The Palms has been setting the standard for hipness in Las Vegas since opening its doors with a huge celebrity-studded bash in 1993. Situated just a short distance west of the Las Vegas Strip on Flamingo Road, the resort knows all about style -- but still delivers substance and first-rate service in the process.
All the rooms at the Palms are comfortable and trendy, but it's the suites in the resort's Fantasy Tower that truly provide an escape from reality. There's the Kingpin Suite with a regulation-sized bowling alley, the Barbie Suite with hot pink décor and a mirror made from 65 Barbie dolls, the Hardwood Suite with an indoor basketball court and locker room, the Erotic Suite with a round, rotating bed and mirrored ceiling…just to name a few. Plus, the top two floors of tower hold the Sky Villas, one- and two-story suites providing the pinnacle of luxury, like private cantilevered Jacuzzi pools that jut out above the Strip.
Speaking of pools, sunbathing aficionados are sure to be lured by the Pool and Bungalows at the Palms. This magnificent two-acre outdoor playground is comprised of several swimming pools. In addition, there are three bars, a 12-foot waterfall, 27 cabanas, in-water chaise lounges and daybeds. Along with concerts and special events, summer's ongoing Ditch Fridays pool party is an affair not to be missed.
Warning: Don't let daytime revelry impair you for nighttime debauchery. The Palms is home to a trio of the city's best bars and nightclubs. Rain Nightclub showers patrons with state-of-the-art sound and special effects. The huge venue, which also features concerts, is ultra sleek. Private cabanas and skyboxes have balconies overlooking the dance floor. Take an elevator up to the 55th floor for ghostbar, which boasts a breathtaking open-air balcony, or to the top floor of the Fantasy Tower for Moon Club Las Vegas, which has a retractable roof.
If you'd prefer to see a concert in a traditional setting, the music industry's hottest performers can usually be found at The Pearl. All 2,500 seats in this high-tech theater have unobstructed sightlines to the stage.
At the French-themed Alizé by chef Andre Rochat and NOVE Italiano by chef Geno Bernardo, the spectacular food is overshadowed only by unrivaled views -- panoramic vistas of the Strip and beyond. A hipster's paradise, other trendy restaurants at the Palms include N9NE Steak House, where you'll be living large while savoring tender and tasty cuts of beef, and Little Buddha, known for its Asian fusion cuisine and world-class sushi bar. The two-story Garduño's offers Mexican cuisine in a fiesta-like atmosphere. Even the 24/7 Café, Bistro Buffet and food court, which is positioned next to the 14-screen Brenden Theatres, have fashionable vibes.
The casino at the Palms carries all the latest slot and video poker machines. Table games encircle a stylish bar at the center of the resort, where you can watch all the action. Cantor Gaming has recently opened its stylish new 9,840-square-foot Cantor Race & Sports Book at the Palms, which features 93 betting carrels, a 1,290-square-foot LED screen and eight poker tables.
If you want to primp for a night on the town, head to Amp Salon. Spend some time shopping in the Leor Jewelry Store, or have your fortune told by a palm reader in the Cosmic Corner. And just a short walk away, via the Skytube near the food court, is Palms Place, where an additional restaurant, lounge and the heavenly Drift Spa and Hammam await.
All of this is why movers and shakers with chic style and sensibilities can be found in Las Vegas at the Palms.
-- By Renée LiButti
