Destinations

The 5 S's of Selling Experiential Travel to Vegas

Experiential travel, the trend du jour these days, hinges on experiencing a destination’s “true sense of place”—it’s about participation, not observation. For example, an experiential itinerary to Las Vegas isn’t complete without sensational dining, lacks excitement without an extravaganza and won’t impress unless a first-class suite is included in the mix. 

Taken together, these features - the suite life, showstoppers, super clubs, destination dining and world-class spas/shopping - are the X-factors behind Vegas’ ongoing popularity. And, they are the 5 S’s that will help you showcase your creativity and grow your Vegas sales. One cannot exist without the other and total customization is possible. 

1.    THE SUITE LIFE 

Don’t even think of creating an experiential package to Vegas without including a couple of suite options (big, bigger and biggest). 

How to Choose the Right Suite

A good rule of thumb when creating itineraries to Vegas is to remember that everyone wants to feel like a VIP on a trip to Sin City. Don’t pitch a one-bedroom room when a penthouse suite or villa is really what your clients have in mind. 

Rather than focus on size, look for recently renovated suites that feature high design, spacious bathrooms and outdoor space, enhanced amenities, like butler service, and stunning views. These modern amenities will set the stage for an epic trip. 

Another key consideration is a property’s proximity to top-rated dining, nightlife, attractions and shopping (all four). Suite parties are usually the after-parties so access to all-day entertainment is paramount and VIPs don’t sit in traffic. 

Featured Suites 

  • Girlfriend Getaways: Sake Suites at Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace Sake Suites range from 1,300 to 1,950 square feet and include a separate media room and bar area, complimentary access to Venus European Pool Lounge, priority seating to Nobu Restaurant and round-trip airport limo service.

     

  • Bachelor Parties: The Cromwell Suite at The Cromwell This 1,730-square-foot suite extends to 2,550 square feet with connecting room options. Features a spacious living area, an eight-seat dining table and a pool table, complimentary roundtrip airport limo service and access to Drai’s rooftop Beachclub.
  • Living Large: Marcus Aurelius Villa at Caesars Palace The 9,500-square-foot Marcus Aurelius Villa is made for Emperor-esque stays. The Spanish Villa features three luxurious-sized bedrooms, a grand piano (for those Elton John-style soirees), a billiard room and a media room. Guests have their own private entrance and (huge) private terrace, can drink champagne in their own whirlpool tub and reflect on the good life around their own private fire pit. 

2.    MUST-SEE SHOWS AND ATTRACTIONS

Besides over-the-top accommodations, Las Vegas has cemented itself as one of the world’s entertainment capitals and seeing a show means experiencing the city in all it’s glory.  

Residency Acts

  • Céline Dion at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace: Canada’s ‘Queen of Pop’ recently extended her residency. The newly announced shows will take place from Oct. 30-Nov. 17, 2018 and Dec. 28, 2018 to Jan. 20, 2019.
  • Gwen Stefani – Just a Girl at Zappos Theater, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino: Multi-platinum recording artist and global icon Gwen Stefani is now on the Las Vegas Strip with her exclusive headlining residency show. Performances take place in Dec., Feb. and Mar. 
  • Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life at Zappos Theater, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino: The best-selling boy band of all time has less than 10 shows this year, with final performances Feb. 6-April 27, 2019.

Attractions 

  • The LINQ Promenade:  This 200,000-square-foot outdoor entertainment plaza features 40 shops and restaurants as well as the wildly popular 550-foot observation wheel, High Roller, and even a 32-lane bowling alley, Brooklyn Bowl. Your clients can also soar 1,080 feet above The LINQ via Fly LINQ, a 10-line zipline experience coming soon.
  • Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck at Paris Las Vegas: A half-scale replica of the world-famous Paris landmark, the 46-story observation deck boasts a 360-degree view of the city and its most stunning sites. 

     

  • The Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo Hotel & Casino: Home to more than 60 exotic birds, including Chilean flamingoes, and 300 fish species, this complimentary attraction is a magical oasis. 

3.    FROM SUNUP TO SUNDOWN

Las Vegas is a true 24-hour destination which is why suggesting the right pool party is just as important as securing VIP access to the hottest clubs. 

The Best Pool Parties

  • GO Pool Dayclub at Flamingo Hotel & Casino: Celebrity hosts and a cascading waterfall set the stage for the summer’s hottest pool party.
  • Drai’s Beachclub at The Cromwell: The Strip’s only rooftop pool deck sits 11 stories high and boasts eight pools and live concert performances.
     

    A post shared by The Cromwell (@cromwellvegas) on

     
  • The Scene Pool Deck at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino: Hang 10 with the FlowRider Wave-in-a-Box Double.

The Best Nightclubs

  • Omnia Nightclub in Caesars Palace: Unofficially “the best club” for tastemakers, Omnia Nightclub regularly hosts DJ Calvin Harris and thousands of other party goers in its stunning 75,000-square-foot party palace.
  • Drai’s Nightclub at The Cromwell: After dark, the Beachclub hangout turns into a pulsating nighttime destination, where guests can party in over 65,000 square-feet of space. 

Experiential Add On: Put together a private bar crawl for your group travel clients. Reserving bottle service all but guarantees your clients VIP status.

4.    SAVOR THE STRIP

Food is the cornerstone of any experiential trip and Las Vegas, with its perfect fusion of fine dining and casual cuisine, is what some are calling America’s top dining destination. Don’t take our word for it, take theirs:

Chef’s and Editor’s Picks 

  • Rao's at Caesars Palace (Food Network): Chef Anne Burrell doesn't visit Las Vegas often, but when she does, she races to Rao's, home of old-school Italian dishes.
  • BLT Steak at Ballys (Thrillist.com, The Best Steakhouses in Las Vegas): Dinner isn’t complete without the signature popovers made with gruyere cheese, but the 28-day dry-aged New York strip is the best reason to return for a repeat visit.
  • Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace (Condé Nast Traveler): This is pure special occasion indulgence and absolutely romantic.
  • Beijing Noodle No. 9 at Caesars Palace (featured on David Chang’s Ugly Delicious): What they eat: hand-stretched noodles with tomato and scrambled egg, Sichuan fish.
  • Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen at Caesars Palace (Food & Wine): One of the busiest restaurants in Vegas, full of guests eager to get a taste of signature Ramsay dishes. 

Experiential Add On: Lip Smacking Foodie Tours’ “Savors of the Strip” allows guests to experience the 12+ signature dishes at several top-rated restaurants on one three-hour tour. 

5.    SPOIL YOURSELF

Just as Vegas is world-renowned for its hotels and nightlife, the destination is also just as famed for being a shopping mecca and spa sanctuary.

World-Class Wellness 

  • Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace: This critically-acclaimed spa is the only spa with Nobu-branded treatments. 
     

    A post shared by Caesars Palace (@caesarspalace) on

     

  • Spa at The LINQ: Featuring the only Himalayan salt therapy cave in Vegas and other unique treatments like Alaskan Glacial Mud wraps.

Shopping Matters 

Experiential Add On: Suggest your clients visit the Martin Lawrence Galleries, a 27,000-square-foot showcase where your clients can come face-to-face with original and unique works by 20th century masters, including Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.

Of the 42.9 million travelers visited Las Vegas last year, about 29 million visited the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Dubbed “The Shopping Wonder of the World,” this 636,000-square-foot retail paradise boasts more than 160 shops, including countless luxury brands, like Gucci and Versace, as well as diverse dining options.


 

The editorial staff had no role in this post's creation.