What is the most luxurious Las Vegas hotel?

Part 1 of a 2-part series

This is not an easily answered question. People often come to our agency asking for a luxurious vacation. According to Webster, luxury is: a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort; sumptuous environment; something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary; an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction or ease.

Different people picture luxury differently. The more affluent a person is, often their standard raises. What one person may picture as the most glorious experience, another may find just substandard. I have found the most important step is to qualify what standard of luxury a guest is expecting.

I received my first taste of the finer things in life while working at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, Texas, during the early 1980s. Our average nightly rate at the hotel was $159 to $375, with suites ranging from $500 to $5,000 and up.

We were famous for our French Room restaurant, which continually was rated in the top 10 restaurants in America. We entertained movie stars, politicians and the affluent from around the world. Our staff was highly trained with perfection being the standard.

To me, luxury is found in the little things, and it is a place that guests' needs are addressed promptly, professionally and with little to no inconvenience. People who only view Las Vegas as a place of glitz, lights and gambling are missing the true experience. Las Vegas is a place of excellent eateries, world-famous shopping, unsurpassed entertainment and more.

With this in mind, I began my trip to Las Vegas with my hotel of preference -- the Bellagio, which according to its staff has "set the standard in Las Vegas." The Bellagio has an intimate atmosphere that is not found in some of the larger properties, and I think this is the draw for those seeking perfection. The two most drawing features have to be the ever-changing gardens in the conservatory and, of course, the lake, which displays skyscraper-size fountains waltzing to various classical melodies.

The rooms are very nice with a classical decor, but nothing spectacular. Yet the bathrooms are some of the largest on the strip with many extra amenities. The location of the Bellagio is what makes it one of the best choices, nestled right in the middle of the strip, next to Caesars and across from the Paris Hotel.

Just a few tips -- if you want to eat at the restaurant in the conservatory, unless you are a VIP, the wait averages 20 to 30 minutes during peak times. Also, most of the restaurants take dining reservations 90 days out, so if you attempt to get reservation upon arrival you will be dining at either 5:30 p.m. or 9 p.m. since peak dining times are limited.

Next stop was the Venetian, which is another one of my favorites. The Venetian is huge, glorious and somewhat overwhelming. What sets the Venetian apart is that it is an all-suite hotel. These rooms are absolutely astounding -- the average room is what most hotels book as a hospitality suite. I spent a day just enjoying the shopping and its St. Mark's Square, where every minute is filled with opera, mime, activities, fine dining. It was a truly enjoyable afternoon when guests from all over the world took in entertainment of the highest standard.

Of course this hotel is famous for its Venice-style canal with singing guide. But my favorite stop was the Canyon Ranch Spa Club, complete with rock climbing wall and unlimited spa services. It is certainly one of the best places to visit.

Two other properties worth mentioning are, of course, Caesars and Mandalay Bay. Caesars is currently under renovation, trying to play catch-up to the various luxury hotels that have drawn away its affluent clientele.

Mandalay Bay is another favorite, but I personally don't like the location on the far end of the strip, but this hotel is well known to draw a Hollywood crowd.

Next month, part two will list the top five shows to see in Las Vegas, where to find the best art displays, and my personal favorite -- the top 10 pools in Las Vegas.

Carolyn Kempf is president of Elite Travel in Cape Girardeau. (334-1234 or carolyn@elitetravelinc.com)