Q: What is the coolest new hotel in Vegas and the coolest old joint?

A: Las Vegas is constantly evolving and growing, so the coolest hotel of last week might be different today. 

One of the newest hot spots to hit the South Strip is M Resort. At an altitude 400 feet above any other Strip property, this hotel offers killer views of Las Vegas and several hip restaurants and bars. Another new hotel is Encore, the sister property to Wynn Las Vegas. The smaller, sleeker neighbor of the Wynn offers trendy dining and upscale shopping.

When CityCenter opens in 2010 it will be the place to see and be seen. Practically a city in and of itself, the property will include an enormous casino, entertainment, dining and much more.

While not new, there are several hotels in Las Vegas that are perennially cool.

The Palms, once home to "The Real World: Las Vegas," continues to be one of the hottest resort properties in Las Vegas, serving as the setting for such popular television programs as A&E's "Inked" and E!'s "Party at the Palms." The Palms hosts "Celebrity Poker" tournaments and owner George Maloof's pad constantly draws in the celebrities.

The Hard Rock Hotel led the new wave of trendy, beautiful-people-filled casinos. Between its exclusive nightclubs, sexy pool parties and hot restaurants, the Hard Rock continues to set the trends.

Another hip spot is Green Valley Ranch, the Henderson resort featured in the Discovery Channel's "American Casino." 

The coolest "old" hotel of the moment has to be the Golden Nugget. This downtown gem recently received an influx of new energy, opening hip cocktail lounge, an elegant poker room, a nightclub and a number of delicious dining spots

Q: What are the coolest bars and nightclubs in town?

A: No self-respecting trend jumper would make a trip to Vegas without stopping at the ghostbar, perched 55 stories above the city atop the Palms. Other hot spots at the Palms include Rain Las Vegas and perennial trend-setter Hugh Hefner’s The Playboy Club atop the hotel's Fantasy tower.

Also check out MGM Grand’s Tabú, which redefined Vegas nightlife by introducing the ultra lounge concept, Body English at Hard Rock and rumjungle and Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar at Mandalay Bay.

On the top of the trendy nightlife scene are Tao at the Venetian, an Asian-themed, multi-level nightclub and bistro which draws the beautiful and famous to its Zen-like surroundings, and JET at the Mirage, with three rooms featuring distinct sounds and some of the hottest servers in Vegas. And Pure at Caesars Palace continues to be a celeb favorite with its Strip-facing outdoor patio, world-class DJs and wall-to-wall hot bodies. Its sister club, LAX, at the Luxor, has also busted onto the scene with a slew of celebrity investors and one of the coolest vibes in town.

But since we’re talking cool, then definitely head down to Minus 5 at Mandalay Place, a bar that’s made of ice, where the temperature us a chilling 23-degrees Farenheit (minus 5 Celsius). Parkas and gloves are provided.  

Though slightly off the beaten path at the Southern-most tip of the Strip, M Resort’s Hostile Grape wine cellar and 32 Degrees Brew Bar are definitely worth the drive.

Take part in the downtown Las Vegas nightlife renaissance by heading to one of the area's many bars, such as The Griffin or Downtown Cocktail Room. Or trek upstairs to Gold Diggers at the Golden Nugget, where the balcony overlooks the action of the Fremont Street Experience.

Q: What are the hottest pool clubs?

A: When the weather permits, (which is most of the year), pool clubs are all the rage in Las Vegas.

With its Ditch Fridays pool party and celebrity clientele, The Palms Pool remains a staple of Las Vegas pool scene, as does the Pool at Hard Rock, which features Rehab on Sundays and Relax on Mondays. Get wet and celebrate “daylife” (versus nightlife) at Wet Republic at MGM Grand or live the VIP life with fresh fruit and privacy at Daydream at M Resort.

Q: What shops are fashionable now in Vegas?

A: You need look no further than the Fashion Show mall. It's all in the name: From Saks Fifth Avenue to Neiman Marcus to 200 boutique stores filling the two million square feet of this shopping utopia, the Fashion Show is as beautiful as it is expansive. Also try the Forum Shops, The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, The Shoppes at The Palazzo, the Wynn Esplanade and Encore Esplanade.

For trend jumpers looking for hot fashion without all the hustle and bustle of the Strip, the Fashion Village at Boca Park (750 S. Rampart Blvd.) is a great alternative, featuring trendy boutiques such as Talulah G, Von Dutch and Pink (Map it). Just south of Mandalay Bay and Luxor, is the 1.5-million-square-foot Town Square with trendy shops, restaurants, an 18-screen movie theater, a park, a Whole Foods Market and a gym. Adjacent to Green Valley Ranch is  The District, a "New Urban" shopping and dining development.

Q: Are there any trendy restaurants I should check out while in Vegas?

A: "Las Vegas" must translate into English as "trendy restaurants," because there never seems to be a lack of them. A  notable hot spot is N9NE at the Palms. In addition to stylish restaurants, Vegas has also become home to haute cuisine including Guy Savoy at Caesars and Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand. Switch at Encore provides dinner and a show -- the walls actually transform several times mid-meal.

The District features hip eateries like Kennedy and Al's Garage, while Town Square boasts the trendy Yardhouse and California Pizza Kitchen.

One definite trend that has taken Vegas by storm is sushi. It's everywhere! Some standouts in the local raw fish cuisine market include RA Sushi Bar Restaurant at the Fashion Show mall, Sushi Roku in the Forum Shops at Caesars, Yellowtail at Bellagio, SushiSamba at Palazzo and Sushi+Sake at Green Valley Ranch.

Cool new eateries pop up almost weekly, and the best way to keep up is to check out our dining guide.

Q: Any new trends in gambling I should know about?

A: You bet there is. Poker continues to be, hands down, the game of the moment. From the various "Celebrity Poker" TV shows (most filmed right here in Vegas) to expanded and renovated poker rooms in many high-profile casinos (including the Golden Nugget and the Palms), there has been no trendier table game in recent memory. Check out our listing of poker rooms to get in on the action.

Q: OK, so are there any shows in Vegas that are really making a buzz? 

A: You mean as opposed to ones that don't? 

Check out the spectacular show from Cirque du Soleil, KÀ, hosted in its own buzz-worthy $165 million theater at the MGM Grand, as well as Cirque's Beatles-themed LOVE at the Mirage.

Playboy Comedy at the Palms features cutting-edge comedians and an appearance by the Playboy Playmate of the Month.

Bette Midler and Cher each headline in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular at the Venetian and Jersey Boys at the Palazzo are well-received by critics as by fans. Don't miss them.

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