Las Vegas Weekly

August 19, 2010 · 5:01 PM

Strip Scribbles: Travel + Leisure names Palazzo tops in Las Vegas

By Don Chareunsy

Emeril Lagasse, Jeremy Piven, Rob Goldstein and Kevin Dillon.

Photo: IS Photography/ImagesofVegas.com

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

The Palazzo has been named one of the Top 50 Hotels in the U.S. and Canada in Travel + Leisure 2010 World’s Best Awards readers’ poll featured in this month’s issue of the magazine. The Palazzo was ranked No. 18 among Large City Hotels (100 rooms or more) in the region and was the highest-ranked property in Las Vegas, widely regarded as the Resort Capital of the World. The World’s Best Awards hotel rankings are based on readers’ ratings in five categories: room/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food and value.

“We are very proud that The Palazzo made Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards list … and ranked first among Las Vegas hotels,” said Rob Goldstein, president and COO of The Palazzo and The Venetian, in a media release. “The fact that this award is generated from the magazine’s readers and our guests shows the public recognizes the quality of The Palazzo, which is a true testament to our dedicated staff.”

Among the amenities at The Palazzo: more than 3,000 suites; Canyon Ranch SpaClub; the award-winning and hit musical Jersey Boys; more than 60 luxury boutiques, including Barneys New York and the Las Vegas firsts for Chloe, Christian Louboutin and Diane von Furstenberg; Azure Luxury Pool; Laguna Champagne Bar; and restaurants from star chefs Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali and Emeril Lagasse.

*Justin Timberlake is bringing Justin Timberlake and Friends, an evening benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children, back to Planet Hollywood’s Theater for the Performing Arts on Oct. 23. This year’s concert includes Christina Aguilera, Sean “P.Diddy” Combs and his group Diddy-Dirty Money, Lady Antebellum, Salt-N-Pepa, Selena Gomez & The Scene, T-Pain and FreeSol.

American Express is conducting an exclusive presale for cardholders starting today, and a limited number of VIP packages will be auctioned off starting Saturday and ending Aug. 31, both through Ticketmaster. Tickets go on sale Saturday. Justin also hosts The Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open golf tournament benefit in Summerlin, with the final round the day after the concert.

*Congratulations to MGM Grand for its 11 wins in the Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Wine List Awards, more than any other single property in the world. The recipients include Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak, Nobhill Tavern, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Seablue, Diego, Pearl, Shibuya, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House, Wolfgang Puck’s Bar & Grill and Fiamma Trattoria. Joel’s wine program received top honors and “three glasses” with The Grand Award. MGM Grand restaurants amassed an astonishing 19 glasses this year, setting the record for the most at a single property.

*The third annual 2010 World MMA Awards has announced that Randy “The Natural” Couture will be the host of the awards Dec. 1 at The Pearl in the Palms. The event features top fighters in the MMA world, celebrities and MMA lifestyle brands. Couture currently stars in The Expendables, the nation’s No. 1 film.

*The clothing line Tapout had much to celebrate during MAGIC Fashion Week, including a pre-fight Tapout party at Pure in Caesars Palace on Tuesday night. Attendees included Tapout co-founders Punkass and Skyskrape, who enjoyed Jaegermeister bombs at the bar, Chael Sonnen, Court McGee, Denver Nuggets’ Chris “Birdman” Anderson, Royce Gracie, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Shane Carwin, Jamie Yager, Melvin Guillard and Anthony Johnson.

*The Playboy Club at the Palms hosted the Playboy Intimates Model Search on Tuesday night and named Las Vegas model Samantha Harris (not the former Dancing With the Stars host!) as the winner. Harris received a cash prize and advances to the finals for a chance to be the face of the 2011 campaign.

*The Scintas are replacing Clint Holmes in Lance Burton & Friends on Sunday at 4 p.m. The lineup includes Mac King, Rory Johnston and Fielding West in Lance Burton Theater at the Monte Carlo. Tickets are still available by calling 382-5554 or stopping by Zelzah Shrine Temple.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

Actor Ryan Phillippe stayed in a penthouse at Trump International Hotel while in town for MAGIC Fashion Week. … Former NFL linebacker Junior Seau was spotted at Munchbar in Caesars Palace on Tuesday night with four friends enjoying a burger and Miller Lites. … MMA veteran and commentator Frank Trigg was spotted at Nove Italiano in the Palms with his son Frankie. Frank says Nove Italiano is one of his favorite restaurants, and he enjoys dining there and visiting his friend executive chef Geno Bernardo.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Jabbawockeez opens at MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theater and dances through Wednesday. … Cash’d Out, the only tribute band endorsed by Johnny Cash’s Web site, performs a free show at Crown Nightclub in The Rio. … Vertical Horizon, Hoobastank and Crash Kings perform a free concert at VooDoo Lounge in The Rio. … Comedians Jamie Kaler and Mike Bunin are hosted by Cort McCown and Paul Hughes at Playboy Comedy Lounge in the Palms. … Ghostland Observatory is at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. … And Battle of the Bands continues at Diablo’s.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

An advance look at the stars rocking Las Vegas this weekend, including Meatloaf, Billy Idol, Norah Jones, Chris Isaak, Weird “Al” Yankovic and Wolfmother, and the wild and wanton adult entertainment stars hit The Mirage for another XXX-rated gathering, the 18th Annual Gentlemen’s Club Owners Expo and Trade Show from Sunday through Wednesday.

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.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

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