Tuesday, 1 December 2009

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Simon Cowell is heading for Las Vegas

TV's Mr Big plans to take The X Factor to the Entertainment Capital Of The World

Simon Cowell wants to take The X Factor to Las Vegas

If you thought Las Vegas was a tacky place in Nevada full of slot machines and wedding chapels, think again.

The city, which started as a stopover on American pioneer trails, is now an extraordinary hedonistic hot spot and lauded as the Entertainment Capital Of The World.

Massive themed hotels line 'The Strip' and the fun goes on 24/7. It may be in the middle of the desert but Las Vegas is certainly not dry.

For those who love delicious food and incredible cocktails - prepared by some of the best award-winning chefs in the world and amazing ‘mixologists' - it's heaven.

Simon Cowell wants it as a permanent venue for The X Factor, Eva Longoria has just opened her restaurant Beso in the new CityCenter development, Paris Hilton just can't get enough of the place and sister Nicky regularly hosts clubbing nights.

Celebs let their hair down and so can you.

Las Vegas is the perfect hen night destination or a great place to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or even a divorce.

‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' is the well-known slogan but the reality now is ‘What happens in Vegas ends up on Facebook'.

Have a flutter if you fancy it, soak up the sun, head for the shops, try every wild martini in town and dance until dawn - or just take in a few shows and enjoy exquisite meals and fantastic wine.

Getting there

British Airways and Virgin Airlines fly directly to McCarran International Airport, 5 kilometres (3 miles) south of The Strip. Return flights around £550 - £600. If you don't mind a stopover, flights with KLM from £400.

Where to stay

Caesars Palace is Las Vegas's ultimate luxury hotel with its Roman-Grecian décor and miles of marble. Established in 1966 and featured in movies such as Rain Man and The Hangover, it's a timeless classic and has over 3,000 rooms.

Book a double room from £55 or get together with a group of friends and treat yourself to an amazing suite. If you've seen The Hangover, don't worry, nobody gets a tiger past security.

The gorgeous Absolut Suite is very cool and costs from £1,500 a night. 

For those on a really tight budget, there's a Travelodge right on Las Vegas Strip, but there's no point doing Vegas if you don't do it style. 

Half an hour out of town by shuttle bus is the impressive new M Resort room where you you can snap up a room that sleeps 4  - on offer - for a little as £36. Buffet lunch is £9 and dinner £15 - inclusive of beer and wine, with free soda on tap 24/7.

What to see

The huge hotels that line Las Vegas Boulevard are amazing palaces, all decorated in original ways, and worth exploring one of by one.

Who needs Disneyland when there's the whimsical Wynn Las Vegas with its talking tree and giant singing frog? Katie Price chose it as the venue to marry Alex Reid.

Just stop and watch Bellagio's free fountain display - specially choreographed to music every evening.

Step inside Caesars Palace, Rio, The Mirage, New York-New York, MGM Grand, The Palazzo, The Venetian, Luxor. Palms. Mandalay Bay, Harrah's - and  wander around to see what's on offer.

These massive self-contained resorts all have their own individual style.

Traffic can be heavy on The Las Vegas Strip so stretch your legs or take the Monorail which runs from the MGM Grand to The Sahara and keeps going until the early hours.

Where to eat

Bartolotta Ristorante Di Mare at Wynn

Paul Bartolotta flies in fresh seafood and shellfish daily from the Mediterranean to Las Vegas and is a charming host. Try the Grigliata Mista Di Mare - an assortment of grilled seafood: shrimps, scallops, baby octopus, mussels and fish of theday, with spinach, lemon and olive oil, £18

SUSHISAMBA at The Palazzo

Sample the great sushi or try the miso-marinated Chilean
sea bass with roasted organic vegetables and oshinko (picked Chinese cabbage), £18.

Aureole at Mandalay Bay

Aureole is a Las Vegas formal dining venue where you can enjoy a leisurely celebration meal. How do you fancy tender roasted rack of Colorado lamb, stuffed Campari tomato, braised flageolet beans, olives and rosemary jus? Go for the 7-course tasting menu, £57, or £97 with 7 specially selected wines.

Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace

Michelin 3-star chef Guy Savoy's Las Vegas venue is run by son Franck who has opened a private Krug Champagne Room for those that really appreciate the best bubbly and excellent French food. Sample the renowned oysters in ice gelée - 3-course pre-theater meal, £60.

Beijing Noodle No 9 at Caesars Palace

Decorated with spectacular fish tanks full of goldfish and cocooned in a bird's nest of Chinese flower motifs, this casual Las Vegas hip hangout offers authentic Shanghai soup dumplings and dim sum favourites. Start your meal at Beijing Noodle No 9 with a lychee Beijing Bellini.

Dos Caminos at The Palazzo

Great Mexican food including an utterly delicious guacamole - very probably the best in the US. Definitely not to be missed. Make sure you go home from Dos Caminos Las Vegas with the recipe. Opt for brunch and try the baked tortilla casserole with sunny-side-up eggs,

Origin India in Paradise Road

A fantastic menu including delicious black tiger with tamarind and raisin chutney -  plus a surprising selection of  spicy cocktails. Sip a Spiced Ruby Red with vodka, ginger, Chambord liquor and a dash of red pepper at Origin India. 5-course chef's tasting menu is a very reasonable £27.

Andre's at Monte Carlo

With a dedicated smoking lounge, this is the place to enjoy good food, a quality cigar and a very special cognac. The oldest on offer at Andre's was made in 1777.

Fiamma Trattoria & Bar at MGM Grand

Fiamma offers modern Italian cuisine and an award-winning wine list.

Craftsteak at MGM Grand

Try one of Craftsteak's sensational steaks with delicious mashed potato and amazing Brussels sprouts.

Diego at MGM Grand

Enjoy Mexican dishes with new twists at Diego.

Shibuya at MGM Grand

Shibuya specialises in Japanese sushi and has an extensive selection of sake.

The Pub at Monte Carlo

Fabulous spicy Bloody Marys and 50 different beers on tap - The Pub is great place for brunch.

BLT Burger at The Mirage

The perfect venue to head for a late-night bite - BLT Burger is open until 4am Friday and Saturday.

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill at Harrah's

If you like bumper-sized drinks served in glass jars and deep fried Snickers bars, look no further than Toby Keith's.

What to do

Over 18s should definitely see Zumanity^TM, The Sensual Side Of Cirque Du Soleil at New York-New York. It's a breath-taking sexy mix of dance and acrobatics.

Great fun is CSI: The Experience at MGM Grand. It's an interactive attraction where you can try your hand at solving a crime through forensic evidence.

If you fancy seeing Vegas's only 'striptease spectacular', there's PEEPSHOW at Planet Hollywood Resort. Mel B did a stint on stage and current star in her undies is Holly Madison.

Get yourself photographed marrying George Clooney's wax double at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum - there's even a wedding dress for you to slip on for the snaps.

Take a helicopter trip over the Grand Canyon - various companies offer tours.

Go shopping at Las Vegas Premium Outlets with 150 stores.

Where to party

Sample one of Patricia Richards' cocktails at Wynn Las Vegas - go for a sweet-and-sour Sinatra Smash with blackberries.

Start an evening with vodka tasting at Red Square, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, or for the coolest experience of all, slip on a furry coat for Minus 5's Ice Bar where, yes, everything is made of ice.

Wake up your taste buds with a peanut butter and jelly martini - or any cocktail of your choice - at Noir Bar before going upstairs to LAX at Luxor.

Taste one of Colin Griffiths' 'herbology' concoctions at iBar Rio.

Sip a glass of champers or just a coffee at the Seahorse Lounge at Caesars Palace.

For rock music and 'Flair Bartending', step along to Carnaval Court at Harrah's.

Serious party animals should, head down to XS Nightclub at Encore Las Vegas. the Voodoo Lounge inside Rio. Ghostbar at Palms, Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace or The Bank at Bellagio

SEE PHOTOS The best of Las Vegas in pictures>>