Las Vegas Weekly

June 8, 2009 · 12:37 PM

Photo Gallery: Mario Lopez opens Azure pool at the Palazzo

By Robin Leach

Courtney Mazza and Mario Lopez attend the grand opening of the Azure Luxury Pool at the Palazzo.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

With champagne massages poolside and bling-covered ice buckets to chill the liquid assets safely, expect the new Azure pool at the Palazzo to become the big summer hit. TV heartthrob host Mario Lopez officially opened Azure over the weekend, and girlfriend Courtney Mazza and he were the first to enjoy the unique couples massage under the secluded gazebo.

They didn’t mind who spotted them kissing and cuddling on their runaway weekend here. Mario told me in his VIP air-conditioned cabana that he’s already in training to compete in the Malibu triathlon this fall to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club that he belonged to as a youngster.

“I’m pretty confident about the marathon and the bike ride, but the swim part has me worried. I’ve got to go up against Michael Phelps, and swimming in the open ocean, however rough the water, won’t be easy. Then, even without the Hollywood agents, I still have to face the possibility of sharks!” he laughed.

Vivacious Natalie Morales of NBC’s Today wound up with cupcake cream on her nose when Mario surprised her with a “tree of gooey cupcakes” for her birthday. She was celebrating at Azure while filming segments of her Stiletto Spy School adventures for Today.

“It’s all about women learning empowerment,” Natalie told me. “They push limits and break boundaries for a life-altering experience teaching hand-to-hand combat firearm training at the same time as teaching pole dancing and poker playing!” Without resorting to combat exercises, Natalie also made sure the creamy cake wound up on Mario’s nose!

Mario and Courtney were accompanied by his cousins and his Extra TV crew for a segment they filmed around Azure that’s set for this week’s show. They ordered up lobster salads from celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s new pool restaurant Solaro, and Mario and Courtney sipped on vodka cranberry and pineapple coolers.

Twice daily, there’s a fashion show around the three intimate European-styled pools that make up the French and Italian Riviera-styled hideaway complex featuring models from all the Shoppes at the Palazzo. There’s even an official sprits model who happily sprays chilled Evian water to cool down the sun worshippers, another to deliver ice cold towels and yet another to apply the sunscreen. Three Canyon Ranch Spa Club masseuses provide the poolside spa services.

Also in attendance at Mario’s opening were Nadine Velazquez of My Name Is Earl and Melora Hardin of The Office. Nadine brought her dog Kiki complete with a faux-hawk, and she shared her lobster salad and bottled Voss water with Kiki. Melora was in town for the weekend with her two adorable young daughters and husband to promote her new film You. Melora said she’d heard that it was the official Azure opening and insisted that she stop by because she had already heard whispers that it was the best new glamorous pool with the newest luxurious amenities. She joined Mario and Nadine, and all three said they loved the new swim pool nookery!

I loved it, too, especially because as nightlife queen Xania Woodman from our sister publication Las Vegas Weekly publication reported, “It’s champagne wishes and caviar pizza!” Yes, my “rich and famous’ pizza is on the menu and served by some of the prettiest and most charming model staff you could ever wish to see!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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