One Night in Vegas

Guilty pleasures, bright lights, gorgeously themed high-rises, optimum entertainment, and the indescribable anticipation of feeling lucky… That’s right-we’re in Vegas, baby! In a city where high rollers are as ubiquitous as the shiny lights, we present the most lavish suites created for the world’s most esteemed and sophisticated individuals.

By Kristelle Devieux

Before we delve into our picks of Sin City’s transcendent suites, I’d like to put things in perspective: Vegas is not an affaire d’État as much as it’s an affaire d’État Sociale! The best of what Las Vegas has to offer is not only for those who have the means to experience it, but just as importantly, it is also for those deemed important and worthy enough to enjoy it. Pay close attention to what this entails: some of these amenities are worthy of a mention in a world record book.

$40,000/Night-Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at The Palms

What is the result when a mega-publisher and paradigmatic casino join forces to build one of the world’s most expensive, avant-garde and sophisticated villas? The Hugh Hefner Sky Villa.

The two collaborators in question are, of course, Hugh Hefner of the Playboy empire, and the Palms, A Maloof Casino Resort. Sitting atop the Fantasy Tower, the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa is the latest development in the Palms’ expansion. While the 40-story tower houses some of the most unique luxury suites in all of Vegas, the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa is hands down the optimum star. Often called “the most unique suite in the world,” the Sky Villa is a commodity to be experienced.

Designed in compatibility with the Playboy Mansion and Mr. Hefner’s personal tastes, this two-story suite is obviously decked out with nothing but the best, and the most celebrated features are claiming worldwide attention. The outdoor cantilevered Jacuzzi pool with glass end walls offers spectacular views of the Strip, while the 8-foot, round, rotating bed with ceiling mirrors provides the naughtiness expected in a Playboy suite. The Sky Villa also comes complete with a fully equipped gym with sauna, and a spa treatment room for private services.

To pay further homage to the adult entertainment company, the 9,000-square-foot suite showcases Playboy’s iconic bunny in the middle of the outdoor pool, in the room’s artwork, and, most prominently, on the side of the Palms facing the Las Vegas Strip. With indulgences fit for the select few at the upper echelon of the social scale, a stay at the Sky Villa will prove that absolutely no sensual (nor sexual) pleasures are ignored, and no luxury overlooked.

By Invite Only-The Augustus Suite at Ceasars Palace

The acclaimed Caesars Palace Las Vegas is nothing less than its name suggests. Celebrating the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome, Caesars Palace is the embodiment of these states’ grandiosity.

In a like manner, The Augustus Suite reigns in opulence, splendor, and authenticity. One of three recently revealed extravagant penthouses situated on the top floor of the Augustus Tower, The Augustus Suite is the largest of the three, spanning over 10,000 square feet. Fashioned after the most prominent grand hotels, palaces, and estates found throughout Europe, the suite’s interior features a classic European style. From the imported marble and parquet floors to hand-applied Venetian plaster finishes and stone archways casings, every inch of the suite invokes feelings of residing at Château de Versailles.

The suite’s grand entry elegantly welcomes guests with an extensive hand-carved Italian stone water fountain along with custom designed walnut doors. The living room, accentuated by monumental pieces, boasts an oversized fireplace, a 408-gallon fish tank, and a Steinway & Sons grand piano. The living room is adorned with elegantly detailed finishes such as hand-blown Murano glass fixtures, Italian wall brackets, and a custom collection of contemporary European artwork.

The master bedroom highlights classical European designs with benchmark furniture and bespoke drapery made of the finest imported fabrics. The bed is covered with handcrafted Pratesi linens for supreme comfort.

Lavishly decorated, the bathroom could easily be a room where guests will want to spend most of their time. From the his-and-hers vanities, 24-carat gold faucets, and heated floors and toilet seats to the large custom designed Deckleman total experience shower-the first ever installed in the United States-the bathroom’s offerings provide the ultimate comforts.

Despite the suite’s classical influences, its technological amenities are super-modern-even futuristic! The audio-visual components include 42-inch and 50-inch Sony flat-panel high-definition plasma television sets, XM satellite radio, and a high-def DVD player enhanced by JBL surround sound. The media room comes equipped with a 165-inch cinema screen, a Sony VPL high-definition projector, and OSIM massage chairs. For those who would rather do than watch, the suite provides a virtual golf simulator, an elegant hand-carved Adler 8-foot billiard table, a full service bar, and a walk-up Jacuzzi room with seating for 10.

As is expected, the Augustus Suite’s luxurious accommodations are solely available by invitation
to Caesars Palace’s most discerning and high-rolling guests.

By Invite Only-Chairman Suite at the Venetian

A hotel marked by sheer refinement and lavish luxury, the Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino’s Chairman Suite is nothing less than expected of such a resort.

With three bedrooms (two of which are masters), a media center, workout room, as well as living and dining areas, the suite’s 8,000 square feet are laid out in an open spatial configuration that makes it feel almost twice as large.

The Asian-inspired artifacts and décor harmoniously compliment each other to the point where every corner in every room portrays elegance. The floor in the foyer is made of black java stone with semi-precious insets of mother of pearl, lapis, mahogany, and malachite, which create a graceful assemblage of colors. The living room includes the requisite plasma TV (in fact, every room and hallway has a plasma screen), fireplace, and AV equipment, but with the addition of a marvelous Jade sculpture and magnificent Tibetan hand-woven rugs, the room’s opulence is enhanced. The zebrawood-paneled dining room is highlighted by a main dining table inlaid with mother of pearl, and a precious antique Chinese altar table.

As for entertainment and activities, the suite’s fully equipped media center is made to entertain eight guests, and the workout room includes a private dry sauna room, and a steam room. Other highlights are the silk and rice paper enveloped walls and the Murano chandeliers throughout. And let’s not forget the assortment of butlers and housekeepers that further refine the stay.

$5,000/Night Chairman Suite at the Bellagio

While some prodigal locales exercise stern exclusivity policies on their best accommodations, many of them openly welcome the public-as long as they can afford the lavish lodgings and impeccable service.

Perched atop the Bellagio’s new 33-story Spa Tower, the Chairman Suite welcomes its affluent guests through a tranquil walkway floating above a reflecting pool. Along the walkway, floor to ceiling windows reveal a breathtaking view of Las Vegas’ skyline, and the 14-foot ceiling renders a dramatic yet inviting entry.

The Chairman Suite provides divine amenities to thoroughly relax and enjoy the City of Sin. Its 4,000 square footage contains a solarium to get abundantly sun-kissed by the desert’s sun, a fireplace for a romantic night, an L-shaped bar to entertain a party of 6, a separate boardroom for 10, and a soothing indoor garden with a fountain that works wonders when one is in the mood to enjoy a glass of Premier Grand Cru Classé at the end the night.

The design elements reflect the suite’s splendor. Laid out in contemporary marble floors inlaid with Tiger’s Eye, sleek modern furniture is complemented by studded parchment walls, as well as walls of onyx and upholstered silk. The hues throughout the suite are deep, rich browns, oaks, and Devonshire creams. With outstanding museum-quality contemporary art including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photography, the Chairman Suite emulates pure sophistication.

But its attention-grabbers are the shimmering mother-of-pearl water walls, floating glass bar tops, paper-thin porcelain light fixtures, and dining rooms sheathed in sculpted bronze panels.

Two master bedrooms boast majestic king size beds and their own bathrooms with whirlpool tubs conveniently situated for unparalleled views of the city. Separate steam showers in each accommodate those who want to steam it out instead of soak it out.

Bellagio’s Chairman Suite is also equipped to please any tech-savvied resident. Each of the master bedrooms has a 30-inch pop-up LCD television complete with a DVD/VHS player, a 50-inch plasma TV in the bedroom sitting area, a 20-inch LCD TV centrally positioned in the bathroom, plus a 50-inch plasma TV in the living room also with a DVD/VHS player. Additionally, to make life even easier, all of the televisions, as well as the drapes and lighting throughout the suite, are controlled by an AMX remote control system.

Just as important as the suite are the delightful services that accompany it, such as a 24-hour butler and VIP seating for Cirque du Soleil’s famed “O.” Furthermore, there are three separate 1,000-square-foot Entourage Suites located on the same floor for added convenience.

$4,800/Night 180-Degree Suite at Four Seasons Las Vegas

Further south of the Las Vegas Strip there’s yet another AAA Five Diamond hotel: Four Seasons Las Vegas. The 180-Degree Suites (of which there are five) are the ultimate suites for private indulgence centered on personalized services with the finest amenities and attention to detail.

The suites’ hues are rich and warm for a soothing feel. Composed of a spacious living room with a separate dining room and pantry for entertaining, there’s also a study room to stay on top of business acquisitions, or simply enjoy a good book.

In all honesty, aside from their top-notch amenities and décor, these suites’ most appealing facets are the unsurpassed 180-degree views of the Strip and surrounding mountains that one gets to soak in all day and night.

Whether in the middle of the action at the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms or laying low at the Four Seasons, these suites provide the best indulgences to fulfill one’s every desire and fantasy.