There’s no shortage of mischief to be made in Las Vegas - it’s Sin City, after all - but if you’re looking for a break from the hectic party scene, there is another side to city as well.
What to do
You can’t visit Vegas without setting foot in a casino. The most eyecatching venue for a flutter is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States, the Stratosphere Tower, equipped with a rotating restauraunt, the highest SkyJump in the world and the highest bar in the city.
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After all that, a visit to the Spa At Encore may be in order. Their signature 24-carat gold facial (£320) seeks to stimulate and revitalise skin cells using three types of gold, during 80 minutes of pampering.
What to see
The Bellagio Fountain water show is a must-see but - for a fee - you can call the shots too. The resort offers a VIP package that not only has you controlling the entire water show, but you will also receive a 30-litre bottle of Ace of Spades champagne - the equivalent to 40 standard-sized bottles.
For more natural wonders, you'll have to venture outside Las Vegas - without necessarily setting foot outside the city limits. The Grand Canyon West Rim Luxury Helicopter Tour provides an aerial view of one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
“Fly above the Grand Canyon on a helicopter tour from Las Vegas that soars above the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Black Canyon, and then goes into the canyon itself for a spectacular flight over the Colorado River,” says a five-star Trip Advisor review. “This Grand Canyon helicopter tour includes about 70 minutes of flight time and round-trip transport” to the airport.
Where to shop
Take a trip to Venice without leaving the Strip by heading to the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, featuring more than 160 stores, including dozens of the world’s premiere luxury brands. Once you’re done taking a ride down the Grand Canal on a gondola, head over to The Shops at Crystals.
Where to stay
The Venetian also lays on some of the most photographed accommodation in Vegas. Public areas of the hotel are adorned with gargantuan marble pieces, gold-leaf everything and hand-painted art covering the ceilings, while luxury suites also replicate Venetian architecture and design. And it's right in the centre of the Strip.
For a more contemporary aesthetic, book a room at the Mandarin Oriental. It is the only Forbes triple-five-star hotel in the heart of the Strip, offering non-stop access to chic bars, gourmet dining and high end leisure facilities. The suites on the top three floors of the hotel, spanning 3,000 sq ft each, are equipped with a fitness area, dining room and bar.
Where to eat
Dine at MGM Grand's Joël Robuchon , “undoubtedly the most elegant restaurant in town”, according to Vegas Seven. “Perhaps no kitchen in Las Vegas is as respected and as honoured,” it says. The Vegas-based publication recommends soft-boiled egg with smoked salmon and caviar, truffle langoustine ravioli and guinea hen layered with foie gras.
Alternatively, the Picasso in Bellagio serves a Spanish-inspired menu and lays on views of the fountains - and original works of Pablo Picasso on the walls.
