Will your family have fun at the
dev conference?
A Diary of Las Vegas

by Jo Hernandez

So what is there to do in Las Vegas that doesn't involve Gambling? As the Revolution Live Conference 2008 is fast approaching, I took a trip over to the desert state to research on your behalf and dragged my poor confused boyfriend along for a second opinion!

Wednesday
A 10 Hour Flight from London Heathrow to San Francisco with a quick change and 1 hour hop over to McCarran Airport, Las Vegas. McCarran Airport is easy to negotiate and everything is very well sign posted, it's pretty much a straight line through to Baggage Reclaim. The Taxi queue appears a little daunting at first glance, but the line continually moves, snaking its way to 14 portals where a man guides you to your taxi pick up and a brief 10 minute ride later we arrive at the Alexis Park. ($15)

A warm reception welcome helps us with Check In, sensitive of the time (11pm), but without making it feel like the middle of the night. We're given an easy to follow map of the resort, with the main items highlighted and then (much to my boyfriend's amusement) discreetly advised we had been upgraded to The Honeymoon Suite - Welcome to Las Vegas Dah-ling!

Unfortunately we were a little too late to grab something to eat in the main bar as it was around 11:20, but a 2 minute walk away is the Hard Rock Hotel and we chose the 24/7 Restaurant. A tasty meal and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere ($22/1course & Drink) and we were tucked up in bed within the hour, dreaming of the days ahead.

Thursday
We took a little time out to recover from our long journey and to investigate the Alexis Park Facilities. 3 Swimming Pools throughout the complex, one complete with Jacuzzi, a hair salon and gym/spa area ensured everything we needed was readily to hand. Lazing by the pool I realised how quiet the Resort seemed, not quiet without guests, but like a mini-village complex, shut away from the hustle & bustle of the strip and the Las Vegas lights.

As we lounged poolside lounge I surveyed my surroundings and imagined the RevLive conference and how perfectly the setting would suit our needs. I had a meeting to pop to – sadly not ALL play for me, I had a few meetings with the hotel to ensure the conference runs smoothly for you – so I left my boyfriend to investigate the grounds further, starting with a margarita at the pool and a contented smile on his face. When I returned, he had booked me into the Hair salon for a Wash & Blow Dry ($30) and had a taxi organised to whisk me off to a surprise destination.

Watching the Water Fountains of The Bellagio at any time is amazing (and free!) but from the Fortina Bar Patio at night, facing out to the strip, complete with champagne was fabulous!! Whoever said men weren't romantics at heart? (20-30 Minute Wait for the Patio / $65 Champagne)

Our dreamy night continued with a Midnight stroll through the Bellagio Indoor Gardens, enchanting and childlike with its giant paper crepe birds and old knotted tree wonderful for any age of child.

We walked the brief distance to Caesars' Palace to admire the columns and statues, finding the Augustus Café a great place to settle for some late night food and a chance to take it all in.

Friday
Yet another gorgeous day so we chanced a leisurely walk along towards the strip and investigate our surroundings in daylight. 30 minutes later, we had managed to find a (very long winded way) to the Ballys. Having walked this far we decided to continue down the strip, southward, admiring each resort or casino, with their separate themes and special selling point to make it stand out from the previous.

The beautiful Venetian Hotel captivated us both with its 'inside-out' feeling. The cloud painted ceiling appears to move with you as you wander the palazzo, shopping Italian Style, alongside the canals of Venice, complete with gondolier rides and operatic singers.

Stopping for sandwiches and lemonade in the food court ($20/person) we mused how you could easily spend an eternity in Las Vegas without actually experiencing daylight. There was so much to view here alone; The Guggenheim Museum ($25/Adult), Madam Tussauds Waxwork Museum ($24/Adult), theatres and shows nightly. Conscious of time and our important research mission we jumped a taxi from the main entrance to our next destination. Located just off Strip, at either end like bookmarks are the Chelsea Premium Outlet Shopping Centres. Filled with all the designer shops a girl (or guy) could wish for, this was a personal Mecca to me but a less painful time for my credit card than first thought, due to the amazing discounts offered. Handy Tip: Sign Up Online before you depart and receive a further 10% Off Discount Book: (www.premiumoutlets.com).

We rationalised, to more efficiently 'research' the area, we needed to move on strip and so checked in to the Luxor Hotel, a giant pyramid hotel with Egyptian theme (and more gold than Fort Knox) at the North end of the strip. All that shopping had given us a great appetite so we used the internal walkway through to the Excalibur Hotel and combined dinner & a show with the Tournament of the Kings. ($80/Adult)

A 3 course meal served entirely without cutlery had my boyfriend watching me wide eyed as I joined the spirit of the adventure, cheering on our Knight as he fought to represent Ireland (Yes, we're English?), cheering with my tankard of ale (Sprite) and tearing off a leg from my whole cooked chicken, with as much gusto as the 5 year old next to me! (He & You are all sworn to secrecy).

A wander through New York New York hotel to view the miniature Manhattan skyline and we realised just how tired we were, definitely time to turn in for the night!

Saturday

Time to tackle breakfast, Las Vegas Style! The Breakfast Buffet at the Luxor is famous and dare I say, immense? There's no other word for it! Over ten different sections, each containing mouth watering goodies; 6 types of potatoes, an omelette station and as many Danish pastries as could fill one of my handbags lined the counters. Fresh Fish, meats & Cheese with a huge array of fruit and yoghurts offer a lighter continental option. ($12.99/person) Having eaten possibly more than we should and planed our day, a brief hop on the travelators took us through to the Excalibur Hotel and down the escalators the MGM Grand.

The Lion enclosure is definitely worth stopping off at to enjoy nature's beauty and is one of the many free attractions throughout the city. It's easily found near the main entrance of the Casino. The MGM also houses 'KA' the Cirque de Soleil phenomenon and the first stop on the Las Vegas Monorail. ($9 Day Pass)

Every 6 minutes the Monorail stops and 6 stops/10 minutes later we alighted at the Hilton for the Star Trek Experience. (www.startrekexp.com) I wasn't really prepared for the 'journey' ahead. We opted for the 'Latinum' Package ($79/person), which included the 2 Rides, Backstage Tour and Photographs in the Captains Chair & Borg Assimilation chamber. Definitely worth the cost, but please bear in mind you can easily (as we did) loose 5 hours in the depths of the 'Trekki' Paraphernalia and Quarks bar!

The monorail returned us Northbound to the Ballys for a look at a more mature Hotel and back into daylight via "Paris" and the Arc de Triumph. Time to shower and change, jump a taxi and sweep our way through the stunning corridor of the Venetian Hotel

for our final nights adventure. Housed in a $5million custom built theatre, complete with broken chandelier, is the Las Vegas Phenomenon, "Phantom". I settled into my 5th row seat awaiting the fantastic treat ahead and was nothing but impressed and astounded by the new levels the production was taken to – Only in Las Vegas huh? ($120-$180/Person)

Too excited to call it a night, we wandered the strip back towards our hotel, and then it hit us, what better way to end our final night? Of course... The Top of the Eiffel Tower!!

(A half sized replica that dominates the skyline but also acts as an observation point for tourists). At midnight there was no queue to speak of and we were whisked up in a glass lift to Parisian music and squeals of delight from the other passengers. The view is nothing short of breathtaking and I couldn't envisage a better way for us to end our evening!

Sunday

Sadly our last day in Las Vegas and we needed to leave for the airport by 2pm. Wanting to enjoy the remaining time we thought to take a Sunday stroll into The Monte Carlo Hotel. A little more relaxed, that subdued Sunday morning feeling seems to reach even here, the city that never sleeps, but sometimes needs to recuperate. We crossed to the outdoor street market admiring the intricate stalls; Live music entertained the shoppers whilst outdoor diners were chatted to by Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, welcoming them to Las Vegas.

I was suddenly pounced upon by a small lady asking if my feet were as sore as they looked and the next thing I was ushered into a doorway and sat in a large comfy leather chair, my shoes removed and my feet massaged into some sense of normality. 20 minutes of pure heaven (or reflexology) topped by 10 minutes of shoulder massage relaxed me to a point I contemplated staying an extra few days. ($30 + Tip)

Happy, content and relaxed we return to the Luxor to collect our bags and take a taxi back to the airport.

I hope this has given you a flavour of what awaits you in Las Vegas - in between enjoying everything we have on offer for you in the Revolution Live Conference itself!