Viva Las Vegas

I know I usually share beautiful pictures of the outdoors on this blog and of my travels.  But traveling is traveling and a trip to Vegas deserves an honorable mention on this blog, right? So please forgive me as we talk about casinos and people watching over some grainy iPhone photos. 

When one of my best friends was flying to Vegas for a work conference during my fall break from school, it only made sense to hop on a plane and meet her there for a few days.  So Monday night I packed my bags and hopped on a 50 minute delta flight for ~ $150 to Las Vegas, Nevada.  The room was paid for, the flight was cheap, how could a travel loving girl with a week off like me say no to that? 

Because her work event was at the Cosmopolitan, she had a room right there at the gorgeous Cosmopolitan hotel.  Imagine a room at a gorgeous hotel right in the middle of the Las Vegas strip, big beautiful fluffy beds, a desk where I could work during the days, a lovely little common area gigantic bathrooms (huge hotel shower), closets, and a deck with a view from the 58th floor of the Bellagio Fountains.  That will do. 

While Kristen was at her conference, I unpacked my bags caught up on some work, and examined our gorgeous room.  I saw the box of billable goodies on the counter by the sink and naive old me, decided to pick one up to read the package (only in Vegas is your room stocked with a pleasure kit- I just had to see what was in it).  What I didn't know, is that you get charged just for picking items up.  SO Kristen had to explain why the pleasure kit was not used and should be left off the company bill for her room when we checked out.  Lesson Learned. 

Our first night (Monday night) in Vegas consisted of a business dinner at the delicious Michael Mina in the Bellagio that Kristen's boss was so kind as to invite me along.  The company was wonderful and was seated next to the kindest Utahn from American Fork during dinner. We had such a lovely dinner all chatting about our different hobbies, backgrounds, and experiences.  Kristen is truly lucky to work with some a great group of people and company.  

 After a delicious dinner and scrumptious champagne, we sort of all split up and I went with Kristen and a coworker back to the Cosmopolitan for a night cap and a few rounds of Black Jack.  Kristen and I had an absolute blast learning how to play Black Jack, and turns out that pretty blonde is quite the Black Jack Player.  

What amazes me about Vegas, is how any given night is a Saturday night.  You would never be able to tell that it was a Monday night by the people gambling, drinking, out at dinner, and just generally having fun.  We had such a great night in Vegas gambling, drinks, and late hours around a casino table. With such fun company, we really had a great first night and that "Vegas Experience" if you will. 

Tuesday morning, after a few drinks and a late night I was pretty excited to for breakfast.  After a little research, I discovered that The Henry at the Cosmopolitan was known for its great breakfast, especially the Short Ribs Benedict-  Sold.  I had a nice breakfast for one, and yes, that breakfast was everything I had hoped for and more.  

And I finished the entire plate.

While I wanted to lounge at the pool (above) after breakfast, I chose to catch up on some schoolwork and some work work (below).  Sitting in a big comfy bed with a hot coffee watching re-runs of SVU and HGTV is basically how I work from home anyways ;) When I needed a break I headed down to the gym for a quick workout.  

For our last night in Las Vegas, we decided on dinner at La Cave at The Wynn.  There was a lot going on with the presidential debate being held in Vegas right there at The Wynn Tuesday night.  It was fun to be around the hustle and bustle with the debate going on at the same hotel.  I decided to walk all the way from the Cosmopolitan to The Wynn and got some amazing people watching in along the way.  I concluded that it is realllly (really) creepy when the people dressed as characters try to hit on you, but all in all, its a pretty harmless place with all those people around.  We shared some wonderful tapas style dishes and drank rose, and had a great last night in Vegas.  If you are ever at La Cave, be sure to order the French Onion Soup. 

Wednesday, I caught up on some more work, and we all went to the airport to catch a mid-day flight back home.   I am surprised to say that this was my third time to Vegas in exactly one year.  And prior to this year, I had never been.  

Of course, I am an outdoor lover and I will take a beautiful beach or a hike up a mountain any day.  And to be honest, the first time I visited Vegas I really wasn't a fan.  All the people, the clutter, the concrete, such a built environment surrounded by beautiful mountains and desert.  

But with each visit, I started to appreciate Vegas more and more for what it is.  It is a place where you can see  some of the best restaurants in the world all on one street.  You can even find a Michelin rated restaurant on the same block as a Dennys.  It is the sort of place you can spend the day working in your room and when you get a little lonely, take the elevator down a few floors and BAM you are amidst all the action any day, any time (Yes, people are gambling and drinking at 8am).  97 degrees in October, you can lounge by the pool with a cocktail, and then hit the town for a fabulous dinner and night out.  

And lets not forget the people watching.  Oh my the people watching of Vegas.  From the overweight Americans with their fanny packs and sneakers, to the girls walking around in nearly nothing, Vegas is a people watching mecca.  When you accept it for what it is, you can really have a great time in Vegas.  Bring your favorite dress, a good pair of heels and have an amazing dinner, try your luck at the casino, and receive about a billion compliments,  Vegas is bad for the wallet and good for the ego. 

I can't say I will be back any time soon, but we had such a great time playing dress up and eating at some of the wonderful restaurants Vegas has to offer.  And meeting one of your best friends in a place like that is always a great time.  Like a grown up sleepover if you will.

Another great trip in the books.  

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programs of outdoors and nature ;) 

The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa

Disclaimer 1:  Warm weather, palm trees and frozen drinks are in this post.
New Englanders- Close the screen now if you can't handle this much sunshine so soon. 

Okay I am still talking about my trip last weekend.  I just have so much to say about my awesome weekend getaways., and this was one pretty fantastic.  After spending a day at Zion and a night camping right in the national park, we headed to Vegas. 

 Lake Las Vegas that is.  

What is the best way to wrap up a beautiful day in night in Zion National Park? 

 Well, do the compete opposite.

 In this case, it was drink Pina Coladas on a man made lake surrounded by palm trees and golf courses.  And then spend the evening on The Strip, eating fabulous food and wandering through casinos before collapsing back in a fluffy king size bed.   

It's a hard life folks, but someone has to live it.  

 

Several things made this trip affordable.  First, camping a night in Zion eliminated a need for a hotel that night.  Second, driving saved a ton of money as we did not need to purchase flights.  And lastly, I went to my trusty travel agent, Groupon.  

Of course, any hotel on the strip is going to run you $200+ a night.  I didn't need to be on the strip, I just saw that the weather was going to be 85 degrees and I needed to be by a pool, with a palm tree and froofy drink.  And Groupon was hosting some pretty sweet deals. 

When I saw this deal for The Westin Golf and Spa Resort on Lake Las Vegas, I jumped at the deal.  (Did I mention I purchased this while sitting on a chair lift at Brighton skiing?). 

I know, I am turning into a (gasp) west coaster (just a little). 

Of course, there were a few hidden fees, including a $29 resort usage fee and taxes and other fees, but it came in around $100 when it was all said and done, and I can live with that.  

You can buy beer right in the hotel and bring it down to the pool, for a fraction of the cost!
And food! We brought our own lunch/snacks. 

The hotel was nice, and had a stunning view of the lake, the golf courses, and the complexes surrounding Lake Las Vegas.  It was so nice to see green grass and palm trees. 

Westin Resort Map 

As a guest, you can use the kayaks for free (very limited number) or pay to rent a paddle board right there at the resort. I was more into sunning and frozen drinks so I passed on the water sports and ordered another drink at the pool. 

Westin at Lake Las Vegas-  Paddleboard for rent 

The Westin at Lake Las Vegas- Golf Course 

Second Pool, Lake Las Vegas, The Westin 

There are two large pools, one heated to 85 degrees, and one left colder (but with an awesome water slide).  It did seem to be a large family resort and I have to say one of the pools were shut down due to an accident in the pool (this was one of those trips where I was thankful I did not have children yet).  

Water Slide, The Westin at Lake Las Vegas

Water Slide, The Westin at Lake Las Vegas

Another great aspect was the Strip Shuttle.  The strip is about 35-40 minutes away so this is a great free feature for guests.  I will warn you, that you have to book this WAY in advance.  The shuttle fills quick and I could not get a spot on the Saturday shuttle (even when I called that morning).  

If you want to head to Vegas for some sunshine and pool time, for a great price with access to the strip when you want it, this is an excellent choice.

The Westin at Lake Las Vegas

  

The lady working the front desk was really nice and accomodating.  She let me check in two hours early without any additional fees (maybe she smelled the desperate I need a shower I have been camping funk on me- TMI?).  The rooms were spacious and clean, and the resort was everything I was looking for.  You can even buy alcohol right at the gift shop and bring your own food and booze down to the pool deck.  

This was the perfect taste of sunshine I was looking for. 

Vegas, I will be back! 

 Disclaimer 2:  The Westin did not pay me for this post, or compensate me in any way.  In fact, I paid them (one day blog, one day).  All opinions are my own. 

China Poblano at the Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, Nevada

After a day at the pool (which I will be recapping), it was time for dinner.  Where is there a better place to get dinner than the Las Vegas Strip?  After a shower and outfit change, we headed out to dinner in Las Vegas.  

        

Skirt (Marshalls), Top (Marshalls), Shoes (DSW).  

Las Vegas is a foodie city. Name a chef and they have a restaurant in Vegas.  At least one restaurant.  On my last trip to Vegas in October, I had some amazing food and several memorable meals, Bobbie Flay's Mesa Grill, and Joel Robuchon, to name a few ;)  Where did I decide?

China Poblano

Jose Andres

Cosmpolitan Hotel,

Las Vegas, Nevada

 I wanted to find somewhere fun and casual to eat.  I immediately thought of China Poblano, a restaurant I had walked by and glanced at the menu during my last trip.  China Poblano is a restaurant serving Mexican and Chinese food.  Not a fusion of the two, but literally a menu with Mexican and Chinese food on it.  Maybe it sounds odd to you, or maybe it sounds like the best idea ever.

A restaurant where I can have chips and salsa tacos, a noodle dish AND fried rice, all in one meal?  That is my kind of wonderful.  And that is exactly what I did.

We started with the Chips and Salsa: fresh tortilla chips/ house-made chipotle salsa ($4)  because we heard it was fantastic and you can never go wrong with chips and salsa. 

The salsa was amazing and the homemade chips made a big difference (sitting at the bar I spent a half hour watching this woman make tortillas).  The good news is that this is off the menu, so you can't just shove your face with free refills, you have to order it.  This was a bonus for me.

 Because lets be honest.......

Next we tried a taco.  

Because... tacos are just absolutely delicious.   

Barbacoa de Res:

Oaxacan-style barbeque beef, guajillo chile, pickled cactus paddle ($5.50).

 After the taco we moved on to the noodle dish.  I chose the Dan Dan Mian: hand-cut wheat noodles/ spicy pork sauce/peanuts ($12.88). The vinegar is to cut the spice of the dish. 

They were good.  Not amazing, but pretty good and different.  

What was absolutely amazing was the 20 vegetable fried rice.

Yes, I said 20 vegetable fried rice.

Maybe you are thinking wow $20 for fried rice or, holy hell how did they get 20 vegetables in there.  A.  It is worth every penny and B.  I didn't count but I am taking their word for it.  

I am one of those obnoxious people that asks the waiter what he orders, or what a first timer needs to try, and he instantly recommended the 20 vegetable fried rice.  He even informed me this is a famous dish featured on a few shows.  Sold, I should get some vegetables in this body, even if its stir fried, and who doesn't love fried rice?

I mean, this dish has its own video as it was featured on "Best Thing I Ever Ate".  Yes, you can watch a video about fried rice here. And yes, they list all 20 vegetables.  You can even find the recipe here thanks to Ellen.

The pops of flavors, the textures of all the different vegetables.  You need to head to China Poblano and order this dish!