There’s always plenty going on in Las Vegas and just back from the city, nothing seems to be generating more excitement than the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix. Formula 1 will take over from November 16 to 18—with the race occurring right on The Strip. The 3.8-mile track will weave through landmarks, casinos and hotels as drivers reach speeds of up to 212 mph.
If you’re looking to stay in style, Palms Casino Resort is offering numerous packages that include F1 tickets, dining credits and more.
The “777 Experience,” which comes in at a whopping (but fitting) $777,000, includes seven nights in the resort’s Empathy Suite, designed by Damien Hirst. Spanning over 9,000 square feet, the Empathy Suite has artworks adorning every surface, two king bedrooms, a private pool and terrace, plus floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of the Las Vegas Strip. The package also includes seven nights in a one-story Sky Villa, two Formula 1 Hospitality Tickets (including access to prime views of the track, the indoor lounge and outdoor terrace, and all-inclusive food and beverage), plus six Grandstand Tickets, also including food and beverage. Completing the experience is dinner for eight at Scotch 80, a VIP table on the rooftop patio at Ghostbar and seven bottles of Ace of Spades Rose at Ghostbar.
Another option is the $75,000 “Formula for Winning Sky Villa Experience,” complete with two nights in a Sky Villa with a private pool and two nights for two Fantasy King Rooms, plus two Formula 1 Hospitality Tickets, four Formula 1 grandstand tickets, dinner for four at Scotch 80 Prime and a VIP Table at Ghostbar.
The last option, the “Formula for Winning Grandstand Package,” includes a stay in a Fantasy King Room for two nights, two Formula 1 grandstand tickets, a $250 dining credit and champagne and Strawberries upon arrival.
In addition, BWT Alpine F1 Team has partnered with The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. As the “Official Casino Partner and Regional Partner” for the team in Las Vegas, The Venetian will offer guests exclusive experiences during the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November.
Several exciting fan experiences and activations will take place at the resort throughout Grand Prix week and include suite and race weekend packages. An ultimate “Alpine and Venetian” experience will include luxury penthouse accommodation and exclusive track action-viewing, as well as meet and greet opportunities with drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
Elsewhere, the Bellagio is currently constructing the Fountain Club, MGM Resort’s premier viewing experience for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Bellagio Fountain Club will provide meet and greet experiences with F1 ambassadors; unlimited food and beverage by top chefs, master mixologists and sommeliers; and access to the Club’s private indoor and rooftop hospitality decks.
A lineup of chefs—including Mario Carbone, David Chang, Michael Mina, Masaharu Morimoto, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio and Jean-Georges Vongerichten—will be on hand to prepare dishes for Club guests. The team of mixologists and sommeliers will curate an open bar of signature cocktails and specialty wines. Chefs will rotate throughout the three days, introducing new menus daily.
Pretty cool: Those seeking excitement behind the wheel can enjoy the Club’s F1 racing simulators. Club guests also will receive transportation from Bellagio to the Paddock, where they will have access to a “Paddock and Pit Lane Tour” and witness teams preparing for the race.
Bellagio Fountain Club packages include three-day event tickets and accommodations within MGM Resorts’ portfolio. While packages for the adjacent Bellagio Grandstands were sold out, at the time of writing, MGM Resorts’ ticket and room packages, including East Harmon Zone Grandstand seats, were still available.
Also in the works for the Bellagio is a $110 million renovation of all rooms and suites within its Spa Tower. Following the resort’s recent remodel of more than 2,500 guestrooms in its main tower, the Spa Tower redesign, which encompasses 819 guestrooms and 104 suites, is slated for completion in October, with the first collection of rooms already available for guest stays.
With a new look led by Champalimaud Design, the Bellagio Spa Tower suites will sport custom furnishings and art influenced by high Italian style and couture. Bedrooms will have tufted headboards, soft uplighting, custom TV armoires, curvilinear sofas, benches and chairs. Within the suites’ bathrooms, guests will find custom vanities integrated with lighted mirrors and white marble surfaces, as well as motion-sensor lights.
Top options here include the 850-square-foot Salon Suites, 1,000-square-foot Bellagio Suites, 1,500-square-foot Penthouses, 1,500-square-foot, two-bedroom Bellagio Suites and 2,500-square-foot Executive Hospitality Suites, which have billiards lounges and home theaters for entertaining.
Led by The Gettys Group, Spa Tower guestrooms will mirror the Bellagio Tower’s recently redesigned main tower rooms. Guests can expect elevated design elements, including marble floors, custom furnishings, illuminated bathroom mirrors inlaid with mother of pearl and a separate soaking tub and shower.
In 2024, resort guestroom enhancements will culminate with the redesign of the Bellagio Tower’s approximately 400 suites.
Another MGM Resorts property, New York-New York, launched a $63 million room remodel project in August of last year that was completed this summer. All 1,830 rooms and 155 suites now sport new designs and upgraded amenities.
Crafted by HVS Design, the remodel includes details that harken to New York City, such as rooms with exposed faux brick walls and accent colors like “Big Apple Red” and “Taxicab Yellow.” Rooms also now incorporate modern conveniences, including moveable work surfaces, readily available USB/USB-C power outlets and additional shelving and closet space.
The room remodel follows the resort transformation that included the previously launched “Mad Apple,” the refurbished and rebranded Big Apple Coaster with new trains for a smoother ride, as well as the revamped Big Apple Arcade with updated games and the latest RFID technology.
For inquiries at either Bellagio or New York-New York, travel advisors may reach out to Katie Ladomerszky (kladomerszky@mgmresorts.com), director of global sales, MGM Resorts International.
Good to know: Marriott International and MGM Resorts International in July announced an exclusive long-term strategic licensing agreement and the creation of “MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy,” which launch in October; it will encompass 17 of MGM’s resorts, representing more than 40,000 rooms in Las Vegas and other cities in the U.S.
Of the 17 MGM resorts that will join MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, four will join existing Marriott collection brands: Bellagio Resort & Casino will join The Luxury Collection, ARIA Resort & Casino will join the Autograph Collection, Park MGM will become part of Tribute Portfolio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will continue its affiliation with Autograph Collection.
The remaining eight in Vegas will join MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy (with the last five in other U.S. locations also joining the collection).
Dining and Entertainment
If racing isn’t your thing, well, there are myriad other shows and experiences to opt for.
Lady Gaga returned to Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas in August, hosting a number of additional “Lady Gaga: Jazz & Piano” shows. Although most of the dates are in September, she will be doing three shows in October. Also at Park MGM, Bruno Mars added five December 2023 performances, including two New Year’s weekend shows. In addition, Usher announced the final 12 dates in November and December for his “Usher: My Way The Vegas Residency” at Dolby Live at Park MGM.
Looking a bit further down the line, Garth Brooks announced a new slate of shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for 2024. Shows are on various dates from April to July. What’s cool: Each show has a different guest performer, who might include varying band members, a fiddle player, percussionist or backing vocals.
Shania Twain is also making her return to The Strip. Her new residency, “Shania Twain: Come on Over – The Las Vegas Residency – All The Hits!” at the Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, debuts in May 2024. There will be 24 performances across May, August, September, November and December.
Donny Osmond, additionally, extended his solo residency at Harrah’s Las Vegas Showroom through May 2024. The show includes an audience interactive segment where anyone can request any song he’s ever recorded. New dates are available from January through May.
Bidding adieu to The Strip, Foreigner will headline a two-part “Feels Like the Last Time Farewell Tour” residency at The Venetian Theatre. Shows will be held in March to April, then October through November.
The B-52s also announced five additional dates for their residency at The Venetian Theatre in 2024, with performances to be held in April.
If a comedy special is more your thing, Jerry Seinfeld is returning to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in 2024 with six performances of an all-new show. Performances are in April, August and September.
On the dining front, there’s also plenty new that’s worth checking out. In June, the Mediterranean HaSalon by Chef Eyal Shani opened at The Venetian. During our recent visit, we dined here and although we were at first a bit perplexed by some of the dishes on the menu—“Tomato Mosaic,” “Spinach Melting Into Himself” and “Horrible Hammer”—the food was some of, if not, the best we had on our trip.
The restaurant offers two seating per night, with the first being a more traditional dining experience, while the latter includes a DJ performance, inspiring guests to get up and dance.
We also received a sneak peek of the food that will be available at the upcoming LPM Restaurant & Bar, opening this fall at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Those familiar with the restaurant can expect its French Riviera-style menu, but with some Las Vegas-esque surprises. If you’re looking for the perfect cocktail to pair with your meal, might we suggest the savory and refreshing Tomatini.
Slated to open this winter, James Beard Award-winner Michael Mina will introduce Orla to Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. A new concept for the chef, the seafood-focused restaurant will blend the flavors of Greece and the Mediterranean with the spices of the Middle East.
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