If Las Vegas were an adult amusement park (and many would agree that it is) then CityCenter would be the roller coaster! Whether you're vacationing with wifey, hangin’ solo or chillin’ with the fellas, CityCenter has something for everyone. From gourmet dining to world class shopping and high energy nightlife, this place has it all.
CityCenter is designed to be city within a city and a key focal point on the strip. Considering that the complex is about the size of 12 New York City blocks and 12,000 people are employed just to run it, the complex is surprisingly easy to get around. In fact City Center has its own monorail that allows visitors to experience the whole whole complex as well as the adjoining Bellagio and Monte Carlo properties without having to get in a car.
There are currently 3 hotels within the complex. The ARIA, Vdara and the Mandarin Oriental each give you a different flavor. In fact you can literally smell the difference in the aromatically infused air that welcomes you upon entering each property. Yes, each property has been assigned it’s own unique scent.
ARIA
ARIA is the only property in CityCenter with a casino and is said to have the most technologically advanced guest rooms in the country.
Why You’ll Like It...
The Energy
From the moment you pull up in Aria’s expansive driveway you are welcomed by large choreographed arches of streaming water. A curved cascading water wall guides you to the entrance. Get inside and you get the feeling of understated opulence, you could say, it feels luxurious and laid back at the same time. Aria’s lobby is an open atrium like space that, unlike most casinos, is filled with natural light. The lobby is outfitted with low slung check in and concierge desks; As I approached check in I was immediately struck by, “Silver River,” an architecturally inspired art installation by world renowned artist Maya Lin. This piece is one of many installations by award winning artists throughout City Center.
As I passed check in and transitioned into the casino, I was greeted by the unmistakable sounds of an ultra modern casino and the sights of some of the baddest cocktail waitresses I’ve seen in a long time. As I surveyed the landscape I concluded that over the past 5 years the average cup size of a Las Vegas cocktail waitress must have increased by 50%. So far things are looking pretty damn good!
The Rooms
I made my way up the guest elevators and across to my room only to find that they just started making it up. WTF! After what seemed like...too damn long I finally entered my room and was pleasantly surprised to find a luxurious, technologically advanced room. The room was automated to the point that I could pretty much control all the electronics in the room from a single touch screen remote control. Push a few buttons and WHAM!... open the curtains, adjust the room temperature and turn on the 42” LCD. All without getting out of bed.
One feature I think you all can appreciate allows you to set a wake up sequence that will fade in selected lights, open the curtains to slowly let in some daylight and then turns on the TV to your favorite channel. Compare that to the typical wake up call that literally alarms you out of your sleep. I set the bed-side remote once and eased into every morning during my stay... And every day I said to myself “I gotta get one of those remote set-ups for my crib.” The room is also wired to conveniently facilitate all kind of connectivity, In fact connectivity at Aria extends beyond the hi-tech rooms, wireless internet service at Aria and all City Center hotels, will give you access throughout the City Center complex.
The Food
Some people like nice restaurants other people like great food. I was happy to know that City Center has both, nice restaurants WITH great food. ARIA features many great places to eat, during my stay I had Branzino (Sturgeon) fish baked in sea salt at American Fish, Sushi and Saki at Bar Massa, Absinthe with dessert at Sage, Tapas at Julian Serrano and cocktails at Union restaurant and lounge.
Features great seafood and other signature dishes from renowned chef Michael Mina. Signature dishes include: Lobster, Sturgeon Smoked Salmon “BLT”, Laughing Bird Shrimp Po’ Boy, Cornmeal-Crusted Trout, Mixed Grill of Razor Clams, Scallops and Squid
HOURS:
Dinner; Daily, 5 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
RESERVATIONS (877) 230-2742
Union Restaurant is run by the Light Group, one of the leading hospitality development and management companies in Vegas. In addition to Union Restaurant, these guys run a bunch of the best nightclubs in Vegas (more on that later). The restaurant is located in the epicenter of the casino floor and gives you a hip, high-energy dining experience with a menu that features a unique selection of contemporary American cuisine.
HOURS:
Sun-Wed: Dine 5pm-10pm,; Lounge: 5pm - 11pm
Thu-Sat: Dine 5-11pm; Lounge: 5pm - 12am
Phone: (702) 693-8300
The Nightlife
Eve Night Club
Owned by Eva Langoria (Mrs. Tony Parker) Eve is one of the newest Vegas hot spots. I spoke to one of the bartenders who told me, “the early part of the night attracts the convention crowd” and things start picking up around midnight. On weekends, hit it around 10:00 to avoid the lines and drama. The night I was there they played a mix of Hip-Hop and mash-ups. The club features a nice line up of shapely Go-Go dancers and hostesses to keep things interesting throughout the night.
Hours of Operation: Wed, Fri, Sat Doors open at 9:00
Location: Crystals Retail & Entertainment center
Haze Night Club
Developed by masters of Las Vegas Nightlife, the Light Group. Haze is a 25,0000 sq ft. mega-club complete with burlesque dancers, stripper poles, oversized props and projection screens. I was there on a Thursday night and the DJ kept the crowd moving with a mix of Hip-Hop and Mash-up, while on stage the Haze dancers were doing a “dirty debutante” Victorian theme. At the same time another group of entertainers carried circulated the club in Victorian style lingerie. The spot has 2 levels and 3 bars and a dance floor surrounded by gigantic media screens. VIP and bottle service areas are positioned through out the space.
Hours of operation: Thu, Fri & Sat: 10:30pm - 4am
Location: Aria Hotel & Casino (702) 693-8300
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The Daylife
The Light Group also operates The LIQUID Pool Lounge at ARIA. The spot wasn't open when I visited but I was told that it will be an adults-only experience including: A state-of-the-art sound system and world-class DJs. Luxe cabanas are equipped with 40" flat-screen televisions and offer chaise lounges, plush daybeds and access to two semi-private dipping pools.
Hours: Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through April 30 Daily beginning May 1. Guests must be 21 years of age or older.
The Spa & Fitness Center at Aria
After a rough Thursday night at Haze, I set my bedside remote to ease me into the morning at 8:00. I had scheduled a 8:30am kettlebell exercise class at the Spa but after having what seemed like one to many of everything that night, the thought of getting up in the morning and going to the spa to exercise sounded absurd. After a night like that what I really needed was an hour in the sauna followed by a massage but I was curious about kettlebell training so once I shook the cobwebs out, I made my way down to the Spa.
The Spa at Aria is an 80,000 square foot Mecca of modern relaxation. The fitness center looks out onto the pool and features a variety of group exercise classes I was the last one to kettelbell class and joined 3 middle aged women and a male instructor. I don’t generally take exercise classes and at this point I felt like I had to be in the wrong class. Is this Pilates or Kettelbell? I asked myself. Before I had another doubt, the instructor started us on a short series of stretching exercises before taking us through several fundamentals kettlebell moves. The instructor sized me up, and for most of the exercises, suggested I use the heaviest of 4 weights that were in front of me which was 36 lbs.
We went through the basic kettlebell training moves which include the swing, the snatch and the clean and jerk. By about half way through the 20 minute class, I felt the effect of what too many Vodka tonics the night before can have on a mans system early in the morning. Despite the my body having second thoughts, thankfully my ego kicked in (Belive me, I wasn't about to quit in a room full of middle aged women) and I completed the class. I found out that the Kettle Bell training originated in Russia centuries ago and became a conditioning tool for the military and the country's Olympic athletes. I also found out, kettlebell training is designed to give an intense full body workout in the shortest amount of time. All I can say is, "Do Believe the Hype!" 20 min. of kettlebell and my entire body was in pain, good pain though. The kind of pain that makes you feel like you did something worthwhile with your day and reenergizes you for another night of great food, fine booze an beautiful eye candy. Check out more of Las Vegas City Center.
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