Weekend getaway to Vegas
- Amy Harris
- Feb 22, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Every year my husband goes to CES in Vegas for a week full of meetings and networking. The Consumer Electronic Show is one of the largest conventions in the world and is considered the most influential tech event. The stories he comes home with are always fascinating and the products he gets to preview are some of the most innovative and groundbreaking ideas in the world. He loves that kind of thing and has several clients that attend so it's always a great opportunity for him to meet with them. This year he invited me to join him at the end of the conference and experience some of the crazy that is Vegas when a convention this large is going on. Well, let's be real Vegas is always crazy...but this was extra! I flew out on Friday afternoon to meet him, it was a quick but fun filled time.
If you've ever been to Vegas you know how big and busy the airport is. I always forget how massive, it's a true reflection of Vegas with plenty to do, places to shop and eat, plus of course you can gamble the second you get off the plane or one last time before you leave. You have to take a tram to get to your gate or the baggage area and catching an Uber or Lyft can be an adventure. I road the tram to get my bag then ordered my Uber and headed to the garage where they pick you up. There were tons of people crowding in and around the line and three men directing the crowd, and by directing I mean yelling at everyone. It was chaos. But I found my very nice Uber driver and I was on my way. As we got closer to the strip I was reminded how unbelievable Vegas really is. It's like sensory overload. I love it for short periods of time, but even though I have been several times I am always amazed at how much there is to see.
We were able to snag a Grand King Suite at the Venetian. I think someone must have pulled out last minute. Many companies attending CES use these large luxurious suites for meetings and we somehow got lucky and were able to reserve this just days before going and it was very reasonably priced for the space. I've stayed at the Palazzo many times and like it because all of the rooms are suites and all are nice. The Palazzo and Venetian are connected, this was my first time staying in one of the Venetian towers. It was very busy because the convention was there so elevators were busy with long waits. The suite was quite big and nice, but more dated than other places I have stayed in Vegas. They could use some updating. It had a large dining room, living room, desk and big bedroom with a very large luxurious bathroom. There is also a small half bath which makes it great for entertaining or hosting meetings. My favorite part of the suite was the view of the Venetian sign lit up at night. We also liked it was located on the top floor so the views from the floor to ceiling windows were spectacular. The bed was comfy and the bathroom was nice and big, I never got in that tub but it looked inviting. We very much enjoyed our stay here.
I am not a shopper at all, but if you are, the shopping at the Grand Canal shops that span between the Venetian and the Palazzo are very impressive. Since I had some hours to kill before my husband was out of his meetings I really enjoyed exploring. It's a beautiful resort that makes you feel like you are in Venice
The cloudy sky (ceiling) changes colors from time to time, and the Gondola rides featuring "singing gondolier pilots" on every ride are a must see attraction in Vegas. I almost convinced my husband we needed that romance in our lives, but we never actually hopped on. **note** He did say whatever I wanted so it's really not his fault. They do look fun though! Maybe a next time adventure!
I was starving but only wanted a small snack because I knew dinner was going to be amazing later, so after bi-passing all of the high end shops, (you're welcome hubby) I went directly to the center of the Canal shopping area where there are several restaurants. I decided on Brera Osteria for a quick bite and a glass of wine. I snagged a seat at the bar and ordered the beet salad with roasted beets, pistachio walnut pesto, Belgian endive, la tur and pickled mushrooms. The la tur cheese with the pistachio and walnut pesto plus the beets was so delicious. I also enjoyed a glass of an Italian Sauvignon Blanc. It was just what I needed especially since they then brought warm soft bread.
I loved the people watching, the live entertainment on the stage in front of the restaurant, but mostly the food watching. The menu looked so good and all the food arriving at tables around me was making me hungry. I knew we were having Italian later so I restrained...well, until the next day when my husband and I popped back in there for a late afternoon snack and shared pizza and wine. The pizza was so good, but my date was the best part.
There are so many incredible restaurants at the Venetian you really could stay there your entire vacation and eat somewhere different every meal and enjoy all of them. It is well known that some of the best chefs and restaurants are in Vegas and many of them offer not only mouthwatering menus but also a complete dining experience or dinner and a show. I like this list Vegas Magazine compiled because it breaks it down by resort then gives information on the best of the best and also lists (with contact info) every restaurant at each major resort. In two short days we managed to try four restaurants plus room service (which was also surprisingly very good)
My husband made a reservation for his staff dinner at Lavo and it did not disappoint. We actually dined there for my dad's birthday a few years prior and loved it so much we needed to go back. Lively atmosphere, beautifully designed and located right at one of the entrances to the hotel. The tables were a bit crammed together to make room for extra diners that weekend.
The menu is diverse and offers something for everyone. We all enjoyed everything we ordered and the staff was so friendly and accommodating. Even though we have been twice and there are too many restaurants to try we would come back here for sure!
Saturday morning wanted to go to Bouchon for brunch but didn't think ahead to make a reservation, which you definitely will want if you plan to brunch there. They serve weekend brunch Thursday - Sunday. We stopped in with high hopes to grab a bar seat but it was full and they were on an hour and a half wait I have had brunch at this Bouchon and the one in Napa and knew it would be worth the wait, but I was much too hungry that morning. Definitely recommend it if you can get a reservation!
We decided to try Yardbird even though there is one in Dallas we haven't tried it, so why not try the Vegas version, after all they have been voted 100 best brunch restaurants in America. The restaurant was empty and there were plenty of seats at the bar but by the time we left it was getting busier. They serve brunch Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am - 4 pm. The menu features American classics and comfort food. Southern Living claims they have, "The South's Best Fried Chicken," so my husband was smart and ordered the Chicken & Egg sandwich which is served on a brioche bun with chipotle aioli. I was very good. I had the omelet which was fluffy and cooked to perfection. My omelet came with the best buttermilk biscuit I think I have ever had. I saw the Chicken and Waffles being enjoyed and we were envious. They were huge and come with honey hot sauce and bourbon maple syrup. YUM! Definitely enjoyed brunch and would recommend! We will be going to the Dallas one soon.
Check out all of the restaurants that serve weekend brunch at the Venetian. Next time we will try SugarCane for the "All you can drink Mimosa's." They serve brunch daily and the menu looks like something I need in my tummy!
We really wanted to try The X Pot and we tried, but they were on a 2 hour wait that night. It is a beautiful restaurant that offers an extravagant dining experience with HD projections and interactive light shows. I love hotpot dining and The X Pot takes it to a whole new level. Hopefully, next time we will make a reservation in advance. We also learned about the Spectrum Dining experience that is truly unique! It's a private dining room with up to 24 guests, they require a minimum of 8 adults. It's $228 per person. If you have a large group and are looking for something completely different than any other dining experience you've had, this looks so cool! Check out the video
When we couldn't get into The X Pot we walked over to the adjacent SushiSamba which is a very lively place with a DJ playing and people crowded around the circular bar and lounge. It is beautifully designed with graffiti swirling ribbons, which they say, "evokes a feeling of movement." We were able to snag a table in the lounge. We shared Crispy Yellowtail taquitos and the Samba Strip which is Maine lobster, mango, avocado, soy paper, lotus root chips, and the best part aji honey truffle. Both were very good. I wish we were hungrier, they have an extensive menu featuring Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine.
Spanning 12 feet tall and 36 feet wide, the Love sculpture is a beautiful piece of art located at the waterfall in the atrium at the Venetian, it is the perfect place to take a photo with the ones you love. The piece was designed by Laura Kimpton, the "Love" is one piece from Kimpton's Monumental Word Series.
We spent some time in the sports book at the Wynn earlier in the day and needed to head back over there to cash in a win : )
The Wynn resort is next door to the Palazzo and a pretty easy walk from the resorts. While we were there we stumbled upon their all-new Lake of Dreams show. It was pretty cool. It's framed by the 90-foot performance waterfall and features lights, music and colorful puppetry. We were able to snag a table and some cocktails on the patio at Lakeside just as it was beginning. We learned that it runs nightly every half hour beginning at dusk, it is complimentary. You can view it from the Lakeside patio, SW steakhouse or Bar Parasol. Very cool!
Although it was a short and very well behaved for Vegas trip, we had such a great time and can't wait to go back!
I have also really enjoyed staying at the Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan
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