The Hakone Suites are designed to evoke classical Japanese styles, with great views of the Las Vegas Strip.
All top-level gaming resorts in Las Vegas have suites that are reserved for high-rollers on the casino floor—digs that are almost never available in advance, and that become an elusive goal for VIPs looking for a truly top-tier experience.
Caesars Entertainment is breaking with that tradition. It recently launched a new brand and website that makes these top suites available for luxury advisors to book in advance for their top clients. The Anthology Collection includes the luxury suites and villas at Nobu Hotel, Paris, Harrah’s, Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace, The Cromwell, Rio, Flamingo and Bally’s.
What makes these suites special? Guests of the Anthology Suites will get VIP check-in and Total Rewards Diamond access at locations throughout all Caesars Entertainment’s Las Vegas resorts. Big bonus: Some rooms also include complimentary limo transportation from the airport, and 24-hour butler service.
Three Nobu Suites
It’s hard to choose the top rooms from 2,000 options, and while the Villas at the Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace are truly spectacular, we’re intrigued by the top suites at the year-old Nobu Hotel, a collaboration between Caesars Palace, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro. A good pick for serious foodies, the 181-room boutique hotel, designed by David Rockwell, also has the largest Nobu restaurant to date. Unique features include a private hotel registration, welcome tea served upon arrival, a minibar curated by Chef Nobu himself, and access to the Chef’s first (and again, so far, only) in-room dining menu available 24 hours a day. (You want miso black cod at 2 a.m.? This is the place to go.)
So, about those suites: The two one-bedroom duplex Nobu Penthouses cover an impressive 2,200 square feet in their most basic configuration, but extra rooms can be added to nearly double the overall square footage and offer five full bedrooms. (At its largest, the suite can cover 4,350 square feet.)
Movie buffs will appreciate the 90-inch 3D TV screen, and those who prefer a different kind of gaming will like the in-room billiard table. The dining room table can seat six (remember that 24-hour in-room dining menu?), and the master bathroom has an oversized whirlpool bathtub. And when cocktail hour (or snacktime) rolls around, the suites all have a wet bar and pantry.
Other perks include a second-story terrace and a stone hearth wall. We hear De Niro himself has stayed in the Penthouse Suite, as have Harrison Ford and Tyra Banks.
Perks include complimentary access to the fitness center at Qua Baths & Spa, complimentary VIP access to Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace, private pool access, in-room iPad registration (and an in-room docking station for iPads) and—best of all for foodies—priority reservations and VIP access to Nobu Caesars Palace restaurant. Good to know: Complimentary round-trip airport limo service is included in the reservation.
The six Sake Suites, with design elements that we hear were inspired by traditional Japanese sake drums, can have one or two bedrooms, as well as a dedicated media room with a Hi-Def TV. The living room also has a large-screen TV, which is good news for when the Mrs. wants to watch Mad Men and the Mr. wants to watch the game...or vice versa. These suites also have billiard tables as well as a wet bar and pantry for fresh food and drinks. Celeb Sightings: We hear Ed Sheeran has been a guest in these suites. Perks include private pool entry, priority seating at Nobu restaurant, and round-trip airport limo service.
The 10 Hakone Suites, which are designed to evoke classical Japanese style, can also be either one or two bedrooms—and we hear that the rooms on the 75th floor offer some top views of The Strip. The Great Room includes the living and dining rooms, and guests in the suite get nice amenities like scented sleep oils to help unwind after a busy day. We hear De Niro has stayed in the suite, as has pop singer Kesha.
The Cromwell Suite
The newest suite on The Strip can be found at the brand-new The Cromwell, a hotel in affiliation with Caesars. The swanky boutique hotel opened at the end of May, and we say it is certainly the haute hipster hotel du jour in Vegas.
Pictured: The Nobu Penthouse at the Nobu Caesars Palace has a 90-inch flat-screen TV, a billiard table, and a separate dining area.
No doubt the top pick here is The Cromwell Suite, a 2,550-square-foot, five-room escape reminiscent of a luxe Parisian apartment (think hardwood herringbone floors and blue stone for countertops). Materials throughout the suite include black and cream leather, mohair, and sexy velvet in black and cream. Nice Touch: Décor highlights include smoked mirrors and custom-made crystal chandeliers.
The suite has three bedrooms with walk-in closets, a parlor, and a formal dining room that seats eight (wet bar and refrigerator? Check and check. Guests can have both custom-stocked.). We also hear there is a lounge area with a pool table. Some of our favorite touches in the suite include the steam shower and deep soaking tub in the master bath. There are a total of three full- and one half-baths, and each has special Muk amenities.
And for that Vegas touch? Check out the antique slot machine from the private Caesars Entertainment collection. There are also 55-inch televisions in all rooms, and guests have access to a mini Mac.
The Cromwell is the product of a $225 million renovation of Bills Gambling Hall. Guests of the hotel are entitled to free breakfast each morning, which we were able to sample on a recent stay in Las Vegas. Fresh options include made-to-order omelets (yes, egg white omelets, too!), yogurt, fruit and, of course, the bacon and sausage goodies we all love to eat but probably shouldn’t.
The Cromwell is also home to Giada de Laurentiis’ first restaurant endeavor, Giada. On the roof of the hotel, guests will find Drai’s Beach Club and Night Club, but VIPs should note that this is pure party central. This is not the pool to lounge by for some R&R. But if you’re looking to see and be seen while dancing to house music and sipping fancy cocktails, then you have come to the right spot.
Luxury travel advisors can contact Karie Hall, general manager ([email protected]; 702-733-3170).
For any special requests at any of the Anthology Suites, contact Assistant Hotel Manager Adam Calig (702-785-6677).
Other Hotels Make Changes
Las Vegas is ever-changing, and there are always new hotels opening (and reopening) and new suites ready to explore.
At Mandalay Bay, owned by MGM Resorts International, the separate-tower/separate entrance THEhotel is in the middle of a renovation and will reopen in September as the Delano Las Vegas. The upgrades to the all-suite hotel will likely not affect most rooms’ footprints, but will make the spaces much brighter. (Think all-white walls, bedding and curtains to offer a pristine air.)
Pictured: The Cromwell suite has a spacious living area, with sectional seating, a flat-screen TV, an eight-seat dining table, a fridge, and a pool table.
While details are still somewhat vague, we’ve already heard buzzing about the revived hotel’s Penthouse suite, which will reportedly cover a full 1,640 square feet. As opposed to the light carpeting of the standard suites, the Penthouse will have dark hardwood floors. The suite will have three seating areas—a living room, a dining room and a cocktail space.
The living room will have lounge seating in grey (to offset the white walls, we imagine) and a gold tree trunk-inspired coffee table. The dining area will have a table for eight (with antique gold legs, we hear), and a unique concept for seating. One side will have a bench, while the other side will have traditional chairs. (Guests can take their pick for mealtimes.) The cocktail area is a good meeting space for families or small groups.
A top feature in the room will be the chandelier made of bronze rings that hangs from the coffered ceiling. We hear this fixture/conversation piece is complemented by integrated lighting cubes. (And we’re eager to see what it looks like.)
For any questions or special requests, luxury travel advisors can reach out to Chef Concierge Doug Ward ([email protected]).
The Delano is set to have a soft opening over Labor Day Weekend, and will officially open two weeks later. Stay tuned to LuxuryTravelAdvisor.com for updates from the hotel (and the Penthouse Suite) as it nears completion.