WOW! When you get invited to spend a few days exploring all Las Vegas has to offer, you don’t turn an opportunity like that down.
I started my journey from Heathrow flying with Virgin Atlantic. The flight was smooth, and the crew were amazing. The little extra touches they offer, did not go unnoticed. This was my first time flying with Virgin Atlantic, but it won’t be the last.
When we arrived, we were transferred to the Virgin Hotel, Las Vegas. The hotel is located off the strip, but it was only a few minutes’ walk to the Miricle Mile. With the upcoming addition of the ‘Vegas Loop’ terminal, the hotel will soon be within minutes reach of all Las Vegas sites. The hotel was amazing, rooms were a good size, and the communal facilities were beautiful, especially the pool areas.
After a great night’s sleep, we went to the new 5* Fontainbleau Hotel, located towards the north of the strip for a site inspection and breakfast. This hotel was amazing, very light and airy and bright. Plus, the breakfast was mouthwatering. Definitely a place I will return too.
Following the Fontainbleau, we walked across to Resorts World Las Vegas. This was the first integrated resort to be built on the Las Vegas strip in over a decade. We were shown around their 3 hotels, Hilton, Conrad, and the luxury brand Crockfords Las Vegas. All featuring their own design and feel, this resort offers a wide variety of accommodations to suit all travellers. There was a huge range of dining and entertainment venues here, and we had lunch Brezza a modern Italian restaurant. Again, the food was wonderful.
After all this food we decided to take a walk down the famous Las Vegas strip. We stopped off at many hotels to take a look around, this is an amazing city.
This evening, we headed to the skies! We were treated to unparalleled views of the Las Vegas strip lights in a Maverick helicopter. Maverick is an amazing company and very professional. This would definitely be a recommended ‘must do’ Las Vegas experience. As luck would have it, the famous Las Vegas sign is also located just across from the Maverick terminal, so we made a quick stop for an all-important photo opportunity. After such am amazing experience we headed to Fremont Street, old Vegas. Well, what can I say, this place is a sensory overload. The sights and sounds you experience here are incredible, but definitely not for the faint hearted. After a bite to eat and a look around we headed back to the calm surroundings of our hotel.
The next morning, we had a site visit and breakfast at the Virgin hotel. This hotel really was wonderful, and the staff here clearly have a love for the brand. We even got to see ‘Richards Flat’. This suite is reserved for Sir Richard Branson when he visits the hotel. This hotel is particularly well located during the F1 season. With the strip being closed off, accessing some of the hotels on the strip is a real challenge.
Following a delicious breakfast, we headed to the Aria Resort and casino, the Vdara Hotel and spa and finally the iconic Bellagio hotel and casino. All 3 hotels are connected by walkways and very accessible. My favourite of the 3 would have to be the Bellagio with its timeless classic décor and phenomenal flower displays.
Our next stop was the Cosmopolitan hotel, with its modern room décor and amazing terrace suites, this was one of my favourite hotels of the entire trip. Plus, the chandelier bar is not to be missed.
This evening, we headed just across the road from our hotel and found little family run Italian restaurant. What a little hidden gem this was. The food was out of this world and the service was second to none. I would highly recommend ‘Ferraro’s Ristorante’ for a good quality high end Italian restaurant. Following what was already shaping up to be a good night, we were blown away by the immersive multi-sensory cinematic experience at Las Vegas’ newest attraction The Sphere. We were treated to the ‘postcode from Earth’ show. This will surely be a great addition to anyone’s itinerary. After the show, we took the monorail back to the strip and headed for the Bellagio fountains, this is not to be missed. The grace and beauty of this show is indescribable.
The following day our first stop was Caesars Palace resort and casino, and they pulled out all the stops for us. We had a hosted breakfast in one of their exclusive villas (Garth Brooks was staying int the villa just below us as he was getting ready to start his Las Vegas residency!). The attention to detail in this hotel was amazing. The Nobu at Caesars was stop number two and I must admit, I knew little of this property. It most definitely is an oasis of calm, on the Vegas strip. The rooms and suites here really are beautiful and I’m glad I got to learn a little more of this brand. It’s not a property to overlook.
For lunch we headed to ‘Top Golf’ just a short walk away from the Virgin Hotel. This is a great and fun addition to Las Vegas and has a great atmosphere and pool area which you can book cabanas for. It was a nice change of pace to the busy strip and the food choice here was lovely with a good variety.
This evening went on a site visit at the Venetian Hotel, one of the most iconic and beautiful hotels on the strip. This hotel really does have something to offer everyone. The endless choice of facilities, dining options and entertainment venues, you will never run out of things to see or do. Just exploring the meandering riverways of ‘Venice’ is truly magical. Once the site visit had come to an end, we were treated to a meal at the Smith and Wollensky steakhouse. This was a perfect way to spend our last night in Las Vegas. The food here was just perfection.
So, our last day had arrived, and we had some free time before our flight home. I decided that I cannot go the Las Vegas and not see the Grand Canyon, so I booked myself a helicopter flight with Maverick. I chose the option to include the Skywalk and I’m so glad I did. This was truly a once in lifetime experience that will stay with me forever.
Upon my return to Las Vegas, I met up with the rest of the group and headed back to Fremont street for one last experience, the superhero zipline, Slotzilla. What a fun way to end the most amazing few days.
Even though this was a very busy and action-packed trip, I wouldn’t hesitate to return.
Las Vegas, you did not disappoint!
Aimee Dear-Manager Lutterworth Office
