MGM MIRAGE's CityCenter, an $11+-billion, 68-acre project, is an ultra modern, urban environment with nicely hidden parking structures. It includes Crystals, an upscale shopping center, the Mandarin Oriental hotel, the Aria hotel and casino, Vdara, a condo and hotel. The resort boasts a lineup of 11 restaurants, led by top celebrity chefs.

The buildings of CityCenter are extraordinary in outward appearance, and each has its own personality. The liveliest hotel is Aria Resort & Casino. The 4,004 guestrooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and high-tech controls for customized lighting, room temperature and music. Add to this a bi-level spa with 62 treatment rooms, 10 bars and lounges and a large deck with four pools (one of them adults-only).

Aria is also home to the new, permanent Cirque du Soleil show Viva ELVIS, which will combine acrobatics and dance with vintage photos and concert footage of Elvis Presley.

Adjacent to Aria is Vdara, a 57-story, 1,495-suite hotel, with its distinctive crescent shape and unusual surface of patterned glass.

On a smaller scale, legendary Mandarin Oriental has opened its first hotel in Las Vegas. The 47-story hotel and residences acts as one gateway to CityCenter. Interior designer Adam Tihany has combined contemporary, Chinese-influenced style with sophistication and pizazz in the 392 rooms and 225 condominiums.

In the residential-only category at CityCenter is Veer Towers, two 37-story glass towers that are like no other. Chicago architect Helmut Jahn inclined each tower at a 5-degree angle, giving the appearance of their dancing with each other. The glass towers reflect off each other and the surrounding buildings to add drama and sparkle.

Crystals, is CityCenter's answer to high-end shopping in Las Vegas. Crystals offers some of the best shopping in town. Retailers new to the city include Tom Ford, Assouline, Kiton, Lanvin, Mikimoto, Paul Smith, Porsche Design, Miu Miu and Caroline Herrera. They join Fendi, Dior, Bulgari, Versace, Prada and Cartier, and the mega sized Louis Vuitton store.

We absolutely loved the Aria hotel and casino. It has a great contemporary style and feel that is very classy. If you want to distance yourself from the gaming, the Mandarin Oriental is an excellent choice for an elegant, upscale stay.

Although not in city center, the new Palazzo next to the Venetian is magnificent. Sports fans will love Lagasse’s Stadium, the casino’s sport book venue. Lagasse's Stadium combines Emeril Lagasse's signature cuisine with over 100 HD TVs including 9ft x 16ft main TV, luxury boxes, plush stadium-style seating, billiard tables, and an outdoor patio just steps from the Strip. We watched both AFC and NFC playoff games there and were blown away by the sheer size, fun, food and entertainment.

The Encore, a Wynn property is also brand new located right next to the Wynn hotel and casino. It wasn’t a favorite, but is worth a visit.

So there you have it. As if there aren’t enough reasons to escape for a weekend in Vegas, make sure you check out the new and exciting CityCenter. To book, call Lake Zurich Travel & Cruise for expert travel advice on your next Las Vegas vacation.

About the Authors

Sue and Charlie Shimkus are owners of Lake Zurich Travel & Cruise established in 1974. Sue has served on the travel advisory board for Alaska, Hawaii, & Ireland and executive board of the local chapter American Society of Travel Agents.  Lake Zurich Travel & Cruise is a member of the Signature Travel Network. Visit Lake Zurich Travel for Expert Travel Advice and resources finding the Right Vacation for you! 

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