Eiffel Tower
Where: Paris Las Vegas
When: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m. daily
Cost: $9 general admission
Info: (702) 946-7000 or (888) 266-5687

The romance was inescapable. Not because of the heights, or the scenery, or the cobblestone bridge that leads to the tower elevator, flanked by ornate lampposts and sculpture of bronze putti. No, it was the dulcet tones of Faith Hill and her hit, “This Kiss,” accompanying the Fountains of Bellagio some 460 feet below.

Still impressive from such great heights, the fountains are just one of the sights given the bird’s-eye-view treatment from the Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Las Vegas.

First opened in 1999, the tower, re-created at half the size of the original, cost a whopping $28.5 million to build. Quite a price to pay, considering the original structure was erected 110 years earlier for a mere $1.3 million. Fortunately for visitors, the Experience is worth every penny.

Caged in with 4-inch-wide square peepholes to provide uninterrupted sight lines, the observation deck allows an unparalleled view of all the Entertainment Capital of the World has to offer.

To the west, the Bellagio fountains and the snaking length of Interstate 15. A turn to the north reveals the Stratosphere peeking out curiously over the Wynn, the runways of Nellis Air Force Base and the faint outlines of the motor speedway. To the east, the Paris pool, its blue-and-white-striped chaise lounges and tiny, almost imperceptible bodies. The final view reveals the southern end of the Strip, its modern marquees and glowing façades providing a stark contrast to the Old World magnificence of the tower.

An incredibly helpful, charismatic staff–not to mention reassuring, for those height-sensitive among us–provide noteworthy information on the way up and add levity on the way down. “You look fabulous with all your sunglasses,” said Charles, our elevator attendant on the back end of the tour. “Now we know who the movie stars are.”

The Eiffel Tower Restaurant, the five-star dining hot spot on the 11th floor of the tower, is the perfect complement to the Experience. Offering updated French cuisine that is both light and fresh, the restaurant boasts a menu that appeals to land lovers and sky pilots alike. Among the delectable entrées are pheasant, rack of lamb and a charbroiled fillet.

For those palates desiring a lighter post-tour treat, desserts like the white chocolate banana Elysée and the raspberry Napoleon with a vanilla blanc manger should satisfy sweet-tooths, while the El Corazon, a libation made from Jose Cuervo tequila, passion fruit, pomegranate juice and fresh lime provides a refreshing climax.

Back on the ground, the once miniaturized sights regain their monumentality. The hotels and casinos rise up toward the sky, the streets seem to stretch on forever and the Tower looms overhead as a reminder that no matter who you are, where you came from or how much money you will be leaving with, there’s always somewhere you can feel like a movie star in Las Vegas.
http://www.lvshowbiz.com/

Located about 11 miles west of The Strip, straddling the border between the vastness of suburban Las Vegas and the even greater vastness of the Red Rock National Conservancy Area, Red Rock Resort is the latest from The Station Casinos chain of properties that include other winners like Green Valley Ranch, Sunset Station, Boulder Station, and the Fiesta hotels to name a few. This is their most ambitious project to date, a nearly $1 billion resort in an area far removed from where most tourists will ever tread.

Getting there is time consuming. It’s located on Charleston Blvd. along the 215 Beltway, an incomplete pseudo-freeway that will eventually loop around the entire city. For now, however, you are faced with lots of detours and plenty of traffic if you choose to take this route off I-15 to the west. Surface streets aren’t a lot better and looping around the northern route by taking the 93/95 to Summerlin Parkway is significantly worse with all the road construction currently in progress there. Long story short – give yourself at least 30 minutes to get anywhere you want to go, more if you’re traveling during rush hour.

But once you arrive it’s easy to forget about all that traffic silliness. The building itself is integrated lovingly with the surrounding scenery, using natural sandstones and other material from the area to create a beautiful desert retreat. A series of water features in front of the building aren’t quite as dramatic as the Bellagio Fountains, but add a nice flair. The entire thing has a vaguely retro ‘60s feel with long sleek lines and dramatic curves evoking the Vegas and Palm Springs resorts of the era.

Inside the all-natural feel continues with every surface turned from a simple counter or wall into a work of art. Done in bold reds, deep chocolate browns, and other earthy tones the interior spaces are at once exotic and comfortable, combining materials like ebony, walnut, mahogany, teak, and other fine woods with sandstone, onyx, marble, etched glass, gold leaf, and chrome and stainless steel accents. Take some time appreciate how they didn’t make just a support column – they turned it into a wood and glass masterpiece, with flowing lines blending organically.

Then there’s the crystal. More than three million pieces of fine Swarovski were used in the chandeliers that fill the public spaces – gigantic, breath-taking modern interpretations of the kinds of things that Vegas hotels used to include at every turn.

I’m spending a lot of time describing the surroundings simply because they spent a lot of time creating them and it shows. This is not another bland Vegas hotel/casino, nor is it an over-the-top, themed kitsch-fest. This is what a true luxury resort looks and feels like.

Hotel guests arrive at the lobby and are welcomed with a cool, moist towel – wonderfully refreshing after a long drive or flight. The lobby spills out into a dramatic rotunda with a 32-foot chandelier hovering over the lounge/bar area. From there you can get direct access to your room without ever having to go into the casino, a welcome relief from the norm of having to schlep your luggage past the hordes of people at the blackjack tables.

The 400 or so rooms (going up to 800 when an expansion is complete in early 2007) are just as beautiful as the rest of the place, with your choice of views of Red Rock canyon to the west or The Strip far off to the east. Each is done in more of that dramatic dark wood, marble, fabrics, and even leather on the walls. There are fine linens (320-thread-count if that kind of thing matters to you), feather down duvets, a 42-inch plasma TV in the bedroom and a 15-inch LCD TV in the bathroom, Bose stereos with iPod connectivity, VoIP phones, high-speed Internet service (wired and wireless), a mini-bar, plush robes and slippers, a safe, an iron and board, and more. The furnishings are super comfy although the platform beds are a bit of a stubbed-toe nightmare for klutzes like me.

The casino is “only” 80,000 square-feet, smaller in terms of floor space than many Strip casinos, but it feels more expansive and certainly isn’t lacking in gaming options. There are more than 3,000 slot machines, 60 table games (including all the basics like blackjack, craps, roulette, and more), a high-limit lounge, a poker room, a bingo hall with an enclosed area for the smokers, keno, and a race and sports book with a 96-foot video wall and individual monitors at each seat. All of the machines have the coinless ticket system, which I know some people hate but most people love for its convenience. There is a lot of vertical and horizontal spacing in the room, eliminating the claustrophobia found at many casinos but still providing intimate areas for gambling away your life savings.

By the way, I did well here on my first official visit, winning one big jackpot and several smaller ones and doing pretty darned good at the three-card poker table.

The entire resort was built around a circular 3-acre pool and beach area with luxury cabanas, several pools, a bar and café, gaming tables, and a stage where big name acts perform regularly. An adjacent 25,000-square-foot spa offers full workout facilities, massage and other treatments both standard and exotic, indoor, outdoor, and couples treatment rooms, sauna and Jacuzzi facilities, and a boxing ring because… well, just because.

There are eleven restaurants including a steakhouse, Italian, Mexican, buffet, café, an oyster bar, and a first ever branch of the famed Salt Lick BBQ out of Texas plus a food court with a Fatburger AND a Capriotti’s sandwich shop, which makes it the Best. Food Court. Ever.

There are also several bars and lounges including a terrific nightclub called Cherry from Rande Gerber (of Whiskey and Cindy Crawford marriage fame).

And just in case all of that isn’t enough there’s also a 16-screen movie theater with private VIP boxes, several boutiques, and, for the recreation minded, hotel sponsored rock-climbing and white water rafting excursions.

Service from beginning to end was superb, as you would expect in a hotel of this caliber.

As mentioned, this is not a bargain motel. Room rates start at $179 per night but that’s during the week and very rare. The more normal going rate is between $200 and $300 weekdays and between $300 and $400 and weekends. There’s also a nefarious “resort fee” of $20 per night tacked on top of the room rate but it does offer some niceties like a shuttle to and from the airport or Strip, full access to the workout facilities, and more.

Those are not shockingly high rates for Vegas anymore but they are a bit gasp-inducing for a hotel that isn’t right on The Strip. However, if you are looking for a true luxury spa resort style getaway you will absolutely not be able to do better for the money in this city. Forget Wynn Las Vegas, Bellagio, and the Venetian, all of which charge similar prices – there’s no way a place with several thousand rooms can compete with a smaller hotel like this when it comes to personalized service and attention to detail.

Even if you don’t plan on staying there, you really should make the effort to get out and visit. The casino is fantastic (yes, because I won money there – shut up), the restaurants are more than worthy of your attention, and the nightlife is a blast.

If the room rates were a little cheaper and it was a little closer to the heart of the action I’d call this hotel perfect. Close to perfect is nothing to be ashamed of.

Red Rock Resort
10973 W. Charleston
Las Vegas, NV 89135
866-767-7773
website

Highs: Everything but the room rates which are high but not “a high”
Lows: Expensive and hard to get to for most Vegas visitors
Location: 4 – Not close to The Strip but near Red Rock Canyon
Price: 2 – One of the most expensive hotels in Vegas
Value: 10 – You get what you pay for
Rooms: 10 – Stunning views and luxurious surroundings
Casino: 10 – Visually and financially rewarding
Amenities: 10 – Your room has everything you need and more
Facilities: 10 – You never need to leave
Service: 10 – Superb
Fun: 9 – One point off for the bill you’ll receive at the end of the stay
Bonus: 10 – An excellent addition to the city
Vegas4Visitors Rating: 85
http://www.vegas4visitors.com

Their new production at The Mirage entitled “Love,” featuring music by The Beatles, doesn’t have a lot of that circus style dramatics, focusing more on dance and theatrical visuals. So, Beatles music and not the Cirque I’m used to. I think you can see where this is going.

The new theater is disconcerting when you first enter. Replacing the more traditional Siegfried and Roy theater with this in-the-round one was probably a good idea since it gives the performance more immediacy and provides the effect, at times, as if you are in the heart of the action. But the lack of a formal stage, the giant LED screens lining the walls, and the strange seating configuration (hard to explain, but trust me) means that at one point or another there will be something happening somewhere that you won’t be able to see clearly. Granted it will probably be a minor bit of background color but still.

The soundtrack to the show is re-mastered and remixed versions of classics from John, Paul, George, and Ringo with quite a bit of in-studio conversation thrown in for good measure. Sonically it’s a delight with crystal clear vocals and digital enhancements that far exceed any original recording. If you are a fan of the music, you’ll never hear it anywhere like this.

On the play list: “Get Back,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “Drive My Car,” “Something,” “Help,” “Yesterday,” “Strawberry Fields,” “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” “Octopus’s Garden,” “Lady Madonna,” “Here Comes the Sun,” “Come Together,” “Revolution,” “Back in the USSR,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Hey Jude,” and “Sergeant Pepper” among others. Classic stuff to be sure.

But it’s what Cirque does with the music that is what’s important here, challenging and, in fits and spurts, rewarding but never cohesive or as awe-inspiring as some of their other shows.

The opening to “Get Back” is a pastiche of Cirque cliché’s with the oddly costumed performers dancing, walking slowly, and climbing or bouncing around on bungee style ropes. “Help” is done with inline skaters zooming around on a couple of half-pipes. “Strawberry Fields” features a piano center stage filled with soapy fluid that performers use hoops and the like to make giant bubbles with. Four aerialists do slow-motion rope work (twirling, falling, climbing, etc.) surrounding a big blazing orb during “Here Comes the Sun.” Most of the rest of the pieces are accompanied by dance of various types and styles, although mostly in the modern/lyrical category.

I’m not sure what any of that has to do with the songs but that’s not exactly the point, obviously. If you want literal interpretation go watch MTV. But that’s part of the problem with the show, in my humble and decidedly MTV generation opinion. The most successful numbers were the ones where they went with a more obvious connection to the music, such as the “Revolution” and “Back in the USSR” where acrobats dressed as counter-culture hippies battled London police in a dramatic airborne battle via trampolines and nets.

The dance numbers, which make up about 75% of the show by my estimation, are also hit and miss depending on the visual interpretation. “Lady Madonna,” with a pregnant woman and the presumed father of the child doing a “Stomp” style routine in yellow rain boots is a delight but “Come Together,” done as a pseudo-“love-in” with simple choreography feels like a missed opportunity. That song is one of the few Beatles tunes that I find aurally challenging – dark and moody with a great bass line – and all I could think of when I was watching the brightly lit dance piece unfolding was what they could have done with the song (I’m thinking soaring aerialists circling and eventually coming together in an airborne ballet but that’s just me).

That latter line of thinking also exposes another challenge with this show. Love them, hate them, or fall somewhere in between on the subject, songs by The Beatles are revered as holy. Coming from the pre-music video age means that, for the most part, the pictures painted by these songs were up to the interpretation of the listener. Now by putting visual pictures with the songs, the creators run the risk of crossing a line or playing it too safe. I think they did the latter.

I’m reminded of a cartoon strip called “Bloom County.” Binkley is remarking to his friend Milo about a new video he saw for John Lennon’s “Imagine.” It was filled with half-naked women, explosions, and porpoises frolicking in the ocean. Now, he says, “Every time I hear the song I picture half-naked exploding porpoises.”

Liana Hovhannisyan of Eagle Rock, Calif., was never much of an Elvis fan – but she is now.

Last night, she won $199,195.99 on an Elvis MegaJackpots Instant Winners quarter slot machine at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino.

“I usually don’t play slots because I never win, but after losing at blackjack, I thought I’d try,” Hovhannisyan said. Since the only machine on which she says she ever won a few bucks was an Elvis slot — and that was three years ago – that’s what she decided to try.

“I just wanted to see the bonus ‘play’ come up, and when I saw ‘Elvis’ in the third window I hit it again,” Hovhannisyan said. The machine wouldn’t do anything, so she thought it was broken – and didn’t even see that she had three Elvis symbols until her husband pointed it out. Then she was in shock.

Today, we broke news about Liza Minelli coming to Vegas and about Cirque du Soleil’s plans for the now-vacant theater at the Luxor. Check out that special 10-minute breaking news edition at www.thestrippodcast.com.

It is a new month, so we urge you to help us stay in the Top 20 at Podcast Alley by rushing to http://www.podcastalley.com/one_vote2.php?pod_id=22492 and voting. It takes just a second and we promise, they do NOT send you any spam. (If you’re on AOL, there may be some complications with voting, so please email us and we’ll explain what to do.)

The coming month’s confirmed guests so far include Oscar nominee-turned-pro poker goddess Jennifer Tilly and World Series of Poker champion Chris Moneymaker. We also expect to hear from Toni Braxton.

Just to recap last month, here are the highlights. We:

* Broke the “Hairspray” closure story
* Informed a surprised Andrew Lloyd Webber about the renaming of “Phantom” in Vegas.
* Heard Joan Rivers defend Star Jones
* Got Reba McEntire to rebut a SmokingGun.Com report about her
* Asked Dennis Hopper about his worst movie

As always, we welcome your listener e-mails at TheStripPodcast@aol.com or on our voicemail line at 206-424-4737. Or, of course, check it all out at TheStripPodcast.Com.

All best,

Steve + Miles

Submerge Yourself in the Latest Fitness, Health and Beauty Services at the Newest Spa on the Las Vegas Strip.

WET – The Spa at TI, which opened this week, beautifully captures the rejuvenating and nourishing essence of water.

WET’s aquatic design begins immediately upon arrival with etched glass panels meant to reflect ripples of moving water.  A color palette inspired by the colors of the sea evokes thoughts of escape from everyday life, while shimmering ivory and pale blue wall coverings call to mind memories of seashells and soft sands.  The space is complemented by custom furnishings decorated in vibrant blues, teals, turquoise and aquamarines suggesting a sun-dappled ocean. 

Throughout the spa, whimsical pieces of art, created by photographer Martin Waugh, capture the world of water droplets and invite the eye to take another look.  At closer view, one drop takes the shape of a footprint – a subtle reference to the spa’s refreshing pedicure treatments.  In another image, the droplet appears to be a delicate bloom representing the spa’s aromatic treatments.   

A respite from the harsh, damaging elements of everyday life is found through WET’s exciting line of water-based signature services. The WET Signature Wrap uses warm seawater to restore key minerals and reduce fatigue, stress and low energy.  The benefits and aroma of Inner-C from Comfort Zone allows guests to experience their “own private ocean” through the WET Manicure and Pedicure while the WET Aromatic Seaweed Bath is enriched with three types of seaweed vitamins and minerals to eliminate toxicity, nourish the skin and smooth cellulite. 

For those looking for a more extensive experience, packages also are available.  Spa newcomers are invited to test the Shallow End with a 75-minute session that includes a Swedish massage, custom facial and manicure with paraffin.  Couples may delight in the stellar customized service of  Venus & Mars.  During this decadent 125-minute experience, men are treated to a relaxing stone massage, stress-melting facial, and sports manicure and pedicure, while women receive an intoxicating aromatherapy massage, European facial, and spa manicure and pedicure.

WET is the only spa on the Las Vegas Strip to offer specialized evening treatments.  WET PM has been designed for guests to get rejuvenated for an exhilarating night out or to pamper themselves and prepare for a relaxing night in.  Late-night hours allow spa-goers the flexibility to enjoy numerous spa offerings on their schedule.  A menu of 10 indulgent treatments range from The Heiress, a rich golden scrub, wrap and massage followed by a sprinkling of real gold dust, to the Sleepy Town Massage, using calming scents of chamomile, marjoram, rose and geranium, and the Bedtime Bath, a relaxing soak in a special creation of lavender and mandarin.

“WET – The Spa at TI provides guests with fun and unique menu items so guests may find services that suit their needs and mood,” said WET Director Courtney McGovern.  “Our goal with this newly designed spa was to create a beautiful backdrop to complement the quality of treatments and the service provided by our expert therapists.  I believe we accomplished that goal.”