Hunter Hillegas
RateVegas.com
@RateVegas
Serrano Serrano Serrano: This is a short post about something I haven't been able to get out of my head. I had lunc... http://bit.ly/5tgXtJ
Open Letter To Vdara General Manager: Both of my trips to Vdara were extremely problematic for me as a guest - stuf... http://bit.ly/8d0kDM
@mac78130 I dunno, are you gonna tweet it?
@mac78130 Next time I hope!
Switch Beach Club at Encore http://yfrog.com/3l7s9ej
Going for one last walk through aria before I check out and head home.
Mandarin Oriental - December 18th, 200: VegasMediaGroup posted a photo: My first stay at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas. http://bit.ly/4nGcuw
Mandarin Oriental - December 18th, 200: VegasMediaGroup posted a photo: My first stay at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas. http://bit.ly/6WY7O2
Mandarin Oriental - December 18th, 200: VegasMediaGroup posted a photo: My first stay at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas. http://bit.ly/5Uzs1Y
Mandarin Oriental - December 18th, 200: VegasMediaGroup posted a photo: My first stay at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas. http://bit.ly/8vfS1t
Mandarin Oriental - December 2009: For my last night, I stayed at Mandarin Oriental... and am I glad that I did. Th... http://bit.ly/8isamf
Asked MO front desk if I could check out three hours later... "Of course sir, no problem!"
Sirio Ristorante last night was good but nothing to write home about, IMHO.
Trip highlights: ARIA's rooms, Serrano restaurant, Mandarin Oriental and reader/listener/friend meetups.
Extremely impressed by Mandarin Oriental. The answer to every request seems to be 'yes, no problem'.
Had a great time... but I'm tired.... I need a vacation from my vacation...
@fedward Well, not in success... but sure, it's possible they considered it at some point.
@Mike_E No. Spa was fine but nothing spectacular.
View from MO Bar. No DBs here, thank goodness. http://yfrog.com/3lcbkoj
@mtc I went in wearing Converse. People inside were very nice.
This week has netted me at least ten story ideas. Can't wait to share everything.
@mtc 'Private Companies' is not a good enough reason. TLG especially - smaller and basically a wing of MGM anyway.
@mtc Piggy bank.
Why hasn't MGM Mirage tried to buy Cirque or The Light Group? Even in the heyday?
The Deuce lets you order food from Union... Which we did... And it was very good.
Mandarin bar dress code is biz casual. No tennis shoes. Just FYI.
ARIA Friday Night Casino Flow http://post.ly/FW0a
Mandarin Oriental key card. http://yfrog.com/4i5xwzj
@Brian_Fey Yes.
Spotted: Baldwin and McBeath having powwow at Union. CityCenter braintrust. Where's the Murster?
@john_a_hall So far my fave Aria restaurant is Julian Serrano. Gonna do Sirio tonight.
@john_a_hall Generally good but not a one of a kind experience. I'd give it a try though... Lots of good stuff on the menu.
Looking up. http://yfrog.com/4ec6oej
@bkirsten How did you know?!?!?
Randomly recognized by spa patron for Aria opening coverage. Funny / flattering.
Sorry for lack of updates. Been posting at the bar... Ya know, having fun?
One thing that takes some getting used to at Mandarin - have to go up then down again when leaving room, through Sky Lobby.
For some reason, I thought of Ahnuld when I saw this. http://yfrog.com/4g9jmj
Okay, ariaopening.com is back online.
Sorry - ariaopening.com is down right now due to provider Rackspace's network outage. Happy friday (goodbye vacation)!
Crystals rules. No booze allowed?!? Lame. Also, video taking only with permission. Double lame. http://yfrog.com/4fdlhsj
@betsdesigns That is inside 'Elements', the Aria sundries shop just inside the north entrance.
Pocket parking.
@alexanbo Yes, seems 100% fully integrated.
This shelf seems to be your grocery option if you live at CC. http://yfrog.com/1d9z0nj
I would probably kill people to get that Serrano chorizo. Mmmmm.
@Phanos18 Dollar for dollar, Aria offers much of what MO does for less. MO seems to be a 'treat yourself' place, at least would be for me.
Chorizo at Serrano. http://yfrog.com/4ednsj
In case you were wondering, cross property charging for CityCenter works with all other MGM properties out of the gate.
@CloudSpeaker Its a gambling/lucky number thing.
Beef tenderloin at Serrano. Man, I love tapas. http://yfrog.com/3lilezj
Serrano bar. http://yfrog.com/4abxvmj
Serrano scallop is cooked perfectly. http://yfrog.com/33kr4oj
Getting very sick of crappy aria cell svc
Vegas Mate 2.1.1 update coming soon with a few tweaks and CityCenter adjustments.
Man, Serrano was fantastic for lunch. This could become a regular spot for me.
Just saw the dude who plays Lloyd on Entourage at Aria.
@gotkevin I'm not much of a buffet person but they do have a large one here at ARIA.
Lunch at Julian Serrano. Menu looks tasty.
Final CC opening meet-up tonight with @vegastripping is 7:21pm at The Deuce inside ARIA.
Mandarin appears to be a blue-tape free property.
10th floor MOLV. http://yfrog.com/4aqf7kj
Instead of a bible, they have this in the MO rooms. http://yfrog.com/3lqnvsj
First impression on Mandarin is very good. Service fantastic, very personal. Room immaculate.
@alexanbo They are indeed. New York style.
Mandarin check-in smooth as glass so far. Service level is everything they claim so far. http://yfrog.com/3gzc1ikj
Wow. Mandarin service. Wow.
@mo_lasvegas Someone at the main entrance has their wires crossed. Told me you didn't have valet and tried to send me to ARIA. Clearly wrong
@mo_lasvegas Was kinda rude. Anyway, I found the right entrance but thought you might wanna know.
Seen McBeath constantly around ARIA. At least someone that works here seems to hang out in the casino.
ARIA is like a blue tape factory. Stuff is everywhere.
ARIA / CityCenter - December 2009: VegasMediaGroup posted a photo: Photos from ARIA's opening and first night. http://bit.ly/7rLMGa
ARIA / CityCenter - December 2009: VegasMediaGroup posted a photo: Photos from ARIA's opening and first night. http://bit.ly/5asiAG
ARIA / CityCenter - December 2009 [Flickr]: VegasMediaGroup posted a photo: Photos from ARIA's opening and first ... http://bit.ly/689qHz
ARIA / CityCenter - December 2009: VegasMediaGroup posted a photo: Photos from ARIA's opening and first night. http://bit.ly/5Dn1oc
ARIA / CityCenter - December 2009 [Flickr]: VegasMediaGroup posted a photo: Photos from ARIA's opening and first ... http://bit.ly/5TuXxd
Elevator lobby ceiling. Super hot in ARIA elevators. http://yfrog.com/4a8dwenj
Just got a call from the MO concierge asking if they could do anything to make my stay more comfortable. Very nice lady.
@vegasgm85 Yeah. Crazy.
@mike4dice Huh? That doesn't make sense. You don't at Wynn either.
More ARIA photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lasvegas/sets/72157623025422570/
Okay - let's see how hard it is to move from ARIA to Mandarin Oriental. Do I have to re-valet my car like I did from Vdara?
@Y2k509 I'm not sure if it's just a mistake or if they really don't have 'em but it seems odd. I'll find out.
@carlsjrofvegas Seems doable, yeah. Not sure why they decided not to. I like that Wynn does it but perhaps not popular with everyone?
Whoever is doing the music here really likes Taylor Swift.
I wonder why ARIA didn't combine slot club card and room key. Not possible with the swipeless key tech?
@Brian_Fey There is. It's in the nightstand bottom drawer.
My Flickr shots aren't all tagged right - I'll have to fix that when I get home though.
About to do another massive ARIA/CityCenter Flickr dump. Some shots from the party the other night, etc...
No bathrobes in standard ARIA rooms? At least not in ours.
@TheVegasGeek Very very tired.
@Brian_Fey Cool, I'm flexible and I'm solo now. No clue if @chuckmonster wants in on it or not.
@vegaschatter I have serious doubts. ARIA seems superior in every way.
Cruising the convention areas. http://yfrog.com/1ejhmj
I've heard several people say the casino here is disorienting. I haven't had that problem. Just a big arc.
@Brian_Fey Mind if I join you this evening?
@Brian_Fey Nah, I had a quiet night last night...
The front check-in is partly made of this awesome reclaimed wood. Love it.
View from second level parking walkway. http://yfrog.com/4gdqmyj
I need to pick a restaurant for tonight... Union? Sage? Serrano? Sirio?
Chuckmonster
VegasTripping.com
@VegasTripping
Found 9/6 $1 jacks or better at LV Hilton (via @Ryan_Hess) Any sightings of Shatner?
Board: Aria, good or bad? http://bit.ly/8Fdjj0
Board: THEhotel going down hill... http://bit.ly/6RiuJi
Only in Vegas. Great photo from Dr Dave http://www.dieiscast.com/2009/12/22/only-in-vegas/
@EastCoastGamblr would love to know... leave a comment on vt. thx!
New Feature Posted: The Palazzo Two Years Later http://bit.ly/6PMd2t #vegas
Encore beach club 3 pools, 30 bungalows and gaming http://tinyurl.com/yczgndn (via @mac78130) Bigger news is Tihany designing for Cosmo!
Last Weeks Slot Jackpot Photos! http://bit.ly/8DhauS #vegas
Trippies Voting Ends This Monday! http://bit.ly/7VXFwO #vegas
@Mike_E pardon me boy does the choochoo smell like poo poo?
@nodeuces that guy posts strange stuff on @ratevegas too. harmless, but strange.
Board: we need a big hotel in las vegas http://bit.ly/7F95ja
Gift Shop Crap: ARIA Bicycle http://bit.ly/90UWTA #vegas
Board: Mirage Volcano http://bit.ly/7d3fKh
@anitamartini I look at those two meal types as a schism of cuisine types not necessarily a failure
VegasEats: A Tale of Two Cities and Their Sandwiches http://bit.ly/4KY7aM #vegas
Board: Trip delayed --- Need Christmas Dinner recommendation http://bit.ly/7Kg5ur
Board: Rare footage of the old Treasure Island Pirate Show http://bit.ly/84YHCP
Southwest Offers Planet Hollywood Deal/Discount http://bit.ly/5GjDfN #vegas
Did you know that the VegasTripping Facebook page is updated by a baby gorilla? http://bit.ly/W8mKO
The Pocket Perch at ARIA http://post.ly/Fn6C
@fritztheyodeler what do you like to eat?
@aprilalison no doubt. booze house was wrecked!
@donnymac66 have a great time!
@Brian_Fey hope you got home safely!
@motoman2WH3 cheers to you moto!
Mandarin Oriental Tweet Round-up http://bit.ly/6v9uF4 #vegas
Video Wall at Aria http://bit.ly/4C0lDV #vegas
JP Patisserie http://bit.ly/6Ra3ZI #vegas
Signing off from Las Vegas. http://twitpic.com/u7spy
tv checkout isn't working. Neither is calling down to the front desk. Muzak: rock lobster, unknown, blind melon
Stuffing my stuff in a thing and preparing for extraction. This might hurt.
@TheStripPodcast do you think Coach Murren will hold some soccer clinics in the pocket park?
Dessert porn http://post.ly/FYd2
This week has been Vegas tripping of truly epic proportions. I love this place.
Won another bundle at Arias craps tables. Dude rolled 4 12s in a row... Other dude netted about 25k in parlays. WOW.
Here at mo bar with @ratevegas and @brianfey ..... This is my new fave bar. http://twitpic.com/u5cqc
South view from mandarin bar http://post.ly/FXdF
Oooops! http://twitpic.com/u59a0
OMG: The Mandarin Bar at Mandarin Oriental http://post.ly/FWiI
Wow! View of @phvegas from mandarin bar @mo_lasvegas http://twitpic.com/u4kjc
Out herecteittering madly with @ratevegas. No iPhone service inside!
The deuce at aria is a greeeat place to get the night started
Join us for drinks at The Deuce inside Aria! Starting at 7:21 pm
Elvis impersonator buying glasses at the viva Elvis store http://twitpic.com/u3rvd
Board: I'm out of here on Tuesday suckers! http://bit.ly/8iLMTj
Spa suites at aria http://post.ly/FVVf
Liquid adult pool at aria http://post.ly/FVUn
Video wall at aria http://post.ly/FVUb
Had a fabulous sammich at Aria's Jpp. I'm really loving Aria. Can't wait to hear what y'all think.
@aprilalison hope he's up and at em today!
Board: Aria, Vdara, Crystals Mall and Madarin Oriental self park http://bit.ly/7Ke5Wk
@vajohna the coaster or the singing?
Arias room technology is supposed to remember your personal settings. How'd they do? http://twitpic.com/tzh9j
Even the coasters are strange http://post.ly/FQer
A Quick Roundup of Aria So Far http://bit.ly/8SN21K #vegas
Who Rolled The First Dice at Aria? Chuck Monster Did! http://bit.ly/5VTF1D #vegas
Board: So, Palazzo. http://bit.ly/8Izp3J
Only 100$ and up chips have RFID
@Phanos18 not totally sure. check in folks said that they have 1000 of the 4004 operational.
Power nap means that the batteries are charged and the liquor leg needs filling. Join us at Bar Moderno in 5 minutes!
@vegastripping Did u just have tooo let it go oh oh oh? (via @JeffinOKC). Right out the door!1
I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round.
Not sure if i'm falling asleep or passing out. If only there was a city center choo choo stop @phvegas
The bartenders at extra lounge are certified goombahs.
Pre requisite for working as dealer at Planet Hollywood: must love Journey.
I love the allman brothers
Wow. That meetup was insane thx to blackhillsboozehouse and Kung Fu April . Much scotch consumed.
Board: Aria, which is it? http://bit.ly/7ZanTl
ARIA Room Walkthrough http://post.ly/FOLw
Heading to View Bar at ARIA with @ratevegas to keep the party going. Come join us at 1:21.
@ratevegas is right across the hall from me. i can hear his stomach growling from here.
@john_a_hall i asked. not giving tours until they are completely finished and perfect... eta january
Even More ARIA Casino Chip Photos http://bit.ly/6NDezV #vegas
@jsmeeker yes it did. even before they started the pitboss told us that we were grandfathered in at $10. we all won a bundle then split
Oh and the coffee - mine - had two fingers of Mac 12 in it. I feel great and i smell like a christmas tree again. (thanks @Mike_E !!! )
remember that scene from "Back To School" where Rodney Dangerfield is drinking coffee in the shower while cramming for that test? Yeah.
Answering the door naked really throws housekeeping ladies for a loop.
its a decision that counts: coffee or scotch?
The Aria Party: Cocktail Server Dresses, Percussion Suits and Slot Technology http://bit.ly/4y3Rsy #vegas
@ratherfancy they left marks on my brain
@Mike_E @jeffthepianist thanks guys! wish you both were here!
@vegaschatter we killed it! what fun!
@betsdesigns thanks betsy! we held the dice for about 15 minutes and made everyone at the table a bundle of money
@identity_home you guys are great thank you sooo much for meeting up... big shout outs to ondarox!
@donnymac66 will you sit on my face?
@Ludakit thanks buddy! hello hotlanta!
@kalooz liquor before liquor and after liquor is my motto
@dslifton there are no sconces at aria!
@jenleo dude we made some monay tonite!
@CloudSpeaker thank you!
@lexlthr it sure as hell was! mmmmmm!
@john_a_hall hard to say. the bellagio room is like fortress, arias is smooth and much more rog thomas like.
@JeffinOKC they're friggin strange!
@jsmeeker they tested up until 5pm on 12/16 as bobby baldwin expected. lights stopped flashing yesterday.
@RichardAbowitz i gave her some gel tab, re-synthesized owsley shit. is that ok?
First hooker sighting at Aria (white sweater) http://twitpic.com/tuzvm
RT @ratevegas: Oh dear. Semi drunk at ARIA's CityBar.// sure. Semi as in completely (via @TheStripPodcast) like whoa way!!!
@Mike_E the general consensus is no
Aria matchboooks http://twitpic.com/tuy6v