Caesars, Bellagio and Luxor: Vegas' Finest
by Robin Treece-Winston

It boasts nine of the world's 10 largest hotels, serves as home to more than one million people, and sees an excess of 30 million tourists each year. It's Las Vegas, Nevada, and it's one of the most spectacular and flocked to destinations in the world.

Offering an assault on the senses, Las Vegas is a city that believes excess is best. Subtlety has no place here. With a vast array of blinding lights, scantily clad showgirls, and intoxicating architecture, Las Vegas is about as subtle as a freight train.

Choosing accommodations can be overwhelmingly intimidating for the newcomer to Vegas. It's easy to feel at first enveloped and then swallowed by the opulence and grandeur of the city. It's important to note, however, that one could easily have a fulfilling vacation without ever leaving the premises of his or her hotel.

Caesars Palace is one such hotel. With 2,400 rooms, The Palace offers a variety of activities within the perimeters of the resort grounds. Visit the Forum Shops where names such as Gucci and Versace will entice you to part with any winnings you may have acquired throughout the day. If you're hungry, splurge instead at Spago or The Palm, two excellent Palace restaurants. The finest salons in the world can be found in the Appian Way, where imported marble corridors and a giant replica of the statue of David will whisk you away to the days of the Italian Renaissance.

If it's relaxation you seek, visit The Spa at Caesars, a 23,000-square-foot retreat located on the second floor of Palace Tower. Afterward, check out the Circus Maximus Showroom and catch a performance by the likes of Tony Bennett or David Copperfield. Located in Centurion Tower, Cleopatra's Barge Nightclub is a replica of the ships that sailed the Nile in ancient Egypt, and it affords a high-intensity alternative for those who crave the pulsating nightlife of Vegas. Finally, head over to the Omnimax Theatre which houses a 57-foot screen and features a variety of movies that can be viewed from inclining seats. Basic rates start at around $80, but if you're planning to visit during New Year's Eve of '99 you may want to reconsider. Rooms will start at $2,000 and go up to $3,500.

Another great option for lodging is Bellagio. Fronted by a 12-acre lake, Bellagio Resort and Casino can best be described as ambiance personified. For $10 you can view original masterpieces in the Gallery of Fine Art. Collections by Degas, Monet, Matisse, and Picasso line the walls of this posh gallery, and they are sure to leave you mesmerized.

While most hotels offer decent, yet lacking, round-the-clock buffets, Bellagio redefines Las Vegas dining. If your pocketbook will allow check out Picasso Restaurant where Pablo's artwork decorates the dining area. The cuisine is emulated from that found in the South of France and Spain where Picasso spent much of his life. Plates start at around $60. If you did, however, come to Vegas for an all-you-can-eat buffet, don't worry. For $20 you can enjoy an unlimited bounty of treats such as lobster, oyster, and sushi.

Follow your meal with an even bigger treat with either a ticket ($90-$100) to Cirque Du Soleil, or a visit out to the Bellagio's lake where the more than 1,000 fountain water show is accompanied by a light and music production.

One of the most phenomenal sights in Las Vegas is The Luxor Las Vegas Resort. With over 4,400 rooms which start at $50, this pyramid-shaped hotel makes the entrance to the Louve look downright silly. Home to the world's largest atrium at 29 million cubic feet, The Luxor reaches 350 feet into the sky and measures 36 stories tall. It's the third largest hotel in the world, and it boasts the brightest beam in the world. One could read a newspaper by its light ten miles in space. Viva Las Vegas, indeed!

Here you'll find Egyptian-style rooms, an IMAX Theatre featuring 3D movies, and a cocktail lounge that simply can't be passed up with a name like Nefertiti's. Of course no hotel of this magnitude would be complete without a colossal nightclub to accompany it. Enter RA. A 19,000 square-foot club located inside The Luxor, RA may discriminate somewhat with a $10 cover for men and a $5 cover for women, however, with two cigar lounges, luxury VIP booths, a 110-seat sushi and oyster bar, and a bevy of go-go dancers, I doubt many men complain.

Whether you prefer the Roman luxury of Caesars, the European elegance of Bellagio, or the stately structure of The Luxor, one thing is certain: There's no place on earth quite like Las Vegas.

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