Well what a fantastic time in Las Vegas that was - wow - definitely the best trip to date that's for sure - I didn't want to leave! But AmEx thought I had better!
(All photos and videos are on my pages Vegas 2022 and Videos '22 and any text that is blue and bold - click it - it's a link which will open in a separate tab)
This is going to be a long blog so grab a coffee or 2!
Vegas Diary
Monday 28th :: We landed from FoCo around 1pm and straight to the Bellagio - of course because that will be the only place I stay now. My 3rd time here. We tried to get an upgraded room, which was available and up to a suite too but no view of the fountains - so no brainer on that one of course!
We took our things up to our room, called for concierge to bring up the luggage and then we went out.
The view from our room - perfect as always and I was so happy to see them again
First was to Sadelle's in the Bellagio and quick bite to eat and cocktails ( I had already booked the Yellowtail for this evenings meal) then off to explore.
We needed a few bits from pharmacy and also drinks to put in the fridge .
We wandered over into the Cosmopolitan Hotel / Casino, which is next door (ish) to the Bellagio - amazing lights, glass, displays - the main feature is the Chandelier Restaurant with a 2 story Chandelier of purple glass/crystal - which is actually a restaurant.
We walked around the hotel and all the art / boutiques and food places for an hour or so Back to the Bellagio , had to go into Tutto (The Bellagio high end gift shop) and got myself an official hotel dressing gown - wow it's amazing - cotton, heavy and fleece lined and then we finished unpacking and with coffee I sat and watched the fountains and we slowly got sorted for dinner. T'was time to dress up!
The meal at Yellowtail was amazing - I stayed away from the raw , but did try it - def not my thing but the cocktails definitely are! View of the fountains but acoustically the place was loud as people shouted conversations but the food and drinks were delicious
Tuesday 29th :: I didn't sleep that much and by 3am sat and watched the strip, ipod in ears and then by 4.15am I decided to go for a walk about - very quietly getting dressed and human - minus coffee . 4.30 I was downstairs on the casino / main floor . There were still a few dozen people around still gambling and drinking but my main objective was to the Botanical garden / conservatory to photograph the display. 2 people were in there - wow - its normally full of people and no clear photographic shots at all. I spent half an hour in there and ended up doing a video of the whole display too
There were no coffee to go places open at all at 5.30 - sit down bars only so I went back upstairs and Alan still asleep I sat and watched the strip till he woke. This will be the only day we had together as wed & thurs Alan had conferences
But first it was to Sadelle's for coffee and grapefruit brulee for me.
Then went to get coffee from the chocolate fountains to take upstairs. (sadly the chocolate fountain was broken - covered up and under repairs and replacements .. pipes had blocked then exploded smashing glass and gloopy chocolate everywhere)
Back up to the room and our plan of meeting Alan's friends for dinner fell through .
So I booked the Mayfair Supper Club for Wednesday night ( a reservation had come up so I grabbed it - very exclusive and high end restaurant in the hotel - the full Vegas experience inc cabaret etc and then Noodles for that night. So yay impromptu shopping ! because I had booked the Mayfair for Wednesday night and I simply had NOTHING to wear in cocktail attire or fit their dress code!
We went for a walkabout at the back of the Bellagio, we had never been and we looked at all the art on display, Stunning and the ballrooms were huge - I think there were 6 or 8 of them - massive rooms for conferences, weddings etc
The last piece of art was minblowing - a portrait of Gaucan and Van Gogh by Raphael!
After the gallery walk our first port of call was to the Bellagio Buffet. $45 per plate - then just fill it up as many times as you want with whatever you want. You name it they had it - Prime rib / ve done every way / BBQ / breakfast foods / desserts of every description / bakery / chinese foods / mexican / not much fruit sadly / gelato . So Alan had a good fueling up and I had some desert things - a few espresso choc mousse in shot glasses !
We walked from the Bellagio over to the Miracle Mile Mall - which is under Planet Hollywood and let the shopping commence!
A definite spree in Victoria Secrets , so happy - then found a fantastic tattoo and body piercing boutique called Club Tattoo (in-between dress hunting) The quality of the jewelry pieces were outstanding ,and cases full of every kind top quality gold body pieces and they even had titanium - which is what I was looking for . I chose the ones I wanted, well, I was torn with them so Alan said get both .. I was measured and the adjusted the bars to size , new titanium body jewelry.
Then back to the countless boutiques for a dress - I knew what I was looking for but nothing found then at the end of the mile loop we spotted Vie Sauvage and I saw it - the dress I was looking for - well near enough.
We went in and greeted by Juana.
The dress I tried on at Vie Sauvage
I tried it on with Juana's help. It was amazing being dressed by a drag queen ( her instagram) - she was in boy mode tho and the dress was amazing but Alan then asked the designer if there were longer / gowns similar or could we make adjustments and add . Sadly they couldn't add BUT in 24hrs they could make me a gown to the specifications / measurements that we wanted. Plus in a color I would never had chosen, length or front cut either! This weightloss has opened up new avenues of dress style! (but I never wear dresses anyway so has never even been on my mind at all) But Alan designed my dress with the designer on facetime and Juana doing the measurements - 24hrs !
We were in Miracle Mile for 4-5hrs I think afterall that!
WOW and so it happened - So now I had to find shoes - but not this day - We needed a drink - Wednesday was Claire's free day so that was my mission
We headed back to the Bellagio and went straight for a drink as it was needed
We went to the Petrossian Bar ordered cocktails - Mojito for Alan and I had the Bellagio Martini. Yes that is a block of ice that the glass sits in (no stem) plus a caviar cigar - I officially don't like caviar after I tried it for the first time ever!) but wow that drink was special!
The pianist was excellent and he played a melody from Phantom of the Opera - which did bring a tear to me eye after such an amazing day
While walking back to the Elevators we passed Tutto and that Leather jacket kept calling me and Alan noticed it was the same style as the tatty 25 y.o one I was wearing at that moment and we then saw the Sarah Jessica Parker shoe boutique and Alan took me there and every shoe I liked that would match the dress they didn't have in my size! Typical. Then next door it was my turn to dress Alan up . We had already spotted the shirts and leather jacket - so in we went! I had fun - it was time for a decent suit I said - so we got to work - well me and Renee! Hour later we had an Italian suit being altered, several shirts and the leather jacket! He felt bad spending so much but I convinced him that he has never had a decent suit, one that fits his physique and body shape and looks outstanding. Now he had something special to wear to the Mayfair - which we turned into our anniversary celebration as the 3rd person bailed on us aswell
That evening we dressed up smart/casual and went to Noodles - not going to say much about that place it was awful - food, service and atmosphere - why they are in the Bellagio is beyond me - we had no server for 80% of the meal - which was bland - the cocktail was ok but not great at all - we left there as quickly as we could - no top given and quite disgusted. We both needed a drink and somewhere fun to end the night and take it to our room but nowhere had that facility (other casino's on the strip you can get whatever you want and walk about the place but not the Bellagio) . We wandered around the casino and found Lily's Bar & Lounge - beautiful little bar with a guitar / singer with his amp doing small slots of a song every 15 mins or so, amazing atmosphere and cocktail time. I ordered a Rosie Spritz and Alan a Mojito
On the way back up to the room, we passed Tutto and Alan said make me feel better - buy that jacket! So I did haha!
Then back to the room where I spent hours watching the fountains while Alan fell asleep
Wednesday 30th
AT 5.45am I went down and got 4 coffees for us and Alan had to be awake, showered and out by 8am ish to get to the Venitian Hotel for the start of the conferences and I had my to do plan of several vinyl stores and shoe hunting ! I got to Record City #1 to start (inbetween the Stratoshere and Sahara, I had my route planned of doing 5 or 6 stores and had my wishlist . I got there as soon as it opened and got busy - it looked really shady from the outside and driver was hesitant on leaving me haha) but soon as i got inside - wow - it was full of vinyls - and the smell was amazing . I was in here for about 90mins and came out with 20 - it was all on what I could carry on my shoulder as the bag would be carry on . Found alot from my list so extremely happy
I then walked over to the Sahara and got a taxi back to the Bellagio - grabbed a coffee and got the handbag that goes with the jacket - both have Bellagio on them !
Sat and chilled for an hour - caught the fountain crew testing and repairing and an impromptu run thru of "Cher - Believe" while on video chat with a close friend, so they got a bonus video chat!
Now midday and I had to get shoes - so back over to Miracle Mile - I was in this mall for 4-5hrs! Every shoe place had zero of what I was looking for - no open toe (dress code of the Mayfair) think there were 20+ places, went thru every shoe I liked - none in my size! Then I decided to got to Vie Sauvage for an update - Mykee was great and said oh it was here this morning! UGH , been hanging around for hours - so tried it on and it was way too long - even with the fantastic shoes they had as a tester look (now I know what style I want!) so back onto facetime with the designer - someone rushed over to get the dress - they had an hour to do the alterations! (back to the UGH comment) But wow it is stunning . Even I thought I looked good!
So an hour to find shoes - again - went to 5 more stores and nope and ended up back at a store around the corner from Vie Sauvage, as I tried on several there before but I then tried the tall sparkly stiletto - they fit - not what I wanted but by this point I was done - I officially hate shoe shopping ! Back to Vie Sauvage and waited with Mykee . put on stockings, the shoes to practice and adjust - I did buy some heel cushions as they were a tad big at the back .. I definitely loathe shoe shopping
The dress arrived - on it went and wow wow wow it was perfect . Mykee got some pics - gave me his number just in case and told me to send pics when we were all amazingly dressed. He also gave me tips on how to wear my hair to show off the back
(click the arrow on the pics - there's more)
So back to the Bellagio - reservation at 6.30 , it was now 5 ! Alan's suit had just arrived too so I picked that up and dashed upstairs so time for shower, put on dress, do hair, face (there's no easy way in or out of this dress)
Alan got back at 6! A mad dash shower and get dressed in his amazing suit and down to the Mayfair Supper Club
We were escorted in and the receptionist was in love with our look, asked for my phone to get photos of us , plus the barman too did the same. We did look amazing all dressed up and extremely elegant . in my specially made couture cocktail dress and Alan in his Italian made suit and shirt
We were shown to our table , which was being adjusted to another table for 2 - away from the window, and we noticed they were clearing off the table I had booked for 3 - which was at the window
(which is next to the fountains by the way)
We then asked them to stop and could we still have the original table and with no awkwardness the said yes and asked us to go to the bar and give them some time to prepare - so happy I'll be able to sit and watch both the cabaret and the fountains
The cabaret was already in motion - husband and wife duo with a 4 piece band in the middle of the restaurant - dancers and such a fantastic atmosphere (so glad I kept refreshing their reservation page) it felt like the classic Vegas you see in movies
At the bar I asked for the cocktail menu and Alan ordered his Mojito, plus they had dark rum so he was very happy with this Mojito , plus crushing the mint with the ice. I ordered a Champagne Cocktail (to which I had 4 of them through the night)
Absolutely divine - it did make me grin like like a schoolgirl when it was placed in-front of me too! WOW and yes that is candy floss . These were extremely moreish!
The food was absolutely fantastic, the ambience, the setting and the view 360. The night was so special as we celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary (week early) in my favorite hotel, next to the fountains, wearing the most amazing clothes.
The cabaret was brilliant - dancers, ceiling hoop dancers and the couple worked flawlessly together. The patrons were all soaking and absorbing this true feeling of high class Vegas
It was the best night of all and so glad the 3rd party bailed on us
Inside the Mayfair Supper Club
Thursday 31st :: Today was 6yrs in waiting. I was catching up with Jason. We have been good friends since before Best 303 Sounds became known officially as my lil company. His band, Fulcrum, was the second band I promoted and we spoke several times a week for hours and for years until he moved from Denver to Vegas and today we were seeing each other the first time since - excited was definitely the word for the day
But before all this, I had ordered room service for a pot of coffee and croissants & blueberries for Alan . I was expecting a trolley to be wheeled in with all the refinery - but no a guy knocked on the door and handed me 3 paperbags - all with boxed up items I had ordered and box of hot coffee and milk and sugar in packets! WTAF. Not what I was hoping for at all or had planned for that morning
So Jason - We ended up spending the whole day together - first , after the hugs and more hugs, we went to the Bellagio Pool cafe for brunch as Sadelle's was full and a wait queue and we sat there for ages chatting away . That's when he said he wasn't going to work that day and spend the day with me - where did I want to go!
I suggested the Vegas signs graveyard- The Neon Museum as I have always wanted to see the Stardust sign and the hotel history , he was excited to go as he had always wanted to go too.
So off we set, luckily in his truck not his prius !
Now all the times I have been to Vegas, I have never been passed the Strastophere - actually probably I think the vinyl day was the first time I had been that far.
I saw parts of the strip that I had never seen and some parts I wish I hadn't - homeless / graffitti / trash everywhere. We chatted non stop all the way , catching up on the years passed and our various ailments
We got the the museum , there was a film crew and the museum was closed till 3 - it was only passed 1 so next location to say I've been too - Freemont Street
That was - interesting - not as brilliant as everyone makes out to be honest - tacky, rundown and shabby. Even accosted by an elderly gentleman, thinking we were a couple, doing donations for the dog rescue , Jason made a donation and off we went with our little fans!
But saw the Golden Nugget and Oscar's but rest was quite vile and I didn't want to be there , neither did Jason so back to the truck but then the word "Drink" was said and we went into a new hotel / casino called the "D" . I had a G&T and Jason a
Jack & Coke and we sat there for an hour talking music and what he was creating and up to. So happy the music mojo has returned. He is so talented and has an amazing voice
During our time at D, Alan was texting thru out and he asked if Jason wanted to join us for dinner - Alan had managed to get a reservation at the Picasso So excited as Jason agreed. He then dropped me off at the Bellagio and he would return for dinner. So time to unpack the dress (I had started all the packing earlier that morning so all ready for the next morning)
Few pics of Jason and I when I was doing Best 303 Sounds
The Galaxy pic story in the pics above :: in Jan 2012 i had spinal fusion and Jason was calling Alan throughout the day for updates and was really concerned. Soon as I came too from surgery and had coffee in me, Alan said Jason could call me . A few weeks later Jason came up to the ranch to see me. The week before my fusion he went to the UK and bought me a huge bar of Galaxy - my only chocolate vice! He forgot to give it to me at Xmas when we caught up at a gig so drove up to give it to me and also see how I was etc.
The Guitar! When I first met Jason in 2009 , I fell in love with this guitar that he was playing at the time. And made him vow that it was to be left to me in his will!
To my surprise, he bought it with him and handed it over ! He has retired the guitar now and and I now have the guitar and so many amazing memories linked to it
He gave me the case too so I could bring it home. He signed it too - The Quack reference is to Winston - the band mascot - a big ribber dick. He was so cool but sadly stolen from Jason when he got to Vegas.
I knew what I was going to do, it wasn't going to hide away but displayed properly in a little B303S homage wall over the music system.
I have nearly completed it - just the wood frame to go around it
That night at the Picasso, we were all dressed up and Alan met Jason downstairs, he then came up to the room and signed it , then we went down to the restaurant - we all looked amazing!
The food was outstanding and our Maître D was lovely and so attentive. I did notice that all the Picasso paintings had gone and I asked him - definitely touching a very raw painful nerve, as he exlained he was becoming very upset. As a few weeks prior all the paintings (bar one) were all taken down and put up for auction - and apparently this one Chinese company bought a majority of them. So the Picasso only has one original left in the restaurant .
So sad to see and felt so bad for making the Maître D upset
Apparently this chinese company Macau, is buying most of Vegas and the strip. Hotels coming down, next one is Treasure Island and a new Hard Rock Cafe going up as a huge guitar and new ones going up and the company even wants to change the name Las Vegas to America's Macau - ffs what! disgusting
The evening was excellent, altho I mixed 2 wines so I went a tad weird, it was a wonderful day with Jason and then final night in the Picasso . A late night and we were the only 3 left in the restaurant and staff waiting for us to go haha
We left around midnight and said goodbye to Jason, I got a lil teary as who knows when we'll see each other again , just hope its not another 6 years
Friday 1st April was earlyish start and out by 9.30 to the airport and go home Definitely the best stay in Vegas to date. The first time I didn't want to leave as normally after 3rd day I am done with the sensory overload. Shall nick Ana's description - its like living in a webpage with constant popups, clickbait and advertising
Back home and updates since returning! Blog Part 2 - I was going to put it all in one but it will be huge read but I will get that done over next few days for you
TBC!
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