There are so many hotel options in Vegas and it’s a bit overwhelming when you start planning your trip.  Most clubs and awesome restaurants are inside hotels so really you can choose any, and you’ll still get to see the other ones. So how did I end up at the Venice in Las Vegas?

If I had to give one reason to pick the Venetian over the others is that their standard rooms (lowest rate) are suites and larger than any standard room in Vegas. Click here for rates and availability. 

Venice in Las Vegas

There are exact replicas of ceilings, canals, and shops in the Venetian that took a lot of work to make them look just like the real Venice. You can take a gondola ride inside or outside. There is a huge mall and loads of restaurants in the hotel.

When you walk through, you are on the cobblestone streets of Venice, inside, but with the sky painted above you. There are gelato stalls and “Italian” men singing tunes from the canal. It’s the closest you’ll get to Venice in America!

My room at the Venetian

The rooms as I mentioned are suites (even a standard room). My room was called the Bella Suite, but was a standard room unless I was upgraded without knowing it on check-in.

The hotel room is stunning and so unique. It’s quite fun to stay in a room that is this style, especially since when I was in the real Venice I stayed in a tiny little hotel that was terrible! The bathroom had a TV facing the bathtub… very cool.

I actually got use from the suite as I did work outs in the living room and used the desk to get some work done the first day before my friend arrived.

Nearly all hotels in Las Vegas have weight censors on their drinks. I picked up a water for just a few seconds to see the price and was charged for it. Most have 60 seconds for you to decide and sit it back, but in this case it was maybe 10. Unless you’ll be using the mini-bar best not to touch. That also means no taking leftovers home from the restaurants. That is for all hotels in Vegas, not just the Venetian.

Canyon Ranch Spa

Canyon Ranch Spa is the MOST FAMOUS spa in Las Vegas. There is a hydro experience where you go in to an area which has 8 different spa experiences to try from an igloo to tropical rain shower! It was so cool to try and after my work out I went back and sat in the sauna. Once you pay for a day pass you can come back all day.

The spa shop carried all my favorite brands, even L*space swim! I almost bought one of these soaps but I’m trying cut back on unnecessary purchases!

They also have treatments but I didn’t have time or budget to try them this time! I hope I will next time when I go back. I am going through massage withdrawals being out of India.

Food at Venetian

While there are SO many restaurants (many of which are celebrity owned) but I chose B&B Ristorante which is owned by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich. It was TASTY! They have one in New York too. Unsurprisingly, I got fried pickles and a chili cheese dog, topped off with a milkshake. Alex being reasonable got a salad.

The Venetian Pool

You can use any of the pools here (8 of them!) or at the Palazzo hotel for free. There are so many pools that you don’t need to worry about too many crowds or not getting a seat.

There are pool parties at lots of hotels in Vegas but luckily at the Venetian it’s hidden inside Tao Beach club. It’s a smaller party but a lot of fun for a casual afternoon.

The Venetian was a great place to stay. Want to stay here too? Click here to book a room! I linked through HotelsCombined because that’s where I book for good deals. I’ll get a commission at no cost to you if you use that link.

The post Want Venice in Las Vegas? My Venetian Review first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post Want Venice in Las Vegas? My Venetian Review appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

Welcome to Backpacker’s Boutique. Every Sunday, this spot will feature a new travel blogger. Some weeks it will be a really fun interview about packing, fashion, and fitness so you can snoop inside their bags & lives a little bit and other weeks it’ll be a detailed luxury guide to a city the featured blogger/expat knows very well. E-mail me if you’d like to be featured.

A Luxury Guide to Las Vegas

Tell us a little about yourself and tell us why you’re an expert on luxury travel in Las Vegas.

My name is Angie and my blog SilverSpoon London is all about finding the best luxurious hotspots in my home town of London and around the world. I’ve visited Las Vegas twice with my husband and both times I did thorough research to make sure we were going to the best places and having the most amazing experiences that we could. It’s Vegas right? So everything is epic!

What makes Las Vegas a perfect destination for travelers seeking a glamorous trip?

Las Vegas really is a place that showcases the best of the best, from fine dining and trendy restaurants, to luxurious hotels, designer shops and the incredible entertainment. Of course Vegas has its rather less-glamorous areas but if you go to the right places you’re sure to be wowed by Sin City.

What 5-star hotel is the best in your Las Vegas?

The Encore Hotel is the very best in my opinion (see a review here), it’s the sister hotel to the Wynn, both owned by casino magnate, Steve Wynn. The Encore is the ultimate in lavish accommodation whilst still being chic and classy. The hotels rooms are gorgeous, comfortable and stylish and there’s a huge array of world class restaurants, and a whole avenue of beautiful fashion boutiques. I would recommend staying in one the Tower Suites at the Encore for that extra level of luxury. In these more exclusive rooms you have VIP check in, a dedicated concierge and access to the Tower Suites pool. Another incredible hotel that’s worth checking out is The Bellagio, even if it’s just to see the iconic fountains. Click here for rates and availability. 

What about boutique hotels in Las Vegas, of them all, which would you send your friends or family to stay at?

Las Vegas isn’t exactly known for boutique hotels; it houses some of the biggest hotels in the world! That being said, many of the big hotels now also include smaller hotels within them so that guests can have a more personalized service. For a more chilled out hotel, The Mandalay Bay Hotel also has a Four Seasons hotel within it. There’s no casino, so the experience is more low key than some of the giants of Vegas. It was still under-construction on my last visit but I’d also love to try the Nobu Hotel in Caesar’s Palace. Nobu is one of my favorite restaurants and I’d be keen to check out a hotel owned by the famous chef and his business partner Robert De Niro. 

Are there any fun activities for the adventurous traveler in Las Vegas?

Total dare devils can check out the rides at the Stratosphere hotel such as X-Scream which leaves you dangling 109 storeys in the air or Insanity, a giant mechanical arm which holds you 900ft in the air. If white knuckle rides aren’t your thing, a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon would make an exciting adventure; you can even have a champagne breakfast in the canyon itself.

Where are the best hang outs during the day?

Despite my love of Las Vegas, I’m not really interested in gambling but obviously roulette, poker and the slot machines are a major draw for many visitors. For me one of the best places to hang out during the day is by the pool. The Encore Beach Club is fantastic if you want to party and drink champagne whilst dancing to world class DJs. For a more relaxed vibe the Encore and The Wynn both have stunning pools. I would suggest hiring a cabana for the day and enjoying your own private space with a TV, sofas and snacks included.

There’s also some great lunch spots to check out and I’d recommend Olives at The Bellagio for a view of the fountain show and Sushi Samba at The Venetian for break from shopping.

If you have a big date night, what are the most delicious restaurants in Las Vegas and what are their best dishes?

The most upscale restaurant in Las Vegas is Joel Robuchon at the MGM Grand where you can experience the acclaimed chef’s fine French cuisine. If you like taking in the view, I’d also recommend the Eiffel Tower in the Paris Hotel which is incredibly romantic and has a view over the Bellagio Fountains. For more trendy restaurants I love Yellow Tail at the Bellagio, particularly the tuna sashimi pizza and the amazing view of the strip.

I also love Hakkasan in the MGM Grand for a fantastic atmosphere and incredible upscale Chinese food – try the dim sum platter. 

Let’s talk desserts- what place makes the best?

If you’re looking for a vast selection of quality desserts, your first point of call should be one of the buffets in one of the top luxury hotels. The Encore has a total decadent feast of pastries, cakes and sweets and a chocolate fountain. Though I’ve never been, I have heard that the Sugar Factory at The Planet Hollywood Resort is legendary and serves sweet treats twenty-four hours a day and even has a chocolate lounge.

Tell us all the hot shopping spots in Las Vegas!

The Wynn and Encore Esplanades have a great hand-picked selection of luxury fashion boutiques and brands to browse through without feeling too overwhelmed. If you want a vast selection of both designer brands and more affordable shops, then I’d really recommend a trip to the Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes. The shopping centre is 875,000 square foot and includes entertainment, restaurants and the opportunity to take a gondola ride on the Grand Canal that runs through it.

What are some of the most unique things that you can do in Vegas?

Well, Vegas is the only place that you can visit Paris, Venice, ancient Rome and Egypt in one day…the themed hotels are really fun to explore so I’d definitely recommend having a good walk around the strip. You can visit the Neon Museum Boneyard which houses all the vintage signs from ‘Old Vegas’ or take a spin on the High Roller, the world largest Ferris Wheel. I would also recommend seeing a Cirque de Soleil show such as La Reve at The Wynn or the Michael Jackson inspired ONE, at The Mandalay Bay Hotel. Also if you want a quick and easy wedding you’ve come to the right place…Vegas is one of the world’s most popular places to get married due to the speed and ease of acquiring a marriage license, plus you can get married by an Elvis impersonator ;)

Time for a great sunset view… where would you go?

There’s some great restaurants and bars with views over the strip to catch the sunset from. I loved the Eiffel Tower restaurant at the Paris Hotel and the Skyfall lounge at The Delano gives panoramic views across the city. If you want to get away from the city lights, Red Rock Canyon is only around 30 minutes from the main strip. Visit and you can witness the beautiful desert rocks glowing red as the sunsets in the background.

Now that the sun’s gone down, fill us on the best places to go for some evening drinks or a great pre-gaming spot.

For a bit of sparkle and glamour, The Chandelier Bar at The Cosmopolitan Hotel is visually incredible. It’s a three level bar located among 2 million threaded crystals. For a quiet drink before dinner, check out Parasol Down at the Wynn where you have a view of the 40-foot waterfall over the Lake of Dreams.

If you end the night at a fancy club, which one do you head towards?

XS at the Encore is my favorite club of all time, with a glittering backdrop you can dance the night away on the dance floor or enjoy a cabana around the pool. Tryst at The Wynn is also totally unique, with indoor and outdoor space and a 90-foot waterfall! For an opulent setting and world class DJs also check out The Bank at The Bellagio or Hakkasan, an 80,000 square foot night club belonging to the prestigious restaurant brand.

Angie Silver is the blogger behind SilverSpoon London, a leading UK lifestyle, food and luxury travel blog, following Angie’s adventures in her hometown of London and around the world. Angie aims to give the low-down on London’s hottest new restaurants as well as cool and inspiring destinations globally. You can follow her luxury travels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google Plus.

The post Luxury Guide to Las Vegas first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post Luxury Guide to Las Vegas appeared first on Hippie In Heels.