I just spent 3 days in Las Vegas. While New York is known as the city that never sleeps, it seems that Vegas is the true insomniac. Where else can you find tourists in bad sweat suits chain smoking at 3 am with as much energy as they have on Saturday afternoon at a nascar race? The oasis in the desert is like no other place on earth. Its 100 degrees in the shade most of the year, there are people movers that take you above and over the intersections, and as long as you are feeding bills into a slot machine - you drink for free!
When you think of Vegas - you think gambling, however that is just part of the equation. For the past four years the revenue from retail stores and restaurants has surpassed gaming. Walk around for one hour and you will know why. There is no city with more five star restaurants than Vegas.
The bellagio is one of the places where gaming, shopping, and eating come together in a symphony of lights, glass, and wood. At Fix, the decor is as beautiful to look at as the food is savory to eat. The smooth waves of Costa Rican Padouk wood that envelope you gives the warmth of an exotic cave. The flavored martinis and mojitos are sure to set the mood for a great night at the casino. The menu is classic american fare of fish, poultry, and meat. The presentation is anything but classic. One appetizer for instance is served on nine mini forks sticking straight up from the plate with a bite size morsel on each! It is a great place for a group of friends to catch up and watch the sights. Boy are there sights! In one hour you will see everything from possible playboy playmates - to those who look like cast offs from the island of misfit toys!! Everyone seems to feel right at home in Vegas.
There are few hotels as pretty as the Bellagio. The atrium is a seasonal display of floral decadence. Each season has a theme - for summer a huge ferris wheel made entirely of flowers overwhelms the space. The people are as interesting to watch as the decor. Vegas is truly a cross section of the melting pot of America.
This town is a metaphor for the new American dream. All you need is a bit of luck to make it big. The reality show mentality of instant fame and fortune is waiting around every corner.
when you win big, there is no shortage of designer boutiques to spend it all! They are all here - Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Chanel, you name it. In fact there are several of each in town. Chanel has three if you count the in-store shops at Neiman Marcus. The luxury department store has a beautiful space at the only non-gaming shopping location in town - The Fashion Show Mall.
So whether you are a gambler, a foodie, or a fashionista - Las Vegas has the goods to impress even the most jaded customer! Let it ride!!