Las Vegas (6)
Coverage of our trips to Las Vegas
M Resort Spa and Casino, “M”mm… Just My Style!
Written by Kimberly KatzKimberly Katz’ Platinum Press - M Resort Spa and Casino in Las Vegas
Each year when I go to Las Vegas to review the great shows and resorts I have such a variety of great options it makes it very difficult to choose where to stay. When I heard some great word of mouth about the brand new M Resort from a real estate developer friend in Las Vegas I decided to check out their website. As soon as I heard the strains of “The Mating Game, Yes King Remix” by the band Bittersweet playing on their promo video I could tell this was going to be a sexy, modern resort with the class and style that would suit me perfectly for a working vacation in Vegas.
The Suite:
I chose the Classic One Bedroom suite for my three night stay there and it turned out to be so spacious and well appointed I found it difficult to leave the room! I loved the clean modern decor, in shades of brown, black and cream; the room had an upscale, yet casual masculine feel. Both the large living room and bedroom had floor to ceiling windows with a stunning view of the beautiful pool area and mountains with the strip lights twinkling in the distance, yet just ten minutes away.
I really appreciated the two 42 inch flat screen TV’s, as well as a third TV in the bathroom dressing area. I hate to be without music when dressing or lounging in my room in Vegas and very few hotels provide any, so another really nice touch is the Bose Radio in the bedroom with awesome stereo sound that gave my stay a rocking soundtrack to remember it by. Although I did not have occasion to use it, the well-stocked mini bar included an “Intimacy Love Kit” by Booty Parlor with massage oils, protection and a tickle feather, which I thought was a delightful and thoughtful amenity to provide. There’s nothing like running down to the gift shop hunting for massage oils in the middle of the night to ruin the “mood.”
The enormous closet valet was also beautiful and well equipped with high quality
“His and Hers” robes and slippers. With all the walking in heels I do in Vegas, I spend a lot of time in the tub nursing my aching feet so I was happy to find a spa tub and lovely marble rain shower alongside the generous double vanity. I loved that the spa tub had a retractable shade that allowed you to view not only the bedroom while you bathed but also the stunning view of the strip lights at night while soaking in the luxurious Azzurro bath salts and Massaging Soap that M provides to suite guests.
The Spa:
I always tell my readers when in Vegas, don’t just hit the casino, enjoy the spa and get a massage! You always win when you bet your money on a good spa or massage treatment and leave refreshed and ready to enjoy your evening!
The decor of Spa and Salon Mio is absolutely breathtaking and the spa itself meticulously clean and well maintained. I absolutely adored the vaulted ceiling two-story rain shower with a massive 24 inch shower head above that gave you the feeling of being in a tropical downpour as well as four more heads to massage you from all angles.
Enjoying a rain shower while viewing the gorgeous softly pink-lit crystal chandelier and ever changing light show reflecting softly on the mother of pearl tiled two story water walls behind the huge and pristine Jacuzzi tubs was a healing and rejuvenating experience in itself, and not to be missed.
Occasionally I am disappointed by the actual massage treatment rooms of a nice spa if they turn out to be too small or clinical but not so here at Spa Mio. As my massage therapist, Shellen, lead me down the softly lit Asian themed, dark wood hallway to my treatment room I felt more and more relaxed and catered to. The treatment room itself was extremely large and luxurious, the soft music subtle and enchanting. I could tell as soon as I lay down that the velvety soft sheets on the table were of the highest thread count linen and were absolutely heaven to the touch. I told my therapist Shellen that I had a long night ahead of me with a concert and dinner to follow and did not want a very deep massage as that sometimes gives me a headache and she catered her massage touch just perfectly to both relax me and work out the tension in my shoulders, neck and hips from flying. True to her word, I had no headache later on and felt full of relaxed energy the entire weekend due to her fantastic massage.
After my expert massage I enjoyed a wonderful concert by world-class performer Chris Isaak out under the stars on the Villaggio Del Sole Pool and Entertainment Piazza. There is no better way to enjoy live music than by torchlight with a full moon above. The soft, warm summer breezes felt delightful by the side of M’s softly illuminated swimming pool with the strip lights glimmering behind the stage.
The Dining:
For late night dining I chose to dine at restaurant Veloce Cibo on the top floor of M Resort, which is generously open until one AM with beautiful views of the night skyline. Chef Nathan Frost was an absolutely delightful dining companion and thoroughly described each of the special dishes he prepared for me in detail. For late night supper, I really enjoy small dishes and appetizer size plates and that is Veloce’s specialty. I honestly loved the creativity and presentation of everything I sampled and can recommend highly the super fresh oysters chilled on ice, Roasted Duck and Thai Roti Pancake with julienne vegetables and peanut dipping sauce, as well as the adorable Mini Lobster Tacos with grilled mango lime and avocado puree served with a straw like an avocado milkshake. The Macadamia Nut Crusted Scallop with apple fries and blood orange beurre blanc was unique and astounding, as was the Surf and Turf Roll with Spicy Tuna and Kobe beef.
The Studio B buffet, voted Best Buffet in Vegas was a wonderful entertainment experience as well with Chef Tina Martini’s live studio cooking show which mixes cooking with healthy, how to culinary tips, recipes and food sampling. This buffet really was exceptionally fresh with hundreds of well-prepared and delicious gourmet dishes to choose from. My favorite food in the world has to be crab legs and there were three different kinds of crab at the Studio Buffet, including steamed, chilled and one in an exotic curry broth. My only complaint here is that the crab legs were not scored for easy access, so unfortunately at the end of my buffet visit which was brief because I was on my way to see a show, most of the fantastic crab legs had to be left uneaten on my plate. The oxtail soup was incredible with tender, sweet pieces of oxtail falling off the bone and melting in my mouth. It was also fun to grab a handful of fortune cookies for dessert along with a freshly made hot cappuccino from the huge dessert and coffee bar selection.
I fancy myself a bit of a soup connoisseur. When I am working and traveling in dry climates like Las Vegas and flying in a dry cabin, etc. sometimes the only thing that will comfort me before retiring is a well-prepared bowl of soup. In addition to the magical oxtail soup at Studio B, I had a really wonderful, authentic bowl of steaming hot Matzo ball soup at the Vig Deli, which was conveniently open till 7 AM for a night owl like myself. I also enjoyed the most spectacular bowl of Maryland She Crab Bisque at The Oyster Bar. The She Crab Bisque was full of sweet tender “she” crab chunks in a perfectly seasoned and balanced cream sherry base. As I stirred the soup I noticed a small spot of blood red in the center, which turned out to be a hidden spoonful of sweet red caviar- to die for!
I highly recommend staying at M Resort for any traveler who is looking for an intimate boutique hotel experience with all the amenities of a large Vegas hotel and casino. From the moment I arrived till the day of my departure I was treated with the utmost courtesy and casual friendliness by every single employee there. Particularly when traveling as a woman alone, it was so important to me to feel warmth and genuine caring from the front desk staff, business center, waiters, spa attendants, and maid service, which made my working vacation in Las Vegas a pleasure and a delight that I look forward to repeating many times in the future.
No wonder that Las Vegas concerts are some of the most desired worldwide. When it comes to the biggest names, hottest acts and amazing shows they can always be had from any of the casino, hotels and venues that Las Vegas has. Headliner acts, tour stops, comedians and even lesser known but still popular musicians always make Vegas their home from time to time. Getting tickets for the popular shows can become difficult or very expensive. Here are some tips to help assure all the excitement without disappointment. Planning ahead is a good idea with any venture but especially when hoping to go to any of the big Las Vegas concerts. The major tours and headliner acts will be sold out months in advance. If you know the time that you will be traveling to the city then make sure to look at what shows will be playing. Use the many online travel and entertainment sites on the net. Find the show or shows you want to see while there and book the seats early. This will secure great seats at the face value costs.
For everyone a trip to Las Vegas happens on a whim. For those who often travel into this entertainment capital they can take advantage of the hotels. The concierge desk will often have extra tickets for hot shows. These tickets are held for repeat customers and those who use the hotel often. If you are often in Vegas and stay at the same hotels and casinos ask if they can get the Las Vegas concert tickets that you are in need of.
Getting good seats to even the biggest concert tours can always be done if willing to spend the cash. There are many respectable Las Vegas concert brokers who will have even front row seats to a show sold out many months ago. The drawdown to this is that the seats will cost a pretty penny. If money is no object then this may be the way to go. Getting front row seats to a huge sold out event is for high rollers. These brokers will have upper level seating available for most Las vegas concerts that will not break the bank. They may not be the greatest seats, but at least you are in th show and a part of the excitement.
If all else fails or you cannot spend the extra cash for a ticket costing more than face value then hit the net. The auction sites may have some Las Vegas concert tickets available from an individual who needs to get rid of them. The many free classified sites may also have a legitimate person who cannot attend the event and just want to recoup their money. These are more dangerous ways to get tickets because of the many scam artists online. Desperate times may call for desperate measures. Probably, the safest way to go would be finding a web site with an official fan forum. These forums and groups usually require that you register with them. They are for true fans of any particular artists, band or music act. There are less likely to be a scam artist within these tight niche groups. Make a post in the groups asking if anyone has some spare tickets for the date you want to attend. Make sure to put the location, venue, and time of the event as well as a way to get in contact !
with you.
It would be hard to conceive of a trip to Sin City without grabbing some Las Vegas concert tickets and seeing a live show. The performances in Vegas always seem to go above and beyond other cities. Perhaps it is the entertainer's excitement to be playing in what has become the entertainment capital of the world or patrons extra level of excitement. Perhaps it is just the intimacy of the smaller casino venues that helps create the thrill. Whatever the cause one thing is certain, nothing beats seeing a live concert in Las Vegas!
Cinevegas Film Fest Brings the Stars to "Sin City"
Written by Ken Payne
As if it wasn’t hot enough in sunny 110-degree Las Vegas, the desert city would only get hotter as the stars came out in droves in support of the CineVegas 2008 Film Festival.
The MGM Grand Hotel & Casino - Having a Grand Time!
Written by Kimberly Katz
I have to say that it was difficult to leave the MGM, the overall atmosphere there day and night is one of fun, glamour and modern, yet self effacing luxury .It is not surprising that AAA selected MGM Grand as one of its 2007 Four Diamond Award recipients.
