While often times we think of Las Vegas for its gaming and non-stop entertainment, the larger than life themed buildings and the colorful lights, there is a quieter, relaxing and romantic side to Las Vegas that may go overlooked. The options for these centering and invigorating experiences are just as diverse and tantalizing and we had the opportunity to explore this romantic side of Las Vegas at the MGM Resorts International properties.
We stayed at the Delano Hotel that despite its size, manages to create a boutique hotel experience with a warm reception, helpful staff and a quiet, gaming and smoke free hotel. While other hotels in Las Vegas try to recreate experiences and themes from other lands and times, The Delano seeks to be a truly Nevada destination with understated luxury. Huge sandstone boulders sourced from nearby valleys dominate the décor of the lobby; the restaurants serve the finest Nevada produce and beef alongside a serene environment created with natural stones, wood and soothing lighting.
On the way through the magnificent lobby, a 12,000 pound 150 million year old Mojave Desert boulder elegantly cut in half and placed at the entrance welcomed us. We started our day at Della’s Kitchen, breakfast of comfort food, French toast and fresh baked goods that stole the show. Our luxury suite featured a master bedroom and a separate living room along with two bathrooms, luxuriously appointed and thoroughly modern.
To get the evening started, we visited Kiki De Montparnasse at the Shops at Crystals. This boutique celebrates intimacy and inspires romantic imagination. We were welcomed into an intimate and seductive environment of a luxurious salon with vintage and custom modern furniture, a silk-adorned bed and a noted fine art collection. Champagne and chocolate accompanied us as we visited The Boudoir which features luxurious velvet-draped, dressing rooms with before, during and after customizable lighting settings in a uniquely intimate space for lovers to share while they build their romantic wardrobe together. The Boutique is the first to feature the Jewelry Bar, a decadent custom-crafted showcase for signature treasures created from precious metals, jewels and natural stones. This store sets the tone for seduction!
After an alluring afternoon at Kiki de Montparnasse, appetite awoke and we went on to dine at Michael Mina’s Bardot Brasserie, an intriguingly delicious place to sip a cocktail and indulge in French cuisine with a modern twist.
We cozied up to the bar and let one of the mixologists prepare a French-inspired cocktail. We enjoyed tasting from an array of New World and Old World wines from the regions of Alsace, Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Rhone and Loire Valley. We accompanied some of the wines with Duck À L’orange, Steak Frites and some Parisian Gnocchi, some of our French favorites.
The restaurant is inspired by early film noir, Bardot’s mix of low lighting and dramatic shadows sets the mood for a little bit of playful trouble.
Bellagio Spa
What better way to start our day than by being pampered at the Bellagio Spa, a luxurious 65,000-square-foot Spa in a Zen-influenced, balancing natural elements of earth, water, fire and wind. The Spa offers an international menu of treatments from Egypt, Indonesia, Thailand, India and Bali as well as Native American traditions. The spa’s 56 treatment rooms include 12 skincare rooms with private showers, four Shiatsu and two Thai massage rooms, two Vichy rooms, two Hydrotherapy rooms, a Watsu room and four couple’s rooms.
Before starting our Watsu experience, we enjoyed relaxing in the serene Meditation Room, surrounded by water walls and glowing candles. We went on to enjoy freeing our weightless bodies in the water with a session that combined Zen Shiatsu and stretching while gently floating in a private 94-degree pool. After a profound sense of relaxation, we were escorted to our facial treatment. The Spa offers a wide array of Face and Body Treatments to relax and restore your mind and body.
After a day of pampering we enjoyed food from Shake Shack a modern day “roadside” burger stand known for its 100% all-natural Angus beef burgers, griddled-crisp flat-top dogs, fresh-made frozen custard, crinkle cut fries, craft beer, wine, and more. Born in NYC’s Madison Square Park in 2004 and part of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, Shake Shack has earned a cult-like following around the world with its fun, lively, and fine-casual widespread appeal.
ZUMANITY
ZUMANITY, the sensual side of Cirque du Soleil is a provocative cabaret-style production with a Cirque du Soleil twist. The adult-themed 90-minute production blends playful innuendo with daring eroticism in the intimate ZUMANITY Theatre at New York-New York Hotel & Casino. With ZUMANITY, Cirque du Soleil takes a bold new direction, exploring the full spectrum of human sexuality and intimacy to create a mosaic of love in all forms and from all perspectives. Emceed by ZUMANITY’s “Mistress of Sensuality” Edie and distinguished by an unconventional culture of artists and candid exposition of eroticism, the production renders a tale of emotional freedom, natural beauty and acceptance of differences. ZUMANITY is inspired by infinite individuality and variety – a concept embodied by its artists, who come in all shapes, sizes, ages, ethnicities and genders. Featuring an international cast of 45 performers, the artists of ZUMANITY amaze with traditional circus arts such as contortion, acrobatics, aerial stunts and hand-balancing. Sensuality also comes alive on stage through a variety of dance genres including flamenco, African dance, tango, modern dance, waltz and striptease. The beauty of the action on stage is enhanced by Cirque du Soleil’s signature visual stimuli including extravagant costumes, gorgeous makeup and exquisite lighting and special effects.
From shopping, dining, entertainment, pampering and more MGM Resorts International offers the sensual side of Las Vegas making this a perfect ESCAPADITA.
www.mgmresorts.com
