Las Vegas Premium Outlets

Located in fabulous downtown Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Premium Outlets feature a bevy of upscale shops in a pleasant outdoor setting.

The shopping center recently expanded its facility and now offers more than 150 outlet stores with savings of 25-65 percent. Some of the new stores include BCBG Max Azria, Burberry, Diesel, Kate Spade, Ted Baker and Marciano.

Shoppers with exquisite taste can find high-end names like Michael Kors, Dolce & Gabbana, Aldo, A|X Armani Exchange, Coach and Swarovski, to name a few.

There is also  wide variety of fun, popular stores like J. Crew, Charlotte Russe, Gap Outlet, White House | Black Market, Converse and much more. Kids (along with the kids at heart) will have a blast at the Disney Store Outlet.

Las Vegas Premium Outlets also carries a variety of unique stores that you won't find very often in an outlet mall. These include Banana Republic, Ann Fontaine and True Religion. Ed Hardy, Zoo York, 2b bebe, Juicy Couture, Ann Taylor and Lucky Brand Jeans are among the stores slated to open in summer 2008.

"The mix of brands now is just so exciting," said Michele Rothstein, senior vice president of Chelsea Property Group. "It has such a worldwide following." 

While some shoppers may feel awkward walking into a boutique at a high-end mall, Rothstein noted that the experience here is a lot less intimidating.

"Boutiques are intimidating for a certain part of the population," she explained. "Outlets are, in many ways, a way to introduce their brands."  

"In many cases, a visit to an outlet could be a shopper's very first experience with a brand - seeing it, touching it, trying it on," Rothstein continued. "These designers want this experience to be a very positive one." 

With all the different shops to choose from, many are grouped by style and demographic, which make it easier for the shopper. And despite the extreme summer temperatures, there are plenty of vending machines that offer ice cold water. The mall also provides plenty of canopies overhead and trees for shade.   

If you worked up a pretty good appetite shopping, head to Makino, which offers a variety of fresh sushi and delectable Japanese dishes, buffet style. Or for a quick bite, stop by the food court, which has a wide selection of restaurants as well as indoor and outdoor seating.

If you're staying in the downtown area, shuttles are available that can take you back to your hotel. For those staying on the Strip, the Las Vegas Premium Outlets offer unlimited cab service.

Planning on driving? Two parking garages offer plenty of parking -- just remember the number of the lot you're in. To coordinate your shopping trip, the mall is divided into courts and each is color-coordinated on the directories around the center.

Make sure to visit the information booth, located by the valet across from Kenneth Cole. A concierge will be able to assist you with any questions you may have. Also, in the spirit of savings, you can pick up coupon booklets, which offer discounts from your favorite stores.

One last bit of advice to keep in mind during your shopping trip: “Ask people in the stores for help,” Rothstein advised. “People who work in these stores are essentially fashion experts on their brand. They really can help you put an outfit together, get you into those jeans that you think you couldn’t wear and just really help you with your shopping experience.”

Keeping all these factors in mind guarantees a positive experience at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets.

"It's really about the shopping, that's what we do best," said Rothstein.

-- Review by Jeannie Borbe