Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace operates under an Asian theme that is sometimes Japanese, sometimes Chinese, and often Polynesian. The aim is always to be luxurious and elegant. The hotel also likes to be known as the "IP" to make it more appealing to the hip crowd. This 2,640 room hotel stands in the center of the Las Vegas Strip, across from Caesars Palace, and between the Flamingo and Harrah's.

The Las Vegas Monorail has a stop in the center of the Strip at the Imperial Palace, connecting this property to the Convention Center and to many other hotels and casinos along the Las Vegas Strip.

Auto Collections is an automobile showroom, covering 125,000 square feet and displaying over 250 unusual automobiles, most of them for sale. They include classic cars, antiques and customized vehicles. Names like Rolls Royce, Duesenberg, Bugatti, Hupmobile, and Packard give a sense of the diversity found there. There is a small fee for entry. Auto Collections is on the 5th level of the parking building.

The Casino covers a spacious 75,000 square feet. Celebrity look-alike dealers (e.g., Lib-erace, Barbara Streisand, Madonna and Elvis) provide table games like roulette, craps and blackjack, Caribbean stud, Let It Ride, and Pai Gow Poker. Video poker, keno and other machines (like slot machines offering Megabucks and Wheel-of-Fortune) are distributed throughout the casino. There is a separate poker area in the casino itself. The race and sports book can accommodate 290 fans. It has 265 individual TVs and 20 large screens (the biggest of which is 5 feet square).

The Nomiya Lounge is an elegant setting for a nightcap or a drink before dinner, with live piano music on weekends. The Geisha Bar and the Ginza Bar are both in the casino area, offering video poker as well as cocktails. Also near the main casino is the Mai Tai Lounge, which serves, as the name implies, lots of Polynesian cocktails. Nearby guests can also go to the Sake Bar. The poolside option is the Shangri-La. There is even a Daiquiri Bar on the sidewalk out front in the event of a cocktail emergency.

The Fireside is a barbecue restaurant, offering barbecued ribs and many choices usually found in a steakhouse. Seafood dinners are also an option, like garlic-cilantro scallops. Ming is an elegant Mandarin restaurant also with Cantonese dishes on the menu, so duck and lobster are both on the menu as well as many traditional Chinese dinners. Embers serves steaks and lobster in a steakhouse format, and is said to be one of the more romantic atmospheres for dinner in Las Vegas. Casual seafood dining is available at The Cockeyed Clam, where a guest can order chowder, shrimp, lobster roll, crab cakes and daily fish specials. Informal places to eat include the Pizza Palace (pasta, pizza, sandwiches and salad bar); the Teahouse (around the clock coffee shop); Burger Palace (mainly burgers, as the name implies); Betty's Diner (soup, sandwiches, pastries and ice cream parlor favorites); and the Emperor's Buffet (serving, what else? - a full, traditional Las Vegas casino buffet).

During the summers for several years the IP periodically throws a pool party called the Imperial Hawaiian Luau with all the traditional elements, as well as tropical drinks. Mai tai's and hula lessons precede a show featuring dance from many Polynesian localities.

Legends in Concert is a revue of convincing impersonators of Las Vegas stars, permanently established at the Imperial Palace. These talented actors are euphemistically called "tribute performers" in Las Vegas. Tom Jones, John Lennon, Cher, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Elton John, Madonna, Dolly Parton, the Blues Brothers, Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, and of course, Elvis and Liberace, are all on the list. The performers sing with their own voices and also play their own instruments.

The IP has professional golf advisers on staff, and the ability to book a tee time at any one of the many area golf courses.

The Imperial Palace Spa, said to be inspired by Zen, is one of the features of the hotel that sets it apart from the others. One can ask for conventional massages to relieve stress, mas-sages for tired feet and legs, the popular hot stone massage, deep tissue massage, and others. Body scrubs, wraps, waxing, hydration, aromatherapy and facials of all kinds are also offered. The fitness area has cardiovascular workout equipment, free weights and Cybex weight machines. There are steam rooms, saunas, and Jacuzzis. The unisex beauty salon offers haircuts and styling, coloring and perms, make up services, manicures, pedicures and facials.

Meetings and other events for up to 1,000 people can be organized in the Imperial Palace's convention facility. Other aspects of the property, such as the Imperial Theater and the pool area, can also be put to use. Meeting coordinators are on staff to assist with audio-visual needs, catering, "loading-in" and other set-up and break-down tasks. There is also a business center near the Shopping Promenade, which can assist meeting hosts and attendees.

The Rockhouse Nightclub describes itself as "the heart of rock & roll". This party venue specializes in DJ music, daiquiris, go-go girls and, naturally, a lot of dancing. The IP has also brought back the Karaoke Club next to the Sports Bar. There is a DJ host, and thou-sands of possible songs, with the chance to take home a DVD of the performance.

The IP offers a large outdoor pool with an ample Jacuzzi next to it. The pool is not open during colder months, but sunbathing is almost always available. The poolside bar is also a shop for the essentials for water and sun, as well as the cabana rental location.

The Shopping Promenade at the IP offers several different stores, including an IP logo store (naturally), a Las Vegas gift shop, a resort apparel store for men and women, and other novelty shops and gift boutiques. The professional-grade shopper will want to grab the monorail and head for Fashion Show Mall or some of the other large shopping experiences on the Strip.

The IP has a wedding chapel, with staff support for the different details involved in a wed-ding. Venues outside the chapel can also be arranged. Photography and videography is available, as well as webcasting. Flowers, music, champagne flutes, cake, garter, and garb are all easy to arrange. Packages include rooms (including perhaps the "Luv Tub Room"), massages, trips to the beauty salon, and catering for parties.