Okay in most of the previous posts I have managed to get really long winded. So in this one I am just going to quickly add photos of some of the stuff you will see cruising the Strip.

Here is the Harley Davidson Cafe, haven’t eaten there so can’t comment on the food but I do like the sight of the Harley bursting through the wall.

I checked online and the place has mixed reviews for both the food and the service so I guess it is a matter of going in and checking the place out for yourself. Next time I’m in Vegas that’s just what I will do.

As you mosey on down the strip you come to more of the larger Casino’s.

You can’t miss MGM Grand as it has the enormous lion seated outside the entrance. It is just a short walk past Coca Cola World and M & M world , so you can pick up some goodies on your way down the Strip, and it is on the corner of  Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevarde – so easy to see and easy to get to.

MGM is always a favorite and Val and I popped in to see the Lions. The first time we went in the lions weren’t out so it meant another trip back. The lions aren’t actually kept in the MGM habitat but about 12 miles out of Las Vegas  at the  property of Keith Evans, who is an exotic animal trainer.

There is a tunnel that allows you to get up close and personal with the lions and you can view our last lion visit on youtube.

MGM Casino

MGM Las Vegas The Lion Enclosure

MGM Las Vegas Lioness

MGM Las Vegas Lions

Apart from the lions the MGM Grand has plenty of  entertainment and places to eat and drink, such as:

The Cirque du Soleil production of  ‘KA’ - an exciting tale of twins  who are on a perilous journey to fulfil their destiny.  The members of the Cirque du Soleil tell the story with superb acrobatic performances, martial arts techniques and puppetry that will enthrall and entertain you, as  the twins confront the forces of  evil.

Show times: 7pm and 9:30pm Tues – Sat
Ticket prices: $69.00 -$150.00

The Crazy Horse Paris, which is a celebration of the beauty and sensuality of women. The dancers have all performed with the original Crazy Horse Paris troupe. A stunningly beautiful cabaret featuring  a cast of beautiful international dancers trained in ballet.

Show times: 8pm and 10:30pm Wed – Mon
Ticket prices: $50.50-$60.50 includes full color program

Studio 54 (Las Vegas), which is a recreation of New York’s Studio 54 nightclub. Studio 54 has a 22,000-square-foot nightclubwhere you can dance away the night on one of the four dance floors and catch up with friends in one of the many bars.

Have a cocktail and hang out  at the ‘Centrifuge’ bar.

So lots to see and do at MGM Grand.

MGM Casino

To get to the neigbouring casinos from MGM you need to cross the road using the south bridge across Tropicana Ave to go to the Tropicana Casino and over the West Bridge across the Boulevarde to New York New York. From here you can cross the bridge to Excalibur.

There is a cable tram between Excalibur, the Luxor and Mandalay Bay however we used the Deuce bus to get to the latter two casinos.

Now New York New York is as you can tell from the name, based on New York and the exterior is reminiscent of the Manhatten skyline.  Here you can ride on the roller coaster that runs around the casino at speeds of up to 67 mph.  We filmed some of the thrill seekers who had braved the ride with its many twists, corkscrews and the 180 degree turn.

You can see the Cirque du Soleil show ‘Zumanity’ at New York New York.  Zumanity shows the sensual side of Cirque du Soleil and this show is only open to patrons 18 years and over.  It is suggested that you leave your inhibitions at the door and take delight in the explicit and sensational adult themed production.

Show times: 9pm nightly and 11pm Fri and Sat only
Ticket prices: $69.00 -$99.00, $129 (duo sofas; sold only in pairs)

New York New York Casino Las Vegas

Across the bridge at the fantasy castle ‘Excalibur‘ you can catch the Thunder from Down Under troupe where you can get up close and personal with the entertainers.

Show times: 9pm nightly and11pm Fri and Sat only
Ticket prices: $39.95 – $49.95

There is also the dinner show Tournament of Kings where you can watch kings joust, dragon warriors fight and damels dance while you dine.  A thoroughly good mediaevil romp.

Show times: 6pm and 8:30pm Wed – Mon
Ticket prices: $54.95

Also check out Defending the Caveman starring Kevin Burke, a comedy show about the relationship between men and women.

Show times: 4pm  daily and 7:30 Fri – Sat
Ticket prices: $39.95 - $49.95 -$64.95 and matinees $39.95 & $44.95

and then there is  Louie Anderson, stand up comedian and best selling author.

Show times: 7pm – Sat - Thu
Ticket prices: $54.00 & $79.00

Excalibur, Las Vegas

Val and I caught a performance of  The Lion King – an entertaining stage production full of color and great music.

And if you are looking  for a dose of comedy there is Carrot Top who features in a high energy rock n roll comedy show, or  Criss Angel Believe where Criss Angel teams up with Cirque du Soleil in a magic themed show.

Check out ‘Fantasy‘ which is an original musical choreographed by Cris Judd, and features original music and showgirls.

And lastly there is ‘Menopause the Musical’ – a comedy show about the change of life.

Luxor, Las Vegas

Luxor Hotel

These are just a few of the Casinos that you will find at heading down the Las Vegas Boulevard South.

As I keep saying, there is so much to do and see in Vegas that  you are assured of having a fun filled, senses overload holiday.

So after spending lots of time in Bellagio, we headed off down the strip to check out what else is on offer.

Next to Bellagio there is an extremely large construction under way. This had only just started when Paula and I were here last year.

This is to be the new Las Vegas Plaza complex. I was chatting to some locals who told me that  Legal action was taken by the Plaza Hotel and Casino, Downtown for the right to keep the name.

Bit of Trivia follows:

The Plaza has been in Downtown Las Vegas since July 2 1971 and  it was originally known as the Union Plaza because of its association with the Union Pacific railroad station that was originally on the site.  The Union Plaza  had the ticket window and the station connected to the hotel and it was the only train station in the whole of the United States that had its location in a casino.

Well it appears the Plaza lost the case and will no doubt have to change it’s name, maybe back to Union Plaza or how about Downtown Plaza and the Las Vegas Plaza will retain the name,  apparantly because of its association with the Plaza hotel in New York which has been in existance since 1907. You never can tell how those legal rulings are gonna go.

And more trivia:

The Las Vegas Plaza complex on the Strip is destined to have:

• seven towers that will house 6,700 rooms,  4,100 hotel rooms and 2,600 resort condominium units
• 175,900 sq ft (16,340 m²) of casino area that will make the Las Vegas Plaza the largest casino on the strip and second largest in the valley
• restaurant areas measuring 134,500 sq ft (12,500 m²)
• retail shopping area measuring 347,887 sq ft (32,319.8 m²)
• convention area space measuring 539,607 sq ft (50,131.1 m²)
• plently of health club area measuring 50,000 sq ft (4,600 m²)
• a 1,500 seat theater
• There will also be 227,038 sq ft (21,092.5 m²) of open space on the roof top that will  include the pool areas.

There will also be  317,400 sq ft (308,200 m²) area set aside for parking areas. This equates to a massive total area of 15,080,846 sq ft (1,401,056.4 m²).

Okay so enough on the Las Vegas Plaza except to say it will be an amazing place to visit when it is finished.

Looking down the Strip from the Las Vegas Plaza Construction

Looking toward the Las Vegas Plaza Complex

Before my first trip to Las Vegas last year with Paula, I had it in my mind that I probably wouldn’t like Las Vegas, that it would be crass and over the top.  The only reason I came then was to attend the Shareasale Affiliate Marketing convention at the Rio.

Well I came and was instantly captivated. I fell in love with Vegas, so when the opportunity arose for me to return this year with my husband, I jumped at the chance. I couldn’t wait to see his reaction to this  larger than life, fun city.

We navigated around quite easily because of the great transport system, and I do advise you to take advantage of the Deuce buses and the monorail. Save your legs and you will get to see and experience so much more.

We arrived in Las Vegas at the Paris hotel around 5pm and after taking photos for our hotel review, we set out on our first foray to suss  out a particular  pawn shop to buy reloading equipment, my husband is an avid hunter and reloads his own ammunition.  Well we went to the wrong place so didn’t accomplish what we had set out to do. But that left us free to get on with the neat stuff, visiting the casinos.

There really is just so much to see and do in Vegas. The Casino’s are huge and there is always something going on, especially with all the free shows and the paid entertainment. It’s not just about gambling.

If you’re planning to catch a show, make sure you check out the prices in your ‘Vegas 2Go‘ or  ‘The New Today’ magazines available in the lobby of most hotels. These magazines have plenty of information about Vegas and lots of coupons to save you money. Reduced price tickets are also available both Downtown and along the Strip at the ‘TixrTonight’ stands.

So what did we see – Lets start at the Bellagio

So now its just a matter of checking out some of the individual casinos and we crossed the road from Bally’s to visit the beautifully luxurious Bellagio. As you strolling around the hotel and casino it doesn’t take much to see why Bellagio has been awarded the 5 Diamond Hotel award by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the Mobil 5 star award.

The inspiration for the construction of the Bellagio was the  Bellagio Resort on Lake Como in Italy. It was built on the site of the old Dunes hotel at a cost of $1.6 billion and even the extravagant opening ceremony on October 15 1998, had a reported cost of $88 million, showing that this was no ordinary ocassion.

The Bellagio Hotel and Casino is renowned for it’s fabulous choreographed fountain display featuring lights  and music  that operates in front of the hotel in the 8 acre man made lake. Each show attracts hordes of tourists and I have watched the  display from a number of vantage points, but one of the best would, in my opinion, have to be from the top of the Eiffel Tower across the road at Paris. This gives you a birds eye view of the show – amazing

Variations of the display can be seen every 30 minutes in the afternoons and early evenings, and every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight.

We could actually see and hear the show from our room at the Paris and funnily enough you just tune out after a while and although you hear the music it is rather pleasant and not at all intrusive.

Each of the water shows are choreographed to various pieces of music such as:

• Con Te Partirò (Time to Say Goodbye) – Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
• My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
• “The Ecstasy of Gold” by Ennio Morricone which is part of  the  score  for the film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly by Sergio Leone.
• All That Jazz (from Chicago)
• Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra
• Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus – Mormon Tabernacle Choir
• Big Spender (from Sweet Charity)
• Luck Be A Lady (from Guys & Dolls) – Frank Sinatra
• One (from A Chorus Line)
• Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini – Rachmaninov
• Sabre Dance – Aram Khachaturian
• Singin’ in the Rain – Gene Kelly
• The Star Spangled Banner – Whitney Houston
• Viva Las Vegas – Elvis Presley
• Your Song – Elton John
• This Kiss – Faith Hill
• Santa Baby – Madonna
• Winter Games – David Foster

There is an urban myth that the lake is filled with treated greywater from the hotel. This is not the case, it appears that  there a golf course once existed where the lake is now, and a fresh water well that was drilled to irrigate the golf course and keep it green.

There is a network of pipes with over 1,200 nozzles which are coordinated with the  4,500 lights to create these amazing water displays.

Fur different types of nozzle help to  create the various effects:

• Oarsmen -  These are the jets with a full range of spherical motion
• Shooters -  These shoot the water upwards
• Super Shooters – These send the water into the air  for  as high as 240 ft (73 m)
• Extreme Shooters – These send the water up into the air for as as high as 460 ft (140 m) and the water makes a resounding sound as it crashes back into the lake.

The fountains were designed by WET, a company that specialize in creating extraordinary fountains and architecturally designed water features, and the estimated cost to build the fountain is around US$75 million.

Crossing over the road by the bridge from Bally’s to Bellagio we enter and come across the Bellagio balloon display. Then on through to the reception area.

Bellagio's balloons

Now the reception area in the Bellagio is quite something to see.

Bellagio - Reception area

There are a few features that deserve some particular mention. Probably the first thing that catches your eye is the ceiling insert ‘Fiori di Como’ with it’s 2000 hand blown glass flowers by Dale Chihuly. This piece of art is truly exquisite an unfortunately my photo doesn’t do it justice.

Hand blown glass flowers - Bellagio

This fountain is in the lobby just at the entrance to the Bellagio botanical gardens. The theme in the gardens is changed 5 times a year in order to reflect the seasons Summer, Fall (Autumn), Winter and Spring and also Chinese New Year. We are here at the height of summer so the theme is bright and colorful with a floral decorated ferris wheel, an avairy, fountains spouting water in radom spurts, floral frogs and ladybugs.

It is a riot of glorious color and it is hard to imagine that this beautiful display is located inside a casino.

Fountain in the foyer of Bellagio

Bellagio Garden - Ferris Wheel with Summer Blooms

The information sunflower

Bellagio garden - Fountain

Bellagio Garden - Glass Poppies

How cute are these fine looking fellows, heading of fishing in their floral fishing waistcoats.

Bellagio garden - Bears goin' fishin' in floral waistcoats

Bellagio Garden - Floral Ladybug

Bellagio Garden - Spurting Water Fountains

Bellagio Garden - More vigorous spurting water fountains

Bellagio Garden - Floral Display

Bellagio Garden - Floral Display and Watering Cans

And finally, even the floor in the lobby is belissimo

Bellagio - Floor Design in the Lobby

Now I haven’t yet had the pleasure of staying at the Bellagio, that is a treat for another visit to Las Vegas.

Apart from the Casino, the fountain show and the gardens there are also the shows to see.  Bellagio hosts the Cirque du Soleil show ‘O’. The show features a 25 foot deep pool which holds 1.5 million gallons of water, they don’t do things by halves.   You will be amazed and enthralled by the fantastic Cirque du Soleil high divers, acrobats, synchronized swimmers, fire dancers and contoritionists.

The show is on Wednesday to Sunday at 7:30pm and 10:30pm and tickets range from $99 -$150.

Don’t forget to eat at one of the many restaurants where you can experience fine dining at its best.

When we are in Vegas we tend to eat at the buffet’s and ‘The Buffet’ at Bellagio ranges in price from:

• $14.95 for breakfast, Monday to Friday.
• $19.95 for lunch, Monday to Friday.
• $27.95 for dinner Sunday to Thursday.
• $35.95 for the Gourmet dinner Friday and Saturday
• $28.95 for Champagne Brunch Saturday and Sunday – $23.95 without the Champagne.

All in all a beautiful casino to stroll around and while I remember, don’t forget to take a look at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, which at the moment is showing “Classic Contemporary: Lichtenstein, Warhol & Friends” .  Admission is $17 for adults and $10 for children 6 to 12 years.

Another fine feast for the senses.

Having stayed in Paris, France and visited the Eiffel tower previously,  I thought it would be nice to stay in the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as it is based on the French theme.

Our Check in was smooth and hassle free, with the staff being very efficient and helpful. We are offered an upgrade which I decline saying I am sure all your rooms are great.  We are given an upgrade anyway. Always remember this whether you are hiring a car or checking into a hotel, never take the offer of a paid upgrade. Hold out and you will more than likely get it for free anyway.

Before long we are given our room keys and we set off into the casino to head for the elevators. Our room 2515 is on the 25th floor, and when we look out the window and we have the Eiffel tower right in front of us, and we are overlooking Bellagio’s and the famous Bellagio fountain and Caesars Palace.

Just look at the beautiful reception area. It was continually busy so I had to wait until the early hours of the morning to get a clear shot showing the gorgeous chandeliers.

This is the guest elevator area. Everything in the Paris hotel is opulent.

First impressions of room

• Large king sized bed
• coffee table,
• computer desk
• TV and cabinet
• mini bar
• artwork in keeping with the French theme
• bedside table with large lamps
• 1 standard lamp
• ironing board and iron
• safe
• bath
• separate shower
• comfortable couch in a brushed suede finish
• broadband internet which costs $14.95 for 24 hours.
• coffee maker
• magnifying shaving mirror

We have opted for a non-smoking room with a king sized bed which turns out to be very comfortable. It has a red leather pleated feature headboard, nice linen and large comfortable pillows.

At the end of the bed is a pouffe for sitting on.

The room is very clean and the only thing we are unable to find is a clock radio.

Okay, bags down and cameras out.

King Sized bed with leather feature headboard.

Computer Desk with coffee machine and phone

TV, TV Cabinet, Wardrobes, minibar.
The cabinet is looking a bit worn and the doors stick. The safe, ironing board and iron are inside the wardrobe.

Comfortable couch, Coffee Table and Pouffe

Vanity Unit showing space for towels

Vanity unit showing magnifying shaving mirror

The hallway and guest elevator entrance has a soft luxurious looking decor.

Somewhere to sit and to check out that you look ok while waiting for your friends before hitting the Strip in style.

View of the Paris pool from the 25th floor. That shade was welcome relief from the oppressive heat of the sun.

The public toilets for  mademoiselle in the Paris Hotel Las Vegas

Just a couple of the views from the room and the top of the Eiffel Tower. 

Looking back over the Paris hotel from the top of the Eiffel Tower. It is too high for me to fit all of the hotel into the picture.

Some background about the Paris Hotel and Casino:

Work began on the construction of the Paris Hotel on April 17, 1997 and at the opening on September 1, 1999 there was a fireworks display from the Eiffel tower and the French Actress Catherine Deneuve turned on the Paris lights for the first time.

Although the project to build Paris was first announced by Bally’s Entertainment, building didn’t commence until after   Hilton Hotels purchased Bally’s.

Covering around 24 acres (97,000 m²), Paris cost 785 million USD dollars to build.

The replica of the Paris Eiffel Tower was meant to be built to the full scale of Tower in Paris but because the airport was way too close the tower was reduced in scale to around 5/8ths of the size of the original.

Inside the casino the ceiling has a painted blue sky with white clouds. This is a theme that is also found in other casinos like Caesars palace. The back stands of the Eiffel tower reach down through the ceiling right down to the casino floor.

We went up  to the top of the Eiffel Tower in the elevator and had our photo taken to commemorate the event. The trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower costs $10.00 for adults during the day and $12.00 at night.  Check your hotel brochures on things to do on the strip. We found a two for one deal so the trip to the top only cost $10.00 for the two of us. Bargain.

There is also the Eiffel Tower restaurant which is around 100 feet above the Strip, where you can experience fine French Cuisine prepared by acclaimed Chef J Joho.

Some of the other places you can dine at Paris are:

• Ah Sin – Pan-Asian Parisian dining which has an indoor/outdoor location on the Strip.
• Cafe du Par – Pick usp some sandwiches and salads beneath the Eiffel tower.
• JJ’s Boulangerie – A working bakery where you can purchase sandwiches made from freshly baked bread, soups, salads and pastries.
• Le Burger Brasserie – Gourmet burgers. We didn’t get to try these because there was always a long line waiting to get in, but we were told on a number of occasions that these burgers are the best.
• Le Cafe ile St. Louis – a sidewalk cafe that is always open and serves American food with a French touch.
• Le Provencal – French-Italian food served to the accompaniment of the singing staff.
• Le Village Buffet – Food prepared at live cooking stations
• Le Artistes Steakhouse – Enjoy rotisserie food in elegant surroundings with Impressionist art.
• Mon Ami Gabi – Another bistro that comes highly recommended that always had a long line to get into. French bistro serving steak frites and a variety of fruits de mer.

So as you can see there are plenty of culinary delights to keep you well fed during your Paris stay.

Entertainment:

• Anthony Cools Experience – Raw and Uncensored – Nightly at 9am (Dark Wednesday) – not for the shy and timid.
• Ooh La La at Paris - A Topless Revue.  Thursday – Tuesday 7pm and 11pm
• Jubliee! at Bally’s – Saturday – Thursday 7:30pm and 10:30pm
• Jubilee – Backstage Tour – Monday, Wednesday & Saturday 11am
• The Price is Right – Live stage show at Bally’s. Costs around $50.oo to participate. Shows run Tuesday – Thursday & Saturday 2:30pm and Friday at 7:30pm

There is also plenty of free entertainment with DJ’s providing music that you can dance along with.

You have the option of checking out using the Video Check- out system on your televison or by telephone.  I prefer to wait in line to check out so I can make sure I haven’t been charged for things I haven’t used.

And sure enough there was $48.00 worth of mini bar charges for items we hadn’t used.  I explained that we had moved things around to accomodate drinks we had brought at the downstairs shop but that I has put everything back in its place when we were leaving.  The charges were removed from the bill and I was only charged for the internet connection. So no hassle and everything was quickly sorted out.

Checkout experience – bit of a wait to checkout, but that is to be expected. Staff friendly, efficient and accommodating.

I purchased a package deal through Expedia.com.au that included the airfare from San Francisco and four nights at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas and you it pays to look out for great last minute Vegas values at Expedia.com!

The beauty for me, of booking through expedia.com.au is that it gives me the prices in Australian dollars so I know exactly how much my trip is going to cost up front. For this trip the return airfare to San Francisco with 4 nights at Paris cost AU$951.02  which is approximately US$793.

So if you are looking for a hotel with maximum exposure to the Strip, Paris is in a great location, the staff are helpful and friendly and the rooms are very comfortable and pleasant to spend time in.