Las Vegas Weekly

May 26, 2009 · 12:37 PM

The Palms and Palms Place are celebrity central over Memorial Day weekend

By Robin Leach

Ben Stiller at Simon.

Photo: Denise Truscello

At first glance, it looked as if there were more celebrities staying at the Palms this Memorial Day weekend than there were regular guests! Hollywood practically emptied out and traveled to George Maloof’s casino resorts.

Nicole Ritchie, Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden and baby Harlow stayed in a two-bedroom suite at Palms Place and enjoyed brunch with Iron Chef Kerry Simon at his restaurant. Nicole relaxed with a Mellow Mama pre-natal massage for expectant mothers in the Drift Spa, while Joel received the sports muscle massage treatment and Benji Madden went off to a private cabana at the pool. … Actor Ben Stiller also was at Palms Place in a two-bedroom penthouse and dined in the main dining room of N9NE Steakhouse with eight friends enjoying big tuna for the appetizer and lobster tail for the entree. He went back to the kitchen to sign executive chef Barry Dakake’s famous door. Later, he was at The Playboy Club, where he drank Fiji water and played blackjack for most of the night. Ben, whose sequel Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, was No. 1 at the weekend box office, had breakfast at Simon at Palms Place yesterday morning.

Photo: Shane O'Neal

Bronson Olimpieri and Ben Stiller.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Brothers Joel and Benji Madden at the Bank in the Bellagio.

Guests who made a splash at the Palms Pool & Bungalows included Darnell Dockett of the Arizona Cardinals, Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts, Gary Guyton of the New England Patriots, Harry Sharper, the older brother of Darren Sharper of the Minnesota Vikings, Shawne Merriman of the San Diego Chargers, Terrell Owens of the Buffalo Bills, Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers, Larry Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs, Willie Parker of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Willis McGahee of the Baltimore Ravens, Juwan Howard of the Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Finley and Drew Gooden of the San Antonio Spurs, Rashad Dion McCants of the Sacramento Kings, Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics and Sam Cassell, now assistant coach of the Washington Wizards.

Photo: TVT

Jesse McCartney and Kerry Simon.

Celebrities dining at N9NE Steakhouse included NBA star Charles Oakley, Jeremy Shockey of the New Orleans Saints, Javon Walker of the Oakland Raiders and singer-songwriter Jesse McCartney. Kim Kardashian’s boyfriend Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints joined the group as they all departed to Rain for DJ AM’s turn behind the turntables. Other guests at N9NE were bling-laden Larry Johnson and comedian and actor Dane Cook, who had a steamed lobster tail and Fiji water before racing to the stage of The Pearl for his show. Also spotted in N9NE Steakhouse were Juwan Howard, Steven Jackson of the Golden State Warriors and Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans.

Photo: Palms

Paul Oakenfold.

Up at Nove Italiano, rival DJ Tiesto joined Rain resident DJ Paul Oakenfold, while upstairs in The Playboy Club, XXX actress Mary Carey danced for most of the night dressed in a white dress and stilettos after dinner at Simon in Palms Place. Tiesto also sat in at Rain sipping champagne and listening to Paul and DJ AM. By the midnight hour, all of the jocks had gathered for one large party at Rain, including the late arrival of pro boxer Zab Judah.

In Moon, more athletes rocked out: Sammy Morris of the New England Patriots, UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, UFC fighter Dan “Hendo” Henderson, Brazilian MMA and lightweight UFC contender Hermes Franca with MMA fighter Jeremy Stephens, as well as hip-hop artists and producers Jermaine Dupri and Nelly. … Former NFL star Ken Norton Jr., who is coaching now at USC, hung out at Ghostbar until 3 a.m.

I don’t think the Palms has ever played host to so many VIPs within the short span of three days! Let’s hope it’s a sign that the doom and gloom economy has hit bottom and is on the rebound!

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