Tag Archives: Las Vegas Nevada

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The Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas

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By Rohan: 

The Aria represents everything Las Vegas is known for. Luxurious accommodations, divine dining options, vibrant nightlife, and a major gambling scene. It is the crown jewel of CityCenter, Las Vegas’ new expansion that welcomed five new casinos to Sin City. The Aria’s design sets it apart from many of the other hotels on the strip. It is sleek, modern, and sophisticated with a very welcoming aura and staff ready to cater to your every need. While some hotels nearby focus on a tacky theme or suffer from the strong smell of cigarette smoke, Aria feels fresh, clean, and elegant.

Aria boasts some of the most technologically advanced rooms ever seen in a hotel of its magnitude. Despite its enormous footprint, each room feels personal and provides for an excellent view of Las Vegas’ glitz and glamor. The rooms contain software built into them that allow the guest to adjust the temperature, start up a warm shower, or listen to some music without leaving his bed. Just playing around with some of the fancy devices in the room is an experience in and of itself.

When you are done exploring Aria’s unique accommodations, several fine dining options await in the lobby. A Tapas Bar, an award-winning Thai restaurant, a taste of Mexican flavors, and a delicious spot to grab dessert can all be found within a short walk from the guest suites. Jean-Phillippe Chocolatiers is a must-see stop in the Aria. This French pastry-maker has shops in several Las Vegas hotels (including Bellagio and Venetian), but his Aria location is considered his flagship chocolate paradise. Keeping with the Aria’s modern design, the store sells an incredible variety of fudges, candies, pastries, and crepes. As to be expected from a chocolatier, Jean-Phillippe makes a mean hot chocolate for a very hefty price tag. If Blackjack, Craps, or slots are treating you well, treat yourself to some delicious desserts and espresso drinks.

Aria also has a variety of pools, shops, and a spa to make your stay as relaxing as possible. It is home to Cirque Du Soleil’s new show Zarkana, which I was able to catch in New York City at Radio City Music Hall earlier this year. Zarkana is a visual masterpiece from the world-renown French-Canadian circus troupe. It dazzles you with breathtaking acrobatics, amazing set pieces, and music that is sure to give you goosebumps.

If you’re traveling to Vegas with family, business, or pleasure, the Aria is the ultimate place to stay.

You can visit their site here:

http://www.arialasvegas.com/

If you would like to share your Vegas experience with us, feel free to do so in the comments.

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The Stratosphere SkyJump: Vegas In Free Fall

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Aerial View from SkyJump Site

By Siddhi: 

Who? Thrill-seekers, adventurers, and anyone looking to get away from the standard Las Vegas casino experience.

What? The SkyJump at the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas, the world’s tallest controlled free fall wonder. It’s a baby step risk wise for the aspiring bunjee jumper, but nevertheless delivers a thrill unlike most other amusement park attractions. After some introductory videos and sufficient gearing up (you look pretty darn snazzy in your colorful, lightweight free fall gear), you take a couple deep breaths before plunging off the 108th floor of the highest observation tower in the country and dropping about 855 feet below. It’s really a fantastic way to see Vegas from up above, and even though the fall itself very much rushes your ability to take in the sites, those couple minutes at Stratosphere’s top as you’re surrounded 360 degrees by the cityscape make you feel like you’re on top of the world.

How? For the most part, you can schedule your jump the day of by walking into Stratosphere and picking a time. But if you’re already staying at the hotel at Stratosphere, you are eligible for some priority jump times and can avoid the crowds. The building is located at the following address and is about a 20 to 30 minute walk away from the central hotel and casino strip .

 2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV, 89104.

All the scheduling and pricing details are available at the SkyJump website:

http://www.skyjumplasvegas.com/

For an extra 20 bucks, we highly recommend you going for the photo package. Some of the images we got from the jump were just awesome.

Why? Too many people make their Vegas experience one they can’t remember, so why not add something to your itinerary that you absolutely won’t forget? After the typical casino and show frenzy, it’s always interesting to give something totally new a try. And SkyJump doesn’t disappoint. It was the highlight of our visit and a real escape from the traditional Vegas trip. Scared? No worries. Take a deep breath, and it’s literally a breeze.

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Our List of Top Las Vegas Experiences

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Love – A Must Do in Las Vegas

By Lakshmi:

Las Vegas – A city whose name conjures up glitter, glamor,gambling, money and more.  The city was never really a must do on my list, just a place I would have liked to visit once to understand why it got so much attention.  In the last few years between work and life I have visited this city multiple times.  And if someone told me I would never visit Vegas again, I would not shed a tear.  But the city certainly gave me a number of memorable experiences that I will cherish forever.

– Walking the strip at night:  With a zillion lights flashing and twinkling across the strip, the city looks like it is dressed up for Christmas everyday.  I would say people watching on the strip is an experience that is not duplicated in too many other places in the world.

– Watching Love by Cirque du Soleil:  We splurged and bought pricey tickets to this show.  They were discounted from $170 dollars, but at $110 a ticket, they were not cheap.  But, this show was worth every penny and more.  The evergreen music of the Beatles, the sets, the talent, the visual effects all made for a jaw dropping, feel happy experience.

– Drinking a Marocchino Caldo at Espressamente Illy at Palazzo:  This absolutely divine concoction of chocolate sauce, espresso and milk was recommended by an Italian friend.  I absolutely loved this drink and went back multiple times on each visit.  In addition, I gorged on crepes, gelato and pastries as well!

– Gambling of course:  The only thing I know about gambling is slot machines.  And on each visit, I spent a modest amount (read no more than 40 dollars) to spin the slot machines.  While I did not win much, being on the floor was fun….you dream a little, you watch a whole bunch of people and you walk away experiencing a crucial slice of Vegas.

– Spotting wedding chapels:  This city of quick marriages and divorces has so many chapels along the strip and some of the best entertainment can be had watching the couples heading in and out and speculating on what got them here and how long the marriage would last.

– Skyjump at the Stratosphere: For our adrenaline junkie Siddhi, this was a must do experience and as we watched our daughter free fall from the 108th floor, others looked at us with some level of horror for letting our daughter do this.

– The Fountains of Bellagio:  This music, light and water show is staged frequently in the evenings and is a mesmerizing spectacle to behold.  Absolutely beautiful and a great way to end a day in Vegas.

We would love to hear back about your favorite Vegas experiences and who knows, it might just tempt me to go back again.