for a true Vegas experience, I was told we had to drive through the desert. which as a desert lover, I didn't mind one bit. we headed out at around 9am with nikki's older brother and younger sister in tow; giving me a mini downtown LA guide as we drove through different neighborhoods and headed onto the freeway. the entire vacation was full of movie references, and with the free way all I could think about was Clueless and the scene were Dionne accidentally get's onto the freeway- luckily nikki's brother is a better driver. we stopped in barstow for lunch where I experienced the heaven that is In-N-Out. as a hamburger hater (I tried a bite of a slider last summer and thought it was fine, but nothing to write home about) this was a huge moment for me. the combination of super skinny burger patties, special sauce, and super fresh ingredients made it incredible- definitely worth the hype!
we rounded out the rest of our desert trek and made it to Vegas with just enough time to enjoy a drink at the hotel before our room was ready. every. single. detail. of the hotel was amazingly gorgeous. word to the wise- if you're not staying at the Wynn without kids/parents/families, head to the topless pool (hardly any topless people) around the corner from the regular pool for a fun club vibe during the day. and of course, a birthday isn't official until you've blown out a candle and made a wish, so we headed to the Venetian for a birthday dinner with friends that were also in town.
the next few days were a blur of amazing food, hardly any sleep, amazing clubs and kick ass DJs (ZEDD happened to be performing at the club we were at- no big deal). since we were in the company of some Vegas VIPS, we hit the hot spots and (thankfully) didn't have to deal with lines, cover, or anything. spots worth mentioning- Drai's (inside the Cromwell), Drai's after hours (if you're still looking to party well into the wee hours of the morning), XS (nikki's favorite spot in Vegas- and for good reason), and the Encore Beach Club (for the most stereo-typically amazing Vegas experience).
we packed up, and headed back into the desert and home to LA after more than enough time in the insanity that is Vegas. next time, I'd love to see a show (Beatles LOVE Show is at the top of my list), and explore some of the other hotels and pools.
have you ever been to Vegas? what are some of your favorite hotels/attractions?
xx, marissa
