The Young and the Sleepless

I wonder how people who fly constantly back and forth from coast to coast can do it without jetlag.  Perhaps they take some sort of medicinal therapy.  Perhaps they are so used to it, it doesn’t faze them anymore.  Perhaps I should try flying back and forth from DC to Vegas a few times a month and see if I become immune to the traveling or if I just curl and scream “Uncle!”.  I was feeling like I was on the verge of doing the latter this morning when I woke up.  Ouch!  Aaah – but soooo worth every ounce of pain.

The weekend in LV was a quick whirlwind type (aren’t they all?) however, I had never been to this adult playground in JANUARY. Meaning, each time I had visited, it had been “pool” weather.  Which really means, I had a lot to do every day.  Get up, eat breakfast, cure my sleeplessness, champagne hangover, and barking dogs (from dancing for hours in stiletto heels) by laying in a comatose state by the hotel pool.  The heat, the sun, the laughable conversation with friends (”OMG! Do you remember that guy last night -how he came up to you and he had a crazy look in his eyes? Was he drunk or just a weirdo?” or “How about that girl?  The one with the leopard skin tube top?  That outfit was nuts. Don’t ever let me go out like that!” or “I SWEAR I saw J.T.. go into that private VIP room.  Isn’t he in town this weekend?” you get my drift – the after party night silly discussions that can go on and on and on…) easily gets out the “demons” from the night before. Namely multiple cocktails, way too much great food, and any phone numbers received from the opposite sex. 

Then typically I would be off to the spa to get some sort of well needed treatment. Then getting ready, dinner, going to club dancing, etc.  The night just rotates venues from the night before and we start all over again. 

This time since we were in Vegas in January, the daytime was a bit different. We stayed at THEHotel, the newest property of the Mandalay Bay Hotel.  I have stayed in the Four Seasons and in Mandalay Bay, and had heard nice things about THEHotel.  Frankly, I loved the decor, very sleek, simple and dark, and comfy – very different from your typical lavish gold toned, crazy colorings found in most casinos and hotels.  This was a more sexy subdued setting.  However, we weren’t totally pleased with the service.  I don’t even think they had a hotel concierge and on top of that, most of the basic, necessary requests we made came were not met (”We need a car service to take us to Caesars first then to the airport” – Response: “Sorry, there are none during the day – here are few numbers you can call yourself.” and “Can you please make us a reservation for Tao at 10?” – Response: “Sorry, we don’t have a concierge for that.  I can transfer you to that property.”) I guess if you are a “Do it All Yourself” person, that might be all fine and good, but when one is in Vegas, one kind of has high expectations on service.   I think our next stay will be at the Venetian. 

So – places we went that were new to me: Mix, Pure, Social House. 

Mix was atop (64th floor) THEHotel.  Absolutely stunning views and the setting was so gorgeous.  You could dine and drink outside with heated lamps to enjoy the view unobstructed.  The dining room was this incredible almost Star Trek meets Barbarella decor, glass bubbles hung from the ceiling, floor to ceiling windows looked out onto the strip and beyond, lots of white, creme, leather banqettes, and we actually sat in this futuristic leather bubble (resembled a chairlift or the seats for an amusement park ride, only really comfortable).  It would be so romantic, however, I was with girlfriends, so the romance was lost.  Celeb gossip: Supermodel turned reality TV star turned model agency owner, Janice Dickinson was supposedly there very recently with friends celebrating a birthday.  Dancing on the other side of the bar is strictly encouraged.  We missed that part, because we headed onto Pure.

Pure is in Caesars Palace, the 40 year old standby whose shopping (The Forum Shops) just gets better and better.  This property just cannot lose.  It is right on the strip, has a high-rolling faithful clientele (MJ is rumored to stay there often) and plays host to The Pussycat Dolls nightly.  Which is where we ended up.  We had an awesome table in the Pussycat Dolls Lounge right under the stage.  If only we were men.  It was an incredible show and fun to watch.  The lead singer’s voice was outstanding and their moves (and skimpy outfits) made me yearn to find a gym somewhere immediately.  After the show, the DJ put on hip-hop and everyone hit the dance floor. Of course, my friends and I had such a great view of the crazy dance moves and the soul “performing” girl who spun around and around by herself in front of the big mirror, just hoping some male would find her drunken ballet like moves attractive.  Our cocktail waitress clued us in: “There is one ‘performer’ everynight.  They love the big mirror. And if there is a celeb, they just dance in front of them all night long.”  (Note to self: Stay away from mirrors and performing in front of celebs. You will be made a fool of.)   We hit the main part of the club in the VIP “bed” section and danced until 4 am’ish.  Celeb gossip: Our cocktail waitress also reported Scarlett Johannson was in the house.  Everynight at Pure there are celebs. Just pick up OK!, People, US Weekly, or Star.   

Social House is located in Treasure Island, or ti as it has renamed itself.  Absolutely a must for dinner.  I love Tao for dinner too, but Social House is smaller and more intimate, more rooms and definitely excellent cuisine.  Mostly Asian, you cannot go wrong with the vibe, the drinks and the multiple incredible dishes, which was served family style, which happens to be the most popular way to deliver dishes these days.  It’s all about the sharing.  Here you can sit outside as well with a view of the ti show (which I missed b/c our reservations were so late).  Celeb gossip: The room where we sat is where Prince likes to sit in the little corner.  This venue is pleasant for the high-profile because it is dark and intimate, so many come early (or late – they have a kitchen that is open for those late night partiers – 4 am) and often.

Well, that is it for now! I am off to pack for NYC.  Hitting some fun places just for a night, the Gotham Magazine / Tiki Barber retirement party (he was their latest cover boy) a dinner, then a luncheon the next day.  More to come on that …

Hey Vegas VIP’s – if you have a comment (pick or pan) or suggestion on places to go or not to go in Sin City, let us know!