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Sleek design and furnishings combine with high-tech amenities to offer guests an upscale experience at HOTEL32 |
When the top floors of Monte Carlo in Las Vegas caught fire last year, the world watched in disbelief. A year later, the top floors have reopened, with 50 rooms totally reconfigured and reconsidered for upscale travelers who want an entirely different take on Vegas.
In fact, HOTEL32 is considered a separate entity from Monte Carlo; it’s a boutique hotel designed for VIPs in both its furnishing and service. Travel Agent got an insider’s perspective on the new digs just a week after they opened—in mid-August, when we were in town for Virtuoso’s Travel Mart. Monte Carlo executives took the time to walk us through the top-floor suites before sitting us down and spending quality time to introduce us to the cuisine offered by the top chefs of the hotel.
The HOTEL32 experience works like this. Guests arrive at Monte Carlo by pre-arranged limousine service from McCarran International Airport. When the car service pulls up at the resort’s porte cochere, a suite assistant awaits to whisk your A-lister via express, private elevator to HOTEL32. Check-in occurs in the guest room or suite. Unique choices will be on hand in the room, such as 12 different types of pillows, as well as Nintendo Wii.
A dedicated suite assistant comes with all accommodations at HOTEL32; the hotel also provides butler and concierge services throughout the stay. Additional services include complimentary clothes pressing and pre-stocking fridges with your favorite drinks.
While HOTEL32 is meant for those who love the high life, it’s all quite democratic in that room types vary from one-room Suites to Studios to two-bedroom Penthouses. Nice touch: Kiehl’s amenities are used in all guest rooms at the property.
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Guests at HOTEL32 can take in fabulous views of the Strip while enjoying a soothing hydrotherapy session in the large tubs in every suite |
We saw a standard Studio room measuring 400 square feet that had a spacious living area in front of the bed, with cushy seating arranged to view a 42-inch, flat-screen TV. The bathroom was also spacious.
Next door, a 1,200-square-foot one-bedroom Loft had a nice little fridge and bar area with an espresso/coffee machine. What we loved most, however, was the dining area, which wasn’t some dead space set aside for a dining table. Rather, it had a spiffy long, raised table with cool orange chairs, right next to a swanky dark brown L-shaped couch that was placed smack dab in front of a flat-screen TV.
The bathroom in each suite has a large hydrotherapy soaking tub.
Glass-enclosed showers have a “Chromatherapy” feature with mood enhancement through colored lights.
Two-bedroom Penthouses are 2,000 square feet in size with all of the fabulous features of the lofts, plus full kitchens with cozy dining and living areas. There’s also a separate, large living/entertainment room.
Bathtubs are luxe and large, positioned so they have great views of the Strip.
Other great touches throughout HOTEL32 include a remote system for the room’s drapes, lights and electronics; there’s also a BluRay player and a TV that’s integrated into the bathroom mirror. Best of all, however, is the iPod, with a downloadable concierge feature, that all guests receive when they check in. This lets them book spa sessions and make dining reservations when they’re either elsewhere on property or all the way down the Strip.
If your clients are traveling on business, they can request a laptop for use during their stay. A lounge exclusive to HOTEL32 serves refreshments and evening cocktails. Rates for HOTEL32 begin at $250 per night, excluding tax and fees.
Meanwhile, Monte Carlo continues to add to its dining and entertainment features. Dragon Noodle Co. & Sushi Bar reopens this fall, with three different culinary styles: classic Chinese cuisine, house-made dim sum and sushi.
The restaurant’s lounge will have a sake list, plus an international selection of spirits. Tiki cocktails include the Purple Pearl (Moonstone Momokawa Black Raspberry Sake, Marie Brizard Cassis Liqueur, Sweet & Sour and fresh blackberries) and the Volcano, a rum-based cocktail for two served in a smoking volcano-shaped goblet.
d.vino Italian Food & Wine Bar, also opening this fall, will serve Italian cuisine and more than 150 wines. The Pub (formerly the Brew Pub) has gotten a makeover and will host the musical duo Zowie Bowie on Fridays and Saturdays. Serving more than 50 beers on tap, The Pub will now be considered “the place” to watch football.
Impersonator Frank Caliendo, meanwhile, will become a permanent headliner at Monte Carlo beginning October 12. He’s known for his impressions of Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Dr. Phil, Jay Leno and former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
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The spacious dining area of a one-bedroom Loft |