ILLUSIONS SHOPPING MALLS—IF YOU CAN CALL THEM THAT—BLUR THE LINE BETWEEN REAL AND FAUX, BUT THE ENTERTAINMENT VALUE IS GENUINE BY BARBARA PECK I PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY-MASTERSON

POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE: Shoes are displayed like precious gems at Christian Louboutin in the Shoppes at . Opposite: Costumed performers stroll through the at The Venetian.

32 SPRING 2010 ENDLESS VACATION 33 ome wasn’t built in a day, but to Las Vegas NEW KID IN TOWN regulars it must have seemed that way when the Forum Shops sprang up at The big news is the opening last December of Crystals, in 1992, launching a whole the retail portion of the new CityCenter development on new world of theme shopping in America. the Strip. (CityCenter also includes four gargantuan—is Till then, visitors had come mainly to anything small in Vegas?—hotel towers, one a Mandarin try their luck in the casinos. Suddenly, Oriental, for a total of 6,291 new guest rooms.) Crystals’ they could marvel at replicas of Roman buildings, gaze up exterior, designed by the renowned Daniel Libeskind, is a whole at ceilings painted with clouds so lifelike you’d swear you were new look for the Strip: an angular three-story jumble of glass witnessing an Italian twilight, and watch bizarre animatronic and stainless steel. Inside is a glittering array of luxury retailers: figures perform mythological scenes on the hour every hour. Prada, Dior, Vuitton (North America’s biggest, naturally), Oh, and they could also browse high-end shops they might Tiffany . . . you get the idea. New to Vegas are Marni, Paul not find at home: Armani, Bulgari and the like. Smith and Kiton, where men’s suits fetch $6,000-plus. Since then, the shopping scene has exploded. It suits Crystals’ interior design, by David Rockwell, celebrates Las Vegas, the place where Americans come to reinvent nature with hanging gardens of flowering plants, a wooden themselves—at least temporarily. People who might be too busy sculpture called “Treehouse” and a water feature in which in their hometowns to stroll through a humdrum shopping water jets carve ice sculptures into constantly changing shapes. mall find themselves lured to Sin City’s incarnations—to For dining, there’s BESO, Eva Longoria Parker’s restaurant, buy, browse or simply gawk at the excess within. Sure, some as well as offerings from Todd English and Wolfgang Puck. stores are familiar, but here they’re often in stunning settings, accompanied by chic restaurants and free entertainment, plus the best people-watching anywhere. And for a therapeutic swim DELUXE at the end of your shopping day, your hotel pool is waiting. SKY’S THE LIMIT: (from top) The faux sky ceiling lights up the Forum Shops; vintage A word of warning: pace yourself. Resorts look close on the If Crystals doesn’t slake your thirst for high-end retail, take a finery at the Palazzo’s Annie Creamcheese. map, but it’s always a trek. Free trams run between some resorts stroll through the Esplanade, the name for the shopping areas Opposite: Crystals, the new Daniel Libeskind– and there are always cabs, of course. A day pass on the Monorail at both the Wynn and Encore hotels. These malls (though designed mall at CityCenter; Anya Hindmarch costs $13—but since it runs behind the Strip, it’s a walk the word seems too meager, somehow) are anything but sterile. handbags at the Shoppes at The Palazzo. to reach the stops. Luckily, most shops stay open till 11 p.m. With richly colored carpeting, shining tiles and whimsical

34 SPRING 2010 ENDLESS VACATION 35 light fixtures, it’s clear that no expense was spared. The shopping is for high-rollers, too, starting with the Ferrari store. Yes, you heard me. Unless you already happen to own a Ferrari or Maserati, you’ll pay $10 for the privilege of strolling past the gleaming autos. The car prices? Easily over $115,000. SHOPPING Don’t worry, browsing is free in the other stores. Step inside Alexander McQueen, Hermès and Manolo Blahnik—the only WITH U.S. shop outside New York, as locals are quick to point out. Jo Malone, the inspired British scent-maker, is here as well. THE KIDS The Homestore and Wynn LVNV sell the same items used While much of Vegas is aimed at adults, to decorate the Wynn hotels, from vases to faux-fur throws. families come here too. The shows at the Next door to the Wynn is the Shoppes at The Palazzo. Forum Shops are a surefire hit for children of any age. Here are some other draws: Several high-end retailers made their Vegas debut here when it opened in 2007, most notably the two-floor Barneys; LAS VEGAS Christian Louboutin, whose brilliantly conceived red-soled PREMIUM OUTLETS Away from the Strip, a discount mall footwear can cost more than $3,000; Catherine Malandrino with teen-pleasing brands like American (French fashions); and Anya Hindmarch (sophisticated Apparel, Quiksilver, Ecko and 7 For All handbags). Look for one-of-a-kind couture at Annie Mankind. Have lunch at Makino, an Asian buffet that’ll please everyone (sushi, salads, Creamcheese Designer Vintage, such as a lurid James Galanos noodle soups, tempura, tons of desserts). top and skirt that’s going for $1,850. (There are also plenty of options for less than $100.) And finally, for your edification, FAO SCHWARZ WHEN IN VENICE: AT THE FORUM SHOPS head to Bauman Rare Books to see a 1935 illustrated edition (clockwise from top) Look for the 47-foot-tall Trojan Horse. of James Joyce’s Ulysses, signed by Henri Matisse. Glass sculptures at Inside are bins of candies and toys galore: Ripa de Monti, part Playmobil pirate ships, stuffed animals (collectible Steiff white tiger, $256) and of the Grand Canal Shoppes; the amazing a video game arcade. Outside is a gelato THEME SHOPPING stand with 16 delectable flavors. linking rings trick at Houdini’s Magic Store, You don’t even have to go outside to connect with the Palazzo’s inside the Miracle Mile; Watch the staff perform tricks at Houdini’s sister mall, the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. Like at romantic gondola ride Magic Shop. Nearby is the hourly (half- the Forum, you’ll feel as if you’re strolling cobblestoned streets on the Grand Canal; hourly on weekends) automated “rain- the shrimp salad at storm”: Lights dim, thunder sounds and under a twilit sky, but here you’re in Venice rather than Rome. Postrio Bar & Grill, a deluge pours down. And how about this? The storefronts resemble Venetian villas, and a quarter-mile- in the Grand Canal’s Ben & Jerry’s is right there. long canal runs through the property, complete with gondolas St. Mark’s Square. and warbling gondoliers. Rest your feet by taking a boat ride The imaginatively designed play area ($15 per person) over the dyed-blue water. is filled with kids climbing in a treehouse, Many shops at the Venetian are chains, but you’ll find actual sliding down poles and roaming the Hedge www Maze. Go on Wednesday for story time Venetian glassware at Ripa de Monti, which carries colorful Go “On Location” (11 a.m.–noon). blown-glass jewelry, vases and sculpture. At the center of it all in Las Vegas at is St. Mark’s Square—just like in Venice, though with a notable endlessvacation.com. lack of pigeons. There are, however, “statues” that suddenly move, revealing themselves to be costumed actors, as well as performances by roving opera singers. Take time to drink it all in over lunch at Postrio Bar & Grill, Wolfgang Puck’s patio restaurant (702-796-1110). A visit to the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace should definitely be on any shopping agenda. Expanded since the 1992 opening, it now offers some 160 stores and more than a dozen restaurants. Every hour, those animatronic figures do their thing, a startling show about the fall of Atlantis punctuated with mist, trumpet music, bolts of lightning and flashes of fire. A 50,000-gallon saltwater aquarium helps set the scene, while the neon Cheesecake Factory sign adds a discordant backdrop. A second animatronic show at the Forum stars Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.

36 SPRING 2010 ENDLESS VACATION 37 stay � RCI-affiliated resorts in Las Vegas include:

GRANDVIEW AT LAS VEGAS This fully equipped 1,500-room resort is centrally located, next to the South Point Casino and near the Strip. 9940 Las Vegas Blvd. S.

MEMBER REVIEWS: “Lying by the pool was a joy, as there were plenty of loungers, tables and chairs.” “Free computer room with eight computers.”

SUMMER BAY RESORTS LAS VEGAS DESERT CLUB The Strip is within walking dis- HILTON GRAND tance of this modern, 648-room VACATIONS CLUB AT resort. Each suite comes with a THE LAS VEGAS HILTON private patio and fireplace.3950 Adjacent to the Las Vegas Hilton, Koval Lane this 2,995-room resort provides world-class accommodations and MEMBER REVIEWS: an array of on-site conveniences. “Free popcorn and coffee were 455 Karen Ave. MALL MAGIC SLOW IT DOWN available every day.” “It was nice to have covered MEMBER REVIEWS: parking right next to your unit.” “Close to all the action but Even the more traditional malls in Vegas offer glitz and Almost everywhere you go in Vegas, there’s music nonstop, a quiet resort.” “The pool bar offered great entertainment. True to its name, Fashion Show puts on piped in from hidden speakers or blaring from above. Add drink specials.” weekend shows, with models strutting the 80-foot-long the clang of the casinos, the rush of traffic and perhaps the catwalk dressed in outfits offered by the mall’s retailers distant gunfire from the pirate show at Treasure Island, and WYNDHAM GRAND DESERT (Fri.–Sun. hourly, 12–6). The mall is near the Palazzo and you may wish to get away from it all. In the slightly seedy Arts A 787-room family-friendly resort the Wynn, and you can’t miss the giant steel canopy called District, close to downtown, low-rise storefronts are being less than a mile from the Strip. “The Cloud.” Suspended 130 feet overhead, it serves as converted to artists’ studios and co-ops that open their doors 265 E. Harmon Dr. a sunshade for the plaza below and doubles as a gargantuan on the First Friday of every month. But visitors are welcome MEMBER REVIEWS: billboard. Fashion Show has 250 shops and restaurants; its six any time (except Sunday, when many places are closed). The “Separate family pool for folks NON-RCI-AFFILIATED anchor stores include Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. Arts Factory (107 E. Charleston Blvd.) displays and sells works with children.” “The game room was awesome.” RESORTS: Visit Boot Star for a throwback to Vegas’s cowboy days. Some by local artists, as does the Place on Main (1054 S. Main St.). THE CLIFFS “Like an oasis in the midst of a 1,500 pairs of cowboy boots line the walls, ranging in price Many newcomers discover this district when they visit the AT PEACE CANYON big city.” WYNN from $200 to $2,500. Most are handmade, fashioned from Attic (1018 S. Main St.; 702-388-4088; closed Sun.–Mon.), A tranquil alternative to the bustle 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 888- of the Strip, this 176-room resort THE CARRIAGE HOUSE 320-9966; wynnlasvegas.com; everything from ostrich to shiny, pebbly stingray hide. where you climb the zebra-patterned stairs to find a vintage- offers barbecue facilities and an Just one block off the Strip, this doubles from $190 per night Though still relatively new, these mega-shopping malls have clothing heaven. (The neighboring Rainbow Feather Co. outdoor fireplace.4550 S. Grand 155-room resort combines the already begun the grand Vegas tradition of reinvention. is where showgirls buy their headdresses.) Canyon Dr. energy of Las Vegas with the PLANET HOLLYWOOD comforts of home. 105 E. RESORT & CASINO To see this firsthand, head to Miracle Mile Shops, on the Strip When asked where locals shop, taxi drivers like to suggest MEMBER REVIEWS: Harmon Ave. 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 877- at Planet Hollywood. Formerly part of the Aladdin resort, two-year-old Town Square, an open-air mall just 10 minutes “Make sure your GPS is current; 333-9474; planethollywoodresort this mall still includes sections with a Moroccan-village look. south of the Strip. The tenants will look familiar: Whole Foods, lots of new roads.” MEMBER REVIEWS: .com; doubles from $89 per night “A regular shuttle bus makes “A quiet treasure.” Other parts have been updated with contemporary color- Old Navy, Borders, even an 18-screen movie theater. But it’s getting to the Strip easy.” “Even the towels were fluffy.” MANDARIN ORIENTAL morphing light fixtures, Warhol-style artworks and even a welcome break in Vegas, with its stage set of “urban” streets, 3752 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; THE VENETIAN 888-881-9578; mandarin 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; upholstered benches (a welcome rarity in this go-go town). its village green (covered in AstroTurf, mind you)—and the For more information, including more member reviews, visit RCI.com oriental.com; doubles from 888-283-6423; venetian.com; Prices are more affordable at many of Miracle Mile’s absence of slot machines. It’s a good place to refresh yourself or call 800-338-7777 (Weeks) or 877-968-7476 (Points). $279 per night doubles from $239 per night EV 170 shops, compared to other outlets in town. H&M is here, before returning to the high-rise fantasyland on the Strip. Club Members, please call your specific Club or RCI telephone number. and a DC Shoes just opened, along with Billabong and THESE BOOTS: (from left) The weekend catwalk at ; CAESARS PALACE LUXOR FOR AN EXTRA SPECIAL RCI® MEMBERS–ONLY DEAL 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 800- 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; Boot Star, also at Fashion Show. Opposite: The “Welcome to Fabulous Steve Madden. For a more permanent souvenir, stop by Club ON EXTRA VACATIONSSM GETAWAYS IN LAS VEGAS, 901-1170; caesarspalace.com; 888-777-0188; luxor.com; Tattoo, partly owned by a band member of Linkin Park. Las Vegas” sign, a longtime landmark on the Strip. SEE PAGE 64. doubles from $157 per night doubles from $75 per night SEQUIN INSETS: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

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