South Point

This hotel was formerly called South Coast Casino, but has remodeled and re-launched on its own, led by the scion of the Coast Casino group, Michael Gaughan. South Point is just off the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. It is organized to be self-contained as a family resort destination and also to be a home base for excursions to shows, dining and gaming on the Strip.

The hotel appears like a palace rising out of the desert, showing styles reminiscent of the Mediterranean Sea and the California mission coast. It occupies 60 acres and offers 1,354 rooms and suites in its first phase of renovation, with more to come. Flowers and bright colors accent a lively interior design.

The modern-style casino occupies 80,000 square feet. A separate bingo room for 600 players holds 13 or more sessions a day. Of the 60 table games offered players can choose among craps, blackjack, Pai Gow poker, baccarat, roulette and three card poker. The house also provides over 2,400 slots and poker machines, including the progressive games. The race and sports book has room for 300 seats, lots of large big screen TV's, and the Del Mar sports lounge next door. A full array of betting options is available. In the poker room, 11 tables are available around the clock. Texas Hold'em in different denominations and no-limit are available. A player tracking program is used for prizes and comps.

Michael's is the resort's gourmet restaurant, regularly an award-winner among travel and restaurant rating companies and publications. The menu changes, and is available from the South Coast's web site.

Silverado Steakhouse is a prime example of the Las Vegas classic restaurant format, serving steaks, prime rib, chops, chicken, lamb and seafood.

Don Vito's specializes in Mediterranean seafood dishes as well as traditional Italian pasta recipes.

The Coronado Café never closes. One kitchen provides the full array of café menu items, and another serves up a complete Chinese menu.

The Garden Buffet has six cooking stations and a wide selection of salads, and hot and cold food items in the cooking traditions of many different countries.

Adjacent to this large area is a smaller seafood restaurant, the Big Sur Oyster Bar, which prepares fresh seafood while the customer watches.

Other options are the Del Mar Deli and Kate's Korner, an ice cream parlor. Seattle's Best Coffee also operates an outlet in the South Coast.

For family entertainment, there is a sixteen-screen cinema complex, a complete 64-lane bowling center, the Timeout Arcade (inside the bowling center) with 72 of the latest in entertaining video games, and a large equestrian center, said to be among the country's best. There is also the Kid's Tyme child care facility.

The South Coast has a showroom, large enough for concerts and other shows. The resort regularly books headline acts into the showroom.

Spa Costa Del Sur wants to pamper its clients with relaxing and healing techniques that speak to the whole body and all the senses. Body treatments and facials are available of all kinds, and massage, of course. A special treatment for the mother-to-be is offered, as well as waxing. The spa has 22 different treatment rooms and a spacious relaxation area by a pool. There is also a Jacuzzi, a steam room and waterfall showers. There are scented showers for the women. The spa also includes a fully-equipped fitness center. A barber shop and a beauty salon are also available at the resort.

The meeting planning staff will help arrange any event, exhibition of meeting in the 150,000 square foot facility. The exhibit hall is about half of this area, easily subdivided into 20,000 square foot segments. The facility also has ample registration and pre-function space. There are 17 meeting / breakout session rooms and four board rooms. Up to 2,000 can be served a catered meal in the ballroom. There is a fully functional business center in the resort. In addition, the resort can also make available its Equestrian Center, with its 30,000 square feet of additional arena space.

FEVER is a nightclub inside the South Point intended to be innovative in the Las Vegas nightlife scene. It is designed as a sexy environment, with red velvet and ebony appointments and the traditional Las Vegas dance poles. The sound and lighting systems are the latest technology. Operating six nights each week, the club books live bands, following them with a wide variety of DJ music to keep the dance floor busy.

The Del Mar Lounge is not only a bar, but it provides lounge acts as well. Depending on the night of the week, guests will be able to enjoy dueling pianos, rock bands, or live singers.

South Point's pool is one of the largest in town, and well-regarded because of the gazebo and the lush landscaping all around it. There are also a tanning pool and a hot tub nearby, as well as a poolside bar and snack service. The pool area also has outdoor volley ball courts, other adult games, and an activity center for kids. In the summer on certain evenings, the resort throws a poolside party with drinks and appetizers for a small admission fee.