Ask the Expert: Insider Information on New Years in Las Vegas

Posted byedsalvatoPosted inAsk the expert, Ed Salvato, Gay, Gay travel, Hotel, Las VegasTags:, , , , , , , ,
Man oh man! Le Reve, the show at Wynn Las Vegas

From one of our readers:

I wish I could be asking for travel advice for some amazing international destination. With your help It will be amazing non-the-less. I’m planning on going to Vegas over New Years with my European long lost love, and we are trying to spark a relationship.

It is both of our first time going to Vegas and we are having a hard time figuring out, particularly where to stay and also things to do. I’ve spoken to my friends who go to Vegas regularly and they all spill off a whole list of hotels which doesn’t exactly narrow down the options. One consensus is that we should stay on the strip. Another seemingly good piece of advice was to find a New Years party that we want to go to and then try and stay at that hotel so that concierge can help us get into the party. Our problem is there seems to be lots of parties and because I don’t know any of the venues I’m having a hard time picking.

So, what we would love help with would be to get help picking a hotel, New Years party, and some other things to do, restaurants, shows, nights out. We are looking for a trip with a lot of excitement and some romantic moments thrown in. Any advice you can give would be very appreciated. — G

From one of our experts in Vegas:

All holiday action is on the Strip or in various clubs with their respective celebrity and DJ hosts. If they want to dance, they can pick any of the popular ones (XS has Steve Angello, Surrender has Will.I.am, Hard Rock has Drake, Marquee hasn’t announced) and have a good time.
This may not be ideal for a couple looking to hit it off. If that’s the goal but not total insanity, one possibility is the Foundation Room which sits atop Mandalay Bay on the far end of the Strip. Great view and perfect for watching fireworks. I’m sure the Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas will do something. Anywhere they go is going to be busy and a bit more pricey than normal.
Of course, there’s always the option to visit one of the gay clubs or experience NYE on Las Vegas Blvd.
My personal favorite option, and it’s challenging but not impossible, is to get a room high up and facing the Strip. The ones on the end of the Strip (Mandalay Bay, THEhotel, Wynn or Encore) have the best vantage points, but any will allow you to see the fireworks.
This way it’s intimate and not insanely crowded. Enjoy a prefixed dinner in one of the destinations fabulous restaurants and then retreat upstairs. Those various menus will come out soon, we just need to get a bit closer to Thanksgiving.
Here are some additional suggestions for a couple looking to have a romantic time:
Shows
  • Le Rêve
  • LOVE
  • Zumanity
  • Stevie Wonder is doing a special show at the Cosmo for NYE
  • Celine is back at Caesars on 12/28
Restaurants
  • Okada, Wing Lei or Bartolotta at Wynn
  • Sinatra or Botero at Encore
  • Alize or Nove at Palms
  • Yellowtail or Jasmine at Bellagio
  • miX at THEhotel
  • The Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris (sounds cheesy but the food is decent and the view incredible)
  • Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas
  • Rao’s at Caesars Palace
  • CUT, Carnevino or Lavo at Palazzo
  • Brunch: Simon at Palms Place, Jazz Brunch at The Country Club in Wynn

Published by edsalvato

Educator, marketing, communications and travel safety expert; LGBTQ Pavilion at the New York Times Travel Show; public speaker; expert panel organizer and moderator

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