Paris Las Vegas: Vive l'hotel!
Written: Jun 19 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Decor, location, food, spa ...
Cons: The can-can dancers (especially the males) really freaked me out.
The Bottom Line: Only in Las Vegas can you float in a swimming pool and gaze up at the Eiffel Tower. A fabulous theme hotel that doesn't seem too gimmicky. I loved it.
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| Krissieliz's Full Review: Paris Las Vegas |
I had the great fortune to stay at Paris Las Vegas this past weekend during the Epinions Meet and Greet. It was a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend this hotel to you.
Room 1172P – the Place to Be
My corner room boasted a king-sized bed, windows on both sides (one of which allowed me to look at a 7-11; the other of which provided a view of the Bellagio fountains), a lovely little seating area, 2 nightstands, and a large armoire. The color scheme was blue – the carpets were almost a cornflower blue, and the bedding was a blue toile print.
Right off the bedroom was an alcove housing a desk and closet. And off the alcove was a large marble bathroom, with a separate glassed-in shower AND a bathtub! The bathroom was really well lit and the hotel provided ample towels. I wasn’t crazy about the bath products provided (they were pretty cheap, actually) so I just used my own. I did, however, love the state-of-the-art blowdryer. Had it not weighed 20 pounds I probably would have tried to sneak it into my suitcase.
I have a couple of complaints about the room. Namely, the bed. It was hard as a rock, and the pillows were these bizarre lumpy things that impeded my sleep for 3 nights. This wasn’t on par with the “luxury” hotel theme. Also, there were no robes in the room. Now, I don’t know whether the robes are supposed to be there or not – I never inquired – but I thought it was surprising that they weren’t offered … especially considering the super fancy bathroom.
Overall, though, the room was very spacious and comfortable, and I loved the bathroom. Besides, who comes to Vegas to spend a lot of time in the room?
Frankly, it’s very French
One of many themed casino hotels in Las Vegas, the Paris is – as you probably guessed – French through-and-through. Outside, there’s a replica of the Eiffel Tower and l’Arc du Triomphe. The casino and shop décor makes it look as if you’re on the streets of Paris; the music piped in is French; even the little convenience shops are made to look like French newspaper stands. It’s really done up a lot more classy than I’m making it sound. I loved it.
As for the hotel décor, it’s a bit more understated re: the French theme (although I wished there were some old French poster art lining the walls). The hotel simply resembles an older, stately European hotel, with modern conveniences, of course. Deep, jewel-toned carpets line the hallways, and the room number signs are in French. Again, I loved it. Never felt like I was in Vegas while in the hotel.
Oh la la, location
Paris Las Vegas is centrally-located on the Strip, flanked by the Aladdin and Bally’s. It sits directly opposite the Bellagio, which makes for some fine fountain-viewing from the pool area (or, if you’re as lucky as I was, from your hotel room). Also, Paris is connected to the Monorail system, which means you can get from Paris to the MGM for $4 in a manner of minutes.
Food and drink aplenty!
Paris Las Vegas offers quite a few dining and drinking options. My favorite is Mon Ami Gabi, which offers the only sidewalk café dining experience on the Strip (don’t worry … they’ve got umbrellas and misters to keep you cool). I ate dinner there and I highly recommend (a) their Bloody Mary’s; and (b) their Steak Frites. We had a reservation for Friday night’s dinner, but you probably wouldn’t need a reservation if you went there for lunch. Just a lovely bistro-style French restaurant. I’ve never had a bad meal there.
There are other fancy schmancy restaurants at Paris Las Vegas, none of which I had the inclination to try … Les Artistes Steakhouse (steak), Ah Sin (some kind of Asian/French fusion place where you have to use chopsticks), Ortanique (I dunno, but it sounds trendy) and the Eiffel Tower Restaurant (fancy place halfway up the replica Eiffel Tower).
If you love crepes as much as I do (and really, who doesn’t?) you’ll adore La Creperie. It’s a crepe stand near the buffet, and it serves some heavenly sweet and savory crepes. Of course, the crepe nutella is a big hit; but I stuck to a savory proscuitto, basil and mozzarella crepe (the “Bayonne”). They’re huge, delicious and affordable, at around $6 per crepe.
The buffet is called Le Village Buffet, and it runs about $24.95 per person. I thought about eating breakfast there, but the line was simply ridiculous (this was around 9:30 am on a Saturday). The menu looked great, with French food items galore (the coq au vin looked especially enticing). I’d like to give it a try sometime.
There are a few other pastry stores (had breakfast at one of them) offering croissants, tarts, baguettes, etc. And there’s a great little café right off the casino that offers sandwiches, burgers, salads, etc. Also, there’s a café by the pool called du Parc, which serves sandwiches, wraps, hot dogs, salads, and fruity alcoholic drinks that got me into a lot of trouble on Friday (trouble = headaches, not bad behavior. sheesh). Prices there are a bit high ($8ish for a sandwich a la carte; $16 for a large fruity beverage), but it’s great to eat right there by the pool.
There are plenty of little bars scattered throughout the casino. There’s also a nightclub called Risque. I decided not to risk that one. Heh. If you’re really special, a friend will buy you the $12 margarita poured into a ceramic hot air balloon. The vendor offering that concoction is located right across from La Creperie.
The Fitness Center/Mandara Spa
Believe it or not, the first thing I did upon waking up in Vegas on Friday morning was hit the gym. For a $25 daily fee, hotel guests and visitors alike may use the Fitness Center facilities at the Paris Las Vegas. This sounds like a total rip-off, but you can print a $10 off coupon from the Paris website.
The Fitness Center is actually part of the Mandara Spa at Paris, which is modeled after the Mandara Spa in Bali. (That’s Bali, the Indonesian island; not Bally’s, the hotel casino next door). It’s located on the 2nd floor of the Paris, and once inside, you’d never in a million years guess that you’re in a casino hotel. You enter via their spa shop (overpriced clothing, teas, beauty products galore); check in at the desk; and you’re given an armband for a full day’s use of the spa. That’s right – with Fitness Center entry (at $15 a day, if you use the coupon) you have access to treadmills, weight machines, and elliptical trainers … as well as a luxurious whirlpool, eucalyptus steam room (heaven!), regular showers with comfy robes, teas, coffee, fruit juices, water, fruits and pretzels. It’s a wonderful way to escape crazy Las Vegas.
Halfway through the trip, I decided to book a massage at the Mandara Spa. I was able to get an appointment for Saturday morning. Check-in time at the Spa is 30 minutes prior to one’s appointment. This is great, as it provides you the opportunity to change, fill out medical release forms, and bliss out on comfy couches whilst drinking detoxifying tea. I had the 50-minute Swedish Massage, which cost me $123, gratuities included. I didn’t think this price was out of line with what I would get at a spa in DC, and it actually was quite a bargain considering that you also get free use of the Fitness Center and all the spa amenities on your day of service.
The Mandara Spa offers traditional spa services – massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, haircuts, etc. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, and it was a lovely, laid-back environment. I felt rejuvenated after my massage, and I would definitely go back for another one.
Swimming under the Eiffel Tower?
Paris Las Vegas offers a “rooftop” swimming pool. I say “rooftop,” because it’s really just on the third floor – not at the top of the hotel. I don’t consider that to be a disadvantage, though, because the pool area sat right beneath the Eiffel Tower. The pool was round in shape, quite large, and not quite deep – maybe 5 feet at its deepest. Guests may rent a raft for $15; otherwise, the chairs are plentiful, as are the towels.
It definitely wasn’t a party scene at the pool, but it was pretty crowded. Still, the pool area was large and open enough that I never felt like a sardine. What also helped were the beautiful planters and trellises full of greenery. I believe the pool theme is “garden,” or “jardin,” as it were.
The music piped in grew increasingly more loud as the day wore on. When I got there at 11 am, it was 80’s music (and a certain Epinions employee failed to recognize Duran Duran when it played … for shame!) By the time I left around 3 pm, it was rap. Not in French, thankfully.
Le Shopping
There aren’t a whole lot of shops at the Paris Las Vegas – well, nothing comparing to the shops at Caesar’s, Venetian or Aladdin. But there are a few cute French stores where you can get a blown-glass pink poodle Christmas ornament for $8.95 (ahem, that’d be my favorite purchase from the trip). There’s also a wine store, a sunglasses store, and an adorable childrens’ store (appropriately named “Les Enfants”). The Paris isn’t really a big shopping destination, though.
Casino action?
I fully realize that most people couldn’t give two craps about restaurants, shopping and the spa at Paris. After all, this is Vegas, and people probably want to know about le gambling. Since I basically just play quarter slots (and only wasted $6 doing such on this trip), I’m not super qualified to comment on the quality of the Paris casino. It’s relatively large, very spacious and bright, not smoky at all … basically, it’s perfect for someone like me who’s not so into gambling; but it should suit anyone’s tastes. I would guess that the slots aren’t very loose, based on my experience, but that could also just be my own bad luck.
Do be wary, however, of overly-energetic can-can dancers who loudly interrupt your gaming action every half hour or so. They’re scary and pathetic. Had I had one more drink in me when they last came around, I probably would have insulted them en Francais.
Final thoughts
I just loved this hotel. Granted, it’s the nicest hotel I’ve stayed at in Las Vegas, and I’m a bit of a Francophile … but I thought it was great. The restaurants, spa, pool, you name it – I felt very comfortable and happy here. If I have a choice in where I stay in Vegas, I’ll definitely pay another visit to the Paris Las Vegas.
Bisous!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Krissieliz
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Location: Washington, DC
Reviews written: 104
Trusted by: 286 members
About Me:
I'm a lawyer who loves to laugh, nap and watch bad TV.
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