Saturday, the day after our Grand Canyon tour, was our first full day in Las Vegas (and of the trip actually!), and what better way to spend a beautiful sunny spring day than by relaxing in the sun by the pool, drink in hand of course! We stayed at the MGM Signature Suites (through airbnb, so much better value than paying full price through the hotel itself!) but had access to all of the MGM Grand amenities and facilities so after a quick brekky at one of the cafes we meandered down to the Grand Pool to settle in for the arvo.
We had seen cabanas and daybeds advertised for hire by the day, thought that’d be pretty cool and had agreed that we would be prepared to pay $150US or so for the privilege of a shaded pod (to fit 2 people and came with shade). Upon enquiring, we were told the cabanas were booked out until late April and the pods were also booked out, but that we could prebook for another day – you only had a minimum spend of $300US… that’s right, $300 on food and drink for two people. Jeeeeeepers, I am guessing that people are more than willing to pay this as they were all full, not to mention the much more expensive cabanas. That’s Vegas for ya, I guess!
Anyway, we toddled off to the free sun beds, and being relatively early (we got there about 1030am) snagged a good spot right near the ‘Producers’ pool, and made ourselves comfy. The sun was beating down, and although the weather forecast said it was to be a maximum of 28 degrees, it felt a lot warmer and we spent the next four or so hours sunning ourselves, ducking in for dips and ordering drinks off the very friendly (and VERY boobalicous!) waitresses.
Beers were nice and cold, although seems like like frozen cocktails are the way to go here – I ordered one, and it was so crazy sugary sweet, I vowed not to have another. The MGM Pool area consisted of about 6 different pools, and all but two were open during our time there. Great vibe, everyone pretty relaxed and a huge mix of people – families, bucks parties, girl trips, couples – everyone was there!
About 2:30pm we were ravenous and rather than ordering to the sun beds, we decided we had probably had enough of the pool and went to one of the nearby restaurants overlooking the pool. After all the crappy carboy food we had been eating, we were both hanging for a fresh salad or something abit lighter. I went for a thai chicken salad and Dave a Caesar Salad, which interestingly, came with lettuce, croutons and chicken, no bacon or egg – Dave was devo. Here is he, trying not to show his disappointment 😉
We made our way back to our room and Dave had a cheeky nap while I washed and straightened my hair (man, us chicks have it hard – where was my nap?!).
A friend of ours, Rohin, happened to be in Vegas for work for a couple of nights at the same time as us, so we made plans to meet at his hotel, the Venetian for 6pm. About 5:30pm we jumped on the monorail (my friends know I love monorails!) which had a station at the MGM, and after getting off at the sop at Ballys, it was only a short walk to the Venetian.
One of the things I loved most about Las Vegas was the seriously over the top attitude these guys have when it comes to designing and finishing the hotels. Like, someone said – “what can we do for a hotel designed to mimic Venice? St Marks Square with shops around the plaza like the real thing? No worries? Cobblestone bridges? Perfect. A sky painted ceiling throughout the whole hotel? Sure. What’s that you say – gondolas cruising through the shopping mall on real water, with real people on them? Too much? Definitely too much. So, shall we do it? For sure!”
The Venetian was beautiful, just check out the detail and intricacy of the painting on its lobby ceiling, St Marks Square and gondola rides.
The Venetian (yep, that’s a painted ceiling, we were there at night!)
After finding Rohin and a cruise through the Venetian, the three of us basically spent the rest of the night wandering the Strip, gawking at the hotels (ok, I was the only one gawking!) and shaking our heads at how few ‘bars’ there are in Vegas… yeah yeah, I know what you’re thinking.
Vegas has a million and one spots to get a drink, but sometimes you don’t want to be inside a smelly, smoky casino, or buying a $25 2L slushy drink and drinking as you walk along, or even sitting in a crowded Sports Bar where it seems every group of dudes is a wannabe Hangover posse. It would have been great if there were a few people watching, outdoor facing bars where you could duck into for an hour or two. Sadly, if they do exist, we could not find them.
Lights on the Strip
What we do find however was a fabulous spot for dinner inside the Mirage – called STACK. (Between you and me, I had been watching the Kardashians on the plane on the way over, and they ate at Stack in one episode, so I maybe directed Dave and Rohin inside when I noticed it. Just maybe 😉 )
Anyway we ordered some appetisers, intending to grab dinner late on, and enjoyed some delicious yellowtail sashimi, steak tartare and ahi tuna. All spot on, and my gin martinis went down a treat too!
Rohin, Dave and I in Stack
The Strip itself was pretty crowded, although I bet it gets a whole lot more crowded in summer, but everyone was pretty well behaved and in good spirits.
The Bellagio
Planet Hollywood and Paris Hotel
(complete with what seemed like a life sized Eiffel Tower)
Dave taking in the Strip
*(this photo is actually from the night earlier after our Grand Canyon tour, hence the hiking gear!)
Harley Davidson Cafe
My favourite hotel inside was probably the Venetian, my favourite cocktail was from the Cosmopolitan, my favourite hotel exterior the Bellagio (may have something to do with the spectacular fountain show!).
View down the Strip towards MGM
Ballys and Paris
Flamingo and the Cromwell
New York, New York
After a round of strong but superior gin cocktails at the Cosmo (no photos, sorry!) we called it a night, and said good bye to Rohin. On the way back to the MGM, I hate to admit it, but Dave and I may have stopped for a burrito…. to be honest, I think this saved me the next day as the hangover was still pretty bad even with a late night snack!
Despite not venturing into any of the big name clubs for the world famous DJ acts (both Calvin Harris and Tiesto were playing during our stay), I think we still managed to see what Vegas is famous for – if we weren’t spending the next four months backpacking, I think I could have smuggled in a party dress and some high heels, and Dave a collared shirt! Still, we had a great time, and really it just means, we will have to plan another trip back!
Note: I tried to get better photographs but unfortunately neon signs and moving cars at nighttime make it difficult for a novice photographer – if anyone has any tips, please send ’em on in!