"My mind sees that I am nothing, my heart sees that I am everything, between these two poles my life unfolds."

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Viva Las Vegas, Part 2


Lol!! Here I am, living it up in Las Vegas! Do you like my new bikini top? I think I may be in danger of a wardrobe malfunction if I don't watch out... :D Until my visit this summer, the above is what used to spring to mind whenever Las Vegas was mentioned,


or this. 


When in fact, this was more my experience.

I really enjoy taking a guided tour whenever we visit somewhere new. I think the insights a tour guide imparts are invaluable. On the first part of our tour, our guide walked us through many famous and incredibly beautiful hotels, sharing the history behind each and pointing out many, many details we would never have found out on our own, simply wandering about. As well, we were driven all around 'The Strip', visited the famous Las Vegas sign and toured a bit of Old Las Vegas (which included the quickie wedding chapels Las Vegas is known for). Today's post, I'll share pics from my favourite four of the hotels we toured: The Cosmopolitan, Wynn, the Bellagio and Palazzo. I feel it only fair to warn you ahead of time that although I've whittled down to a few select pics for each, it's still a fairly heavy picture load nonetheless.

1. The Cosmopolitan


The Cosmopolitan which opened in 2010, is the strip's newest hotel. It cost a whopping 3.9 billion to build and boasts 2,995 rooms. Like all the hotels, (they are essentially resorts) it is a world unto itself with it's own casinos, nightclubs, pools, restaurants, convention rooms, spas, stores and an 1,800 seat theatre all nestled under one roof!  


Some of my pictures didn't turn out, but I am posting them anyways. There were a number of these stunning glass towers in the foyer when you first walked in - a photograph simply can't do them justice.


As you can see, this hotel is all about the opulence. It's very Art-Deco in style.



You are looking at 6 million individual Swarovski crystals in this chandelier. It was otherworldly.

2. Bellagio


When the Bellagio opened in 1998, (to an original construction estimate of 1.6 billion dollars), it was the most expensive hotel ever built and is now considered to be one of the world's most spectacular. My neighbours, who visit Vegas at least once a year always stay at the Bellagio. They love it and I can certainly understand why.


In the lobby you are greeted by this astounding murano glass ceiling entitled 'Fiori di Como'.
I wish I could remember what it's valued at... a lot!


Built around a garden theme, there are flowers and fountains throughout.


The hotel contains a Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. As well, a Gallery of Fine Art.


It's a sight to bee-hold :)


The Bellagio has been the setting for a number of movies, including: 
Ocean's Eleven & Thirteen, Rush Hour 2 and 21.


The above picture is comprised entirely of living plants! It's watering system is housed within the frame.

3. Wynn


The Wynn, built by developer Steve Wynn (who was also responsible for developing the Bellagio), is a luxurious, visually stunning hotel - which is why I am surprised I didn't take more pictures of it while I was there... !! I think I was overwhelmed. 


It opened in 2005 to the tune of 2.7 billion. On a side note, it sure makes you wonder the amount of money that Vegas must bring in on an annual basis.

4. Palazzo


The Palazzo Waterfall & Atrium Gardens


When it was completed in December 2007, The Palazzo displaced the Pentagon as the largest building in the United States in terms of floor space! The 1.8 billion dollar resort is reported to be the eleventh largest building in the world, in terms of available floor space and is also currently the second-largest building in the Western Hemisphere.

The sheer scale and opulence of everything in Vegas far surpassed anything I could have imagined. 

Hope you enjoyed our walking tour. Viva Las Vegas, Part 3, will have us move outside for some street scenes. I will try to keep the picture load down.

22 comments:

  1. Unbelievable! I am stunned by all the ‘glitter’ and richness in these places. And how beautiful everything is. I think I’d be quite overwhelmed by these surroundings, not knowing where to start photographing! The Bellagio with its conservatory and botanical gardens…oh my… I think that’s my favourite. I can’t get over that frame with the living plants in it. Incredible. Oh...the photo opportunities... Show me more!

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    1. I agree - I was completely amazed - had no idea it was so incredibly luxurious.

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  2. Yes, Jane - lots more photos please. You are making me want to go there more with every photo.I think the days when it was just a gambling mecca are firmly behind it if it looks like this. These look like fantastic places to stay and clearly there's a hell of a lot more to it than just feeding dollars into machines. So glamourous and glitzy - I think I'd love it.

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    1. As I said last post, you must go - at least once! It's certainly got more going for it now than just the gambling - I'm sure there are many people visiting who never drop a dime in a slot-machine the whole time they're there.

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  3. Jane, I found you! Lol I took some time away from blogging and have only just realised you've "moved" ! Great to see you again!

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    1. So nice to see you here Sarah!! I will pop by and visit you very soon :D

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  4. From your beautiful photos I can see this is a wonderful place to see and visit. The living plant picture is so neat, what a concept. It looks to be rather large from your picture.

    Think of the revenue that is needed just to maintain these places. Now I can see where the saying comes from, "The house always wins".....lol

    Thanks for sharing these pictures Jane and your commentary brings us right into what you saw and enjoyed.

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    1. The living frame is very large - probably six feet across. It was quite stunning.

      Yes - the house needs to win most of the time - just to keep a roof over it's head!

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  5. I'm enjoying seeing Vegas thru your eyes...

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  6. so many pretty pictures, Jane, and you are pretty too :) I have to say it :)

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    1. Thanks Dezmond, but just a reminder - my eyes are up here... lol!!

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  7. Don't worry about the picture load -- post as many as you want! I love seeing them. I've never been to Vegas so this way I can see what I'm missing!

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  8. Ha! I've never been to Las Vegas (I'm like the only Hawaii resident who hasn't, I think) and those first two pictures are how I imagine the place. That third photograph is breathtaking--I kind of want to live in it!

    I haven't traveled too much, but I agree, tours are a fantastic introduction to places. Having had a simple view of the place (people go to gamble and party it up), I really never would have thought about a tour guide for Las Vegas. It sounds like there are many stories and interesting sights a person might miss without some locals' help.

    . . . 3.9 billion dollars to build a hotel? Gosh, I've lived a sheltered life. Not even in my wildest dreams have I imagined such an amount being spent to build a hotel. Say, wha-? 6 million individual Swarovki crystals????? Dang, that's a gorgeous chandelier . . . that looks bigger than my home!

    The Bellagio has to be my favorite--it looks so lush and romantic.

    . . . wait, no, the Wynn and Palazzo look so decadent and beautiful as well! I love that indoor waterfall.

    Thanks for the tour! I LOVE travel pictures :)

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    1. I used to think we were probably the last people in North America who hadn't been to Vegas! Turns out we weren't alone.

      I thought the prices of these hotels were worth noting - it's mind-boggling when you really consider it.

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  9. So much money, Jane. It is like a Caravaggio painting - over ripe and suspect. Did you get any feeling of that when you were there? My mom developed an obsession when she was in the early stages of her dimentia and lost a lot of money (thousands) and when I begged them not to let her in, they refused. "As long as she can get here she can come in," they said. So the truth is I'm not exactly a fan of these places, sigh.

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    1. I hear you Francie - everything's so over the top, the excess is almost disgusting. But having said that - I still hope to go back this spring, lol!!

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  10. I am astounded at the oppulence of those hotels--all of which were built since I was in Vegas. It's quite overwhelming, even in photos. It's such a contrast to the land and geography outside of the city--which I suppose is the point. Just imagine how much water gets used (wasted?) everyday to maintain this!!! It's so over the top and doesn't suit me, but I love the photos you took!!

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    1. Excellent point Dianne, there is a stark contrast, which became quite evident as we left the city and headed to Hoover Dam. The water requirements must be staggering - there are pools, fountains and man-made water features everywhere - not to mention all the other demands.

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  11. Wow, Jane! You certainly captured some most amazing photos of your hotel tours in Las Vegas. I love the Palazzo the most, and the ceiling of the Murano colored flower glass ceiling of another hotel, just blows my mind!...actually, they all do! Have not seen anything so glittery, elegant, and extremely expensive superb artsy style anywhere in the world! Just love, love, that frame with the live flowers in one of the photos, as well...genius:) Thanks for sharing! xo

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    1. It's definitely over-the-top Elisabeth, and worth seeing at least once! Granite, stone, glass, marble and water everywhere. It's amazing what man can achieve when he sets his mind to it - Dubai also springs to mind.

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