Strip Icon celebrates 50 years, looks ahead to hot new ventures
It’s been 50 years since
Caesars Palace opened its gilded doors, ushering in the Vegas of themed
decadence we’ve come to know and love. Back in 1966, guests of the Roman
Tower were greeted with super-chic shag carpeting, floor-to-ceiling
windows, round beds and whirlpools — at a whopping $14 a night,
considered high for the time.
Today
the hotel honors its past — it’s still a monument to excess — but is
far from resting on its laurels. As part of a $1 billion investment in
the resort, the Roman Tower recently underwent a $75 million overhaul
and was rebranded the Julius Tower. Its new 15th floor Signature Level
features 14 suites, each with custom stone entryways and oversized
bathrooms — starting at $900 a night.
Indeed,
as did the Romans of antiquity, Caesars continues to expand its empire.
This year saw the opening of the Montecristo Cigar Bar, a lavish haven
for cigar aficionados with a retail shop, bar, lounge and patio. The
400-squarefoot humidor is among the largest in the city. Sip perfectly
paired selections of scotch, whiskey and rare spirits, or try one of
their handcrafted cocktails while enjoying televisions throughout the
bar, a more than 200-inch digital screen and plush seating that makes
Montecristo the perfect place to watch your favorite sports teams.
Legendary
celebrity hot spot MR CHOW recently opened its seventh restaurant in
the world inside Caesars Palace — and its famous fare and flashy vibe
fit right in. Ride the private elevator up to the artsy lobby-lounge and
the stark-white dining room with a kinetic sculpture that hangs from
the ceiling as the centerpiece of the restaurant. Keep an eye out for
the Champagne trolley and enjoy signature dishes such as chicken satay,
green prawns, hand-pulled MR CHOW noodles and the famous Beijing duck.
Savor
the most expensive of all dishes at the new Caviar Room in Restaurant
Guy Savoy’s elegant lounge. The indulgent Colors of Caviar includes
green beans as a bed for the black pearls of the Caspian sturgeon,
creating a new taste that is utterly sublime.
Or sample some Golden Osetra or Siberian Baerli Caviar, at $375 a serving.
Chef
Guy Savoy also has a new eatery, Brioche by Guy Savoy, a quick-service
space similar to his successful brioche concept in Paris. Go sweet with
almond and candied fruit, Nutella, peanut butter and jelly, or savory
with onion confit, prosciutto, cheese and jalapeno.
Caesars
Palace expands its nightlife empire with the just-opened Alto Bar, now
the largest bar at the Palace, featuring delectable cocktails and
private booths with personal televisions.
The Roman Empire may have fallen — but Caesars Palace shows no signs of slowing down.
“Indeed, as did the Romans of antiquity, Caesars continues to expand its empire.”
