Jets Vegas

An extraordinary urban resort destination brought to life by eight world-renowned architects, CityCenter offers a new era of resort experiences with an ambition to refine and redefine Las Vegas.

Conceived to bring a true center to The Strip, CityCenter is much more than a collection of resorts and residences; it’s a community – a welcoming environment for people to gather, relax and enjoy. Great pedestrian corridors, dynamic public spaces, authentic richness and diversity of experiences evoke the energy of the world’s most exciting places. CityCenter’s public Fine Art Collection enlivens the street and engages passersby. As if in a strolling gallery, guests happen upon works by world-renowned artists such as Maya Lin and Nancy Rubins as they wander through CityCenter’s walkways, hotels and residences.

A true community also has regard for its surroundings. CityCenter is one of the largest sustainable developments in existence, bringing a new level of environmental consciousness to the world-famous Strip. The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Gold LEED® certification to ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa; Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, Veer Towers and Crystals retail and entertainment district, marking the highest LEED achievement by any hotel, retail district or residential development in Las Vegas. The Harmon Hotel also is pursuing LEED® certification.
“CityCenter bridges the vitality of Las Vegas with the experiences travelers seek when they visit great cities around the world, whether London, Hong Kong or San Francisco – spectacular architecture, culturally significant art, great public spaces, sophisticated hotels, unique restaurants and incredible amenities,” said Bobby Baldwin, president and CEO of CityCenter. “It is an evolutionary destination that aims to transform Las Vegas as a new symbol at its core, like the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the Pompidou in Paris or the SONY Center in Berlin.”

CITYCENTER’S GRAND OPENING DATES:
• Vdara Hotel & Spa – December 1, 2009
• Crystals retail and entertainment district – December 3, 2009
• Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas – December 4, 2009
• ARIA Resort & Casino – December 16, 2009
• The Harmon Hotel – Late 2010
• Residential occupancies slated to begin mid-January 2010

FAST FACTS:
• Located on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts
• Joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World
• CityCenter includes ARIA Resort & Casino a 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort; luxury non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental, Vdara Hotel & Spa and The Harmon Hotel (opening late 2010); Veer Towers, the development’s only strictly residential buildings; and Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district
• Approximately 2,400 residences total between Veer Towers, Vdara Hotel & Spa and Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
• ARIA features Viva ELVIS™ by Cirque du Soleil®, celebrating the music and life of Elvis Presley
• An unparalleled Fine Art Collection showcases works by acclaimed artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, among others
• CityCenter has been brought to life by eight internationally acclaimed architectural firms: Pelli Clarke Pelli, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Helmut Jahn, RV Architecture LLC led by Rafael Viñoly, Foster + Partners*, Studio Daniel Libeskind*, Rockwell Group and Gensler
• CityCenter is one of the largest sustainable developments in the world and has received LEED® Gold certification for ARIA, Vdara, Crystals, Mandarin Oriental and Veer. The Harmon also is pursuing LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council
• CityCenter offers multiple, convenient access points including a front entrance off Las Vegas Boulevard, with access to Mandarin Oriental, Veer Towers, Crystals, ARIA and self parking, and a north entrance off of Harmon Blvd. with access to ARIA and Vdara. Parking options include complimentary valet at all CityCenter locations, as well as a garage for self parking

• The CityCenter Tram provides convenient complimentary access to Monte Carlo, Crystals and Bellagio
o Travels at a top speed of 23 mph, transporting guests from Monte Carlo to Bellagio in less than 3 minutes
o Able to transport more than 5,000 guests per hour
o Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 a.m. daily
• CityCenter has approximately 12,000 permanent employees, marking it as the single largest hiring effort in the country in 2009

KEY ELEMENTS:
ARIA Resort & Casino – December 16, 2009
ARIA Resort & Casino is a fusion of energy, inspiration and vision, featuring an unprecedented combination of striking architecture, sustainable design, high-end service and spectacular amenities. Even in a city such as Las Vegas, with its extraordinary history of dynamic cutting-edge developments, ARIA is demonstrably different than anything that has preceded it.
• Architecture. Designed by the world-renowned firm Pelli Clarke Pelli, ARIA’s two breathtaking curvilinear steel and glass towers embody the excitement and vitality of Las Vegas in a 21st century building; a crystalline, undulating form gleaming in the desert light. Soaring open spaces, ranging from ARIA’s three-story lobby to its guestrooms, fills each space with natural light and evokes breadth and freedom.
• Dining. ARIA has assembled many of the best and brightest chefs and restaurateurs from around the country, uniting a pair of remarkable Las Vegas newcomers with those who have played integral roles in the development of Las Vegas’ culinary scene: Masayoshi Takayama, Shawn McClain, Michael Mina, Julian Serrano, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Sirio Maccioni, Jean-Philippe Maury and The Light Group. Each delivers a concept totally new to their repertoire.
• Entertainment. ARIA takes one of the most captivating, hip-swiveling forces of all time and re-create an old-school vibe in its intimate approximately 1,840-seat theater. The visionary team at Cirque du Soleil partnered with CKX, Inc. and its subsidiary Elvis Presley Enterprises to create a permanent production celebrating the timeless musical legacy of Elvis Presley, Viva ELVIS™. The production aims to pay tribute to Elvis’ music and life, fusing dance and acrobatics, live music and iconic tracks, nostalgia and modernity, high technology and raw emotion. Extraordinary artistry, astonishing acrobatics, stunning special effects and The King revs up vintage Vegas into a show like no other.
• Art. At ARIA, famed artist Maya Lin created “Silver River,” an 84-foot silver cast of the Colorado River, which is her first work of art displayed in Las Vegas; Jenny Holzer displays a thought-provoking LED sign, “VEGAS,” spanning more than 260 feet; Tony Cragg developed three sculptures that examine the relationship between nature and the man-made world: “Bolt,” 2007, “Bent of Mind,” 2008, and “Untitled” (tall column), 2008; and Antony Gormley displays “Feeling Material XXVII,” 2007, an 8-foot sculpture that uses spiraling steel to depict the silhouette of a human body at the center of an orbiting energy field.
• Accommodations. Within ARIA’s 4,004 guestrooms, including 568 suites, panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows offer magnificent views of Las Vegas’ striking skyline. Modern décor, lavish amenities, cutting-edge entertainment and next-generation technology are the hallmark of these plush retreats.
• Guestroom Technology. ARIA features the most technologically advanced guestrooms in the country. Upon a guest’s first entrance, he or she will be “greeted:” curtains will open, lights turn on and the TV display a menu of preferences. Guests can wake up through controlled temperature, preferred music or TV channels and the opening of curtains. One touch can make-over the entire room: the “good night” button turns everything off – from TV and music to lights – as the privacy notification turns on.
• Spa. In ARIA’s 80,000-square-foot spa, nature’s healing properties take center stage. Salt, stone, earth, fire and water join to create a spa experience that elevates guests to a meditative state. The two-level spa offers 62 treatment rooms, a full-service salon, an advanced fitness center and Las Vegas’ first co-ed spa balcony, featuring an outdoor infinity-edge pool and views of ARIA’s spectacular poolscape.
• Nightclubs, Lounges and Bars. ARIA features 10 chic bars and lounges, including HAZE Nightclub by The Light Group, a colossal cutting-edge space in which guests are challenged to question their sense of perception and reality.
• Meetings and Conventions. ARIA provides a premium meeting experience with 300,000 square feet of technologically advanced meeting and convention space. A spectacular glass curtain wall spans the entire north façade of the three-level meeting facility, allowing guests the ability to enjoy the brilliance of natural light that streams in from ARIA’s lush poolscape.
• Pools. ARIA’s vast 215,000-square-foot pool deck is a tropical oasis in the heart of the desert. Shielded by lush plantings of oversized palm, acacia, pine and bottle trees, the soft and sensual paradise features three primary pools, the adults-only pool Liquid, hot tubs and more.
• Casino. Offering 150,000 square feet of gaming, ARIA’s unique layout and design elements allows guests to enjoy the energy and excitement of their favorite selections in a more personal and intimate setting. For high-end players, exclusive salons offer high-limit slot and table games in private environments. Throughout the casino, never-before-seen technologies allow for unmatched customer service.
• Reservations. Nightly room rates range from $149 to $799; suites range from $425 to $7,500. Reservations can be made via www.arialasvegas.com or (866) 359-7757; concierge service and reservations for spa, salon and restaurants also are available.

Jets Vegas knows that many of us are on tighter travel budgets, so this makes traveling to Las Vegas a great idea.  Las Vegas is such a fantastic destination, with a variety of things to enjoy, and offering bargains that are simply too good to pass up!  Contact Hollywood Jets today for your Las Vegas trip planning.  Hollywood Jets offers full travel concierge services and private jet charter options.  In addition, we have a great deal of insider information and knowledge of Las Vegas that can make your trip a special and unique visit.

After a recent visit to Las Vegas, it is clear that the tourism and casino industry is taking a sad and unfortunate hit in traffic and business.  We went over spring break, which is traditionally a very busy time for Las Vegas.  However, from bartenders to taxi drivers, everyone was talking about how traffic was off, business down, and all too many people who rely upon the Las Vegas tourism industry really struggling.  Want to help create your own economic stimulus?  Travel to Las Vegas!

With that decrease in traffic comes the ability to seriously find great bargains, even at the high end luxury casinos, restaurants, spas and resorts and more.   You can seriously do a lot more for much less money in a city that offers so much to so many!

For example, we had booked a great room at Paris, however, when we arrived, we asked at check in if they had any special rates.  We were upgraded to a nice suite, with a great view of the strip for very little money.  Basically, we got a room that would have cost us at least another $200/night in better days for Las Vegas.   Included in other offers that we actually did not take were free breakfasts, drink specials, and more.    And, of course, if you don’t plan on spending much time in your room, you can get incredible room rates right now, and bypass any upgrades to really save money.

I also found that some of the spas were offered fantastic discounts and deals for those who wish to get a little rest and relaxation in while visiting Las Vegas.  Two for one treatment specials, special couples rates, free treatments, and other deals were offered around the various spas that I called.  If you ask, you just might receive, so don’t be shy to inquire about any specials or deals that they may have. 

Furthermore, we found restaurants were easier to get into, not the usual wait, as well as many great dining specials.  We ended up with a great all you can eat sushi special that was an amazing bargain, with top grade sushi (not the scary stuff that I have had at other “all  you can eat sushi” specials!).  In addition, if you are planning to eat at a restaurant at a casino in which you are staying, you should ask about any dining specials.  We found that some offers included free appetizers, two for one dining specials and more.  

Overall, however, we found that other prices were not so “bargain”.  It seems that in many of the casinos, drink prices are way up.  We were honestly pretty shocked by a few prices of just regular well drinks, not to mention what happens to your bar bill once you name a premium liquor.   While you may save on rooms, spa treatments and even your dinner bill, you will give some of it back if you enjoy a premium cocktail or two!!

And, candidly, we found the slots to probably be the tightest we have ever experienced in our frequent visits to Las Vegas, and even from years of experience in traveling to Vegas.  I think we would have been better off playing the card games, with a different kind of gambling and risk quotient.  Slots were tough, even other gamblers were pretty honest in stating that they were simply not playing as much as they felt that the casinos were just not giving them any play.   Of course, I know the odds, however, typically, you get a little play out of a machine, at least enough to let you enjoy your experience even if you don’t hit the huge jackpots! 

And, of course, the high rollers and the frequent visitors to Las Vegas have even bigger offers of savings and bargains galore!  This is just a simple snapshot of a spur of the moment trip.  Enjoy Las Vegas in a luxurious way for much less money,  or take your savings and really splurge on a special event, concert, show or dream spa visit!