Cupid at the Casinos
by Felicia Lowenstein Niven
Love is in the air. Florists everywhere ready dozens of red roses. Candy makers place truffles in heart-shaped boxes. And in the spirit of the season, Cupid comes calling at the casinos. It must be Valentine’s Day.
The holiday that originated with Saint Valentine has blossomed into a significant celebration. These days, you may feel that roses, chocolates and a card might not be enough of a statement to symbolize your love. If you’re looking for a special way to Wow! your sweetheart, you may want to head to a casino. You may be surprised at just how well the resorts do “romance.”
Following are highlights of casino happenings throughout the U.S. With special packages and promotions—and, of course, the perfect setting—you can make this Valentine’s Day an Affair to Remember.
Atlantic City
This seaside resort is “Always Turned On,” according to the city tagline. That’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. And without the beach-bound summer crowds, February is an ideal time to visit Atlantic City.
The newest property in town, the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, is poised and ready for Valentine’s Day. Borgata offers a special romance package for $229 that includes accommodations for two people in a Classic Room, champagne and strawberries, and a $50 dining credit. The credit can be used at any of Borgata’s fine dining restaurants, including Bobby Flay Steak, Wolfgang Puck American Grille, SEABLUE—A Michael Mina restaurant, Old Homestead Steakhouse, Specchio and Ombra.
To get you in the mood, Spa Toccare at Borgata offers a unique “Peppermint Twist” body treatment. Billed as “candy with all of the sweetness and none of the carbs,” it includes a pure cane sugar exfoliation followed by a moisturizing treatment of coconut, sweet almond and vitamin E oils.
At Harrah’s Atlantic City, make a splash at The Pool, a new indoor oasis that is ideal for an intimate evening. Amid palm trees in a lush tropical paradise, the pool is housed under a 90-foot glass dome and open year-round. Here, you can rent a private cabana complete with plasma televisions, iPod docking stations and relaxing couches. Grab a drink at the bar, relax in the hot tub, or dance the night away at The Pool—After Dark, when area DJs rock the place with an eclectic mix of popular music.
At The Pier at Caesars, adjacent to Caesars Atlantic City, you’ll find a variety of romantic venues. Buddakan brings to mind images of the Orient Express. Created by restaurateur Stephen Starr, Buddakan makes patrons feel as if they are dining under the stars while still enjoying the comfort of the indoors. A series of “opium den”-style rooms provide guests with semi-private dining nooks. There is a twilight sky, a façade of houses with clay roofs, and a courtyard that replicates an ancient Chinese village. The modern Asian cuisine is the perfect complement to the sumptuous setting.
Biloxi/Gulfport
The Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel has several locations, one of which is in Biloxi, MS, on the beautiful Gulf Coast. The property features 1,300 slots, 31 table games, three restaurants, 711 hotel rooms (including 200 suites), and a European spa.
The property’s signature steakhouse, Farraddays, offers “A Lovely Dinner for Two” for just $89.99 plus tax. Choose from the house filet, signature prime rib or domestic black grouper for the entrée and Farraddays’ fried strawberries with raspberry-blackberry sauce or tall chocolate cheesecake for dessert. A complimentary glass of select wine is included.
Connecticut
The largest casino in the world can be found in Connecticut. Foxwoods Resort Casino offers 340,000 square feet of gaming space in a complex that covers 4.7 million square feet.
The property also promises a “setting for whatever mood you’re in.” For Valentine’s Day, that might be the AAA Four Diamond-rated Paragon restaurant. This elegant venue offers gourmet dining with an incomparable view from its location on the 24th floor.
But first, visit the Grand Salon at Foxwoods—the place to relax and unwind before exploring the mammoth resort. Enjoy a massage, mud wrap, hydrotherapy, whirlpool, or a refreshing steam. The Grand Salon staff is always on hand and ready to pamper you, ensuring that you look your best for your special evening.
The Mohegan Sun offers five fine dining restaurants, from Michael Jordon’s Steak House to celebrity chef Todd English’s Tuscany. Whether you crave the Asian cuisine of the Bamboo Forest or the regional Italian dishes at Pompeii & Caesar, there is something for everyone.
Take time to visit Wombi Rock, a glowing three-story crystal mountain at Leffingwells, home to the property’s famous martini bar. Or try the Taughannick Falls Bar, where you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail with the powerful rush of a 55-foot indoor waterfall as a backdrop.
Lake Tahoe
California and Nevada meet at Lake Tahoe, one of the most scenic destinations for Valentine’s Day. There are six 24-hour casinos in the South Lake Tahoe area, and, together, they offer 7,051 slot machines and 411 table games.
MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa is a naturally romantic choice—it’s the only casino in the area with a wedding chapel that features a view of the majestic lake. (The chapel will be open for wedding vow renewals on February 14. Contact Rachel Brunsman at 775-586-2074 for details.)
The property outlines a suggested Valentine’s Day itinerary that begins with breakfast in bed. Then, you can take a horse-drawn open sleigh ride along the historic Pony Express trail, located directly across the street from MontBleu. Or, hop aboard the Heavenly Gondola (just steps away from the property) for some Valentine’s Day skiing or sightseeing.
In the afternoon, it’s time for pampering. Indulge in a couple’s massage at Onsen Spa. Afterwards, take a dip in the heated pool, where you can reaffirm your love for each other behind the cascading waterfall.
Start the evening at Opal Lounge for sophisticated cocktails in a chic setting before heading into Ciera Steak + Chop House for dinner. Close the meal with chocolate-dipped strawberries served atop a foggy mist of dry ice, and a glass of supple red wine from their award-winning collection.
Then, kick up your heels to the tunes of live DJs and percussionists at BLU nightclub. Reserve a VIP “bed” booth for an intimate retreat from the dance floor. When you can party no longer, retire to your in-room Jacuzzi, conveniently large enough for two, and let the bubbles work their magic!
Las Vegas
Las Vegas offers more than its share of romance, with plenty of memorable dining and entertainment options.
Bellagio’s world-famous fountains, where streams of water dance to a spectacular show of light and music, is an ideal start—or end—to a Valentine’s Day celebration. You can take in expansive views of Bellagio’s Mediterranean-blue lake and enjoy the free Fountains of Bellagio from the outdoor patio of the Fontana Bar. This upbeat lounge is the perfect place to take in the sights while enjoying a premium cocktail or two.
Just beyond Bellagio’s gracious lobby lies the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, a kaleidoscope for your senses. Row upon row of exotic plants and flowers create an inviting backdrop for beautiful photos.
While you’re there, check out Jean-Philippe Pâtisserie at the Bellagio. The first truly European-style pastry shop in Las Vegas, Jean-Philippe Pâtisserie whets the imagination as much as the appetite with an incredible selection of sweet and savory items, including chocolates, cookies, cakes, crepes, salads, sandwiches and much more. The pastry shop also features the world’s largest and tallest chocolate fountain.
Finally, if you’re ready to propose, say “I Do” or renew your vows, Bellagio offers the Wedding Chapels and Terrazza di Sogno (Terrace of Dreams). Both chapels are inspired by timeless European design. The Fountains of Bellagio can even be timed to soar skyward at the exact moment of the long-awaited first kiss as man and wife.
The property even offers a “Proposal” package that includes a single, long-stemmed red rose, two European, hand-designed and mouth-blown champagne flutes, a bottle of Dampierre Champagne, Bellagio’s Jean-Philippe Maury Signature Ballotin of hand-made gourmet chocolates and dinner for two at Picasso or Circo (beverages, beverage tax & beverage gratuity not included).
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino has set the stage for Valentine’s Day. At Fleur de Lys, renowned Chef Hubert Keller brings his talent and finesse for contemporary French cuisine to three-, four- and five-course prix fixe dinners. A 12,000-bottle wine loft with a private-cellar master’s table that overlooks the main dining room and curtain-draped cabanas on the dining room floor offer intimate and unique settings in which to dine.
Soaring high atop THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, with astounding views of the Las Vegas Strip, you’ll find Mix—a perfect combination of culinary art, cutting-edge interior design and ultra-chic ambiance. Mix marks the debut of world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse in Las Vegas. The restaurant offers contemporary and classic French and American dishes. Guests dine in the glow of a 24-foot chandelier featuring 15,000 hand-blown glass spheres custom made in Italy. It is, undoubtedly, the epitome of elegance.
Ladies, if you’re looking for the perfect thing to wear for your Valentine, check out the Champagne Suzy Boutique at Mandalay Place. Owned by “the royal couple of Hollywood and Las Vegas nightlife,” Ivan Kane (of burlesque nightclub “Forty Deuce” fame) and Champagne Suzy, the store celebrates the art of “sexy.” The burlesque-inspired couture costume collection features gowns, corsets, bras, and panties. Or slip into the signature Forty Deuce nude mesh bras, complete with pasties. Many of the intimate pieces also double as sexy evening outerwear for the woman who’s not afraid to flaunt it. But it may be more fun to retire to one of Mandalay’s vibrant (and remarkably affordable) Spa Suites. After all, Suzy’s merchandise does come with directions: “Take it home, and take it off!”
At the MGM Grand. “Steamy” and “sensual” are adjectives that could apply to many of the massive property’s amenities. MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris is an exact replica of the internationally acclaimed French show. Famous for productions that showcase beautiful women, Crazy Horse transforms the nude female form into a canvas, projecting light and images onto the skin for moving, multi-textural example of performance art.
For dinner, stay with the French motif and sample Joël Robuchon’s legendary cooking skills at his exclusive namesake restaurant, Joël Robuchon at The Mansion. It is a rare opportunity to experience this chef’s formidable talent; traditional French cuisine is served in a setting reminiscent of 1930s Paris.
Looking for a room with a view? MGM Grand can accommodate. The SKYLOFTS offer a private sanctuary of elegant, two-story villas located on the top two floors of MGM Grand. This is the height of luxury, for the guest who wants to be pampered with AAA Five Diamond Award-winning service and amenities. Each of the 51 Lofts feature 24-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows, providing dramatic views of the world’s most eclectic skyline from every angle. Lofts are available in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. A stay at SKYLOFTS includes 24-hour concierge and butler service, complimentary airport transportation in a Maybach 62 limousine, in-Loft check-in, preferred seating at world-class restaurants and entertainment venues, and much more.
Guests can also call on the services of the “Dream Butler” for such things as a selection of nine different pillows and a unique assortment of sleeping aids, ranging from calming teas to CDs of soothing music. The “Spa Butler” will come when summoned and prepare a relaxing spa experience for guests in their private, in-Loft, infinity-edge tub. Baths can be drawn with a selection of fragrant oils and salts, and candlelight and calming music is available to complete the unforgettable setting.
At New York-New York, in The Bar at Times Square, you can surprise your loved one with an unexpected, public declaration of love. Dueling pianists perform nightly in this high- energy bar with a New York flair and frequently make special announcements at patron request.
It should be noted that all MGM Mirage Las Vegas properties (Bellagio, Treasure Island, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, Luxor, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, New York-New York and Circus Circus) cater to romantics. You can, for example, request that your room be strewn with rose petals. Other romantic in-room options range from chocolate-covered strawberries served with champagne to floral arrangements and gift baskets personalized for your special occasion.
The Venetian offers its own brand of romance. Where else can you take an outdoor—or indoor—gondola ride in the middle of the desert? Legend says that when a couple kisses underneath the Bridge of Sighs (beautifully reproduced inside the resort, spanning the Grand Canal), they will be assured eternal love. It should be noted that, if you wish to secure a gondola—especially on a day like Valentine’s Day—you must make your reservations in person. Only same-day reservations are accepted ; ticket sales open daily at 9 a.m. for the indoor ride and 10 a.m. for the outdoor excursion. (For questions or special requests, call (702) 414-4300.)
While, according to PR staff, the gondola ride is the number one location for proposals at The Venetian, the wine towers at AquaKnox and Valentino’s come a close second.
Executive Chef Tom Moloney designs a private, chef’s dinner for two in AquaKnox’s water-encased walk-in wine tower. This table is only open to one couple per night, and reservations are made up to one year in advance. As an alternative to this highly coveted seating, there’s Valentino’s Restaurant, where you can enjoy dinner for two seated in a wine tower among more than 24,000 award-winning bottles. The chef’s tasting menu features creative Italian cuisine that has garnered numerous nods from Wine Spectator, Bon Appetit, and Las Vegas Life.
After dinner, you can take what is arguably Las Vegas’ most romantic production. Phantom—The Las Vegas Spectacular reunites Andrew Lloyd Webber, director Hal Prince, choreographer Gillian Lynne and others from the show’s original creative team. This 95-minute spectacular includes every song from the original production.
End the evening in one of the Venezia Concierge Level Suites where you and your Valentine can indulge in a butler-drawn bath. In a candlelit room, with romantic music playing, you’re immersed in rose petals and aromatherapy of rose-infused body oils while sharing chocolate-dipped strawberries and champagne for two.
Reno
Billed as the “Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno offers its fair share of romance. And, in this neck of the woods, Cupid especially favors the Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno.
“We’re a family owned and operated casino—one of the few left in the country, and one of the few that is privately owned,” noted Gregg Carano, corporate director of food and beverage. “This is an Italian American family that has been in Reno since the 1890s. We’re very well known for our Italian food and homemade pasta. We also make our own wine and beer and roast our own coffee.”
Carano suggests starting a Valentine’s Day celebration at the Brew Brothers for award-winning beer or enjoying a glass of wine in Cin Cin (pronounced “Chin Chin”—an Italian toast that translates as “good health and long life.”
“We just recently opened Cin Cin,” says Carano, “and it’s one of the most beautiful and romantic lounges anywhere. It’s intimate, only seating 70.”
Cin Cin opens into La Strada, the property’s signature Italian restaurant, with an ambience that brings to mind a gracious wine-country home in Italy.
For a more formal evening, try the Eldorado’s fine dining experience, the Roxy.
“The Roxy is reminiscent of Paris,” said Carano. The restaurant and bar was developed in collaboration with San Francisco restaurant designer Pat Kuleto, of “Kuleto’s,” “Postrio’s” and “Boulevard” fame. Roxy features seven distinct exterior and interior façades, creating an enchanting Mediterranean village atmosphere. The seven settings include a “centuries-old” wine cellar connected to a wine warehouse, a turret to an old city wall, an authentic Parisian-style bistro, an old-fashioned exhibition bakery, a European sidewalk café, and a wonderful atrium bar that brings to life Toulouse-Lautrec’s vision of Paris.
“Nobody in Nevada does desserts better than the Roxy,” said Carano. “Finish off your evening with Chocolate Chunk soufflé. Everyone falls in love with it.”
For February, the Eldorado will be offering a signature martini called the “Flirtini,” one of 102 on the menu. The Flirtini is a coy mix of Pink vodka and Cherri Berri Pucker, garnished with a Cherri Sugar Rum and a cherry marinated in three-olive Cherry Vodka.
In addition, the property offers a Lover’s Package, starting at $249 midweek and $299 on the weekends. The package includes an upgrade to a Players’ Spa Suite, a bottle of J Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries delivered to your room upon check-in, VIP turndown service, one complimentary in-room movie (up to $15 value), and a continental breakfast for two delivered to your room the following morning.
And the List Goes On…
There just isn’t enough space in this feature to cover all of the beautiful opportunities American casino-resorts offer for a Valentine’s Day infused with excitement, entertainment, and, of course, pure romance.
For example, each of the Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel locations are featuring red hot Valentine’s Day entertainment. See a tribute to Patsy Cline in Bettendorf, IA, or Davy Jones of the Monkees in Boonville, MO. The Kansas City location will feature a “Diamonds & More” giveaway; the Waterloo, IA, Property has a “Fire and Ice” promotion; and you can win a red Corvette or $10,000 cash at the Isle of Capri in Pompano Beach, FL.
Another option: head to Niagara Falls—a natural landmark that has, for generations, been synonymous with romance—for breathtaking views and plenty of gaming action. The only casino on the American side of the Falls, Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel offers over 4,200 of the newest slot machines, more than 100 table games and 147,000 square feet of gaming space. There is also fine dining, entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights and loads of shopping, so you can be certain you’ll find the ideal trinket for your special someone.
As you can imagine, the list just of unique, richly themed romantic casino hotspots goes on and on. If you still haven’t found that perfect spot in which to celebrate your love, let your fingers do some surfing on the World Wide Web. Most resorts have detailed websites that describe the very best their property has to offer. And don’t be afraid to call and ask to speak to a casino host, VIP Services or concierge. If you are all out of ideas, these folks can suggest things you may have never thought possible.
But, whatever you choose to do this Valentine’s Day, remember this: Love is the greatest gift of all!
I Do… Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford did it. So did Jon Bon Jovi, Dudley Moore, Jane Fonda, Paul Newman, and, of course, The King. They got married in Las Vegas, unofficially known as the “marriage capital of the world” because of its minimal requirements and multitude of chapels. And what better time of the year to get married than on Valentine’s Day? It’s one of the most popular days in Vegas to walk down the aisle, according to wedding websites (the others being New Year’s Eve and what was considered the “jackpot” anniversary date—07/07/07). It’s easy to arrange any kind of wedding ceremony you desire in Las Vegas, from something elegant to something…Elvis. Las Vegas requires neither blood tests nor a waiting period. Simply bring proof that you are 18 years of age and $55 cash to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau. It’s open 8 a.m. to midnight, including holidays, at the corner of Clark Avenue and Third Street. Once you get through the line of anxious couples, you’ll get your marriage license within minutes. (Do note that, on days such as Valentine’s Day, the line outside the Bureau can be long—very long! For less stress, plan on getting your marriage license at least one day before your Big Day.) If you’re happy with a civil ceremony, you can do that for an additional $50 at the Marriage Commission of Las Vegas. Bring a witness with you, though, or else you’ll have to wait until another couple arrives. If you prefer to design your own ceremony, there are plenty of options, from formal black-tie affairs to rhinestone-studded Elvis impersonators, Star Trek themes to the sights and sounds of Venice, and more. Many of the Las Vegas casinos have chapels, with the advantage that you can hold your reception and go on your honeymoon without ever leaving the building. Don’t worry about packing a wedding gown or tuxedo. There are plenty of places in Las Vegas that rent them. In addition, most chapels can handle all your photography, music, floral and videography needs as well, for prices far below what it would cost to hold a similar wedding anywhere else in the U.S. For a list of chapels, visit www.visitlasvegas.com/vegas/play/weddings. For the Office of Civil Marriages, go to www.co.clark.nv.us/CLERK/Civil_Marriage.htm. |