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Las Vegas is on most people’s bucket lists, here we discover why
A giant, adult playground, it’s an oasis of mega-resorts, casinos and dazzling attractions, and is an assault on the senses from the second you arrive. For that reason, many choose to spend just a few days here, often combining it with a more extensive tour of other parts of the USA (which makes sense, given the long flight time – just shy of 11 hours from London).
I arrived in Sin City for just 72 hours with a group of friends, and, keen to make the most of our time, we headed straight to Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, for our first taste of the gourmet dining scene that the city is famous for.
Part of the Caesars Palace complex, it is one of the newest restaurants in town and is based on the television programme of the same name.
Visitors watch as two kitchen teams prepare meals in the expansive open kitchen that takes up one wall of the restaurant.
For sheer spectacle, order the scampi prawn flambé and see it torched at your table! The next morning, we started our trip proper with a flight to the Grand Canyon with Sundance Helicopter Tours.
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Las Vegas’ crammed atmosphere may mean only a few days on the city are necessary
Would I return to Vegas for another long weekend? That’s something you can bet on
As part of the premier service, we were collected from our hotel in a limousine and whisked to the airport, ready to take to the skies.
Soon we were soaring over landmarks, including the Hoover Dam, to a brilliant soundtrack of music and interesting facts from our pilot, Brad.
Only 40 minutes later we touch down on the Hualapai Reservation in the Grand Canyon, 3,200 feet below the rim of the Canyon, where we took in spectacular views while enjoying a breakfast of champagne, fruit salad and bagels.
Flying back, we took a different route, straight down among the legendary hotels, which looked even more magnificent from the air.
After a long lunch of tapas and thirst-quenching gin cocktails at the trendy Jaleo Spanish restaurant, it was time to get ready for our first proper girls’ night out.
Donning my sparkliest sequin dress and heels, we headed to Drybar, a trendy blow-dry bar at The Cosmopolitan for a quick hair fix, accompanied by a cocktail, then went on for dinner at the hotel’s Beauty & Essex restaurant.
The interior certainly has wow-factor, with antique mirrors, dark moody lighting and sparkling chandeliers, and we ordered sharing dishes before having drinks at The Chandelier bar.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper trip to Las Vegas without a visit to a nightclub, and we danced the night away at Tao at the Venetian, a celebrity favourite.
The following morning we started our day with a spot of culture at Seven Magic Mountains, a free art installation by renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone.
The seven stacks of brightly coloured boulders each stand around 30 feet high in the middle of the desert and are quite a sight to behold.
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Las Vegas’ bar scene is as beautiful as it is legendary
After a dose of desert air, we head back to the city for brunch at Giada.
Owned by celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis, the lobster rolls are to die for, and could easily feed two.
Fortified for the afternoon, we explored the famous four-mile long Strip, packed with hotels and attractions, where we admired the Fountains at the Bellagio and the replica canals complete with gondolas at The Venetian.
Alternatively, you can take in the sights from the air.
The High Roller is the world’s tallest observation wheel at 550 feet high. We chose to ride it at dusk, on board one of the Happy Half Hour pods.
Guests can experience the 30-minute trip with a bartender and open bar as they gaze out over the breathtaking views.
Giddy from the heights, we headed to dinner at the newly opened Primrose restaurant inside the Park MGM, which serves modern French cuisine, then enjoyed an evening at Magic Mike Live at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Loosely based on the film starring Channing Tatum, the show takes the traditional tacky notion of male strippers whipping off their clothes and turns it on its head.
We enjoyed flinging pink unicorn dollars in the air and laughing at the hilarious female compère.
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Loosely based on the films by Channing Tatum, Magic Mike live is a blast
With only one day left, it was time to unwind with a day of relaxing activities. While the spa in Caesars Palace may only be accessible with a treatment, you are welcome to spend the entire day there afterwards.
With two separate pool areas, including an icy plunge pool, steam rooms and relaxation areas, there’s plenty to make your shoulders drop.
I indulged in a hot stone massage and finished with a paddle in the heated Jacuzzi pool.
Suitably relaxed, we had one final destination on our checklist – the Las Vegas North Luxury Premium Outlets. Exhausted but exhilarated, would I return to Vegas for another long weekend? That’s something you can bet on.
Top 10 things to do in Las Vegas
1 See Las Vegas from the air aboard the High Roller observation wheel.
2 Sample one of the colourful cocktails at The Chandelier bar.
3 Glam up, enjoy fine food and then dance the night away in Tao, an Asian bistro and nightclub at The Venetian.
4 Try the tasty French toast at Bardot Brasserie.
5 Hit the shops at the Las Vegas North Premium Outlets.
6 Throw unicorn dollars (and your inhibitions) in the air at Magic Mike Live.
7 Take a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon and down The Strip.
8 Treat yourself to a blow-dry at DryBar.
9 Try the tapas and gin and tonics at Spanish restaurant, Jaleo.
10 Take a photo at the Seven Magic Mountains art installation.
Netflights.com offers three nights in Las Vegas, staying at the four-star+ Caesars Palace on a room-only basis from £999pp, which includes direct flights with British Airways from London Heathrow.
Based on selected dates in June, 2018. Book by April 15, 2018.
(See netflights.com or call 020 7001 4377). For destination information, see visitlasvegas.com.
