{"id":3252,"date":"2019-01-06T13:19:13","date_gmt":"2019-01-06T13:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sandboxworld.com\/travel\/?p=3252"},"modified":"2019-02-05T11:59:29","modified_gmt":"2019-02-05T11:59:29","slug":"vdara-hotel-spa-and-the-park-mgm-stand-out-in-exciting-las-vegas%ef%bb%bf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandboxworld.com\/travel\/vdara-hotel-spa-and-the-park-mgm-stand-out-in-exciting-las-vegas%ef%bb%bf\/","title":{"rendered":"Vdara Hotel & Spa and the Park MGM stand out in exciting Las Vegas\ufeff"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Alexandra Cohen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LAS VEGAS <\/strong>– There is no question about it. The City of Las Vegas, Nevada (https:\/\/www.visitlasvegas.com\/ca<\/a>) has everything that a vacationer could possibly ask for: concerts, shows, sports, shopping, dining, nightlife, golf, spas, adventure, luxury accommodations, and much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having\njust returned from our second trip in the last four years, I am already\ncounting down the days until I can go back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHERE TO STAY:<\/strong> We stayed at the\ngorgeous Vdara Hotel & Spa, a luxury boutique property located at\nCityCenter.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An all-suite hotel and\nspa designed for those who love the excitement of Vegas, but prefer to enjoy it\nin a smaller and more exclusive, non-gaming, smoke-free environment, Vdara is\nphysically connected to the Bellagio and directly adjacent to the Aria Resort\n& Casino, offering access to all of the amenities and energy of CityCenter\nwhile also providing a nearby retreat from the hustle and bustle of the strip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vdara made its big debut in December 2009. Internationally-inspired, the chic boutique resort offers a holistic spa, luxurious pool, intimate meeting space, and the sophisticated and convenient Vice Versa Patio & Lounge and Market Caf\u00e9 Vdara, both located in their small and easy-to-navigate lobby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Designed by RV Architecture, LLC, led by Rafael Vinoly, Vdara’s distinct crescent shape and<\/g> unique patterned glass creates a striking design statement. Soaring 57 stories, Vdara has 1,495 suites ranging from 500 to 1,650 square feet.\u00a0 It also boasts some outstanding amenities, including its spa. From early morning to late evening, Vdara Health & Beauty, its 16,000-square-foot, two-level wellness spa, salon and fitness complex, soothes and rejuvenate guests. David Glass, the internationally acclaimed innovator behind the Bellagio’s AAA Four Diamond restaurant Sensi,\u00a0 serves as executive chef for all of Vdara’s food and beverage offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Featuring\n10,000 square feet of contemporary conference space, Vdara has become the\npremier choice in Las Vegas for customized executive meetings, corporate,\nsocial, and banquet functions for up to 400 guests.  The Pool & Lounge, a\nbeautiful getaway that we had the chance to experience firsthand, also features\n19 luxurious cabanas,\nincluding six spa cabanas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While at the Vdara people\nhave the opportunity to experience what is surely a first in many of their\nlives: snacks and coffee delivered to their rooms by two relay robots by the\nnames of Fetch and Jett. These\ntalented bots work alongside their human colleagues to transport an array of\nfrequently forgotten and requested amenities including shaving and dental kits\nas well as tasty bites and drinks from Market\nCaf\u00e9.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designed\nand built by robot developer Savioke, Fetch and Jett are fully autonomous\nindoor delivery robots that use advanced technology to seamlessly navigate\naround people and objects. I watched them travel through the hotel lobby\nmyself, and each time, those passing by stopped to take photos and marvel. The\nrobots can prioritize multiple requests and wirelessly communicate with the\nhotel\u2019s systems \u2013 even operating the elevators autonomously. Upon receiving a\nrequest, a hotel employee will load items into the robot\u2019s compartment before inputting\nthe guest\u2019s room number and hitting the \u201cGO\u201d button. Its secure, tamper-proof\nlid prevent items from being removed until the robot reaches its destination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fetch\nand Jett will call a guest\u2019s room when they arrive, and once the door opens,\ntheir lids will automatically unlock for guests to retrieve their snacks and\ntravel kits. After removing their items, Fetch and Jett will ask the guest for\nfeedback on their service before traveling back to their docking stations \u2013\ntypically taking less than five minutes to complete a delivery. A five-star\nreview inspires a short happy dance from the robot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a\nhat-tip to the property\u2019s dog-friendly policy, Fetch and Jett\u2019s exterior\nresembles the coats of different canine breeds. The helpful (and housebroken)\nrobots provide a fun and refined experience for guests at the hotel and spa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGuests enjoy the novelty of having their morning coffee and other items delivered by a robot, which frees up time for the rest of our staff to focus their energy on requests that require a higher level of service,\u201d said Vdara General Manager Mary Giuliano<\/strong>. \u201cWe\u2019re committed to creating special experiences for each guest, and I\u2019m certain this will be a memorable one.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the small snacks and drinks that can be\ndelivered by Fetch and Jett, the hotel also delivers on a full in-suite dining\nexperience should guests be interested, bringing not only food, but a full\ntable setting for all. We enjoyed some breakfast in our room, including\ndelicious eggs, an omelette, breakfast potatoes, and an assortment of tasty\ncroissants and danishes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vdara is located within one of the largest sustainable\ndevelopments in existence, bringing a new level of environmental consciousness\nto the world-famous Strip. In addition to Vdara, the U.S. Green Building\nCouncil has awarded LEED\u00ae Gold certification to ARIA Resort & Casino\u2019s\nhotel tower as well as its convention space and theater. In 2010, Vdara Hotel\n& Spa and ARIA become the first Las Vegas hotels to achieve a 5 Keys\ndesignation by the Green Key Eco-Rating Program \u2013 the foremost \u201cgreen\u201d ranking,\ncertification, and audit program in North America evaluating sustainable hotel\noperations. The 5 Keys designation is a certification level achieved by only\napproximately one percent of all hotels rated by Green Key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were pleased to see\nthat our Corner Suite offered us a lovely view of some of the hotels on the\nStrip. Other similar suites offer picturesque views of the Bellagio Fountains\nand surrounding mountains. The in-suite tablet sits right beside the King-sized\nbed. From this tablet, you can order room service or snacks to be delivered by\nFetch and Jett, and also book your next spa appointment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The kitchenette features\na two-burner stove and a full-sized refrigerator, while the living area offers\na dining table fit for four. You can end the day by soaking in the spa-like tub\nsitting in the room\u2019s expansive bathroom. \nThere are 42-inch, flat-screen, and high –\ndefinition televisions with media hubs for MP3 players, cameras, DVD players\nand game consoles as well as a work desk with\na multi-line telephone in each of these suites. We also had access to large closets with plush robes and slippers, an ironing\nboard and clothes steamer, and a washing machine.  The in-suite,\nlaptop-sized electronic safes were also very convenient. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hotel has a fully equipped 2,000-square-foot fitness center,\nwith cardio, exercise machines, and free weights, as well as personal trainers\navailable for private or group instruction. A smoothie bar offers a selection\nof smoothies, nutritious snacks, and juices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vdara lobby is\nquite nice and spacious. Above the registration desk hangs the 30-foot-long\nhorizontal Frank Stella painting, \u201c<\/strong>Damascus Gate Variation I,\u201dwhich draws immediate attention\nwith its vibrant shades of blue, red, orange and yellow. Due to Vdara\u2019s\nboutique size, nearly all of its spectacular amenities are just steps from the\nmain entrance. Guests have immediate access to its meeting and social event\nspace; registration desk; concierge lobby; and its casual eatery and marketplace,\nMarket Caf\u00e9 Vdara. At the heart of the lobby experience, VICE VERSA Patio &\nLounge radiates an aura of sophistication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within\nVdara\u2019s concierge lobby, Peter Wegner displays two soaring lunar- and\nsolar-themed works of art on opposite walls entitled, \u201cDay for Night, Night for Day.\u201dThree stories above, an\nopen wooden walkway offers a new vantage point of the artwork, as guests peer\ndown into the lobby. On the second level of the hotel, guests can enjoy ESPA at\nVdara, Salon Vdara, and Pool & Lounge Vdara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wheelchairs and scooters\nare available at all MGM Resort hotels for a fee. At the Vdara, in fact, manual\nwheelchairs are available for rent free of charge. To guarantee a wheelchair or\nscooter, contacting the Bell Desk ahead of time is recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information and\nreservations, log on to www.vdara.com, call toll free at (866) 745-7767 or\n702.590.2111. follow Vdara on Facebook and Twitter at Vdara  Las Vegas and VdaraLV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BAVETTE AND THE PARK MGM:<\/strong> The former Monte Carlo Hotel officially shed its name recently for a new identity \u2013 The Park MGM (https:\/\/www.parkmgm.com\/en.htm<\/a>).   <\/strong>A partnership between Sydell Group and MGM Resorts International, Park MGM was born from the collaborative vision of the New York-based lifestyle hotelier and one of the world\u2019s preeminent destination resort developers. <\/a>The project comprises two new distinct experiences: Park MGM, and a Las Vegas version of the renowned NoMad, a standalone 292-room hotel encompassing the tower\u2019s top four floors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We got a nice look at this new hotel when we recently dined\nat Bavette\u2019s Steakhouse (www.bavettessteakhouse.com<\/a>). Like\nits beloved Chicago sibling, the new Bavette\u2019s represents an outstanding dining\nexperience. With the restaurant\u2019s glowing chandeliers, red banquettes, and\nvintage art and murals, guests are transported to an intimate space as they\neat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bavette\u2019s offers fantastic takes on some\ntime-honored steakhouse traditions, such as multi-tiered seafood towers,\ndry-aged bone-in ribeyes, and lamb chops. In addition to some of the classics,\nwe also enjoyed a traditional filet mignon, a large baked crap cake, and side\norders of wild mushrooms and buttery mashed potatoes, all beautifully served.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Desserts leaned toward\ndecadent\u2014we enjoyed the Chocolate Cream pie with an Oreo crust, as well as\ntheir classic Lemon-Meringue Pie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the back of Bavette\u2019s,\na hidden parlor bar awaits guests who want to begin their evening early, or let\nit run late, exploring the cornucopia of cocktails that they have to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elegant landscape in\ncomplemented by a boisterous measure of classic big band jazz and vintage blues\ntunes in the main dining room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bavette\u2019s is open 5 p.m. \u2013 11 p.m. Monday\nthrough Thursday; 5 p.m. \u2013 midnight Friday and Saturday; and 5 p.m. \u2013 10 p.m.\non Sunday. Reservations can be made by calling 702.730.6700.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before or after dinner at Bavette\u2019s, explore the stylish Juniper Cocktail Lounge next door, a truly unique drinking experience that I very much enjoyed. <\/a>The mixology destination challenges the status quo of mainstay drinks while staying true to the foundation of what makes a great cocktail. Whimsical elements like fortune-telling Gin & Tonics come to life through house-made juices and syrups, a premium selection of spirits, and an intense dedication to the craft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJuniper Cocktail Lounge brings a\ndifferent perspective to the Las Vegas lounge with a more progressive cocktail\nprogram than people have experienced from such a venue,\u201d said Craig Schoettler,\nMGM Resorts executive director of beverage and corporate mixologist. . <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set to become a key component of Las Vegas\nnightlife, Juniper Cocktail Lounge offers its distinct vision of bottle service\nfor guests with an extensive selection of gins, whiskeys, tequilas and rums\nfrom around the globe. No sacrifices are made for the large-scale service as\npatrons have access to some of the world\u2019s finest liquors at their private\ntables. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We enjoyed their most famous cocktail,\nentitled \u201cA little birdie\u201d, in which the sipsmith gin, strawberry, dolin dry\nvermouth, and fresh lemon are interestingly served in a glass shaped like a\nbird. We also enjoyed \u201cCarnival\u201d\u2014a glass is brought to the table filled to the\nbrim with cotton candy, at which point Tanqueray 10 gin, fresh lime, and\nSt-Germain is poured over the cotton candy, causing it to melt in as part of\nthe drink. The menu options were endless, each one appearing to be better than\nthe one before it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Juniper Cocktail Lounge is open Sunday \u2013 Thursday from 5 p.m. \u2013 12 a.m. and Friday \u2013 Saturday from 5 p.m. \u2013 2 a.m. For more information, call 702-730-7777 or visit Juniper Cocktail Lounge online<\/a>. Explore the nightly happenings and more by following Juniper Cocktail Lounge on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @JuniperCocktail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filled with\nnatural light and punctuated by nature-inspired d\u00e9cor and art, Park MGM\u2019s lobby\nis a nod to urban gardens and parks, bringing the outdoors inside. A dramatic\narboreal sculpture by Brazilian woodworker Henrique Oliveira is the focal point\nof the lobby. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Park MGM\u2019s\nrooms evoke the essence of a private apartment, with a mix of thoughtful\ntouches, antique-inspired pieces, and original artwork by artists and\nphotographers from around the world, commissioned for each room by France\u2019s\nbe-p\u00f4les studio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Channeling\nthe sundrenched South of France, the hotel\u2019s vibrant outdoor escape features\nthree pools, an oversized heated spa, 12 cabanas, lounge areas, and multiple\nbars serving up delicious bites and beverages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Park MGM\u2019s\nremodeled casino floor reflects the resort\u2019s outdoor inspiration. In keeping\nwith Sydell Group\u2019s vision for maintaining key elements of the former space,\nthe casino\u2019s design contains subtle nods to its Monte Carlo roots, including the\nrefined sparkling chandeliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With its excellent central location, Park MGM offers guests direct access to what is quickly becoming the city\u2019s premier entertainment district, featuring T-Mobile Arena, The Park, and Park Theater, which is now home to Lady Gaga\u2019s Las Vegas residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n