For those of you that missed last week’s post, I was in Vegas earlier this month and was spoiled staying at the Aria Resort & Casino. Here’s “Part II” on this fabulous hotel…
Truffle Pizza & Prosecco at Five50 Pizza Bar
For our first meal of the trip, we headed to James Beard Award-Winning Chef Shawn McClain’s Pizza Bar, Five50, on the casino level at the Aria. We started with the Crispy Monterey Calamari, Arugula and Fennel Salad, and the recommended (for good reason) Pepperoni Arancini Rice Balls. Yuuum. The pies we chose were the Gotham with pepperoni, sausage, salami, mozzarella, and grana padana and the Truffle with truffle salami, béchamel, parmesan, fresh thyme, and shaved truffles. Mouth-watering…and I washed in down with a glass of Prosecco. Made perfect sense as that’s just what I needed after getting off a 5 hour flight…bubbles and salt. But I’d fly back the 5 hours right now for that fab meal, bloat and all.
When you need a sweet treat after your meal at Five50, or even as a mid-afternoon pick me up, Jean Philippe Patisserie offers this pretty assortment of gelato. Decisions, decisions.
Jean Philippe Gelato
One afternoon, I had some time to kill before my husband got back from CES and I heard the Aria Spa + Salon was one of the best in Las Vegas so I booked a massage. Well, it didn’t disappoint…in fact, I stayed so long my husband was texting me, “Hello? Are you coming back?” Hmm. I had to think about it.
Aria Spa + Salon
The huge spa had stunning floral arrangements throughout and a gorgeous fireplace (above) blazing at the main entrance which was opposite their gym…which looked very nice for those who felt so inclined to work off their truffle pizza. I moved on as I heard the cucumber water calling my name…along with the hot & cold plunge pools, the Ganbanyoku beds, and the Shio Salt Room where I spent half of my time.
Spa Ready at the Aria
My Signature Therapeutic massage, given by one of the 45 therapists on staff, was exactly that. According to my masseuse, they have 60 massage rooms in the spa as massages are the #1 requested treatment with facials as a close second.
Terrene, Women’s Clothing & Accessories at the Aria
Outside of the spa, you’ll find Women’s Clothing and Accessories store Terrene which carries brands such as Red Valentino, Michael Kors, Vince, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Missoni in case you “need” something a little more exciting for your night (or day) on the strip. Plus, they carry Laura Mercier too for any last minute makeup emergencies.
Crystals in Las Vegas
Attached to the Aria, you’ll find the unbelievable Crystals mall. The word “mall” sounds so cheap, though, when describing their assortment which includes Balenciaga, Jimmy Choo, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Stella McCartney, Gucci, Fendi, Dior, and Prada…to name a few. Crystals is more like a museum…of the best wearable artwork I’ve ever seen. And it’s definitely the best neighbor the hotel could ask for. Attached to Crystals, via over-the-strip walkway, is The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, another fun hotel nearby, where you’ll find Rent-the-Runway, several tasty restaurants, and the Chandelier bar. But the best part is probably the walkway over where you can see the view of the strip and take fun pictures like this.
Headed to dinner at The Cosmopolitan
All in all, I loved the Aria Hotel & Casino and will definitely recommend it to others and stay there again when in Vegas. It was the perfect mix of modern yet elegant decor, mouth-watering food, first-class amenities (from the spa to the concierge), and a young vibe…even if Vegas did remind me, I’m not getting any younger.
New year, new giveaways! One of our resolutions at Arrive Chic is to share the wealth with all of our loyal readers and giveaway some of our fabulous travel finds. So, here’s the first fun travel giveaway of 2014 and just in time for your Valentine’s Day escape! This fun pink Heys Xcase 20″ Carry-On! We love the XCase as it’s durable, a lightweight 5.3 lbs, has smooth rolling in-line wheels, and a built in divider with a mesh pocket. Plus, it’s adorable in pink. Perfect for your romantic Valentine’s Day weekend or your next girls trip.
Hurry and enter now…this contest ends Tuesday, January 28th at 12:30 p.m. After all, you’ll need it to arrive before Feb. 14th!!
Good Luck and Happy Pink Travels!
Planning our entire year of travel in January
Life in general is hectic for everyone these days. Work is never ending, most of us have an unhealthy relationship with social media which takes up every spare moment we have, and then we try to squeeze in a personal life…somewhere. So no one has the time to keep discussing where to go on vacation this month, next month, or next season. Make your life a little simpler by sitting down once in January to plan your travel for the entire year.
Make a list of vacation goals & then prioritize them by which need to happen and which you want to happen most:
- how many trips just for you and your love?
- how many family vacations like Spring Break, Summer vacation, or Disney trips?
- how many holiday trips to see the entire family tree?
- how many trips for weddings or big events?
- how many girlfriend getaways or boys weekend trips?
- will you get to anything on your travel bucket list this year?
Then, set a budget for the year and dole out which trips you want to spend the most on…your girlfriend getaway or the family trip?
Based on the budget you’ve assigned for each trip, then decide where the destination can be…St. Bart’s or the Bahamas?
There’s a lot there to discuss. So knock it out in one convo and then let your most favorite travel advisor do the work for you. Sound overwhelming to discuss spending all that money in one shot? If it helps, break your list into two parts. Plan the first half of the year now and set the second half as goal trips. Then come June, revisit and actually plan the second half of the year then. Just remember, if you pick your dates and locations early, you’ll get the best availability, rates, and you’ll feel a little less hectic…at least in the travel category of your life.
Last week, I tagged along on my husband’s business trip for the Consumer Electronics Show…and I’m so thankful I did especially since we stayed at the Aria Resort & Casino. It wasn’t a difficult choice, really. Vegas? Yes, please. I had been before to Las Vegas but not in a few years and the last trip…let’s just say I was younger and it’s a bit foggy. This time, we stayed at the beautiful and modern Aria Resort & Casino and, luckily, holiday decorations were still up when we arrived on the 7th of January.
Gorgeous holiday arrangements at the Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas
Holiday Reindeer at the Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas
The view from our room on the 51st floor was fantastic both during the day and night…
Our Vegas room with a view, daytime
Our room with a view from the Aria, nighttime
I could have stared at the Focus Water Wall, the Tony Cragg sculptures, and the Lumia Fountain with it’s colorful “liquid fireworks” show all night…and if you asked my husband, I did.
Focus Water Wall at Aria Resort & Casino
Tony Cragg Sculpture at the Aria Resort & Casino
Lumia Fountain at Aria Resort & Casino
And the flowers…oh, the flowers. Breathtaking.
An abundance of flowers at the Aria Resort & Casino
The Jean Philippe Patisserie, on the casino level, was the best for a quick bite for breakfast and for some of the world’s most beautiful sweet treats. Their chocolate croissants were flaky and sweet perfection along with the white chocolate latté I had each morning.
Jean Philippe Patisserie’s sélection, coffee and to-die-for chocolate croissant, and me…one happy girl at the Aria Resort & Casino in Vegas.
I could use another one of those coffees and croissants (in fact, all of those treats) about now. In fact, there’s a lot from Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas that I need right about now. Stay tuned to find out exactly what I mean with more Vegas trip details later this week.
xo,
Ashley
I’ve always wanted to throw a fab Golden Globes party and invite all my girls over…champagne in my crystal kate spade new york Library Stripe Flutes, irresistible hors d’oeuvres served on my Tiffany & Co. wedding china (that never gets used), and “Jeans & Jewels” attire required. We want to be comfortable, after all, when we dish on all the good, bad, and ugly on the red carpet. But that will probably have to wait until my kids (and theirs) are a bit older than 1 and 4. We’re all wiped come 8pm on a Sunday. For now, I’ll do as last night and sip rosé and munch on popcorn in my PJs with my husband who was my red carpet partner. But to tell you the truth, he lost all fashion interest about 15 minutes in. So, no help from him. But here are my red carpet favorites…which weren’t so easy to pick. The ladies brought it this year…and with a Barneys New York buying background in Eveningwear, I know my gowns. Find all of the red carpet looks from the 2014 Golden Globe Awards at HuffingtonPost.com. Which were your favorites?
#1 Amy Adams in Valentino was my favorite of the evening…including the cape she arrived in. She looked young and modern with her hair swept up softly in braids.
#2 Cate Blanchett in black lace Armani Privé was stunning with high neck and plunging back.
#3 Lupita Nyong’o proves that simple elegance always works in this Ralph Lauren strapless cape gown with minimal jewelry.
#4 Margot Robbie was sleek and dazzling in crisp white with jeweled trim by Gucci.
Sorry I’ve been MIA in MIA. I’ve had a hangover. A hangover from the holiday season. Why wouldn’t I? It really is the most wonderful time of the year from Thanksgiving to New Years! The decorations are beautiful…
Holiday Decorations from our home, The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne (roses & nutcracker), and, even, Zoo Miami.
There are plenty of delish holiday treats to be had.
Peppermint Mochas for all!
You have the time to get together with family and create memories of occasions that will be cherished and remembered always.
Some of the lovely ladies of the family
Seeing my boys faces on Christmas morning is priceless.
The boys on Christmas morning
And, somehow or another, my husband, Joe, and I always find a way to steal extra time just for us.
Me & Joe at La Playa Resort in Naples
Ringing in the New Year
But to be honest, I was ready to put every last Santa hat, dancing reindeer, and icicle light back in storage come January 1st and start fresh with a clean slate for 2014. I was ready to reach for those new goals, to get back into our regular routine, and to maybe, just maybe, stick to the budget again. But come January 3rd, or so, I had the blahs. The holiday hangover blahs of what’s next? Where’s the excitement? Where are all of the pretties? So what cures this hangover? Only one thing… A trip to Vegas! So far, it’s just the cure. Stay tuned and I’ll give you the scoop on everything I’m finding that’s fun, yummy, and fabulous! But here’s a quick peak into the sin city trip thus far…
En route to Vegas…it was even cold in Miami that day!
Darth Vader, my cool seat mate…until his owner proved to be the drunkest guy on the flight.
The view from our room at the Aria
Now, let’s just hope I don’t come home with a real hangover…fingers crossed.
Meet Ashley
Former NYC fashion industry girl, forever traveler, foodie at heart, and now Mom in Miami. My blog, Arrive Chic, covers the style I find in everyday life both on the road and at home, often with my two energetic little boys in tow.
