CityCenter in Vegas. Photo by Gayle McCarthy

Tired of walking past illegal immigrants slapping cards of naked girls in your face while perambulating The Strip? If not, I fear and weep for your future. No doubt, the allure of Vegas will always remain a touch seedy and a bit sad (think Nicolas Cage’s character in Leaving Las Vegas), but it’s revamping its image with the new CityCenter complex, a 67-acre glitzy showcase of patterned glass, lofty sky-scrapers at odd angles with sweeping curves—a mini Manhattan amidst the desert landscape. It’s home to several stately hotels, such as the Mandarin Oriental, Aria Resort and Vdara Hotel & Spa, and the Über-swank Crystals shopping center with elite retailers Versace, Prada, Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton. Cha-ching.

The Vdara spa. Photo by MGM Mirage.

Beat the heat in the cool confines of Vdara’s Health & Beauty spa (non-guests are welcome), an 18,000-square-foot, two-level respite of holistic healthcare and wellness featuring 11 private treatment rooms, intimate lounges with soaking tubs and soothing circular waterfalls, redwood saunas and eucalyptus steam rooms, and men’s and women’s retreats. Guests can treat themselves to a glass of bubbly or wine upon entering the lobby at the Champagne Bar or make themselves a fresh cup of herbal tea in the upstairs retreat areas. Spa menu options include massages (deep tissue, hot stone, couples, among others); body treatments (espresso mud body scrub and lemon verbena body polish); and skin care services (anti-aging facial, sun repair, and moisture replenishment facial). It’s a tad pricey ($150 for deep tissue massage) but well worth the indulgence, especially if Lady Luck’s on your side.

The Town Square Las Vegas. Photo by Town Square Las Vegas

Just a short cab drive away from CityCenter is Sin City’s new Town Square Las Vegas, a one-stop shopping, dining and entertainment complex located on the south end of the Strip on Las Vegas Boulevard, just a few miles south of Mandalay Bay. It’s a breath of fresh air for Vegas, literally—the open air center features 22 buildings detailing a unique mixture of Old World and contemporary architectural styles with an eclectic mix of retail shops and restaurants, including a Whole Foods Market, H&M, an Apple store, and an 18-screen movie theater. There’s everything from coal-fired pizza to Japanese, Mexican food to deli fare; if you prefer Italian, a “don’t miss” dining experience is the affordably-priced Brio Tuscan Grille designed in upscale Tuscan villa décor, offering up generous portions of original Tuscan culinary creations. Choose from an extensive menu of house-made pasta specials, flatbreads, quality steaks (the artichoke-crusted beef medallions were, in haute culinary terms, incredibly tasty), and pair your meal with the perfect red or white wine.

On my way back to The Strip, I asked the cabbie what he thought of the glitz and glam of CityCenter. “It’s from a different time, a different mind-set…I don’t think it knows who or what it wants to be just yet, but it’ll get there.”

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However, the other packages, well, sound like a great thing to have in your back pocket for when things at home just get to be a little too much. It’s a weekend away and Vegas is all about getting away.

· LAS VEGAS: Stay and Play at  Circus Circus for $125

Estimated Value: $250 Only 40 available

Let the good times roll! Save 50% and enjoy 3 nights at the famous Circus Circus Hotel Casino and Theme Park! Includes dining and a day at the Adventuredome for 2!

· LAS VEGAS: Stay, Play and Relax  at ARIA for $1,000

Estimated Value: $2,000  Only 5 available

Experience the energy and excitement of ARIA in the heart of CityCenter, Las Vegas. Save 50% and enjoy 2 nights in a suite, dinner for 2, massages, and tickets to Viva ELVIS^™.

· LAS VEGAS: Escape to SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand for $1,000

Estimated Value: $2,000 Only 5 available

The top of the world has relocated! Experience an elegant 2-story suite with all the luxury that SKYLOFTS and MGM Grand have to offer. Includes a 2-night stay, massages, dinner for 2, and more!

· LAS VEGAS: The Ultimate Getaway: The Mirage for $1,000

Estimated Value: $2,000 Only 5 available

Come experience a getaway in the resort that started it all. Vegas starts at The Mirage! Save 50% on a 4-night stay, dinner for 3 nights, VIP seating to 2 shows, and more!

· LAS VEGAS: $250: 2-Night Getaway  to New York-New York

Estimated Value: $500  Only 20 available

Save 50% and get away to the New York-New York in Las Vegas! Spend 2 nights in a spa suite and take in Zumanity by Cirque du Soleil for only $250!

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Renamed Saxe Theater, the 22,000 square foot theater will reopen in June.

Just six years ago, Saxe had opened the V Theater, which has nine shows running at it right now. Shows include V The Ultimate Variety Show, Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theater and the most popular pole dancing class in the world – Stripper 101.

Saxe is also proud owner of the new Stripper Bar built right outside of the V Theater, according to a press release sent out by Planet Hollywood.

It’s unclear if Saxe paid for the new theater with 34 million $1 bills.

Check out the amazing things cats can do from the pet comedy show.

Check out this video from Stripper 101 — it’s not as sexy as you’d think.

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But what if His Holiness needed a cheap Ribeye, wanted to play craps (he is after all, a Holy Roller) or just spend some quality time with a lady friend after three nights by himself. (It’s only following the practice of giving up something for Lent — as on Easter, the 40 day wait is over and people can return to chocolate, alcohol or hookers.)

Well, The Big Man would go Vegas, home of The King, and the one place in America that always has a room at the inn and doesn’t shutter up its joint just for special treatment in heaven. Jesus has a long history of hanging out with sinners, so don’t you think Sin City would be at the top of his list?

Around the country, shops, zoos, parks and synagogues all close on the big day Jesus rolled off a stone bed and scared the Be-Him out of his friends and family.

Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino sent out announcement this week reminding everyone that it will stay open throughout the Holy Day — for anyone who needs a good brunch or pair of shoes. There are 170 shops, restaurants and performance venues at Miracle Mile Shops (tickets are still available to see The Naughty Boys Hypnosis Show, which starts at 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday — they are, apparently, not working this Sunday.

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Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar

The battling ivories will tickle patrons with an opportunitini –  mix of coconut rum, melon liqueur, banana liqueur and pineapple juice served in in a martini glass — with all the profits going to help the Opportunity Village, a not for profit group that helps people with intellectual disabilities find work and improve their overall quality of life.

The cocktails may not be tax deductible, but for $12, who’s complaining?

Cheers.

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The cast of “Fly Girls”(from left to right): Tasha, Louise, Mandy, Nikole and Farrah

Friday night, Virgin America offered a 35,000-foot preview to the new reality TV show featuring five flight attendants and their crazy CW life.

The airline showed the first episode aboard a flight from Los Angeles to Vegas with the cast serving up the A-list guests. (Sadly, HTG remains on the Kathy Griffin D-List and didn’t get a chance to preview the show.)

But other much more important writers and members of the media did — and apparently got to attend a red carpet party at Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo in Las Vegas.

The California-based airline even matched up a slaes promotion to celebrate the series called the PrimeTime Fare Sale — meaning you don’t even have to watch “The Hills” of the skies to take advantage of the program.

“The idea behind Virgin America is to reinvent the experience of flying with beautifully designed mood-lit cabins, incredible guest service and a hip, sophisticated vibe that today’s travelers are looking for,” said Porter Gale, Vice President of Marketing at Virgin America, in a way only a marketing VP could say.  “We’re thrilled to work with The CW to show how our in-flight teammates are re-writing the script and bringing the style and fun back to flying.”

In-flight teammates (r to l) Farrah, Nikole, Tasha, Louise and Mandy, prior to the in-flight premiere of "Fly Girls."

Having hot flight attendants helps too.

According to the news release, party goers included 100 Virgin America staff sipped on Belvedere Vodka and Ambhar Tequila while listening to media tell them “you looked great” and “that was so cute when you thought so-and-so was mad at you and really, her mother had just died.”

“This show is about real women who happen to have landed on a very different career path.  It chronicles the places they go, the guests they meet and their lives together,” said Kristen Vadas, Senior Vice President, Alternative Programming, The CW, in a press release. “We’re thrilled to be working with Virgin America to give our viewers a unique peek into their whirlwind life at 35,000 feet.”

Virgin America flight teammates and cast members of 'Fly Girls', Farrah (left) and Louise serve cocktails to passengers after the in-flight premiere of "Fly Girls."

The show is produced by Bridezilla and The Exterminators mastermind Jeff Collins, as well as LarryBond and Porter Gale, the geniuses behind “The Hills” and “The City.”

The show debuts on CW at 9:30 p.m. March 24. Hopefully, it doesn’t end up on “The Soup” too soon.

Naturally, the show wouldn’t be complete without a promotional tie in: So try to Land the Look, which can land you some free clothes from the spring collection from Banana Republic. Passengers can also win Banana Republic aviator sunglasses as well as a few other rewards. Check out the details here.

All photos provided by Virgin America — as we told you, we weren’t on the flight.

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This club is out for the female hipster’s boyfriend — and his friends and just about anything else in skinny jeans and plaid. We relish the irony of Mrs. Robinson’s hunt for a boy toy.

Before cougars were a just a cliche’ and a really bad television show, but after Demi married Ashton things seemed to change. Cruise lines have sponsored Cougar and Cub cruises, and even airlines have seen this group as an affluent customer willing to spend big bucks.

The Cougars are unabashedly out on the prowl and think the best thing to do is form a cub club — and that means planning a convention in Sin City some time between October and December.  Just check out CougarConvention.com to see what plans are underway.

Vegas makes the perfect place, as it is filled with thousands of 20-something men all sitting around poker rooms thinking the countless hours of online poker and 15 times they’ve seen Rounders is going to turn them into a star. Fold that hand, at least these women want to talk to you.

We’re not sure what kind of topics will be covered during the convention’s breakout sessions, though there are a wide variety of potential subjects available including, Sex after hip replacements, Kissing someone with braces and Dealing with a lover’s acne (and this time its not on his back). A student/teacher mixer is also planned during the event.

Frank Bacon, who is neither a cub nor a cougar, said he’ll make sure to book time in Vegas to do some Big Cat hunting.

“Cougars love Bacon,” the automotive journalist said from his chalet in southern Michigan. “There’s just going to be too many of them around, so I like my odds.”

“A leftover cougar is almost as tasty as a left over steak sandwich,” he added. “Just dab either in A1 and you’ve got a meal.” 

There’s good reason for Bacon to have such high hopes. Think we’re overstating things? Check out this New Zealand Air ad that was quickly pulled after it was deemed offensive.

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More people hear about deals like these than actually get them.

Hooters Hotel & Casino is offering a package that will book you a room for $20 a night (Monday through Thursday) and then give you $100 worth of slot machine coinage, tickets to a magic show (yeah, we know) and a few other perks just to stay at their casino.

Of course, some people may point out that you have stay at Hooters — but those would be women with a certain amount of disgust in their voice — and for $20 a night, think how much money you’d have left over for extra bleu cheese for those spicy wings.

There are some restrictions, which should be expected with deals like this so look through them. There are black out dates and a few other limits, but it is still possible.

We caught wind of this deal through @bestraveldeals on Twitter, which linked us to its site, which looks like an aggregate of deals. The deal originates from Travelzoo.com, another aggregate, though you actually have to go to the casino’s website to make the reservation.

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That’s certainly the combination at the Las Vegas CityCenter — the multi billion dollar complex in Sin City that’s so big it couldn’t even afford a space between the two words by the time it was finished.

Now, you can eat, then boogie, under the same roof with the New Year’s Eve opening of the Eva Longoria Parker’s Beso and Eve.

No, they’re not new neighbors on Wisteria Lane, they are the restaurant and nightclub at the CityCenter’s Crystals.

“I am thrilled to be expanding my restaurant franchise and cannot think of a more perfect location,” Longoria Parker said in a news release. 

Headed by Chef Todd English — the same chef who oversaw Beso in Hollywood — the Las Vegas version can seat 246 people — 107 outside. While the English may not be known for their culinary delights, this particular English is — with his work at places like Olives and Figs.

Eve, the nightclub, is right upstairs and features a 50-foot vaulted ceiling and a huge video screen near the dance floor. The 8000-square-foot club features VIP bottle service, premium DJs and top notch sound and lighting systems. It sounds more like an experience and place to be seen more than a dance the night away.

Admission costs $40 for men and $30 for women.

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The tower, which cost $750 million, brings a variety of posh rooms, high-tech villas, a new nightclub and three new restaurants to nurse our own Vegas worthy hangovers — though, hopefully, we have all of our teeth and Mike Tyson’s tiger is not resting against our in-room wet bar. (By now, we’ve all see that movie.)

Really, these accommodations sound suite enough that we’re ready to get married just to have the bachelor party. Even the standard suites come with a wet bar and the Hard Rock’s Sound Matters Bar, an AMX 12-inch touch panel music system. (You can hook up your iPod and if you lost it at the craps table, just select one of the 2,000 songs available in the Hard Rock’s personal stash.)

Oh, and there’s a new spa, more casino space, a VIP entrance and coming later this year, a Skybar and pool.

“This tower is a major milestone in our expansion and moves our brand into another level of decadence,” said Phil Shalala, Hard Rock’s chief marketing officer. “Our goal was to stay true to the property’s innovative and trend-setting style while creating an edgy and decadent rock ‘n’ roll experience not offered anywhere else in Las Vegas.”

Indeed: So how do you do that?

7 Penthouse suites: They come with everything you’d need on the 16th floor — from black crocodile leather furnishings, marble floors and massive showers. They open up to a private beach area and the Provocateur suite includes a projection system in the bedroom that projects the picture onto the wall behind the bed (and onto the bed itself). What you do with that, stays in Vegas, please.

8 Luxury Spa Villas: Bigger and better, they include private patios with fire pits and plunge pools. And if you don’t want to leave your room, there’s space for spa treatments in your room.

Reliquary Spa: 25,000 square feet rock star treatment. It can also accomidate small parties and there’s even a room with a pole — something everyone needs — especially if you want pole dancing lessons.

Vanity Nightclub: Puts the “sin” back in Sin City. Complete with a million dollar LED chandellier that can change colors and project images. There’s a big dance floor and even outdoor space that leads to the Ladies Lounge that comes with six vanity stations to fix your hair and makeup. And if you need professional help with a broken nail, there’s staff on hand to assist you. And once the lady looks good, just slink on back to one of the 50 VIP booths in the club and enjoy the rest of the night.

Rooms start at $119 a night and to book one, go to the Hard Rock’s website.

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