10 Hippest Hangouts in Las Vegas

A sleepless city undergoing an almost constant futurist upgrade, Las Vegas sets a global precedent for attraction fads and trends. Las Vegas' building boom may have subsided, yet restaurants, bars and attractions are constantly reinvigorating their allure with daring alterations, thematic feats of engineering and VIP guests headhunted in accordance with public profile. For some, their best efforts can be in vain, because in Vegas, the cool crowd set their own agenda, be it for lunch hour hook-ups, shopping or alfresco dinner reservations!

Vesper Bar @ The Cosmopolitan Hotel

Less than a year in its prime, Vesper Bar has begun a new wave of mixology madness. Located within the Art Deco inspired Cosmopolitan Hotel, Vesper Bar opened in 2010 to little fanfare considering the entire concept was modeled upon James Bond's signature cocktail. Vesper Bar is one of few recent Vegas launches that lacks the pretentious atmosphere of its contemporaries, welcoming guests from all 'classes', providing they observe the smart-casual dress code. Vesper is also one of the only mixology bars to offer bespoke cocktail creation, prompting guests to become masters of this on-trend art.

N9NE Steakhouse, The Palms Hotel

From their questionable approach to titling, to their repute for exquisite Lobster Risotto and Seared Jumbo Scallops, N9NE Group are setting new parameters for open-plan dining in Vegas. If you were to blend Hard Rock's infamous layout style with the characteristic modernity of Nobu, you'd go some way to imagining N9NE Steakhouse. A popular hangout for celebs, N9NE doesn't segregate based on status, therefore its quite possible you'll end up noshing with anyone from President Barack Obama, to Jennifer Lopez in the next booth along.

Stratosphere, Las Vegas Boulevard South

In the absence of theme parks like Fuerte Ventura, Stratosphere Tower throws up the next best thing. With a jam packed shopping mall located on the ground floor, Stratosphere offers respite for the 'rents as thrill-seeking kids head on up to what can only be described as a G-Force extravaganza of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Where else can you experience the hang-free sensation, spinning at 40 miles per hour at 340 meters above the Strip?

Divebar, Tropicana Avenue

Some might say the name is a fitting description for this grungy Las Vegas biker-bar, but if the locals are to be believed, Divebar props up more than a few examples of homegrown rock 'n' roll talent. Proffering aging ales and Pirates' Blood shots, this isn't a nouveau theme bar for the Mojito crowd. Having said that, it's rumored the bartenders have been trained in the art of mixology, so you never know!

Luv It Frozen Custard Hut, Las Vegas Boulevard

Surely the last place anyone would want to be on a crazy-hot Saturday is sunning themselves outside of an aging ice cream hut? That would probably be the case if the Luv It Frozen Custard hut were now a mere museum relic, however this tiny frozen beverage store continues to be a popular meeting point for young and old alike. As well it should, considering Luv It is a mainstay, frozen in time since it opened its doors in 1971. Luv It's menu has little changed since then either, featuring just five options – including the trademark Banana Split cone.

Marché Bacchus, Regatta Drive

Las Vegas trendiest spots are usually those with some degree of exclusivity - such as a 3-month waiting list. At Marché Bacchus, there exists a somewhat exclusive ambiance, however, it's influenced by the fact this tiny European restaurant is actually invisible from Regatta Drive. To get to it, one must first squeeze through the dim and dusty interior of Marché Bacchus' wine emporium; through a diminutive rear exit and out onto a sun-dappled veranda overlooking a huge faux lake. From Parmesan frites and red onion confit, to the simple five cheese platter, Marché Bacchus offers a continental experience you'll find nowhere else in Vegas.

Foundation Room at House of Blues

Have you even heard of an ultra-lounge? According to fashionistas, an ultra-lounge is loosely defined as boutique bar meets vintage nightclub – with a little more swagger. Foundation Room at House of Blues certainly fits the 'swanky' bill, decked out in earthy tones with a plenitude of quiet booths and cushioned niches. It's been likened to an aged grandparents living room – only with floor cushions, Buddha pop-art and the subtle sweetness of fruity cocktails permeating the air. Casual, yet classy, Foundation Room is the urban chill-out bar of choice for the 20-40 something crowd.

Frankie's Tiki Room, Charleston Boulevard

With capacity for less than 80 revelers, Frankie's is on the bijou side of boutique, however, it hasn't stopped it becoming a hot favorite among the 21-30 weekenders. Graffiti-stylized tiki tables, coupled with embalmed puffer-fish lights create a zany, Halloween kind of atmosphere, perfectly complimented by smoking Zombie cocktails and weird green shots. If you're after a night out that fuses a chemistry lesson with experimental electronica, Frankie's Tiki Room delivers.

Studio 54 @ Encore, MGM Grand

Set across two storeys and 22,000 square feet, Studio 54 is a monster club in comparison to its neighbors. With five bars, four dancefloors and an exclusive VIP corner with views across L.V Boulevard South, it replicates the original MGM-owned dance-space, right down to the scantily clad go-go dancers. Attracting a slew of high profile DJ's including Tiesto and Loczi, Studio 54 serves up a slice of Ibiza at the very heart of the Strip!

Shibuya, MGM Grand

Nobu may be in residence at the Hard Rock Hotel, yet 4 Diamond, AAA starred Shibuya still beats it hands down for its eclectic sake collection and sushi so fresh, it might as well still be walking. World class beers such as Shibuya Pilsner ensure the restaurant remains unpretentious in its allure, prompting everyone from the high-flying 30-something, to downtown natives through its doors. From signature dishes such as Kampachi Sashimi, to tastebud tingling Kobe Beef, Shibuya has a perfect pairing for over 120 sake variants!

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Can U.S. Players Still Gamble Online?

The Alexis Park Resort caters to those who want peace and quiet away from the frenetic gaming of the Strip. The hotel has recently remodeled its premises to offer 500 guest suites in the midst of a profusion of greenery, three luxurious pools (two with hot tubs) and a full-service salon and health club. There is no gaming at the Alexis Park Resort. It is near the Strip, and is directly across the street from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The location is convenient to the UNLV campus, convention venues and shopping.

The Alexis Garden provides traditional American cuisine (seafood, poultry, steak and pasta) at reasonable prices. The wine list offers many "contemporary" options for fine dining, and lots of elegant deserts. The Alexis Garden is also open for breakfast and lunch. The Bar at Alexis Park is not only a sociable meeting place for a cocktail and conversation, but it also serves light fare, like salads, burgers, pizzas, soups and pasta.

The full-service spa provides beauty and body treatments, messages, saunas and steam baths for both genders. The hotel also offers a completely equipped fitness facility with cardiovascular equipment and strength training machines.

Over 40,000 square feet have been decorated in contemporary styling and dedicated to banquets, meetings and special events. The capacity is upwards of 1,600 attendees. The space can be organized flexibly into as many as 25 different meeting rooms of various sizes. Audiovisual equipment is available on site, as well as meeting planning coordination services. The hotel also offers a complete business center.

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Imploded Hotels and Casinos

Aladdin Hotel

The Aladdin opened in 1963 as the English-themed Tally Ho. It was renamed King’s Crown in 1964, and then closed when a gaming license was not issued. It was purchased by Milton Prell and after two years and $3 million, became the Aladdin. Another renovation three years later led to a sale of the property and eventually a massive renovation, including the 19 floors of tower and the large showroom. Neil Diamond sang at the re-opening in 1976. Between 1980 and 1982, Wayne Newton held a part ownership. In 1997, the Aladdin closed for a complete makeover. It was imploded in April of 1998 and was rebuilt and reopened in August of 2000. Financial problems continued for the property, so it was sold again in 2003 to Planet Hollywood and Starwood Hotels (who operate the Westin). The idea was apparently to have Planet Hollywood run the casino and resort, and to re-brand the hotel as part of a prestigious national chain, perhaps a Sheraton. The Aladdin was in a great center Strip location, across from Bellagio and next door to Paris. Its theme, obviously, was 1001 Arabian nights. When it was created it offered a 9-hole, par 3 golf course on premises. One claim to fame is that Priscilla and Elvis Presley were married on the property in 1964.

Alystra Hotel

In early 1995 11 acres at Sunset Road and North Boulder Highway were approved by the Henderson Planning Commission for a gaming enterprise, and in April issued a liquor and gaming license to the Alystra. A condition was the construction of hotel rooms in addition to the casino. In November of 1998, the Alystra closed “temporarily” in order to comply with the requirement of adding 199 rooms to make a hotel. It reopened briefly and closed again in May of 2000 for an expansion. The 15,000 square foot casino had been in opera-tion since 1996, but there was still no hotel. The Alystra did not reopen after that. John and Mary Connors, who had purchased the Alystra in this last go-round of regulatory proceed-ings, ran out of money and subsequently went bankrupt. A chip from the Alystra casino is highly prized by collectors, because the casino was small, and it was open for such a short period.

Big Red’s Casino

Big Red’s was a casino at the north end of the Strip. It opened in 1981 and closed in 1982. The property was later developed for “CBS Sports World Casino” which apparently had nothing to do with the CBS network. They were forced to change their name to plain old “Sports World.” They operated from 1997 through 2001. Now the property is a shopping mall.

Boardwalk Hotel

In 1993 the Holiday Inn opened the Boardwalk. Almost ten years later it was purchased by MGM mirage, who also owned the nearby Monte Carlo. A couple of years later, in 2004, MGM publicized its enormous “CityCenter” project, which is due for completion between 2008 and 2010. The Boardwalk was demolished in May of 2006 for this new construction.

Castaways Hotel

There were really two “Castaways.” The first one was at 3320 Las Vegas Boulevard South, on the Strip, occupying space formerly taken by San Souci. It opened in 1963 under the ownership of Ike Larue, who sold it in 1969 to Howard Hughes. The property closed definitively in 1987. It is where Treasure Island is now. Thirteen years later, on the Boulder Highway (2800 Fremont Street), VSS enterprises pur-chased a casino that had been operating since 1954 called the Showboat. It reopened as Castaways and closed in 2004, filing for bankruptcy protection. Vestin Mortgage became the owner, who sold it through some intermediate owners ultimately to Station Casinos, who scraped the property in January of 2006.

Desert Inn

This property was on the Strip on the site currently occupied by the Wynn Las Vegas. It opened in 1950 as a golf resort and was the fifth hotel on the Strip. It closed in August of 2000. In 1966 Howard Hughes came to stay and overstayed his reservation. When he was asked to give up his rooms (the top two floors), Hughes purchased the hotel. This was the first of many Hughes purchases in Las Vegas. In its “Crystal Showroom” many of the most famous Las Vegas entertainers appeared: Frank Sinatra, Liberace, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Don Rickles, Buddy Hackett and on and on. In 1997 the “DI” -- as it was called -- spent $200 million on a renovation, reducing the rooms from 821 to 715 and adding the Palms Tower, a large pool area and vaulted lobby. In 1998, Starwood Resorts purchased the property for $400 million and operated it for a while. It was sold to Steve Wynn in April of 2000, three days after its 50th birthday celebration, for $270 million. The main tower was destroyed in October of 2001, and the last vestige bit the dust in June of 2004.

Dunes Hotel and Casino

The Dunes was an historic casino and hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. It opened in May of 1955 as the Strip’s tenth hotel entrant. Being at the far south end of the strip as it then was, the Dunes struggled financially. To avoid going under, management instated topless shows in 1957. Minsky’s Follies scandalized a lot of people, including the Nevada legislature, but a Las Vegas tradition was born. The Dunes added a tower in 1961 so that it then had 450 rooms, remodelled in 1964 when it changed hands and again in 1971. It added rooms in 1979 to total 1300. Mirage Resorts (Steve Wynn) purchased the Dunes in 1994 for $75 mil-lion and imploded it a year later to make room for Bellagio.

El Rancho

This historic property was the strip’s first hotel and casino, built on the southwest corner of Route 91 and Sahara Road in the late 1930’s. (Route 91 later came to be called “The Strip”.) According to the story, in 1938, Thomas Hull’s car broke down south of Las Ve-gas, and he looked at the space and imagined a large swimming pool to relieve the heat from the desert. His idea became El Rancho Vegas in 1941, the pioneer in destination re-sorts with gaming, lodging, dining and other amenities all under one roof. In the 1950’s Beldon Katleman, then the owner, started organizing entertainment as a means of attracting guests, and started the musical “revue.” El Rancho was the site of the wedding of Eydie Gormé and Steve Lawrence as well as the Paul Newman-Joanne Woodward nuptial.

In 1960, the casino burnt to the ground in a disastrous fire. The property operated for a while as a regular hotel, and ultimately was purchased by Howard Hughes. William Bennett, known for his development of Circus Circus and Mandalay Bay, purchased the prop-erty from Hughes. Except for a portion of the property occupied by The Hilton Grand Vacation Club, the site is vacant.

Glass Pool Inn

The Mirage Motel operated from its opening in 1952 under that name until 1988. It is not clear why The Mirage was able to make this 46-room motel change its name, but it did, apparently. It was the southern-most motel on the Strip and had a large, above-ground pool that had windows in the side. It closed in 2003 and was demolished a year later.

Hacienda Hotel and Casino

This hotel was historic, opening at the south end of the strip, virtually all by itself, in June of 1956. Warren (“Doc”) Bayley ran the property as owner. The new idea was that a fam-ily, from say, California, might go to Vegas and stay in one place for a resort vacation. The Hacienda had go-karts, miniature golf, and an inexpensive buffet. It also introduced the promotional rate for rooms occupied by the gaming crowd. This property also bought a DC-3 and a DC-4, the later with a piano aboard, briefly operated Hacienda Airlines. In 1959, the Hacienda pioneered the convention business, creating a large, special facility for such events. When Doc Bayley died in the early 1960’s, his wife Judy became the first woman to operate a gaming property on the Strip. The hotel expanded in 1980 and again in 1991, to 1,140 rooms, and added a boxing arena. Circus Circus Enterprises acquired the property in 1995, closing it on December 1, 1996. It was imploded on the last day of 1996 with much television coverage and fanfare, ultimately to make room for Mandalay Bay.

Holy Cow!

Holy Cow! Casino Cafe and Brewery was Las Vegas' first micro-brewery, at the corner of Sahara and the Strip, known by its 14-foot, sunglasses-wearing, Holstein cow on the roof. It closed in March of 2002. Holy Cow! was founded in 1992 by Tom Wiesner (formerly a county commissioner), later to become part of Big Dog's Hospitality Group, an operator of several other local properties. A sentimental favorite amongst locals, Holy Cow! was a victim of the September 11, 2001 drop in tourist traffic and the opening of newer and bigger breweries in the area.

Jackpot Casino

This short-lived casino opened in 1971 at the north end of the Strip. It closed just six years later, in 1977. The property is now part of the Sahara complex.

Klondike Inn

The Klondike Inn opened on the south end of the Strip in 1982 with 150 rooms and suites, a 24 hour restaurant, and a lounge. The small casino had 400 slot machines. The hotel boasted an Olympic-size pool. It closed in 2006 and was demolished shortly thereafter.

Landmark Hotel and Casino

The Landmark Hotel and Casino was started in 1961 on a 22-acre site at the corner of Para-dise Road and Convention Center Drive. Previously, a gas station stood there. Unhappily, the structure sat incomplete for several years due to lack of funds. Howard Hughes bought the property for $8.5 million in 1968 and finished it. It finally opened on July 1, 1969 with 525 rooms. At 346 feet high, the 31-floor tower was the tallest in Nevada. At $20 million, it was one of the most expensive projects as well. The Landmark was distinctive because of its space-age design, with a narrow tower supporting a flying-saucer-like observation area atop. When the Mirage opened in 1988, it signaled a new era for Las Vegas hotels – the time of the gigantic properties. This painted a bleak picture for properties like the Landmark. It closed in August of 1991, purchased by the Convention and Visitors Authority for $16.7 million, and eventually imploded to make room for parking at the Convention Center. At the time it was imploded, on November 7, 1995, it was the second tallest implosion in history (the first was in Rio de Janeiro in 1978). The implosion was filmed to become part of a Hollywood movie.

Lotus Inn Hotel & Casino

The Lotus Inn Hotel & Casino began its operations on the north end of the Strip, really in the City of Las Vegas, in 1973. It was not a financial success, and closed five years later. It became a Roadway Inn.

Lucky Slots Casinov

This small casino opened on the Strip in 1971 and closed its doors in 1981, giving way to a new shopping center.

Marina Hotel and Casino

The Marina Hotel and Casino opened in 1975 with a maritime theme, including the Port of Call Restaurant. It was purchased in 1989 by Kirk Kerkorian, who called it the MGM Ma-rina for a while. It closed in November of 1990 for construction. The structure was not de-molished, but incorporated into the West Tower of the MGM Grand (now Bally's Las Ve-gas), reopening as such on December 18, 1993.

Money Tree Casinov

This small casino opened on the Strip in 1972 and closed five years later, in 1979.

New Frontier Hotel

The New Frontier was located on the Las Vegas Strip since October 30, 1942. It was the Las Vegas Strip's second resort hotel. The Frontier was demolished on November 13, 2007. It started as a nightclub called Pair-O-Dice in 1930, then became The Ambassador Night Club in 1936 and then 91 Club in 1939. On 1942, it was rebuilt and renamed the "Hotel Last Frontier". In 1967, the the New Frontier was purchased for about $14 million by billionaire Howard Hughes, who called it "The Frontier". Developer Phil Ruffin bought the resort in 1998 and changed the name back to The New Frontier.

Nob Hill Casino

The Nob Hill Casino opened in 1978 in the space formerly occupied by Joey's New Yorker Night Club, which itself had opened in 1964. The Nob Hill promoted itself as having really low betting limits (like quarter craps and dime roulette). It closed in 1990 and then re-opened as the Casino Royale in 1992.

Paddlewheel Hotel & Casino

The Paddlewheel Hotel & Casino began operations in 1972 as the Royal Inn Casino. It be-came the Paddlewheel Hotel and Casino in 1986, which was then acquired by Debbie Rey-nolds and reopened as Debbie Reynolds’s Hollywood Hotel in 1993. In 1998 the property then changed hands again, becoming the Convention Center Drive Hotel for two years, and then reopening as the Greek Isles Hotel Casino in 2001, which offers 228 rooms and suites and a casino.

Sands Hotel

The Sands is an historic hotel and casino. It started operations on December 15, 1952, and by one count was the seventh major property on the new "Strip." In 1967 Howard Hughes purchased the resort property for $14.6 million, and then expanded the hotel with a tower and more rooms. Inns of Americas purchased the property in 1981 for $85 million, but then defaulted on their financing. The property was then resold to Kirk Kerkorian for $167 in 1988 (including also the Desert Inn), who then sold out to Sheldon Adelson. After another renovation, the hotel closed on June 30, 1996 and was imploded in December of that year to make room for the Venetian. For 44 years it was a regular haunt of famous entertainers like Milton Berle, Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, Danny Thomas and the Rat Pack. It hosted many U.S. presidents as well including Truman and Kennedy.

Silver City Casino

The Silver City Casino opened on the Strip across from the Stardust in 1973. The casino was then known as The Riata, which changed its name in 1974 to Silver City, and contin-ued in operation as such until closing on Halloween of 1999. In 1981 it was acquired by Circus Circus Enterprises. In October of 1999, Luke Brugnara bought the property, plan-ning to expand into a full hotel-retail-casino operation, but the gaming license was not forthcoming, and so it closed definitively. Now the Silver City Shopping Center occupies the space.

Silver Slipper

The Silver Slipper started operations in September of 1950 as simply a casino, under the name “Golden Slipper Saloon and Gambling Hall.” When the Last Frontier was partially scraped to make room for the New Frontier, this casino separated itself and operated as the Silver Slipper. Howard Hughes’ Summa Corporation owned it for a while, and then demol-ished the structure on November 29, 1988 for its new owner, Margaret Elardi, the operator of the New Frontier next door. She turned the property into a parking lot. The Desert Inn Road Arterial now crosses the land.

Silverbird

This hotel started out life as the Thunderbird on September 2, 1948, across from the original El Rancho at the corner of route 91 (later known as the Las Vegas Strip) and Sahara Road. The theme was Navajo (who honored the thunderbird as a bringer of happiness). It boasted the largest pool in Nevada and had the first Strip porte cochère. A neighboring ho-tel called the Algiers was built to handle guest overflow. A showroom came along in 1954. Del Webb bought the property in 1964 and renovated and expanded the property to 500 rooms.

In 1972 the owners of Caesars Palace bought the Thunderbird, and the property entered into a period of big name entertainment with Broadway shows (South Pacific, Flower Drum Song), ice skating spectacles, and headliners like Henny Youngman, Mel Tormé and Rosemary Clooney (among many, many others). In 1977, the Thunderbird changed hands again, acquired by the owners of the Dunes. They changed the name to Silverbird. Another owner and another renovation came in 1981. It was then renamed El Rancho in 1982. The place closed down in 1992 and stood vacant and partially demolished for several years until it was imploded on October 3, 2000. The neighboring Algiers still stands.

Stardust Resort & Casino

The Stardust first opened its doors in 1958 at a cost of $10 million. It offered 1065 rooms of extreme luxury. The nearby Royal Nevada was incorporated into it, adding 230 more rooms. A 32-floor tower addition came in 1976, and several other facelifts took place along the way. Boyd Gaming purchased the Stardust in 1985. The Stardust is remembered as a hangout of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop (the Rat Pack), as well as the long-time base of operations for Siegfried and Roy. The Star-dust was the backdrop for the book and film “Casino.” One of the Stardust’s innovations was the design and operation of a sports book, which has become the Las Vegas standard. The Stardust closed on November 1, 2006 and was imploded on March 13, 2007 to make room for the 5,300-room mega-project called Echelon Place.

Tally Ho Hotel

This English-themed hotel and casino opened in 1963 and was renamed the King's Crown in 1965. It closed in 1966. The property became the Aladdin and reopened in the same year. It was imploded and re-built in 2000 to become the new Aladdin. Then the Aladdin was sold in 2004, remodeled, rebranded and reopened in 2007 as a Planet Hollywood property.

Vacation Village

The Vacation Village Resort and Casino opened in 1990 with 315 rooms. It operated, evi-dently in a precarious financial condition, for about twelve years. Then, in 2002 Vacation Village was sold out of a bankruptcy proceeding for $18 million and closed down by the new owners, who then sold the property to Centra Properties and Turnberry Associates. The new buyers wanted the land as the future site of the Town Square development project. The building was demolished in 2006.

Vegas World

Vegas World opened on July 13, 1979. Bob Stupak was the founder of this three-acre gambling resort with 102 rooms, where the Stratosphere now is located. Since starting out, Ve-gas World grew to 11 acres and an 18,000 square foot casino with 40 gaming tables and 1,350 slot machines. The TV serial, Crime Story, was filmed at Vegas World in 1987. On February 1, 1995, Vegas World closed for good. The property became land for the Stratosphere and the Stratosphere Tower. It is said that some parts of the old Vegas World still remain within the Stratosphere.

Westward Ho Hotel and Casino

Westward Ho was the last motel-style property on the Strip. It opened in 1963 with a casino and a few rooms, expanding eventually to 744 rooms, three pools, and a 56,000 square foot casino. At one time the casino organized its own private radio station. November 17, 2005 was its last day of operation, following a sale of the property to a Denver developer intent on making condominiums in the space. (An expansion called simply “The Ho” was opened a few months earlier, and then closed at the same time. It was a casino, convenience store and gas station at the rear of the property for travelers along I-15.) No condominiums resulted, however, as a few months later Harrah's Entertainment purchased the property and swapped it with Boyd Gaming for land farther south on the Strip, where the Barbary Coast casino now stands. On the Westward Ho land Boyd has planned its Echelon project. The Westward Ho building itself came down in November of 2006.

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Vegas' Most Famous Hotel Rooms

Ever heard that old adage “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?” With over 67,000 hotel rooms along its 4.2 mile stretch, Las Vegas Boulevard (The Strip) has a larger proliferation of accommodation suites than any other city on Earth. Additionally, nineteen of the world's 25 largest hotels (by room-size) exist within a 3 mile radius of one another along the Neon Strip. At last count, estimations suggest it would take one person 288 years to stay the night in every hotel room on the Strip. Unless you're immortal, you probably don't have that long, but you could easily tour some of the most famous instead!

A household name since 1995, Sam “Ace” Rothstein is up there with some of Las Vegas' most prolific Mob entities as a character whom sought his fortune in Sin City. Fictional Mafia frontman in the hit Scorsese flick “Casino” (played by Robert De Niro), Rothstein was loosely based on the real-life casino executive Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, operator of the old Fremont, Stardust and Hacienda Casinos. The opulent Riviera Hotel Resort just across the Strip was used for most of the internal filming and visitors may still opt to stay in the luxury penthouse suite, used by Robert De Niro (Ace) and Sharon Stone (Ginger). Die hard fans might also want to check out Las Vegas Country Club, since Rothstein's house still stands within the plush neighborhood estate.

Do you have a spare $40,000 knocking around in your wallet? As of 2009, Hugh Hefner's over-indulgent, over-opulent and downright James Bond-esque 'Sky Villa' Penthouse Suite hit headlines as the world's most expensive overnight accommodation. Playboy's founding father has only ever taken up residence at the Palms Palace Hotel, despite impressive aerial views, butler service and mirrored ceilings throughout. Somehow, all of that pales in comparison to the 8-foot rotating bed and super-sized, gold-finished show bath!

Strangely, golf playboy Tiger Woods opted against Palms Palace between 2004 and 2009. Known rather more for his infamous “triple bogey” than his golfing prowess, he chose the timeless elegance of The Mansion at MGM Grand for every 'working weekend'. No aspect of glamor has been omitted from the interior design of this millionaire's home-from-home, including Art Deco finery and a gallery featuring works of Pablo Picasso!

Before Steve Wynn's ambitious buy-out in November 2000, The Desert Inn Hotel and Casino existed as a behemoth reminder of old Las Vegas. Its infamous Crystal Showroom played host to prolific music maestros, including Elvis, Liberace, Dean Martin and The Rat Pack. Self-made tycoon/ film star Howard Hughes was smitten with the over-indulgent grandeur of the place, to the extent he took up residence on both the 8th and 9th floors in 1966. Keen to establish a revolving door client base of the rich and famous, Cleveland mob-leader Moe Dalitz served Howard Hughes his eviction notice on in February 1967. Desperate to retain residency, Hughes served Dalitz with a formal buyout offer for $13 million, on March 1, 1967. Hughes celebrated his victory by painting every window on the 8th and 9th floors black – yet another bold move to distance himself from the glaring flash-bulbs of the paps.

American football players don't have quite the same reputation as those from the UK or Europe, however there is one notable entity whom has fed a decade's worth of newspaper sales for his off-pitch antics. Famously acquitted for the murder of his wife Nicole and her lover Ronald Goldman in 1995, O. J. Simpson found the jury weren't quite so lenient on October 3, 2008, when he was found guilty on 12 counts, including burglary, assault and unlicensed possession of a firearm. The incident occurred on September 17, 2007, when Simpson, accompanied by two other chancing bandits broke into the hotel of Bruce Formong, residing at the Palace Station Hotel, Las Vegas. Simpson (et al) made off with sports memorabilia estimated to be worth around $5 million, later stating in his defense that all the items had been stolen from him!

MGM's grandiose Mirage Hotel Resort has accommodated many a famous rock star, albeit none quite as prolific as the “King of Pop” himself. Michael Jackson had a long and well-documented love affair with the Mirage – they even set aside a suite exclusively for him. Jackson famously holed himself up at the Mirage in 2003, when it emerged police had obtained a warrant to search his Neverland Ranch. Press reports further allege Jackson trashed his suite upon emergence of abuse allegations – although this has never been corroborated by a reliable source. In a rather fitting tribute to his love for the Mirage, Cirque de Soleil announced its plans for “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour” in 2010 – a commemorative show set to open in early 2012.

Over the top is a signature design concept in Las Vegas and none more evident than within penthouse suites along the Strip. At 4,900 square feet, the Hard Rock's hip Penthouse Suite isn't exactly the largest, yet boasts a wealth of signature amenities, including a bowling alley, hand-crafted mosaic bathtub and dining room said to have been modeled in the 'palatial' style. Fancy something a little more Continental? The Bellagio's “Chairman Suite” emulates the exclusivity of a beach-front resort, packing in a solarium, spa and steam showers across 4,099 square feet of space, along with an over-sized pool and two bars. Hidden within the exclusive Four Seasons Hotel (atop the Mandalay Bay) sits a Sky Suite with a difference – it's the only 180 degree suite in Las Vegas. As opposed to the one-sided views offered by most penthouse apartments, the 180 Degree Suite boasts views across the entire Southern portion of the Strip. If that's not a view to enjoy from your over-sized, marble whirlpool tub (with a fresh mimosa at hand) - we don't know what is!

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