LAS VEGAS
Over the years we have been visiting Las Vegas around 10 times, staying at great resorts such as the Bellagio, Venetian, Paris Paris, and the Mandalay, throughout its 118-year history, Las Vegas has been known as the planet’s premier destination for gambling. But Sin City’s entertainment options have become more diverse in recent years, extending far beyond pinging slot machines, poker, and roulette tables. During our first visit in our own vehicle in October last year we missed out on a U2 concert in the SPHERE (SOLD OUT) Last year and again this year we stayed at the local RV park at $140.00 AUD per night not cheap and all it is a converted carpark with a shop, pool, and washrooms. You are parked 1 meter (3FT) apart from each other and what appears the norm in the USA air conditioners running all day and night. PFFFFFF
Anyway, little time spend in the RV park we were only interested in the entertainment and atmosphere of Las Vegas. Las Vegas has truly earned the right to call itself “The Entertainment Capital of the World.” Covid was used to update and renovate lots of accommodation houses and hotels. And listening to those in the know the high-end market and middle class have returned and already exceeding pre covid levels.
Vegas is a 24-hour city, which means that when the sun goes down, the party is just getting started. No matter what kind of experience you are looking for, from classy cocktails at high-end lounges to hardcore dance clubs. you will not want to stop until the sun comes up. Even then, you will have only enough time for a quick power nap before heading out to the nearest pool club to start the revelries all over again.
We were told about the iconic Australian electronic dance music group from Sydney, Australia. called RÜFÜS DU SOL! the group is made up of Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George, and James Hunt. To be honest I had not heard of them but we maybe old school or we been travelling to long. The were performing in XS nightclub in Las Vegas known as one of the best, and most expensive nightclubs in Las Vegas. The venue has a constant rollout of world-renowned DJs, the club is filled with elegant tables and spacious booths, a dance floor and lighting that makes the entire area look like it has been dipped in gold. Ticket prices range depending on the artist, but during the week entrée fees are between $45 and $120 per person AUD. If you’re looking to really go big, table service BOTTLE & TABLE SERVICE is the way to do it. The cheapest tables start at $2300 AUD (minimum spend 4 people) and vary in location. Some are inside, others around the pool deck. The prices steadily go up from there, with cabanas and poolside options coming in at $3500 AUD to $5500 AUD. Tiered sections, dance floor spots, and small stage areas cost between $10000 AUD and 17000 AUD, with the Owner’s Table coming in at a whopping $20000 AUD. Anyway, just out of our budget after we paid $60.00 AUD entrée fee per person, we settled for the standard drinks at around $ 25.00 AUD going up to 40.00 AUD dollars for premium drinks and cocktails all prices are EXCLUDING 13% venue fee, 8.1% tax and 15% auto gratuity which will be automatically added to the final bill. A WAPPING 36% and the place is fully booked most nights. We did not watch the show as that would have added another $220 each per person. Venue opens at 10PM closes between 4 and 5AM
We never tried any of the other well-known nightclubs Hakkasan, Omnia and Zouk, one night was enough. $$$$$$$
When Las Vegas nonessential businesses closed their doors in March 2020 to help curb the spread of Covid, it was the first time the world-famous, neon-lit Strip had shut down since President John F. Kennedy’s funeral in 1963. March 2022 saw 3,334,700 visitors, just a 10 percent dip from pre-pandemic March 2019, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The LVCVA also reported that hotel occupancy reached 80.6 percent in March 2022. As of Sept 2023, Leisure travel and international visitor numbers are exceeding pre-pandemic levels and has fully recovered, and the meetings and convention industry is about three-fourths recovered,”
We never tried any of the other well-known nightclubs Hakkasan, Omnia and Zouk, one night was enough. $$$$$$$
When Las Vegas nonessential businesses closed their doors in March 2020 to help curb the spread of Covid, it was the first time the world-famous, neon-lit Strip had shut down since President John F. Kennedy’s funeral in 1963. March 2022 saw 3,334,700 visitors, just a 10 percent dip from pre-pandemic March 2019, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The LVCVA also reported that hotel occupancy reached 80.6 percent in March 2022. As of Sept 2023, Leisure travel and international visitor numbers are exceeding pre-pandemic levels and has fully recovered, and the meetings and convention industry is about three-fourths recovered,”
It was time to recover from a few days Las Vegas, and we travelled south towards Bullhead city and Laughlin for 5 Days of recovery along the Colorado river.
Enroute to Laughlin we stopped at the Hoover Dam which we visited for the last time in the 1990’s. Hoover Dam is a huge concrete arch dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the U.S. states of Nevada and Arizona.
Constructed between 1931 and 1936. Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands of workers, and cost over 100 lives. Security is strict and typically American.
We had to open every locker to show we had no guns or drones before being allowed to drive over the Dam wall. There are two narrow lanes for automobile traffic across the top of the dam. To a viewpoint from where you need to backtrack. No access allowed to the US 95 from here.
After our visit to Hoover Dam, we stopped at Bullhead City is a city located on the Colorado River in Arizona. and directly across the Colorado River from the town of Laughlin in Nevada where the casinos and ancillary services supply much of the employment for Bullhead City. In the summer months, tourists from all over come for water recreation on Lake Mohave and the Colorado River. Starting in the fall, tourists from colder states flock by the thousands in their motor homes because of the mild winters.
We decided to continue to Laughlin crossing back into Nevada where we stayed at the park next to the Avi Casino with a great lagoon pool and beach at the Colorado river.
Laughlin lies, in the far southern tip of Nevada. As a resort town, known for its gaming and water recreation and located on the Colorado River. Laughlin is the third most visited casino and resort destination in the state after Las Vegas and Reno and is one of the top five destinations for American Motorhome enthusiasts. Laughlin has a hot desert climate with less than 150 mm of rain per year. Summers are extremely hot with days frequently exceeding 43 °C in July and August while over-night lows are around 30 degrees. The winters are mild with days typically seeing temperatures around 24 °C over-night lows 11 °C.
After 5 days R & R at the Avi Resort we are off to part of Route 66 again and work our way to the Grand Canyon.
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