For the Ladies in the House
While the men are playing with the queen of hearts, rest assured that your daytime needs will not be ignored. Whether shopping for a new pair of Louboutins at The Shoppes at The Palazzo, releasing toxins at the spa with a customized caviar bath, or remotely redecorating the house at one of Bellagio’s famed art galleries, a day in Vegas for the ladies is about pure pleasure.
Wynn Esplanade
First things first, you’re in Vegas so might we suggest starting off your trip on the right foot in the hot new Chanel jellies. Head over to Wynn Esplanade to see all that the Chanel boutique there has to offer. So renowned is the shopping at the Wynn Esplanade that they not only carry the super elite of the luxury labels, but demigod designers like Oscar de la Renta commented, “I was not only honored, but extremely excited when Steve asked me to have an Oscar de la Renta store at the new Wynn hotel…” Brioni, Dior, Blahnik, and Graff are just a few of the bevy of boutiques that are waiting to fit clients in the finest quality materials and craftsmanship known throughout the world. And while some of the competing resort-based retail centers throw a few low-end names in for the general masses, Wynn Esplanade is upscale only-think Rodeo Drive or Bal Harbour. Be forewarned that this is a playground for grownups only, so don’t be surprised to discover that children and strollers are refused at the door.
Via Bellagio
Over at the Bellagio, they suggest packing light so as not to crush the beautiful silk Hèrmes scarf or scuff those new Prada pumps from their upscale retail center, Via Bellagio. Say hi to Giorgio Armani and Yves Saint Laurent and top the trip off with something in a delightfully distinctive blue box from Nevada’s only outpost of Tiffany & Co. Lagerfeld-lovers will squeal with delight at the newest collections at Fendi and Chanel, while Gucci and Bottega Veneta are there to serve your needs for the latest trends in luxury luggage.
The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace
If you want to go a little retro, spend your winnings the old-fashioned way at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. A recent expansion saw the addition of 175,000 square feet at one of Vegas’ first luxury retail centers. The Forum Shops feature many of the same boutiques as Wynn and Bellagio, but Pucci, Versace, Valentino, and Ferragamo thankfully make appearances as well. Bulgari and Harry Winston will feed the need to fixate on something shiny but you will have to head over to Caesars’ Appian Way to get your fix of Cartier, where the marble hall leads shoppers to the centerpiece of the venue, a Carrara marble replica of Michelangelo’s David. Just steps away from The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace are The Shoppes at the Palazzo, a shopping experience so indulgent that we dedicated an entire article to it in this edition. You can find it on page 158.
Arctic Ice Room at Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace
The ultimate sin to commit in Sin City is to don the Jimmy Choo gladiator sandals in feet that have not been properly pedicured. For these and all of your spa needs, a trip to Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace is in order. The 50,000-square-foot Roman bath-inspired spa offers a variety of “immersive” treatment experiences. After a stint in the cedarwood sauna, may we recommend a spell in the Arctic Ice Room, where the temperature is set at a constant 55 degrees. In a pleasant contradiction to the desert locale, the Arctic Ice Room pleases the skin that has been withering in the hot Vegas sun. Although the domed ceiling has an igloo appeal, the rest of the room opts for iridescent blue glass tiles in place of stacked blocks of ice. In a soothing contrast to the crisp air, the Arctic Ice Room offers the comfort of heated floors and heated benches to provide a delicious medium between hot and cold.
The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
With the shopping done and the body refreshed, now it’s time to feed your artistic side with more of the renowned culture that has redefined Las Vegas. The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is internationally acclaimed and draws in a plethora of aficionados and collectors each year. In their continued efforts to enhance the cultural landscape of their fair city, the gallery, along with the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, is hosting “Classic Contemporary: Lichtenstein, Warhol and Friends,” through September 7. Important works from notable ’60s and ’70s contemporary artists who were leaders of their own counter-culture movement include Frank Stella’s Sabra III (1967), Roy Lichtenstein’s Mirror (1971), Sol LeWitt’s Floor Piece (1976), and demonstrations of expressionism by Hans Hofmann and Clyfford Still. Ellsworth Kelly and Ed Ruscha, and, of course, Andy Warhol are among the other highly acclaimed artists who are included in the exhibition.
The Art of Richard MacDonald, appropriately located in the “O” Theatre lobby at The Bellagio, features sculptures, drawings, serigraphs, and lithographs gracefully depicting the human form. In a perfect partnership, the gallery is presented by Cirque du Soleil and showcases the body at a specific moment in time, while the live performance displays the body through awe-inspiring feats of movement.
Bellagio’s reputation as a respected destination for art exhibitions is not limited to gallery space alone. The delicately vibrant work of internationally acclaimed glass artist Dale Chihuly greets guest in the lobby in the form of 2,000 dynamic hand-blown glass flowers adorning the ceiling. And if living flowers from Mother Nature is more in line with your appreciation for beauty, the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens are breathtaking.
