With world-class hotels, celebrity chefs continuously opening restaurants, pop stars in residence and high-end shopping in Las Vegas being the norm, Sin City upped its game once again by recently welcoming Formula 1 Racing and the futuristic Sphere concert venue to the mix. With all the new entertaining activities aside, if you are here for gaming, Vegas is also the home of the largest prize pool in poker history—$40,000,000 at the Wynn’s Poker Room. While 38 million people visit Las Vegas annually, it’s also a great place to spend the holidays and New Year’s Eve, with thousands of options for places to stay and things to do. In our ultimate Las Vegas travel guide, we’re narrowing down to a few must-sees for your next visit.
Where to Stay
New Kid in Town
Already an icon in Miami, the Fontainebleau brand opened a 67-story luxury resort on the Strip this December. The streamlined modern façade with no neon signage is certainly a game-changer. With a staggering 3,644 rooms and suites, 150,000 square feet of gaming space, world-class shops, Urs Fischer gallery, vitality-enhancing spa, concert venue and LIV nightclub, this is the one to beat. The restaurant and bar collection features a total of 36 first-to-market concepts from acclaimed chefs and restaurateur partners including Rome-inspired Mother Wolf by Evan Funke to Japanese omakase at KYU from Masa Ito. Coming soon: Chyna Club from Hakkasan and Wagamama founder Alan Yau, along with Tequila Casa Dragones’ first tasting room outside of San Miguel de Allende, inside acclaimed chef Gabriela Cámara’s Cantina Contramar from Mexico City.
Party Hotel
As part of Curio Collection by Hilton which is the upscale arm of the legendary U.S.-based hotel brand, the former Hard Rock Hotel has been transformed into the modern-glam British-born Virgin Hotels by Venice, California-based design team Studio Collective. The 1,500 rooms and suites span over three distinct towers: The Opal and Canyon Towers or all-suite Ruby Tower. But you are here for the five-acre desert pool oasis with VIP-style cabanas, and the two-story Mykonos-themed day club with an open-air entertainment stage. Hospitality heavy-hitters are also involved with the dining venues including the legendary Nobu, Michael and David Morton’s One Steakhouse, and Kris Yenbamroong’s Night + Market with three locations in Los Angeles.
Off the Strip
Durango Casino & Resort is the newest luxury destination in Southwest Las Vegas by Station Casinos. The 200 guestrooms and suites have a lux-modern décor, and the pool features private cabanas, and outdoor social areas. Dining options include a “Hall of Foods,” with more award-winning chefs such as a pasta bar by Philly-native Marc Vetri of Fiorella; Los Angeles institution Irv’s Burgers, and Prince Street Pizza of New York.
High Roller
Las Vegas has set the standard for over-the-top opulence and expensive suites but The Palms Resort & Casino has set a new excess bar with the $200,000, 2-night stay, Empathy Suite. The 9,000 square foot Venus gray marble-clad suite is filled with renowned artist Damien Hirst’s work, which includes six original pieces from, a medicine cabinet filled with diamonds called Vegas and The Winner Takes It All pool table which are intertwined with Hirst’s most noted motifs from butterflies to pharmaceuticals on seemly every inch of the space. But the showstopper is the two bull sharks suspended in formaldehyde, displayed in white tanks set into the wall near a cantilevered Jacuzzi overlooking the strip flanked by pillars with the artist’s signature colorful dots.
Wild Card
The Silverton Casino Lodge has undergone a complete $40 million renovation offering a new boutique hotel experience. You can now book one of 300 “luxe-lodge” guest rooms and suites, including three distinct design stories, each with its own curated style from Cowboy Kitsch to Rustic Modern and a Refined Lodge Collection with rooms inspired by the legendary cattle baron homes found in the West. When it’s time to take a dip, the new $10 million backyard and pool renovation, The Swimming Hole, also includes poolside dining, sports and movies, cabanas, fire pits and a good time under the sun or stars.
Where to Dine
South of France Chic
Vegas is known for emulating and transporting lifestyles and this time it’s the Côte d’Azur at LPM Restaurant & Bar. The acclaimed French eatery (with locations in London, Dubai and Miami) is celebrated as one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants and can now be found at the Cosmopolitan hotel in Vegas. The French Riviera-inspired concept offers top Mediterranean fare including snails with garlic butter, salt-baked sea bass, marinated lamb cutlets with aubergine caviar and vanilla crème brûlée for dessert. The cocktail menu was inspired by the remarkable life of French artist Jean Cocteau, as well as an impressive list of rosé wines.
Lotus of Siam Expands
One of the most highly acclaimed eateries off the Strip and a favorite with locals and visitors alike for 20 years, Lotus of Siam has opened its third Vegas location inside of Red Rock Resort. Known for its century-old family recipes and transporting guests to Northern Thailand, the menu retains signature dishes such as the crispy duck Khao Soi, garlic prawns, Thai-style stews and coconut-less curries.
Breakfast Upgrade
If you tire of the all-you-can-eat buffet which many of the Strip hotels offer such as the multiple options at Wynn or Caesar’s Palace famed Bacchanal, head to the elegant La Fontaine at the Fontainebleau hotel. Must-try items include the light as a cloud souffle pancakes with lemon curd from French executive chef Laetitia Rouabah, who hails from Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse. The eggs Benedict are served on everything croissant rolls with a choice of smoked salmon, lobster, or caviar.
Movie Magic
Actor Jon Favreau has joined forces once again with chef Roy Choi to debut The Chef Truck, now open at Park MGM. The truck pays homage to Favreau and Choi’s culinary friendship that began with the hit-movie “Chef” and continued in the subsequent Netflix series, “The Chef Show.” Fans can now try signatures from the big screen including the OG Cubano, Grilled Cheese Sandwich and the Chocolate Lava Cake. New collaborations will be featured on the breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, including an array of vegetarian options.
More Celebrity Chefs
Restaurants by your favorite television food personalities abound up and down the Strip from Hell’s Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay at Caesar’s, along with Burgers by Bobby Flay, and The Bedford by Martha Stewart at Paris, with more expected by 2024. Mandalay Bay will welcome Carama by Wolfgang Puck. The regional Italian-themed eatery pays homage to his mother, who was also a chef, and taught him the importance of using the finest ingredients and sharing them with friends and family. Restaurateur and wine expert Piero Selvaggio curated the list with rare vintages.
Group BBQ
The much anticipated premium all-you-can-eat Korean barbeque restaurant from Fullerton, CA., Mr BBQ, is now open in Chinatown and it’s perfect for a group outing. The menu uses only USDA-Grade, steakhouse-quality beef. To wash it all down, order the somaek tower – a traditional mix of soju and beer.
WHERE TO DRINK
Date Night
If you’re looking for a romantic night of elegance and entertainment, 81/82 Group’s newest addition to its Cocktail Collective at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is the dimly-lit Juliet Cocktail Room. Expect DJs and live music from pianists, singers, and drummers in a sexy and intimate room with Victorian-inspired décor, which feels like stepping back into a bygone era.
Bruno Mars at Bellagio
Two icons in hospitality and entertainment — superstar singer Bruno Mars and the Bellagio Resort & Casino, have joined forces to launch The Pinky Ring, a one-of-a-kind cocktail lounge and jazz bar on the Las Vegas Strip in early 2024. The concept came about when Mars wanted a personal place where he could throw glamorous parties when he was in town.
A Late Affair
S Bar’s Late Affair offers live music, performances and headlining DJs in an immersive experience. Talent dancers and musicians take over the entire room integrating with the audience as guests become part of the performance. Of course, there is a selection of creative cocktails and decadent shareable dishes to add to the experience.
SHOPPING
Cult Cool
German designer Philipp Plein has three Las Vegas stores with his most recent opening at The Shops at Crystals. As one of the largest independent fashion and luxury brands in the world with a celebrity-cult following, the new Philipp Plein Vegas boutique spans 2,697 square feet, with contemporary lounge couches, marble podiums, and chrome and glass tables that bring a touch of luxury living to the venue. This is the place to shop for men and women if you forgot to bring a sexy outfit to Vegas for clubbing or a high-rolling dinner at one of the casino private clubs. You can also find eyewear and signature watches.
Browsing the Grand Canal
Yes, Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort is a bit kitschy with over-the-top antique stores and a mini-Madame Tussauds wax museum, but where else (besides Venice Italy) can you stroll on cobblestone walkways with a surreal sky-painted ceiling past a canal with gondolas floating by? Only in Vegas.
Local Mall Finds
It might look like just another sprawling mall, but Fashion Show Las Vegas is where locals shop for the latest trends with over 250 retailers, eight anchor department stores and more than 30 dining and entertainment options when you need a break from the retail therapy.
THINGS TO DO
Skydive or Bungee
With the influx of sports, the Sphere and F1, Vegas is booming with thrilling attractions. Skydive the Strip: After Sunset℠, is ready to take it to new heights. At 11,000 feet above the ground, gazing down at the iconic Strip, ablaze with neon lights as you freefall. This is the world’s only authorized company by the United States Parachute Association (USPA) to offer tandem skydives after sunset. And you’ll arrive in style, chauffeured in a limousine, followed by a private helicopter pickup from the Las Vegas Country Club, formerly frequented by legends like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
If flinging yourself off the 108th floor of a building at 40 mph while strapped to a retractable cord sounds like your idea of hitting the jackpot, Skyjump at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod, actually holds the Guinness World Record as the highest commercial decelerator descent facility. This is one of the most accelerating things you can do on the Strip for under $100 bucks—much less than you might lose on the casino floor.
High-tech Escape Room
Spanning more than 30,000 square feet, Escape IT is a new take on the traditional escape room experience, offering two multi-room escape adventures that bring to life “IT,” the highest-grossing horror film of all time, and its blockbuster sequel, “IT Chapter Two.” You and your friends will explore more than 20 interactive rooms with state-of-the-art special FX, lighting, animatronics, and live actors to create a fully immersive and terrifying experience.
Neon Nostalgia
The Neon Museum is a Las Vegas’ non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs. This Museum has an outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard and an immersive audiovisual experience “Brilliant!” which uses technology to re-illuminate more than 40 non-operational signs. The museum collection also includes nine restored signs installed as public art in downtown Las Vegas. There are current plans to restore and relight three individual Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino signs.
