Lauren Balsamo / Khadija Horton
If you’d asked me what my opinion on Vegas was a few months ago, I would have said, “eh, not my thing.” I don’t play, I like to go to bed early and buffets stress me out. All of the things that I * thought * were quintessential Vegas don’t really do it for me, so it just never was high on my list.
It wasn’t until I visited Resorts World in late September that I became Vegas. Resorts World has EVERYTHING – from Michelin-starred restaurants to next-generation spa treatments – and you don’t have to empty your bank account at the roulette table or stay up all night drinking Red Bulls vodka to enjoy. Even if you’re not a Vegas person at heart, this place will win you over. Check out all of my shots below to see for yourself.
(PS the author received a free stay / meals / treatments / experiences to write this review.)
Where are you
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Resorts World is brand new: it opened this summer and is the first resort built on the Vegas Strip in over a decade. The property consists of three different hotels, each in its own wing and with its own decor and ambience.
There’s the chic Crockfords (the most luxurious of the three for the high roller players), the more family-friendly Hilton (it’s the biggest and cheapest option), and the sleek Conrad (it felt the most modern to me). I am probably biased for staying at the Conrad, but if your going to Resorts World I recommend booking a room there. The atmosphere is chic but not stuffy and the rooms and suites are super spacious – ideal for a trip with your SO or as a starting point for a fun weekend for girls.
Your Las Vegas packing list
L * Space Lee Lee bikini top
Gucci Square GG Injected Sunglasses
Saint Laurent Paris baby shoulder bag in quilted leather
ASTR The Label Trinity dress in black
Where you hang out during the day
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Vegas is HOT (it was a chilly 101 degrees in September …) so if you want to spend some time outdoors on your trip I recommend heading to one of the resort’s seven different pools. There’s the family pool (skip it if you’re kid-free), the resort’s main pool (which is really made up of four huge pools), a cabana pool that is a little more private, and then the ~ exclusive ~ VIP pool. The VIP pool has better views and more comfortable chairs, but the resort’s main pool is honestly just as fun.
Hot tip if you’re hanging out by the main pool: don’t waste the extra $ on one of the floating daybeds and grab one of the red lounge chairs by the pool instead. Most of them are shaded, and when the UV Index is 10 then this shading is absolutely necessary if you don’t want to feel like you are melting in your chair.
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Where you hang out at night
Vegas is synonymous with A + nightlife, and the options at Resorts World won’t disappoint. And there is also something for every mood. So if fist pumping isn’t your thing until 4 a.m., NBP is it. Here is a quick rundown of the places not to be missed:
- Starlight on 66– Located on the 66th floor, this lounge bar is the perfect place to have a glass of champagne and take in the sunset views of the Strip
- Dawg House Saloon– classic Nashville bar with delicious snacks (the Tater Tots are a dream) and live country rock music
- Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den—Hidden whisper bar (password is Meow, bc of course) behind Ms. Meow’s Mamak stall in Famous Foods
- Redtail– cool pregame spot with games and loads of TVs to watch sports if that’s your thing (it’s right next to Zouk so people go from 9-11 as the first stop of the evening)
- Zouk– Giganto nightclub with resident artists like Zedd and Tiesto (don’t go early, the DJ usually comes around 2am)
- Ayu—Classic Vegas pool party spot where you can (and should) take 324,782 selfies in your cutest swimsuit
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What you eat
I think one of the best things about Vegas is the restaurants, and the options at Resorts World don’t disappoint. There are more than 40 (!!) restaurants and drinks to explore on the property, but these were my favorites:
- Viva—Modern Mexican with delicious margins and tacos from celebrity chef Ray Garcia
- Kusa Nori-Sushi, sashimi, and tons of other seafood options (get the oysters, they come on a cool smoked platter)
- Famous foods– a collection of street food-inspired stalls from around the world (good for a quick lunch or a late night snack)
- Wallys– Epic wine bar with equally epic cheese and sausage boards (first-class happy hour spot)
- Fuhu—Trendy Asian fusion with steak, sushi and more
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How do you relax
I went to a lot of spas in my day (Beauty Editing Perks), but Resorts World’s Awana is up a notch my friends. It’s ultra-modern, breathtaking, and huge too – there are multiple plunge pools, a steam room and sauna, therapeutic hot and cold showers, and a number of cozy corners to lounge around. You could literally spend the whole day in your fluffy bathrobe and just hop around.
And the treatment menu is extensive. There are facials, massages, body scrubs, foot treatments, and more, all of which are inspired by European and Eastern traditions. I tried the Tokyo Escape Massage, the Phoenix Rising Foot Treatment and the Hydrafacial – all of them were fabulous and left me with a total zen feeling and skin that was very glowing.
The coolest thing about Awana IMO is the social aspect. Clapping with friends, toasting champagne glasses, and lolling about the ridiculous things you did the night before is perfectly acceptable – even encouraged. Certain treatments, such as the foot massages, are booked for communal groups, and you can even book a social sauna experience with your friends called the Art of Aufguss. Basically, you sweat buckets for 15 minutes while the sauna master puts on a show with music, dance, aromatherapy, and theater lighting. It’s like the spa edition of Cirque du Soleil … something that can literally only happen in Vegas.
Meg Blaire
Meg Blaire
When you go
Vegas is a year-round destination, but if you want comfortable temperatures and plenty of pool time, I’d travel between March and May and September and November. Summer, as I mentioned earlier, can be excruciatingly hot, and winter temperatures fluctuate around the 50s and 60s. And since Vegas is a desert, there is no rainy season either (in fact, it’s one of the sunniest cities in the US). My best advice? Plan your trip according to the resort’s event schedule – you may be able to snag tickets to see Katy Perry or Luke Bryan while you’re in town.
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