A:
It's true that Las Vegas is no longer quite the bargain-hunter's haven of yesteryear: Gone are the 25¢ blackjack at downtown's long-defunct Club Bingo, the imploded Boardwalk's 59¢ chicken and roast-beef dinners (25¢ at Christmas), the free photos at Binion's and Imperial Palace, the 5¢ cup of coffee at Nickel Nicks at Westward Ho (RIP), free ice cream at the Gold Coast (and the Westward Ho, where it came with free cookies, too), and on and on.
That said, there's still plenty of free entertainment (see our "Activities" section under "Vegas Info") and bargains galore -- like the odd 99¢ graveyard special¹, $1 beers², and 99¢ shrimp cocktails³ -- if you know where to look for them, not to mention a whole raft of buffets that come in under $7, decent rooms for under $30 if you plan your trip wisely, and heaps of monster-saving coupons (just check out LVA's Pocketbook of Values, plus all the other members deals on this site).
But let's face it, these days Las Vegas caters to the ultra-rich even more than it does the value-seeker and, if money's no object, there are myriad ways to splash some serious cash, without even going near the gaming tables. Here are some suggestions:
- Let's start with accommodation. What was long the most expensive suite available for private use in Las Vegas, namely the $17,500-a-night Verona Sky Villa at the Las Vegas Hilton, has now been well and truly eclipsed by the Fantasy Towers at the Palms, where the Hardwood Suite, complete with basketball half-court, rotating loveseat, and extra-large Jacuzzi, will set you back a cool $25,000 a night. Or how about the 9,000-square-foot Hugh Hefner Playboy Mansion Sky Villa, with its glass elevator, indoor pool, three bedrooms, and spa treatment, dining, media, massage, and dining rooms, where you won't get any change out of $40K per night? Hmm, yes, that's quite a lot, but the view is priceless.
- So there's your digs taken care of. Now, what about transportation? Forget those free shuttles and trams: If you really want to splash out, how about hiring a Lamborghini Gallardo from Rent-A-Vette? It's only $1,599 a day and you get the first 100 miles free. Bargain!
- Hungry? There are several options food-wise if you really want to throw some money around. If you're in the mood for something lengthy and gourmet, check out the tasting menu at MGM Grand's Joël Robuchon. The 16-course menu's $350 per person, and that's not including your booze tab. But if all those courses are going to eat into valuable shopping time, why not just grab a burger? Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay serves one that costs $5,000 (actually, the burger's a mere $75; the accompanying wine and crystal stemware, which you get to keep, add on all the extra zeros.) But that's no longer the priciest in town, since the Palms introduced its $6,000 version. Unlike the kobe and truffle extravaganza that comprise the FleurBurger 5000, this is a humble Carl's Jr. offering, but it comes served with a 24-year-old French Bordeaux and can be delivered direct to your room -- sorry, villa.
And as recently reported in Today's News, we believe our fair city may now be home to the most expensive potato in the world, ever. Served as a side dish at Fiamma Trattoria at MGM Grand, the $70 Yukon Gold white truffle potato consists of the largest potato money can buy, which is baked to perfection and folded with bacon, sour cream, imported parmigiano-reggiano, and two grams of fresh Alba truffles from Italy. It's then topped with an additional seven grams of shaved Alba white truffles, just because they can.
- Looking for some after-dinner cocktails? Apparently, Bellagio’s Prime steakhouse still has some of its $1,050-a-shot Chivas Regal 50-Year Salute available, or sip on an "Aristocrat Martini" at Hard Rock’s Body English, which not only features some of the most rarified liquors known to mankind, but also comes garnished with a ruby-encrusted white gold swizzle stick, which is yours to keep. Cute.
- If it’s retail therapy you’re after, there are no shortage of outrageous shopping opportunities, especially in the jewelry department. We recommend heading over to the Esplanade at Wynn, where the Cartier store has limited-edition Vegas-themed charm bracelets in white gold, diamonds, and rubies. The full set of playing cards, dice, poker chips, roulette, and joker will set you back around $60,000. Or, in the same plaza, check out Graff: When we called to research this, they had a 30 carat cushion-cut 30 yellow diamond available. Cost: $940,000.
Update 07 March 2011
Fleur de Lys has closed but Hubert Keller's new Fleur still serves the Fleurburger. Also, Sugar Factor's new American Brasserie at Paris serves a $1,000 'Chocolate Gold’ fondue, featuring 24-carat, gold-coated chocolate flown in from the Dominican Republic.
07/01/2009 While the "Frrrozen Haute Chocolat" is not on the regular menu at Serendipty 3, the good news is that the New York eatery now has a location at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where they
do serve the Serendipity 3, the New York eatery that now has a location at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where they
do serve the "Golden Opulence Sundae" (which, we noted, they also claim to be a Guinness World-Record holder), which is available for $1,000 and comprises five scoops of Tahitian vanilla ice cream, rare chocolates made from Venezuelan cocoa beans, exotic fruits, and a 23-karat edible gold leaf. 48 hours prior notice is required, should you wish to indulge.
11/12/2007 It's not a Las Vegas story but it
should be and we just had to share this one:
A New York eatery is offering what's officially been dubbed the most expensive dessert in the world by Guinness World Records. The $25,000-"Frrrozen Haute Chocolate" is bulging with top-grade cocoa, edible gold, and shavings of a luxury truffle.
The dessert is a frozen, slushy mix of cocoas from 14 countries, plus milk, and 5 grams of 24-carat gold topped with whip cream and shavings from a La Madeline au Truffle. It's served in a goblet with a band of gold decorated with one carat of diamonds and served with a golden spoon, which diners can take home.
The dessert was created by Serendipity 3, a restaurant popular with tourists and once featured in a John Cusack movie.
UPDATE: 05/18/2007 The Capital Grille inside the Fashion Show Mall (3rd floor) will be serving a $1,000 "High Roller" martini through 06/30/07. The drink is served alongside a pave diamond stack ring and 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Share Our Strength, a nonprofit that fights hunger.
01/18/2007 UPDATE: BOA Steakhouse, inside the Forum Shops at Caesars, has entered the fray with its $1,000 "Kind Richard's Pride" conconcotion. The pricy concoction consists of 2 oz. Hennessy Richard, 3/4 oz. Dom Perignon Rose 1006, 1/2 oz. Chambord Liqueur Royale blended with the juice of 1/2 lime, one muddled orange slice, and a splash of cranberry juice. The lavish libation is served in a Baccarat crystal "Equinoxe" cocktail glass.
12/29/2006: Apparently, Tryst at Wynn also offers a pretty pricey cocktail: the "Menage à Trois" is a mixture of Cristal Rose champagne, Hennessy Ellipse Cognac, and 150-year-old Grand Marnier, garnished with edible gold sprinkles, and finished with a gold straw and a nine-point diamond. They're $3,000 each.
UPDATE 04/28/2008: All good things must come to an end -- or a price hike -- and we learned this weekend that the legendary 99-cent shrimp cocktail at the Golden Gate will now set you back a whole $1.99.
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