting 45 percent of their flights to Orlando. Five carriers will be cutting a quarter of their flights to Hawaii.

Even Vegas won't get spared. US Air, Delta, and Northwest will cut their flights to Vegas by 25 percent.

A summary from USA Today:

Meanwhile, Las Vegas, the nation's casino capital and a magnet for low-fare carriers, is also drawing major reductions in service. US Airways (LCC), the No. 2 Las Vegas carrier after Southwest (LUV), will have about a quarter less flying capacity out of the city this October, more than 120,000 fewer seats. Delta (DAL) and Northwest (NWA) will be down about as much in percentage terms.

One reason is that the average airfare per mile flown on Las Vegas flights is among the lowest of any airport, according to consulting company Sabre Airline Solutions. In May, it was about 10 cents, compared with 16 cents a mile on flights from Minneapolis, for example.

US Airways' downsizing in Las Vegas includes eliminating its cheap "red-eye" flights that took off late and flew through the night to the East Coast.

"If there are plenty of seats to go during the day, most people would rather fly during the day than make a red-eye flight, so those seats are going first," says Andrew Nocella, US Airways' chief planner.

Bottom Line: ALWAYS be on the lookout for deals to Vegas (even though they might be few and far between). When you see a deal, be ready to grab it.

How to Get Married in Vegas (note: I wrote, you not me)

Once again, please note that I did not say I was going to get married. Whew!

Okay. Just for pure research sake. I wanted to find out what I needed to get married in Vegas and why it is so easy.

According to Vegas.com, you need: All you need is a Social Security number (one for the groom and the bride. Commitment ceremonies available at several chapels, however, marriage is not legal between two people of the same sex in Nevada), proof of identification and age (driver's license, passport, birth certificate - in English if you are foreign) and the marriage license fee ($55). There is no blood test and no waiting period after a license is issued.

It is also important to note that Nevada also leads the country in divorces because of a low residency requirement.

And, according to Ancestry.com, August and July are the most popular months for marriages (Once against, there is no relation to timing and my research)

And, in true betting fashion, the site also launched VegasWeddingOdds.com, an online marriage-predicting site which, based on your first name, will give you the first names of the people you're most likely to marry in Nevada. (My results were absolutely scary in its accuracy.)

Baggage Fees and Airfire increases

First, you might have heard about American charging for even one piece of luggage. $15 for the first bag, $25 for the second bag, $100 for bags 3-5, and $200 for 6 or more. By the way, that's per way. So double that for a round-trip. (Source: NYT)

Yes, they have to find some way to make money (not that they will). But I see nothing but disaster in two ways. 1: People won't check bags and will take bags on the plane which means even longer security lines and jammed overhead compartments; 2: People will flee American Airlines (the fact that they are cutting the number of flights might make that decision even easier.

If I were in my old job running PR, I would tell the airline look seriously into announcing the fact that we are not charging for 1st or 2nd bags as a counter promotion. That would be smart. However, there is a reason why airlines are going bankrupt. The people in charge are idiots.

Like the Idiot of the Day: United Airlines.

So in the Dallas Morning News, United responded to this baggage charge with bits of news of their own.

United Airlines overnight has raised fares by as much as $60 for round-trip tickets, Bestfares.com CEO Tom Parsons said Friday. If this airfare hike is matched by the other major carriers, it would be the 12th successful increase out of 17 attempts since December 20, 2007. Travelers flying over 1,500 air miles one-way between markets without a low-cost carrier have seen their airfares jump by $340 roundtrip in the past five months

So who will be affected?

Bestfares.com said that United hiked fares $20 round trip for flights up to 400 miles, $40 for 401-750 miles and $60 for flights over 750 miles. "Many of these airfare increases only affect cities not served by a low-cost airline such as Southwest, Virgin America, JetBlue, Spirit or Frontier," Bestfares.com said.

Translation: We are going to punish people who aren't served by a low-cost airline. But don't worry. They will find a way to make it for all routes by the end of year (my prediction).

But the second bit of news from the DMN article.

The Associated Press quoted United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski as saying United was "seriously considering" charging passengers on domestic trips for their first piece of checked luggage.

Translation: If people accept American doing this, we will do it by August 1.

MSNBC has some predictions about flight cost in the near future.

• This luggage fee is a step too far. AA will eventually have to back off of the fee.
• Problems with controlling carry-on luggage will increase exponentially.
• Delays at TSA checkpoints will increase as more passengers bring more baggage through the inspection points.
• Delays at the boarding gates dealing with luggage arguments will further delay AA flights to less than a 50 percent on-time rating.
• Other airlines will adopt a wait-and-see approach to this dramatic fee increase, forcing AA to rethink their fee structure.
• The Transportation Department will force airlines to disclose these fees in their advertisements. This will allow other airlines to simply raise airfares without raising the total advertised cost of the trip. AA will eventually (perhaps before June 15) roll this fee into their airfares.

The Time in Vegas

I saw this on Billboard.com while looking for American Idol information.

After reuniting for the first time in 15 years for the 50th Grammy awards in February, R&B/funk group the Time has announced additional concert performances at the Flamingo Las Vegas, beginning June 24 and wrapping Aug. 2.

All original members of the Time -- Morris Day, Jerome Benton, Jellybean Johnson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Monte Moir and Jesse Johnson -- are slated for 15 shows at the Flamingo. Tickets are currently available via Harrahs.com, with prices ranging between $65 and $125.

During the band's Grammy performance, Jimmy Jam introduced his fellow bandmates and group opened with "Jungle Love," switching over mid-song to a slightly down-tempo, pyrotechnic laden version of "Umbrella" by Rihanna, who then continued with "Don't Stop the Music."

Now, I missed the Grammy thing but will look for it on YouTube. But I love The Time. They are so much fun. I don't know how good they are now. But in the 80s, they were awesome. Sorry, the fan boy in me is coming out. Tickets are a bit pricey and I would be breaking my personal rule, "No shows unless it's Prince", but this is a worthy exception.

To rent or not to rent? That is the question

The subject of rental cars can spark a nice debate among people who go to Vegas regularly. Almost as a debate about hotels. I probably should and will devote a few blog entries on getting around in Las Vegas because there are a lot of options. But for now, let's talk about some advantages to renting or not renting.

Why rent?

• Super easy: There are car rentals at McCarran International Airport when you land. A number of hotels have rental locations in hotels.

• Cheap: Some of the lowest rates in the country. Probably because they do so much volume.

• Can move from hotel to hotel, Vegas strip or off-strip. Can go see attractions outside of Las Vegas (I.e. Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam).

Why not rent?

• Traffic: Especially on the strip in the late afternoon or evening and on weekends. You are thinking, “I have to drive in traffic every day, why do I have to do it on my vacation.”

• Alcohol: People gamble, casinos give free alcohol while you gamble, you do the math. Also, if you are going to do drink and drive, the penalties for getting caught are steep and not worth it.

• Alternative transportation is easy: Cabs are plentiful and you can find them everywhere. The monorail can take you up and down the trip. There is a bus that runs 24 hours a day up and down the strip. Additionally, walking is free.

What I think: Everyone has an opinion about works best for them and their circumstances. Going in a five-person group might require you to rent a car. Going alone or with two people might cause you not to rent. I think you should try one trip renting and one trip renting maybe one or two days. Find out what works best for you.

Of course, Orbitz is a great place to get a good price on a car rental or find out what rental agencies are housed inside what hotels.

Memorial Day pool time

(note: This was written for Orbitz Travel Blog and may be posted there in the near future in some form. I look forward to writing more for them.)

Memorial Day is considered the first day of summer and that is very true when it comes to the Las Vegas pool scene. Beginning on Memorial Day, hotel pools in Vegas become the place to go during the day. Whether your body is toned or not, everyone goes and loves the pool to beat the Vegas heat.

One general tip: If you have a group and you want to sit together, hit the pool early if you want to get a lounge chair. This applies even more if you are in town on the weekend or a holiday. If you go late, you will be lucky to get one. Either go as a group or assign one or two people to go early and reserve chairs.

Best all-around: MGM Grand Pool Complex. At six acres, it has four pools, three whirlpools, waterfalls, lazy river, bar, . According to their website, at least three will be open every day at 8 a.m. during the summer and the “Backlot River”, opens at 9 a.m. Negatives: Crowds. The MGM is the biggest hotel in Vegas and a LOT of people will venture to the pool area.

Best family pool: Flamingo. Truthfully, I love this pool. It has four pools, two jacuzzis, and water slides with a kiddy pool over 15 acres. It's designed to be a tropical paradise. Very picturesque. This is the pool where you will find me the most. You might also spot a wedding or two at the pool if you go early in the morning or at sunset. Negatives: According to the Flamingo website, a hotel room key is required for entry before 1 p.m. So it could become crowded with locals and people staying elsewhere in Vegas.

Best pool party: Hard Rock Hotel, Rehab Sundays. This is where the beautiful people hang out all day Sunday. The party takes over the pool at the off-strip Hard Rock. The line to get in Rehab can be long, but it is the best party in Vegas on Sundays. There are other hotels who are adopting the “pool as a nightclub” strategy: Tao Beach at Venetian, Ditch Fridays at Palms, Bare at Mirage are examples. Tip: Check to see what is happening at the pool in your hotel. Including cost and times. For example, Rehab is free for individuals staying at the Hard Rock.

My suggestions are just that. There are a lot of good pool options all over Vegas. If the hotel pool is important to you, check it out online before booking your stay.

One final tip: Hotel pools are not public pools. If you are not staying in that hotel, you might have to pay an admission fee to get in. So if there is a pool you want to go to, call the hotel and ask for the pool and check on the admission fee.

Memorial Day special

I might take advantage of this myself:

Memorial Day Weekend Sale! Get a FREE Night this Memorial Day Weekend when you travel between 5/22 and 5/27!

Also

Summer Sale! Save up to 30% off Las Vegas

Best Burgers in Vegas

Before I became a vegetarian, I loved a good burger. Burger Bar in Mandalay Bay have the best. The Kobe burger would tempt me back to the "Dark Side". When I go to Vegas, I usually make this place my first stop before I checked into my hotel.

It is usually busy, but the slowest time (and the best time) to go is right when it opens mid-morning. It's empty, so you get great service and you eat pretty quick. Around 11:30, the lunch rush begins. I am usually paying my check and gone by then.

It's in Mandalay Place and can be difficult to find. So make sure you look for it or you could be looking for a while.

In other burger news (courtesy of the Red Rock Casino):

LBS, a classic American burger joint, will open at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa this fall. Created and owned by Las Vegas restaurateur Billy Richardson, the focus of LBS is to deliver the best hamburgers anywhere in Las Vegas using only fresh ingredients and all-natural, hormone-free Hereford beef and turkey. The 101-seat restaurant and bar will be located adjacent to the casino floor in the space previously occupied by Tides, which closed on April 27. In keeping with the classic American theme, the LBS bar will offer more than 40 different microbrew blends of beer and a classic cocktail list.

Hopefully someone can tell me about good places where I can get a veggie burger (one that is good).

Help your boss plan a Las Vegas work trip

From the LA Times Blog. Some great tips, too much to list here because fair use. But there are three or four I want to mention.

Hotel:
The article mentions some of the priciest on the strip:

The Palazzo, Wynn Las Vegas, Augustus Towers rooms at Caesars Palace, and THEHotel

All very, very nice. Can't go wrong with any of them. But some places cringe at the thought of expensing a stay in a casino. (I work for a company that would never expense a stay in a casino.) So here is a tip: Stay at the Four Seasons. It's on the top five floors of Mandalay Bay. It might be a bit more pricey, but can be easier to get through the office manager.

Dining:
Breakfast: Can' t go wrong with the buffet at Paris. But if you are staying in the above hotels, anyplace there is good.

Dinner (from the blog):

Steakhouses are an old standby: try Charlie Palmer’s at Four Seasons, the Palm at Caesars Forum Shops, SW at Wynn, N9NE Steakhouse at Palms or Delmonico at the Venetian. With so many new restaurants and celebrity chefs making the headlines, where to go depends on the age and hipness of the people you are wining and dining.

Golf (also from the blog):

Shadow Creek: A highly respected golf course built by Tom Fazio and exclusive to guests of MGM Mirage properties, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, the Mirage, Luxor, Excalibur, New York New York, Monte Carlo, Circus Circus and Railroad Pass.

Reflection Bay: Out in Henderson at Lake Las Vegas, this was the first public resort golf course in Nevada designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Cascata: Designed by Rees Jones, Sports Illustrated called this luxurious resort in Boulder City “golf’s hidden treasure.” Read these articles for more information, “Las Vegas: Golf for high rollers” and “Las Vegas: Great golf at several price levels.”

Make sure you ask the concierge about tee times and courses that the hotel have some pull and can squeeze you in on short notice.

More Airline Trouble

Need help knowing if your American flight has been canceled. You can set it up to send a SMS through this page on AA.com

A quick search of the blogs tell me that people are not having mixed responses when calling the rebooking toll-free number (I would post it here, but if you are stuck in an airport, I have read they have them posted all over American's terminals). Midday: You might get disconnected. At night: better chance of getting a booking.

But there are worse places to be stranded than in Vegas. Out of the "goodness of our hearts", I won't rip American Airlines. :)

Here is the latest story from ABC News:

Thousands of passengers were stranded again today after American Airlines canceled nearly half of its domestic flights.

American canceled more than 1,000 of its 2,300 daily flights today to re-inspect wiring, just as it did two weeks ago. The carrier canceled 460 flights Tuesday.

Passengers at Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago's O'Hare airports were hardest hit today by the reinspections. Travelers in St. Louis, Austin and at New York's LaGuardia airport were also affected.

American officials said the situation remains fluid and they cannot yet rule out more cancellations today and Thursday.

"American will do whatever it takes to assist those affected by these flight changes and our employees are working hard to ensure that we remain their choice for air travel," said Gerard Arpey, chairman and CEO of American Airlines. "This includes compensating those inconvenienced customers who stayed overnight in a location away from their final destination."

The airline is again reinspecting wire bundles on its MD-80 aircraft, which caused the carrier trouble in late March. At that time, the airline explained that it is required to secure wiring at every inch, and the aircraft were reinspected because they may have had the bundles secured every 1¼ or 1½ inches.

The inspections are not a safety issue but rather a matter of precise technical compliance, according to the airline.

American Airlines operates 300 MD-80 airplanes, all of which were grounded Tuesday evening. About 30 of those planes were back in service as of 7 a.m. today. More are expected to be returned to service throughout the day.

Today's news comes as lawmakers on Capitol Hill prepare to hear horror stories this afternoon about passengers stuck for hours in airports and on the tarmac. A House panel will examine aviation delays and consumer complaints during its fourth hearing in a series focused on airline consumer protection.

Toni Braxton hospital scare

Sad news about one of my favorite artists. I don't go to shows in Vegas. Along with Prince, Toni's would be a show I would go and see. But it looks like she is going to make it. From Huliq:

A spokesperson for singer Toni Braxton announced she has been hospitalized in Las Vegas. TMZ.com reports that Toni is suffering from pericarditis - an inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. According to TMZ, Braxton may have contracted the illness when she gave birth to her second son.

AOL's Music News reports that "Toni Braxton canceled her Las Vegas show after being hospitalized overnight with chest pains, hotel officials said. The 40-year-old Grammy winner spent Monday night at a Las Vegas hospital and was expected to be released after precautionary tests, Flamingo Las Vegas hotel-casino and Harrah's Entertainment Inc. spokeswoman Deanna Pettit said."

The cause of Toni Braxton's chest pain is not known.

Despite some reports Braxton was not taken to hospital after performance, since there was not revealed schedule for Monday.

According To E! Online "While there hasn't been any further details released on her present ailment, Braxton has previously admitted suffering from a condition called pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining of the heart, which she was diagnosed with four years ago."

ATA closure affects Vegas

Hawaiians love to travel to Vegas. I regularly see them when I visit the downtown area. They are so personable and very cool to hang out with overall. The latest news about airline closures affects how they get to Vegas. From the Las Vegas Sun

The announcement today that ATA Airlines has shut down after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection severs another conduit for passengers between Las Vegas and Honolulu.

The Indianapolis-based airline – a code-share partner with Southwest Airlines, the busiest carrier at McCarran International Airport – had only one daily flight to and from Las Vegas.

But that flight was one of three daily nonstop round trips between Las Vegas and Hawaii’s largest city and capital, Honolulu.

Southwest’s code-share agreement enabled customers to book travel on Southwest to several ATA destinations. McCarran was one of four airports Southwest used to transfer customers and baggage through an agreement the airlines had since February 2005.

When booking flights with smaller carriers, check to see if they had a code-share agreement: a larger airline who will back them if something happens. Without an agreement, this happens (from Yahoo, bolding by me):

Airlines have a new attitude toward customers of failed carriers: It's your loss, not ours. With more airlines folding these days, the impact on consumers can be severe.

Passenger carriers are no longer required to honor tickets of failed competitors because Congress let a government protection for travelers expire in 2006. So when Aloha Airgroup Inc., ATA Airlines Inc. and Skybus Airlines Inc. all shut down last week, some airlines, including the nation's two biggest, refused to accept stranded ticket-holders.

That is a big change for consumers. They used to be able to buy tickets on struggling airlines with reasonable expectations that either the airline would keep flying if it went bankrupt, or other airlines would honor tickets for a small fee. Now, consumers need to be far more careful in picking airlines, especially for tickets bought months in advance.

Aloha Airlines also went Chapter 11, but will keep flying. They have a one-stop flight between Vegas and Hawaii.

No codeshare means you might have to pay an ungodly amount of money to get back home if you are stranded far from home. Back to the Yahoo article:

The carriers said they did offer tickets at discounted prices rather than full-fare, last-minute purchase prices. United said it offered a one-way fare of $275 from Honolulu or Maui to Los Angeles with no advance-purchase requirements, for example, and $475 from Honolulu to Chicago. American said it waived advance-purchase requirements so Aloha, ATA and Skybus ticket-holders could get discounted inventory if available.

But the reality is that at least some customers paid very steep prices. The Maui News reported several customers at Maui's airport said they had to pay $900 each for one-way tickets from Maui to Los Angeles on American. A spokesman for American, , says it is possible there was no advance-purchase inventory left when those customers called.

The kicker comes in the Yahoo article:

"We didn't have a code-share relationship of any kind with any of these airlines, so anything we do to offer people a discount is basically out of the 'goodness of our hearts,'" Mr. Wagner said. "Any discount we give is revenue lost, and we won't be getting anything out of their bankruptcies. So in a $100-a-barrel oil environment, anything that any airline does is generous."

Un-Be-lieve-able. Bad service, lost luggage, late flights, risk of being stranded, cramped seats, etc. Acting out of the goodness of their hearts might start improving their PR image around the country.

Increasingly, flying is becoming buyer beware.

(Disclosure: I flew to Savannah this weekend and the worse part was flying there and back. More on that later)

Fire at the Monte Carlo

No charges will be filed in a spectacular fire that damaged the facade of the Monte Carlo hotel-casino in Las Vegas.

Clark County Fire Chief Steve Smith says the Jan. 25 fire was started by welders working on the roof without proper permits, but it wasn't intentional.

The fire forced the evacuation of 6,000 guests and employees and cost some $100 million in damage and lost business. Seventeen people suffered minor injuries.

This is from the Associated Press on Mar. 25. I write it now because the Monte Carlo is still open and accepting reservations. Only 500 rooms were affected (by water and not the fire). But everything else is open.

On a personal note, the Monte Carlo is a finalist for my July trip to Vegas (along with the Luxor)

Elvis is alive...sort of

The King of Rock n' Roll is coming back to the Strip, kinda. As a part of a new hotel/casino, according to Fox News:

The company that owns the licensing rights to the name and image of Elvis Presley is continuing with plans to build a casino devoted to the King on the Las Vegas Strip

Now this is only in development. So it's 50/50 whether this actually happens. More from the article:

The project is scheduled to begin construction in the first quarter of 2009 with a completion date of late 2012, the filing said.

First phase plans include an "Elvis-inspired" luxury hotel and casino and a separate hotel-condominium. FX will own and operate the 2,269-room hotel and 93,000-square-foot casino.

A separate project, with 778 hotel rooms and 147 condominiums, will be operated by a joint-venture partner.

A 206,000-square-foot convention space, retail space, restaurants and showroom also is planned.

Developers hope to tap into the market for Elvis-themed weddings with several wedding chapels, a bridal and flower shop, and wedding reception and banquet areas.

An interactive multimedia Elvis experience, a boutique and an Elvis memorabilia store are also planned for the project.

Wonder what it's going to be called. Graceland West? But when coming goes up, then something must go away.

The site is currently occupied by several retail store and restaurants, including the Harley-Davidson Cafe and Smith & Wollensky. It generated $21.4 million in revenue for FX mainly through rental income.

Too bad, I like both places. Some projects sound promising, but this is a little blah.

Summer Concerts and pool openings

The best reason to go to Vegas in the summer is the pool scene at different hotels. When I stayed at the Hard Rock, I got an unexpected surprise as MTV shot a live concert from the great pool at HRH. The topper was a performance from my favorite singer, Shakira. So in Vegas, you can get a tan while enjoying live music by some of the top artists in the world.

So when you are looking at hotels, also look at who will be performing. The 2008 lineup, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Vistors Authority, includes Kanye West and Smashmouth.

One of the first pools to introduce European-style sunbathing to Las Vegas, Moorea Beach Club at Mandalay Bay, is still beaconing sun worshipers. Also offering this poolside perk to visitors are the GO Pool at Flamingo Las Vegas, and BARE at The Mirage, which also invite guests to let go of their inhibitions and say goodbye to those pesky tan lines.

The newest aquatic destination to open in Las Vegas is WET REPUBLIC. Opening in April, WET REPUBLIC is a 53,000 square-foot ultra pool at MGM Grand featuring the only two saltwater pools on The Strip. In addition to the main pool area is an open-air ultra lounge featuring signature cocktails, premium bottle and pitcher service and sophisticated cuisine. A sundeck will transform into a stage that will host renowned DJs and entertainers.

TAO Beach, located on the roof of TAO Nightclub at The Venetian, is hosting its second pool season beginning April 18. In addition to cabanas featuring high-definition plasma televisions, X-box consoles, iPod and DVD rentals, guests enjoy poolside manicures, pedicures, massages and order an exotic meal from the menu at TAO Asian Bistro.

Last summer, Mandalay Bay Beach completed a $30 million expansion with the Beachside Casino, the first of its kind on The Strip. Home to the Beach Bar & Grill, it also features climate-controlled beachside gaming and a range of cabanas atop the three-story casino. The Villas Soleil offer exclusive amenities and a spectacular view of Mandalay Bay Beach.

Some of the hottest pool parties are happening off the Las Vegas Strip. The Palms Pool & Bungalows returns with Ditch Fridays beginning in May. Hosted by resident DJ Skribble of MTV fame, the parties feature live performances, fashion shows, prize giveaways and more. The three-acre paradise consists of three pools, four outdoor bars, a separate dining area, waterfalls and lavish cabanas.

The always popular Rehab at Hard Rock Pool and Beach Club returns for its fifth season. In this adult beach-club atmosphere, floating palapas become dance floors with the music of famous deejays like Tiesto, Jonathan Peters and Scooter & Lavelle. Party-goers enjoy the Beach Bar & Grill or placing a bet right along the water's edge at the gaming tables. Note: Rehab takes over the pool at the Hard Rock every Sunday.

The line to get in Rehab can be long and getting a cabana can be pricey. But it is the best party in Vegas on Sundays.

The Friday Night Live (FNL) Concert Series begins on May 2 with Puddle of Mudd. In its second season, FNL will feature Eeek-A-Mouse, Dropkick Murphys, Stephen Marley, Smashmouth, Steel Pulse, De La Soul and Jonny Lang.

Taking place in the Sandbar Backyard at Red Rock Resort is the Summer Concert Series. Launching on April 25, Red Rock will welcome GRAMMY(r) Award-winning artist Kanye West and special guests Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D. Also appearing throughout summer are Dierks Bentley, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Peter Frampton and UB40.

Vegas pools

Summer is coming up and Vegas can get pretty warm. Picking a hotel also will include which has the best pool. Here is a guide:

NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOTEL POOL
Visitors often choose to vacation to Las Vegas because of its fabulous year-round sunshine. That famous desert dry heat can make lounging by the hotel pool for the day sound like paradise. It's no surprise, then, that the pools in Las Vegas are popular, but it's not just because they are a great way to beat the heat. Guests spend hours soaking up the sun simply because Las Vegas has some of the coolest pools in the world.

Only Las Vegas can bring the ocean and the beach to the desert. Mandalay Bay actually trucked in more than 1,700 tons of sand from Southern California for its 11-acre tropical water environment. The area includes a 1.6-million-gallon wave pool with waves that reach as high as five feet, three swimming pools and a jogging track. The resort's lazy river is 3.25 feet deep and stretches around the entire pool deck. Recently, Mandalay Bay added Las Vegas' only climate-controlled poolside gaming venue. Just a few feet from crystal-clear waves, a new three-story, glass-fronted Beach Casino invites guests to indulge at their leisure. The first level offers a casual bar and grill while the second level features table games with expansive, open-air views. On the third floor, guests will find the spectacular Villas Soleil, luxury pool villas ranging from 250 to 500 square feet. With your toes buried in the sand and with a refreshing cocktail in hand, it can be difficult to remember that you're in the middle of the Mojave Desert!

From a tropical beach to an ancient Roman oasis, you'll discover a place truly fit for the immortal at Garden of the Gods Pool at Caesars Palace. The ancient Romans revered water for its healing powers and indulged in the luxury of public baths among fragrant gardens. Surrounded by marble statues and relaxing fountains, you'll appreciate that Roman ideology as you enjoy four sapphire pools and two whirlpool spas. Enjoy private, European sunbathing at The Venus Pool, a newly redesigned piece of heaven offering 12 poolside cabanas.

Relaxation is priority #1 at The Mirage. The ultimate in poolside pampering, Bare, an experience apart from the resort's typical pool complex, is defined by its distinctive, contemporary ambiance and ultra VIP service. The DJ-spun music mix sets a lively mood as guests enjoy European sunbathing while secluded by towering palms. Two luxury dipping pools create a temptingly cool respite from the hot Vegas sun. Specialty food items and cocktail service are always offered in addition to complimentary services such as chilled cucumbers to soothe the eyes, iced towels, exotic frozen fruit, icy popsicles and Evian misting bottles.

If your idea of fun is a pool party, look no further than The Palms. Recently remodeled, the new pool area and bungalows, which re-opened in March 2007, span two acres and can accommodate up to 3,000 guests. Perhaps the pool's most unique feature is The Glass Bar. Located under an elevated, glass-bottomed pool, bar patrons merely have to look up for some unique scenery of guests swimming overhead. The pool area also features 27 contemporary cabanas and even three poolside bungalows, where overnight guests can watch live concerts and events from the comfort of their king-sized beds.

The party continues at TAO Beach, a seductive and sophisticated Asian-themed beach club and an extension of the already popular TAO Nightclub at The Venetian. By day, guests can secure a reservation to lounge poolside in one of seven luxury cabanas that feature such amenities as high-definition plasma screen televisions with X-Box gaming consoles, a DVD library, internet and customized mini bars. Other amenities include sunglass cleaning, iPOD rental and a staff of masseuses. As night falls, guests find themselves in an open-air nightclub featuring a floating dance floor, four 14-foot fire columns and high-energy music.

After a crazy night out on the town, you may just need a full day to recover from that hangover before you do it all over again. That's why the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers Rehab every Sunday at the pool during the summer season. This exclusive daytime "recovery" session offers therapy in the form of palm-shaded sandy beaches, blue water and some of the most beautiful bodies Las Vegas has to offer. In fact, if your poolside agenda has you concerned about missing out on the casino action, don't be! You don't even have to get out of the water to enjoy the excitement of blackjack at the swim-up Palapa Bar in the center of Hard Rock's watery playground.

From swimming with card sharks at the Hard Rock to swimming with the real thing at downtown's Golden Nugget...dive into all the action at the Golden Nugget's newest aquatic attraction, The Tank, a $20-million pool complete with a 200,000-gallon shark tank, three-story waterslide and well-appointed cabanas. Thrill in the excitement of swimming inches away from sharks and other marine life!

If you feel safer on dry land and long for the comforts (and security!) of being indoors, then a poolside cabana may be the answer. Nearly every major property features luxurious cabanas offering a variety of amenities including large, cushioned lounge chairs on individual patios, marble tables, private dressing areas, telephones, flat-screen televisions, misting systems, ceiling fans, wet bars and refrigerators. Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort recently introduced themed pool cabanas as the property continues to create new and unique guest experiences. The themed cabanas include The Fisher-Price KidBana, the SpahhhBana and the BizBana. The KidBana provides activities, toys and games and includes snacks and child-friendly movies. The SpahhhBana offers an enhanced level of quiet, relaxation and escape featuring magazines, use of an iPOD, herbal teas, chilled towels and more. The BizBana is complete with wireless internet connection, office supplies, business and financial books and magazines and an endless supply of coffee. The Loews Themed Cabanas are available for a fee for guests staying at the resort.

Bottom line tips: Look for specials. The Hard Rock Hotel always have weekday specials for cabana use. They are worth it and you don't have to stay there to rent a cabana for a day.

Weekly Vegas Deals

Well, travel season is in full swing, and the crowd is looking for deals! So, that's where we come in.

It's chilly in many places, but Vegas is just getting warmed up. This hot city is delivering 24-hour excitement along the fun-filled, sun-drenched Strip. Stay three or more nights and you'll get $50 instant savings on custom flight + hotel packages, or $25 savings on hotel stays. Plus, stay at featured hotels and receive additional savings, special offers and more!

Also included below are Family Sale and Winter Getaway Sale links. Happy Hunting.

Orbitz Vegas Sale: Save up to $50! Expires April 15.

Orbitz Winter Getaway Sale: Save up to 40% off plus $75 off Top Destinations! Expires March 2.
Orbitz Family Sale: Save $150! Expires April 15.