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Archive for the 'Las Vegas Strip Hotels' Category

Aladdin Las Vegas Implosion Video from April 27, 1998

The original Aladdin Las Vegas opened on April 1, 1966 and was famous for everything from having Wayne Newton as a part owner in the early 80’s to hosting the wedding of Elvis and Priscilla Presley.

It was imploded on April 27, 1998 to make way for a new, bigger Aladdin built to keep up with the era of Las Vegas Megaresorts such as Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, and Paris Las Vegas.

In 2003, financial issues caused the sale of the Aladdin to Planet Hollywood and Starwood Resorts. The hotel was once again sold to Harrah’s (the hotel casino corporation) but retains the Plant Hollywood name.

This video is approximately 45 minute video will play in its entirety and the first segments contain a look at previous (to that time) hotel implosions and the construction (again, at the time) of many of the major hotel casinos now standing along Las Vegas Blvd. (aka The Las Vegas Strip).

Click on video to start.

i4vegas Not-So Super Bowl TV Commercial 2010

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Video – Growth In Las Vegas 1984 to 2009

Las Vegas New Years Eve Fireworks Video Welcomes 2010


Click In Video Box To Start New Years Eve Fireworks Playing

New Years Eve Las Vegas Was HUGE – No recession in sight as 315,000 people flocked to Las Vegas to welcome the new decade. The fireworks were shot off from seven hotel roofs giving just about everyone who braved the cold (upper 30’s, roughly 10 degrees colder than normal) on the Las Vegas Strip. Every hotel and nightclub had numerious indoor parties for the less hardy who enjoyed watching the fireworks on high-def big screens.

New York can have their boring ball drop where the crowds were searched, no bags allowed, no booze allowed and people just about froze to death waiting for an anti-climatic one-minute countdown. The only reason we have not far surpassed them as North America’s #1 New Years destination is that by the time our party is in full swing, much of the U.S. is already asleep due to the time zone differences.

Don’t take my word for it. Many of you probably watched that ball drop (hope it didn’t get you blood pressure up too much… yawn). Check out the first link in this story list and watch the full 7 1/2 minutes of what Vegas did to ring in 2010:

Mandarin Oriental Grand Opening

A gala designed with elements to represent 21st century luxury with oriental charm transformed the hotel for an evening affair for over 500 influential guests including hotel executives, entertainers, politicians and media. A red carpet and photographers welcomed guests as a reminder of the appreciation of every invitee. Nearly 400 bottles of Dom Pérignon champagne were uncorked for the festivities, bite-sized spoons of delectable treats and 4000 chocolate truffles were handmade to delight. Whimsical entertainment elements were created throughout the event including a snow geisha on the balcony of the ballroom and a spirited performance by world renowned violinist Mandarin Oriental “fan” Vanessa Mae to wrap up the evening. The crowd in The Oriental Ballroom rose to give Ms. Mae a standing ovation for a performance that included an entire back-up band including a bassist and drummer.

Jim Murren Edouard Ettedgui Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
Jim Murren Edouard Ettedgui Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

Richard Baker Pierre Gagnaire Rajesh Jhingon Sylvie Gagnaire Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
Richard Baker Pierre Gagnaire Rajesh Jhingon Sylvie Gagnaire Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

Sam Nazarian Tina Choi Heather Murren Jim Murren Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
Sam Nazarian Tina Choi Heather Murren Jim Murren Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

Aubrey O'Day Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
Aubrey O’Day Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

Rick Faugn Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
Rick Faugn Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

Vanessa-Mae Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
Vanessa-Mae Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

Zowie Bowie Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
Zowie Bowie Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

Taiko drummers rhythmically set the pulse as guests filed in to the richly decorated morning ceremony, hosted on the hotel port-cochere. Speeches included comments by Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Jim Murren, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, MGM MIRAGE, William Grounds, President and Chief Operating Officer of Infinity World Development Corp., Congressman Dean Heller and General Manager Rajesh Jhingon. A feng shui master inaugurated a bright future for the hotel with a harmonizing ceremony followed by a traditional lion dance. Distinguished guests including interior designer Adam D. Tihany, celebrated chef Pierre Gagnaire and violin virtuoso Vanessa Mae assisted the executives and politician in cutting the red ginger flower ribbon to open the hotel. Guest proceeded to the hotel’s 23rd Floor Sky Lobby for a champagne reception and preview tours.

Edouard Ettedgui Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
Edouard Ettedgui Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

Jim Murren Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
Jim Murren Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

Rajesh Jhingon Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
Rajesh Jhingon Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

US Congressman Dean Heller Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
US Congressman Dean Heller Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

Vanessa-Mae Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
Vanessa-Mae Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

Lion Dance Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas
Lion Dance Grand Opening Madarin Oriental Las Vegas

Photo Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

James Bond Diamonds Are Forever 1971 Trailer Filmed In Las Vegas

Aria Resort & Casino Opens Forever Changing The Las Vegas Strip – Grand Opening Day And Gala Party Highlighted By Rooftop Fireworks Finale

Under a canopy of fireworks illuminating the night sky, ARIA Resort & Casino opened its doors and welcomed its first guests. Located at the heart of CityCenter, ARIA is the centerpiece of this extraordinary urban resort destination. Its debut signifies the official grand opening of this city-within-a-city, following two weeks of celebrations for the reveals of Vdara Hotel & Spa, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Crystals retail and entertainment district. Featuring an unprecedented combination of striking architecture, sustainable design, high-end service and spectacular amenities, the stunning ARIA has dramatically altered the skyline of the world’s most famous boulevard and will forever change the perceptions of the Las Vegas Strip.

“ARIA and CityCenter reflect a combination of innovation, energy and visionary design that we believe will reshape how the world views the destination resort experience and attract visitors from around the globe as a landmark of taste and style,” said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE, which developed CityCenter in partnership with Infinity World Development Corp.

Designed by the world-renowned firm Pelli Clarke Pelli, ARIA’s architectural expression reveals itself at every turn, from its two breathtaking curvilinear steel and glass towers to the clean use of natural elements including lush foliage, wood and stone.

At 18 million square feet, CityCenter is the largest private sustainable development in the world, having received six LEED® Gold certifications for its buildings.

At an early morning press conference yesterday, company executives and national dignitaries including the president, CEO and founding chairman of the U.S Green Building Council were on hand to pay tribute to CityCenter’s significant milestone in the arena of sustainable design, construction and operations. Among its sustainable distinctions, ARIA commissioned the first fleet of clean-fueled CNG stretch limousines. It also is the first resort on the Las Vegas Strip to generate its own electricity.

Also part of yesterday’s opening events, senior executives from both MGM MIRAGE and Infinity World had the rare honor of remotely ringing the Closing Bell of the New York Stock Exchange, marking the project’s major contribution to the financial fortitude of Las Vegas. CityCenter is the single largest hiring effort in the country today, creating new jobs for approximately 12,000 people.

Bobby Baldwin, president and CEO of CityCenter said, “This is an incredibly proud time in our company’s history. We believe this moment marks a turning point in the financial future of our community.”

A grand opening invite-only gala capped the opening day’s activities, giving VIP guests an opportunity to sample ARIA’s impeccable hospitality, creative personalized attention and incredible array of amenities. Finally, at 11 p.m. fireworks filled the sky with brilliant bursts of color, reflected in ARIA’s curved glass curtain wall, as Las Vegas visitors and locals gathered below eager to enter the resort when the doors opened shortly following the dramatic aerial salute.

Murren said, “CityCenter will become the benchmark by which all new developments will be measured, and it won’t be surpassed in scope and grandeur for decades.

Related Links:

Aria Resort and Casino

A Journey For The Senses Awaits At The Spa At Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is set to be an urban oasis featuring spacious, sunlit facilities inspired by traditional Eastern philosophies and Western applications. Opening in December 2009, the 27,000 square-foot Spa will span the entire seventh and eighth floors of the property. Day visitors, hotel guests and residents will be privy to spectacular views through floor-to-ceiling windows, a rarity in Las Vegas spas. The tranquil ambiance and stunning design will set the stage for a comprehensive range of wellness, beauty and massage treatments. A dedicated team of holistic therapists, led by Director of Spa Jennifer Lynn, will offer a sensory experience that nourishes the mind, body and spirit.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas will embrace a Shanghai 1930’s design scheme, evoking a sleek, warm and opulent Art Deco elegance with indigenous elements of a rich Chinese culture. The theme will be reflected in the signature Spa uniforms, created by famed “East meets West” designer, Vivienne Tam. Guests will enjoy a comprehensive experience to soothe the five senses, comprised of calming herbal teas, blissful music, aromatic scents, luxurious décor and indulgent treatments. Designed to reflect the elevated level of luxury intrinsic to Mandarin Oriental worldwide, guests will be invited on a journey of introspection and rejuvenation during each Spa visit.

Guests will be encouraged to arrive 45 minutes prior to their scheduled treatment to experience a wide variety of Thermal Experiences in both the Men’s and Women’s Spas. Water facilities including Vitality Pools, Steam Rooms and Ice Fountains allow guests to relax tired muscles and revitalize dry skin. There will be five different Experience Shower journeys to choose from with dramatic light, water and sound functions choreographed into rhythmic interplay. Additional amenities will include the Laconium Room, a heated relaxation room with contoured bench-style seating and temperature-controlled Tepidarium chairs, aligned with views overlooking the city.

The Spa experience will begin with the exchange of shoes for comfortable slippers, an enduring Asian greeting that signifies the leaving of the external world behind. A welcoming cup of tea will be enjoyed before guests are escorted to changing rooms and familiarized with the amenities. As

Time Rituals and Journeys begin, spa-goers will be treated to Mandarin Oriental’s signature footbath in the privacy of their treatment room. At the conclusion of each treatment, guests will be offered water or a signature tea and escorted back to the Zen Relaxation Room.

Decadent Spa Suites will give friends and loved ones a private setting. The Couple’s Suites – Bamboo, Chrysanthemum, Orchid and Plum – will feature private steam showers and breathtaking views. The Green, Red and White Dragon Suites will offer water experiences with two private steam showers and personal soaking tubs. All Suites will boast two treatment tables, personal wardrobes and vanity areas, offering a peaceful escape. Relaxation time will be factored into each Suite experience and every session will conclude with a delicious spa refreshment.

A Complete Journey of the Senses
Journeys at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas can be booked in blocks of time called Time Rituals, with a two-hour minimum recommended. Intended to restore a natural state of equilibrium and attend to the body’s specifics needs, Time Rituals are tailor-made for individual guests. Beginning with a welcoming foot ritual, each Time Ritual provides a peaceful path to an unforgettable experience.

Inspired by the energy of Las Vegas and remaining true to Mandarin Oriental’s Eastern heritage, The Spa will also offer treatments exclusive to the property. Mahjong Balance, a two-hour session focusing on pressure points and energy centers, will finish using a cool jade game tile to soothe and calm the body. For those seeking a night out, The Luminescence Massage and Body Treatment will use pearl powder, a long-time Asian tradition, to provide the ultimate glow. To recover from consecutive late nights, Lucky Eights will revitalize tired eyes and feet using soothing techniques and reflexology.

Patrons looking to make the spa experience more social may choose from a variety of group-oriented programs and facilities. In keeping with Las Vegas traditions, bachelors and bachelorettes will also find The Spa to be an ideal function space for their family and friends. Groups can book interactive sessions, such as yoga, pilates or meditation classes as well as sessions with experts. A Tea Sommelier will also be on-hand to educate guests on international tea ceremonies and a Dream Coach will be available to analyze and explore the subconscious.

A bespoke co-ed Hammam and a Rhassoul for women will encourage group healing. The traditional Hammam will be a mosaic-tiled, temperature-controlled room with lounge-style seating, offering a steam experience for guests. The core of the Hammam experience will be the full-body exfoliation, which is enjoyed on a heated marble table in the center of the room. Another communal option, the Turkish-tiled Rhassoul, will provide an authentic cultural experience for two women at a time. Guests will be covered in clay and exposed to both dry and wet heat, to release toxins and nourish the skin.

Beauty, Fitness and Retail
Prominently located to the left of the main arrival area will be the Chinese Foot Spa, which will offer traditional, steeping hot foot baths infused with invigorating or relaxing herbal blends. This unique offering, never before seen on The Strip, is inspired by the foot spas of the Far East. Each 45-minute ceremonial foot bath will conclude with a Reflexology session, neck and shoulder massage, heated herbal neck wrap and hot or cold tea. Tired soles will enjoy a succinct but restorative break and majestic views of The Strip from the comfort of the Foot Spa’s lush, reclining lounge chairs. Comprehensive beauty treatments, including nail care, hair color, cuts and styling will be available by a team of accomplished stylists at the neighboring Beauty Salon.

The spacious Fitness Center will feature equipment by Technogym® including the brand’s Kinesis™ training system, a Studio for Yoga, Pilates and group exercise. Adjacent to the Fitness Center will be the property’s two magnificent outdoor lap pools and 20 cabanas, which will be available for rent. Personal trainers and attendants will guide guests to peak performance. Guests can also indulge at the property’s Poolside Café. Open seasonally, the Café will serve market-fresh cuisine designed to enhance the holistic experience. For those who wish to continue their spa experience at home, The Spa Boutique will offer a full range of Mandarin Oriental signature products, clothes and accessories.

About Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas will be a sophisticated sanctuary of modern elegance prominently situated at the entrance of CityCenter, a magnificent urban resort destination in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Opening in December 2009, this 47-story, non-gaming hotel and residences will bring fine-dining, a relaxing Spa, spectacular accommodations and the personalized service of the world-renowned hotel group to Las Vegas. Designed entirely by interior designer Adam D. Tihany and architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas will set a new standard of style with stunning suites, amenities and architectural design.

About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels, resorts and residences. Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, 41 hotels representing over 10,000 rooms in 25 countries, with 17 hotels in Asia, 14 in The Americas and 10 in Europe and North Africa. In addition, the Group operates, or has under development, 13 Residences at Mandarin Oriental, connected to the Group’s properties.

The Mirage Celebrates 20 Years of Trendsetting on the Las Vegas Strip

The Mirage
photo credit Las Vegas News Bureau/Glenn Pinkerton
The Mirage
photo credit Las Vegas News Bureau/Glenn Pinkerton
The Mirage
photo credit Las Vegas News Bureau/Glenn Pinkerton

Las Vegas’ first true destination resort, The Mirage, commemorated 20 years of fun and excitement on The Strip with a special celebration in the hotel’s lobby. Guests marveled at the three-foot-tall cake, a replica of the building itself with three distinct sides, created by executive chefs at the property. Scott Sibella, COO and President of The Mirage, and dozens of the property’s “day one” employees were also on hand to celebrate the exciting last two decades. Almost 600 employees have been with the property since it’s opening in 1989, including current Vice President, Franz Kallao, who started his career checking in guests on opening day.

Forever changing the face of the Las Vegas Strip, The Mirage opened its doors November 22, 1989 with Siegfried & Roy’s white tiger cubs as the resort’s first guests to check in. Twenty years later the resort continues to offer ground-breaking entertainment and extraordinary guest service with amazing restaurants and superstar entertainment like Terry Fator and The Beatles’ LOVE. In celebration, guests of The Mirage joined in other weekend festivities via valuable room offers, classic merchandise, vintage restaurant menus and specialty drinks that had everyone partying like it was 1989.

Related Links:

Mirage Resort & Casino

City Of Gold: Vegas’ CityCenter Earns Six LEED Gold Certifications For Hotels, Residences And Retail District Opening This December

Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers Awarded LEED Gold Certification.

Affirming its commitment to bring a new level of environmental consciousness to the Las Vegas Strip, CityCenter has earned its fifth and sixth LEED† Gold ratings from the U.S. Green Building Council with the certification of Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers. The accomplishment completes the certification process for all CityCenter components opening this December, and marks the highest LEED achievement by any hotel, retail district or residential development in Las Vegas. The 18-million-square-foot metropolis is one of the world’s largest sustainable communities.

“From its inception to design, development and construction, we had one single goal in mind for CityCenter: create a destination that is not only built in an environmentally sustainable manner, but also operates every day with an equal commitment to conserving natural resources,” said Bobby Baldwin, president and CEO, CityCenter. “As we approach CityCenter’s opening next month, now with six LEED Gold recognitions, we’re very close to sharing with the world a remarkable demonstration that a community can be both beautiful and sustainable.”

Due to its size and purchasing power, CityCenter is driving green economies of scale in multiple industry segments, paving the way for other entities to build and operate sustainably. The Forest Stewardship Council-US (FSC-US) recently honored CityCenter as the best commercial project of 2009 in the fifth annual Designing & Building with FSC Awards. CityCenter’s dedication to the use of sustainably harvested FSC-certified wood products is unprecedented in scale and resulted in a significant market transformation, including multiple wood suppliers receiving their FSC chain of custody certification to supply wood to the development. CityCenter has moved beyond existing green practices to empower industry-wide innovations. Sustainable highlights:

* First energy-generation on The Strip through its 8.5 megawatt natural-gas co-generation plant, providing efficient electricity on site, reducing emissions and using “waste heat” to provide domestic hot water
* World’s first fleet of stretch limos powered by clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG)
* Water conservation technology and programs that will save between 30% and 43% of water within the buildings and 60% in outdoor landscaping, for an overall savings of approximately 50 million gallons annually
* Energy-efficiency initiatives providing a savings equivalent to powering 8,800 households annually
* Development of slot machine bases that serve as floor air-conditioning units, efficiently cooling guests from the ground up, rather than wasting energy on empty space by cooling from the ceiling
* Creation of a large-scale recycling operation that enabled the recycling or reuse of more than 260,000 tons of construction waste, more than 80% of the imploded Boardwalk Hotel
* Collaborating with the nation’s foremost sustainability and LEED consultants, CityCenter has introduced more than 10,000 construction trade and craftsmen to green building techniques that can be implemented at future developments
* More information on CityCenter’s Green initiatives can be found at: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/mgm/39529/

S. Richard Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chair, USGBC, said, “From its intense focus on water conservation to the multiple strategies for energy efficiency, the CityCenter team has delivered several exceptional properties that qualify for the LEED Gold rating. Extreme climates challenge the most creative of project teams, and the CityCenter team has risen to the occasion and then some. We congratulate them on their significant achievement.”

Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is the first hotel in the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to receive a LEED rating. A sophisticated sanctuary of modern elegance, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas will feature 392 rooms and suites and 225 residences. Opening December 4, 2009, the 47-story, non-gaming hotel and residences bring the legendary service of the renowned hotel group to Las Vegas for the first time.

Veer Towers, CityCenter’s only purely residential development, is a masterful translation of energy and excitement into physical form; its two 37-story glass towers shimmer day and night. Inclined at five-degree angles – a feature celebrated by the development’s name – the towers seem to dance with each other. Designed by famed architect Helmut Jahn, each tower will house approximately 335 modern condominium residences. Residential occupancies are slated to begin mid-January 2010.

Tony Dennis, executive vice president, CityCenter Residential Division, said “The LEED Gold certifications of CityCenter’s residential buildings are a brilliant example of sustainable development. In satisfying the growing demand for smart and environmentally responsible living, CityCenter’s green commitment is a meaningful point of pride for our homeowners and an element of value that is as important as our quality and service.”

CityCenter’s LEED certification effort was led by MGM MIRAGE’s Energy and Environmental Services Division along with a recognized group of sustainability consultants including CTG Energetics, Green Building Services, Viridian Energy & Environmental and Fore Solutions and Simon & Associates. CityCenter’s previous LEED Gold awards include ARIA Resort’s hotel tower, ARIA’s convention center and theater, Vdara Hotel & Spa and Crystals.

About CityCenter

CityCenter is an unprecedented urban metropolis opening in December 2009 on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World. CityCenter features ARIA, a 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort; luxury non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental and Vdara Hotel & Spa; Veer Towers, the development’s only strictly residential buildings; and Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district. Vdara, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers boast approximately 2,400 residences total. Additionally, The Harmon, a 400-room luxury boutique hotel, is slated to open at CityCenter in late 2010. CityCenter also will feature Viva ELVIS™ by Cirque du Soleil celebrating the timeless musical legacy of Elvis Presley; and an unparalleled Fine Art Collection with works by acclaimed artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, among others. CityCenter is a design collaboration between MGM MIRAGE and eight internationally acclaimed architectural firms including Pelli Clarke Pelli, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Helmut Jahn, RV Architecture LLC led by Rafael Viñoly, Foster + Partners*, Studio Daniel Libeskind*, David Rockwell and Rockwell Group, and Gensler. At the forefront of sustainability, the 18-million-square-foot metropolis is one of the world’s largest green communities. CityCenter has earned LEED Gold certification for ARIA, Vdara, Crystals, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers, marking the highest LEED achievement by any hotel, retail district or residential development in Las Vegas. The Harmon also is pursuing LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

For more information about CityCenter, please visit www.citycenter.com.

† The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. The ‘LEED Certification Mark’ is a registered trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used by permission.

* As a consultant to AAI Architects, Inc.

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