March 29, 2024

A gal’s guide to Las Vegas (because it doesn’t have to be like a scene from The Hangover)

We Brits have always had a fixation with Vegas. Our first experience of the city usually stems from having lived it vicariously through over-the-top Hollywood films like The Hangover and the Ocean’s movies. Movies, which glamorise the black out drunk, disastrous stag/hen do and frenzied gambling narrative that is so synonymous with Vegas.

Tony Curtis once said, “if you know how to live in Vegas, you can have the best time”.

As appealing as getting stuck in Las Vegas with Bradley Cooper sounds, we felt it was time to discover another side to Vegas. A side that consists of more than just walking up and down the strip, nursing hangovers and spending unconscionable amounts of money.

Here at we’ve decided that what happens in Vegas shouldn’t just stay in Vegas. They say everybody goes to Vegas for 3 days. We stuck to that formula – and boy, did we live our best lives! So, we’ve compressed our trip of a lifetime into a ‘Day and Night Life Guide to Vegas’, especially for you.

You’re welcome.

The Hotel. . After an 11-hour flight and the initial merciless assault of heat as you emerge from the airport, we were beyond grateful for the respite offered as we entered the cool lobby (in the literal sense) of the stunning Vdara Spa hotel. Whilst benefiting from being right at the heart of the strip, the hotel is surprisingly casino-free – a refreshing anomaly in Vegas. With stunning views of the city and beyond, a fully kitted out spa and a high-tech gym, it’s totes the digs for the millennial traveller. Did we mention that the hotel also has robots that can deliver room service all ours of the day at the mere press of a button? MIND=BLOWN.

The spot for lunch… Chica at the Venetian. Nestled within a quieter corner of the opulent, Italian themed ‘Venetian’ and with its infamous canals, paddled by T-shirt clad gondoliers (yes, really) – it would be easy to miss this heavenly little piece of Latin-inspired cuisine. Mouth- watering dishes like the crispy calamari fuego, fish tacos and the shrimp and butter salad are easily washed down with the sinfully tasty array of cocktails that are available on the menu.

Laugh and Dine at… Beauty Essex at the Cosmopolitan. Now, if ever there was a restaurant made for the girl with serious Sex and the City nostalgia, this is it. Behind a hidden entrance in a pawn shop (I know, we couldn’t either at first), Beauty and Essex can best be described as a lux restaurant-lounge; the sort of place you would go with your best girlfriends to giggle, chat, eat, drink and flirt with the waiters just like Carey Bradsaw and co. But don’t be fooled, it’s not all glitz, this place packs a culinary punch serving some of the most innovative finger food and creative cocktails a girl can ask for.

Nightcap at. . the Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan. In a city that never sleeps, the idea of a nightcap is somewhat redundant. Nevertheless, after you’ve eaten far too much than you should have (this is Vegas, after all), the Chandelier bar is a great spot to see and be seen. Stunningly encased within a giant crystal chandelier (which could only ever work in Vegas), you have a choice of 3 bars across 3 levels, giving you the added bonus of both walking off those excess calories whilst trying out the different menus that each bar offers. #winning.

Day party at. . Drai’s Beachclub at the Cromwell or the Marquee at the Cosmopolitan. A trip to Vegas is not complete without a pool party, okay? ! Head over to Drai’s at the Cromwell for a signature Vegas day party. First of all, it’s perched 11 storeys above the strip gifting spectacular views. Secondly, the music is on point and you can enjoy all of this from your own private cabana with up to 8 of your closest mates. This comes with incredible VIP service – vodka cocktails and chicken strips with dirty fries are optional!

If, however, you’re looking for something a little more “boujie”, then head to the Marquee day club. A club offering sun-blazed lavish pool-sides, bungalow lofts, beautiful people and more fun, sun and music than you can shake a frozen margarita at. The best bit? The cabanas come with their own infinity pools and hot tubs. I mean…

Fine Dine at. . Spago at Bellagio Hotel and Casino. This statement-making location, featuring views of the fountains at the Bellagio, Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck’s infamous brainchild is a must. Even J-Lo rates it! Nothing quite prepares you for the unbelievable oysters with cocktail sauce or the mouth-watering tuna tartare. Don’t even get us started on the, quite frankly, outrageous burrata salad topped with balsamic and rocket pesto. Head there for an early dinner so you can enjoy the spectacular waterworks.

Dance at… ’Jennifer Lopez: All I have’ concert at Planet Hollywood! Quite frankly, it would be rude to go to the entertainment capital of the world and not be, well… entertained. After Britney made Vegas residencies officially cool (all while reportedly raking in an eye-watering £500,000 per show), other stars such as J-Lo have followed suit, picking up the baton with her “All I have” show. And its err-mazing. Energetically fusing cabaret, hip hop, Latina, dance and pop in a way only J Lo can, this is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip. It’s intimate, it’s slick, it’s spectacular all at the same time. Just remember not to overindulge with the supersize frozen cocktails as you’ll need to pop to the loo and miss part of her performance.

21 times Jennifer Lopez rocked the sheer dress trend looked better than all of us

Insta at… Seven Magic Mountains. Art installation in Vegas? Yes, you heard correctly. If you can bear to tear yourself away from the strip, just a few miles from Las Vegas Boulevard, you’ll stumble across Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s installation of 730 foot tall columns of neon coloured boulders. If ever there was an installation made for insta….

Brunch at… Primrose at Park a MGM. In case you hadn’t noticed, Vegas is all about recreating iconic places and cultural references from across the Globe – and Primrose is no exception. With a tropical garden-inspired terrace, Primrose brings a piece of Provence right to the heart Vegas. Refined yet relaxed, Primrose offers stunning lavender mimosas, succulent fruit platters, hearty breakfasts and the show stopper- garden fries (made of fried pickled dill beans, hot peppers and sauce gribiche) making it a refreshing addition to the Las Vegas scene. You won’t want to ever leave. We guarantee it.

Wine and Dine at… Rivea at Delano. Perfect If you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas. Alain Ducasse’s French and Italian-inspired restaurant is light and enjoyable fine dining. It’s also happens to have THE. BEST. VIEWS. OF. THE. ENTIRE. STRIP. #Truestory. The decor is also stunning with hundreds of glass bubbles suspending from the ceiling. Standout dishes include the moreish asparagus and ricotta ravioli, chick pea fries (who knew? ! ) and the zingy, uplifting marinated seabass. Nom! You’ll definitely want to eat more than you want to share. Rivea isn’t a restaurant, it’s an experience…. And one that you’ll want to insta the hell out of…

Brunch at… Bouchon at the Venetian. Bouchon at the Venetian is often feted as one of the best restaurants in Vegas. Pretty high praise but it really does live up to the hype. You can enjoy French-inspired cuisine including classics such as, the croque madame and their pretty – as-you- like patisserie assortment. The restaurant opens out onto an impossibly pretty outdoor terrace complete with a Venetian pool, fountains and foliage. The perfect spot for recovering after a boisterous night on the strip.

Go Glam… with Gypsy shrine. When you’re in the party capital of the world, getting your bling on is a must – especially with The Gypsy Shrine’s Vegas collection.

Vegas really is the place that keeps on giving, it totally lives up to the hype. “Man, I really like Vegas,” Elvis Presley.

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