The Venezia: Likes & Dislikes
What I liked: The Italian-marble bathroom has a private water closet with a two-line phone.
What I didnt like: The Concierge Level bath menu lists five luxurious, suite-delivered baths, but omits the $55 to $85 price tag.
In a never-ending game of one-upmanship,
Vegas-style, the bar has been raised again in the Las Vegas luxury
accommodations arena with recent additions to Venezia, a
hotel-within-a-hotel at the Venetian.
A sophisticated
bistro and expanded Concierge Lounge amenities are new to Venezia,
which opened in 2003. Guests in the 12-story, 1,013-suite tower,
Las Vegas first and only concierge-level resort, enjoy larger
suites, extra service touches and a more exclusive environment in
which to reside.
Friday afternoon
check-in lines can be onerous in Vegas, so the ability to bypass
one immediately confers VIP status. From the Venetians vaulted
lobby, guests are whisked by dedicated elevator to the Venezia
lobby for a check-in that lasts no more than five minutes.
The suite where I
stayed, the 700-square-foot Bella Suite, is standard and similar in
layout to those in the original tower, but upgraded furnishings and
newer technology mark the differences.
Two comfortable
queen beds furnish the bedroom, which also contains a lighted
closet and an armoire with plasma TV. Down two steps is the living
area, set with a sofa bed, oversized chair, another armoire/TV
combo and a work desk.
The
Italian-marble bath features a large stall shower with adjustable
jets; an oversize, sunken tub; and a double-sink vanity. Bella
suites rates range from $209 to $1,049 per night.
Those who book a
suite on any Concierge-Level floor (8 through 12) receive other
perks, as well. For example, the Concierge Lounge, with a staff of
two, serves continental breakfast, midday snacks and evening
cocktails and hors doeuvres, all free.
Upgraded canapes
and pastries, exclusive to Venezia, are new introductions. A new
nightcap service offers sweets and beverages from 8 p.m. until 10
p.m, and food and beverage service is available in the lounge from
6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Then, too, theres an extensive pillow menu for
Concierge Level guests.
The pool area,
for Venezia guests only, is mostly shaded, however, due to its
location within the U-shaped buildings courtyard and its proximity
to the looming, main hotel tower.
The pool-deck
level also is home to the Venetian Wedding Chapel, which can seat
up to 150 guests or be divided into three smaller chapels. Catering
is by pastry chef Peter Wimler.
Award-winning
chef Thomas Kellers Bouchon Restaurant opened in 2004. Its
location, just off the lobby but fronting the pool deck, enables
patio dining. Bouchon offers Kellers traditional French country
cuisine.
For reservations
at Venezia, call (877) 857-1861 or visit the Web at www.venetian.com.
To contact
the reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail to[email protected].
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For more
details on this article, see Venetian exec discusses expansion, restaurants, nongaming
revenue.