Archive for the 'Las Vegas' Category
SeaWorld Aquatica’s 2010 expansion to include 4 new water slides
November 20, 2009 11:33am
The recently opened SeaWorld Aquatica water park in Orlando, Fla. will add four first-of-a-kind water slides in 2010, including a pair of inner-tube rides that go uphill with the help of a hydro-magnetic launch.
The twin Tornado Walls are V-shaped slides that start with a magnetic launch that shoots a six-person inflatable raft up the face of a vertical wall. One of the two launch sequences travels through a tunnel. After reaching the top of the water wall, the rafts race down the incline and along an uphill outrun with a small whoop-de-do hill.
Also on tap for Aquatica in 2010:
Ride-makers roll out new thrills for 2010 at Las Vegas expo
November 19, 2009 5:34pm
Roller-coaster and thrill-ride manufacturers from around the world descended on Las Vegas this week for the annual amusement park convention, offering a sneak peek at what we can expect to see in 2010 and beyond.
In my conversations with show exhibitors, I came away with one overarching message as I toured the massive International Assn. of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) show floor: All the latest and greatest rides are heading to Asia and Europe in 2010. By and large, recession-weary American theme parks are sitting on their thin wallets.
Here’s a few of my favorite new rides and attractions on display at the expo:
> Twist N’ Splash from Germany’s Mack Rides combines a spinning teacup concept with a Splash Battle water ride. Riders squirt each other and landlubbers with water cannons. Two European parks will get the new ride, officials said.
Las Vegas’ CityCenter on track for December opening
November 11, 2009 10:07am
CityCenter, the new playground on the Vegas Strip, is racing the clock to finish in time for the rolling opening next month of three of its hotels and its glam retail space. This behemoth marks a turning point in Vegas projects. More than the end of the “Disney for adults” era, it perhaps signals the beginning of the Adult Urban Resort concept.
Numerous big-time architects and designers — Daniel Libeskind, Adam Tihany, Pelli Clarke Pelli, David Rockwell and on and on — plus top restaurants (Jean-Georges Steakhouse, Twist by Pierre Gagnaire, Shawn McClain’s Sage Restaurant) lend gravitas — and I mean that in the nicest way — to the project.
It’s hard to fathom the scope of CityCenter without delving into its numbers, so here are some I gleaned last week from a hard-hat tour. As you’re trying to picture how big this project is, consider that the average U.S. home is said to be 2,350 square feet or that the playing field of Dodger Stadium is said to be 100,000 square feet.
Two California luxury hotels added to AAA’s 2010 Five Diamond Award list
November 6, 2009 2:45pm
Open less than a year, the Resort at Pelican Hill in Orange County like all hotels, has struggled against the tides of a beleaguered economy. But that doesn’t mean it can’t take a great compliment. The luxury coastal property is one of two California resorts that have danced into the exclusive ranks of AAA’s just-released Five Diamond Award list for 2010. [Corrected at 5:45 p.m. Nov. 6: An earlier version of this post said the Resort at Pelican Hill is south of Laguna Beach. It is north of Laguna Beach.]
California, with 20 five-diamond hotels, also added the opulent Grand del Mar in San Diego to its coffers.
The new Golden State additions join the company of some real longtimers, like the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, which has populated the list for 24 consecutive years, and the Peninsula Beverly Hills, with 17 consecutive years under its belt.
British Airways opens nonstop London-Las Vegas route: $249 O/W introductory fares
October 26, 2009 1:24pm
British Airways received a wet celebratory splash Sunday night at McCarran International Airport as the airline’s first flight of nonstop service between London Heathrow (LHR) and Las Vegas (LAS) landed. But BA isn’t the first foreign carrier to bring tourists from Europe to Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Sun reports that Virgin Atlantic offers nonstop daily flights between London Gatwick and Las Vegas, and Condor Flugdienst flies twice a week between Frankfurt, Germany, and Las Vegas. The Sun also noted the heated rivalry between British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, as well has the 2008 passenger decline that Virgin recorded between London and Las Vegas.
Deal or no deal? British Airways is offering introductory fares of $249 each way, pre-tax, between London (LHR) and Las Vegas (LAS). When I tested dates in February, I found a round-trip ticket between Las Vegas (LAS) and London (LHR) for $663 (Feb. 9-15). When I tested the same dates and destinations on Kayak, I found the same rates flying British Airways and similar rates on American Airlines and US Airways. If you were to fly Continental, United, Delta or Northwest, the price jumped to more than $800 round trip.
Las Vegas ‘Phantom’ package deal at Venetian and Palazzo
October 22, 2009 10:52am
If “Phantom” is on your list of must-see shows in Las Vegas, make your trip all that easier on yourself: stay close to the theater. The Venetian and Palazzo are offering a deal worthy of dramatic attention. Packages starting at $159 (weekdays) and $219 (weekends) include a suite at either property plus two tickets to “Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular,” line pass and admission to the hot Palazzo nightclub Lavo, $25 in slot credit, and food and beverage discounts.
Deal: This $159 online-only deal lets you choose between a suite at the Venetian or a suite at the newer Palazzo. The Luxury Palazzo Suites are 720 square feet including a 130-square-foot bathroom (with a flat-screen LCD HDTV), a sunken living room, a private work area with Wi-Fi and a fax-printer-copier. You can call and ask for promo code “EPOPHTX,” but it will cost you an extra $10 to book your deal over the phone. Note: There is a two-night minimum.
Las Vegas: THEhotel under $60 per night
October 13, 2009 5:56am
Vegasfiles have new luxe options at the CityCenter to grab their attention this winter, but think twice before you discount your previous favorites on the Strip. THEhotel is offering the lowest rate I can remember seeing. Again it was DealBase that tipped me off to THEhotel’s “Winter Retreat” special: Get a third night free when you stay two nights in the boutique wing of Mandalay Bay. In case you haven’t been, every room at THEhotel is a suite with at least 750 square feet. As an added tip, make sure you read TripKick’s THEhotel page to get the room you want.
Tested: When I checked the website, three nights (Nov. 8-11) at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay started at $130 per night. The lowest rates I saw on its calendar that weren’t part of a special were $120 per night, on select nights, midweek. But with the Winter Retreat offer on DealBase, I was able to grab those same dates for $86 per night with the lowest rated night taken off your bill at checkout. That’s $57 per night, pre-tax. Use the offer code “PE3RDNT-P2” to get the deal.
Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas opening Dec. 4 with free-night offer
October 2, 2009 3:37pm
The ultra-luxe Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas will open Dec. 4 in the giant CityCenter project on the Strip, with room rates starting at $545 per night. You’re probably thinking: Are they kidding, in this economy? Me too.
Then I checked out the “We Fan Vegas” deal, which gives you a free night after as little as one night’s stay. Voila! Now it’s $272.50, not $545 per night, or $305 including taxes. Still not cheap (for that, see my colleague Jen Leo’s post today on $35 rates at the Luxor Las Vegas), but not a bad deal for an international chain that draws raves from well-heeled guests on user sites such as TripAdvisor.
The 392-room Las Vegas hotel will sport two outdoor lap pools, two Jacuzzis, 20 private cabanas, a 27,000-square-foot spa, several dining and drinking venues (including the first U.S. restaurant from three-star Michelin chief Pierre Gagnaire) and killer Strip views.
Luxor Las Vegas drops prices to $35/night, Golden Nugget continues $39/night sale
October 2, 2009 5:56am
If you’ve been staying at Circus Circus or Excalibur to save money on hotel bills in Las Vegas, you might want to have another look at Luxor. It has dropped rates to $35 per night, pre-tax, midweek in January. If you can’t wait that long, I found other low rates in October ($40) and December ($38).
For those who haven’t visited the Luxor recently, it’s been fading out the Egyptian theme and trying its best to bring in a hipper crowd with club and restaurant additions such as LAX the nightclub, Company Kitchen and Pub House, and celeb chef Kerry Simon’s CatHouse. Las Vegas room rates under $50 are not new, but Luxor is in a good location, right on the Strip next to Mandalay Bay and not too far from the MGM Grand.
To take advantage of the “Get to the Point” deal, book by Oct. 31 for travel through February 2010. Make sure to mention promo code “LDRTE20″ when you call (877) 386-4658 or (702) 262-4444
Note: The Golden Nugget, located downtown on Fremont Street, announced today that it is extending its $39 per night sale. I found several midweek dates in both November and December at the $39 rate. They also offer room upgrades for as low as $20 per night.
— Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel & Deal blogger
[Photo: Luxor Las Vegas exterior; Courtesy of MGM Mirage]
$99 Britney Spears Las Vegas concert + dinner package at the Mirage
September 25, 2009 11:44am
If you are still planning on seeing Britney Spears on her current tour, The Mirage Las Vegas is offering a “Gourmet Dining and Britney Spears Show Package” for $99 per person that includes a show ticket and a pre-fixe dinner at your choice of three Mirage restaurants—Kokomos, Onda or Fin. Note that your night’s stay at their hotel is not included in the package. The e-mailed offer includes full-view seats (no obstructions by handrails, etc. during the performance). The pre-fixe menus are available on the package website so you can select which meal you’d like before you book the package.
When: Sunday Sept. 27, 2009
Cost: $99/person before tax, beverages and gratuities.
Tested: When I called the Mirage seats were available. I asked about a package for two people and they offered me seats in section 223 row b. When I checked prices and available tickets for the show outside of this package, the cheapest seats I found started at $55 each on Ticketmaster (Thursday). When I tested Ticketmaster tickets again on Friday morning, I couldn’t find prices for either $55 or $79. In this case, the package could get you in at the low rate.
