Ask the Expert: Insider Information on New Years in Las Vegas

Man oh man! Le Reve, the show at Wynn Las Vegas

From one of our readers:

I wish I could be asking for travel advice for some amazing international destination. With your help It will be amazing non-the-less. I’m planning on going to Vegas over New Years with my European long lost love, and we are trying to spark a relationship.

It is both of our first time going to Vegas and we are having a hard time figuring out, particularly where to stay and also things to do. I’ve spoken to my friends who go to Vegas regularly and they all spill off a whole list of hotels which doesn’t exactly narrow down the options. One consensus is that we should stay on the strip. Another seemingly good piece of advice was to find a New Years party that we want to go to and then try and stay at that hotel so that concierge can help us get into the party. Our problem is there seems to be lots of parties and because I don’t know any of the venues I’m having a hard time picking.

So, what we would love help with would be to get help picking a hotel, New Years party, and some other things to do, restaurants, shows, nights out. We are looking for a trip with a lot of excitement and some romantic moments thrown in. Any advice you can give would be very appreciated. — G

From one of our experts in Vegas:

All holiday action is on the Strip or in various clubs with their respective celebrity and DJ hosts. If they want to dance, they can pick any of the popular ones (XS has Steve Angello, Surrender has Will.I.am, Hard Rock has Drake, Marquee hasn’t announced) and have a good time.

This may not be ideal for a couple looking to hit it off. If that’s the goal but not total insanity, one possibility is the Foundation Room which sits atop Mandalay Bay on the far end of the Strip. Great view and perfect for watching fireworks. I’m sure the Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas will do something. Anywhere they go is going to be busy and a bit more pricey than normal.

Of course, there’s always the option to visit one of the gay clubs or experience NYE on Las Vegas Blvd.

My personal favorite option, and it’s challenging but not impossible, is to get a room high up and facing the Strip. The ones on the end of the Strip (Mandalay Bay, THEhotel, Wynn or Encore) have the best vantage points, but any will allow you to see the fireworks.

This way it’s intimate and not insanely crowded. Enjoy a prefixed dinner in one of the destinations fabulous restaurants and then retreat upstairs. Those various menus will come out soon, we just need to get a bit closer to Thanksgiving.

Here are some additional suggestions for a couple looking to have a romantic time:

Shows

• Le Rêve
• LOVE
• Zumanity
• Stevie Wonder is doing a special show at the Cosmo for NYE
• Celine is back at Caesars on 12/28

Restaurants

• Okada, Wing Lei or Bartolotta at Wynn
• Sinatra or Botero at Encore
• Alize or Nove at Palms
• Yellowtail or Jasmine at Bellagio
• miX at THEhotel
• The Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris (sounds cheesy but the food is decent and the view incredible)
• Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas
• Rao’s at Caesars Palace
• CUT, Carnevino or Lavo at Palazzo
• Brunch: Simon at Palms Place, Jazz Brunch at The Country Club in Wynn

Editor: For great gay-specific packages, check out the Wynn/Encore. (Click here.)

Ed Salvato on Sirius Radio Tuesday, May 17

From our friends at Sirius OutQ:

Ed Salvato is scheduled for a live in-studio interview with Derek and Romaine of Sirius XM Satellite Radio Tuesday May 17th at 7PM.  The interview will last about 15-20 minutes.  This will broadcast live on Sirius XM OutQ 108.  Listeners and fans are welcome to participate by calling 866-305-6887.  For those who don’t subscribe to Sirius, a free online trial is available at www.siriusxm.com.

Here’s some information on the show:

• Twitter: @dnrshow
• Facebook: Derek and Romaine Show (group)
• Website: http://www.dnrshow.net/

Massachusetts’ Official Same-sex Wedding Planner

The Massachusetts Office of Travel + Tourism, announced the launch of a new microsite designed to serve as a resource directory for same-sex couples getting married in the Commonwealth, www.massvacation.com/LGBTwedding.

The new site provides a step-by-step guide to everything you need to know about planning your same-sex nuptials in Massachusetts.

“Massachusetts still leads the country when it comes to ‘firsts’ for the LGBT community,” says Betsy Wall, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel + Tourism , “The first online resource guide aimed at helping same-sex couples plan for their wedding celebrations is another one of those firsts.”

Find out which wedding venues OutTraveler named best in the land!

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

The Hot 5: Jumeirah Essex House’s Manhattan

Patrick Sewell, Guest Relations Manager at Jumeirah Essex House, handles the most exacting guests and VIP requests with calm aplomb at this storied Manhattan hotel on Central Park. With a charming Caribbean lilt, Jamaica-born Sewell shared some of his favorite NYC recommendations:

1. Gastronomic Adventure – Of course, I love South Gate right here in the hotel, with its floor-to-ceiling views of the park, but one of my favorite new spots is Kin Shop (469 Sixth Ave., 212-675-4295) in the West Village. Top Chef fans know chef/owner Harold Dieterle was one of the best contestants ever, but you don’t have to know the show to enjoy the inventive but unassuming, modestly-priced Thai cuisine. In the Flatiron District, Mario Batali’s new food emporium, Eataly (200 Fifth Ave., 646-398-5100), is a temple to all things deliciously Italian. Make a picnic out of imported treats or dine in one of the market-themed restaurants.

2. Bend Your Plastic – In nicer weather, the newly renovated Ralph Lauren (867 Madison Ave., 212-434-8000) flagship on the Upper East Side makes a lovely short stroll across Central Park. It’s worth the visit just to see the magnificent renovation of the Polo mansion housing the men’s collections. Women’s wear is now located across the street.3. Culture Beat – We are blessed to have New York’s major Broadway theaters a short walk south of the hotel. Some of our guests planned visits around the opening of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert last month. Two other must-sees are Billy Elliot and the new revival of Angels in America; see Broadway.com for info/tickets.

4. A Mad Mad World – Our (almost) next-door neighbor, the Museum of Art and Design (2 Columbus Circle, 212-299-7777) is a gorgeously executed redesign of a former hulking eyesore overlooking Columbus Circle. Inventive exhibitions cover everything from textiles to industrial design and the museum shop is stocked with to-do-for presents.

5. Drink up — There are a huge number of gay and gay-popular bars, lounges, and nightspots near the hotel, mostly in Hell’s Kitchen, but for the more adventurous, Apothéke (9 Doyers St., 212-406-0400) serves up a lilbrary of inventive drinks. Located deep in Chinatown in a former apothecary, it has a speakeasy feel and serves up a thrilling dollop of old New York for visitors and locals alike. It can be challenging to find, even for Manhattanites, making it feel all the more exclusive.

Check in: The Jumeirah Essex House, recently renovated to the tune of $90 million, marries the best of golden-era Deco architecture and style with modern comfort and technology, accented by high standards of service. With Central Park across the street from the hotel, you can enjoy the constantly changing scenery of the park from the comfort of your room or head out into “New York’s lungs” for all sorts of activities. Rooms from $349. 160 Central Park So., 212-247-0300, Jumeirah.com

For more Gotham hotspots, check out our Out City Guide: New York City. Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Ask the Expert: South Beach Hotels

lly published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Question: Where should I stay in Miami or South Beach? I’m not paying more than $400 a night. I’ll also be visiting someone in Coral Gables, so staying there is OK, too. I have no special criteria. I’m not much of a ‘scene person.– Bob via e-mail

Our answer follows.

For Coral Gables, I like: 

• The Biltmore, which has rooms for around $300-350 a night during the winter;
• The Westin Colonnade; and
• And the Hotel St. Michel, which is a boutique hotel.

If you want to be on South Beach, I really like The Clifton Miami or Hotel Clinton, which are terrific proeperties with great amenities and service but offered at cheaper price points. I also like The Hotel.

If you want to stay gay, check out Lords South Beach — the new LGBT boutique hotel.

More Miami info in our Out Guide.

Travel the World in One Stop

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

If you are in the Philadelphia, New York or tri-state area and are just hankering to get away, come to Philadelphia for the Philadelphia Inquirer Travel Show this weekend: Saturday January 22 and Sunday January 23.

Travel shows are a great idea to get inspired find information about hotels, cruises, destinations and more and to meet some of your favorite travel personalities. GPS editor Ed Salvato will be speaking at the show on Saturday January 22 from 11:45 till 12:15 on the subject of gay and lesbian travel: Hot new destinations, events, tours, and cruises, including great deals for LGBT travelers.

The show sponsors have graciously offered Out Travelers a code for $5 off the price of admission. Click here to purchase a ticket and enter the following code: LGBT5OFF. See, sometimes it pays to be gay!

Deal of the Week: RSVP’s Mediterranean Cruise

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

RSVP is heading back to Europe next summer for the first time in four years on the new state-of-the-art ms Nieuw Amsterdam by Holland America.

There are only 2,000 passengers on this ship. While it seems funny to say “only 2,000″ since that would have been an unheard of number even just several years ago, in today’s cruise terms where 6,000 are gathering for Atlantis’ sold-out 20th Anniversary Allure of the Seas cruise, it’s actually a pleasant, manageable number of fellow passengers for many cruise lovers.

Often the lowest rates (starting at $1,269 per person for this cruise) and choicest cabins are scooped up first so it may pay to plan now.

Ask the Expert: Tahiti and Bora Bora

Baby, come back

I heard you on XM98 OutQ and was excited to hear someone who was in the know about all things travel. My partner and I are planning a trip to Bora Bora. We would like to go in either July or August of next Year. First thing I would like to ask is what month would you recommend as being ideal to go to Bora Bora.

Based on what I have see online this is a good time of year. Second, is there any sort of agency/company that you are aware of that could help us with packaging our trip. I would like to visit at least two islands and want to incorporate meal plans, travel island to island in the cost. Any info. that you could provide me with would be great.

– Aaron via email

Yes, July and August are awesome weather wise. It’s the middle of Tahiti’s winter as we’re on the other side of the equator – between 70 – 80 on average with a great breeze coming in from the south – in fact, it can get chilly for Tahitians at night in late August with the southern wind. The water is between about 78 – 80 year round, so that’s always good. I’d recommend checking Tahiti Tourism’s official gay website to locate a travel agent either nearby or with the GLBT specialty – both searchable from the travel agent link from the homepage.

Ask the Expert: BookIt.com and Spirit Air

Spirit Airlines' route map

Do you know anything about bookit.com and Spirit Airlines? Their deals sound too good to be true.

– Stanton, via e-mail

I’ve done some research and bookit.com seems to be a good site with lots of information in addition to a booking engine. I’d give it a try and compare it to some of the other booking engines I like. I’m also a big fan of Kayak.com which is a meta-search engine comparing the best of a number of different booking engines.

Spirit is an ultra-low-cost (read no frills) airlines which I’ve flown. They serve a limited number of destinations, including many in and around the Caribbean (see image above).

Ask the Expert: Toronto on a Budget

I recently had the pleasure of hearing you on Sirius/XM with Derek and Romaine and actually feel comfortable enough to ask you some questions. I am visiting Toronto, ON Dec 27-Jan 4. I am recently single and well, I need some healing time so i thought to try a new city.

Can you suggest some hotels that would be close to my kind of action?  I like muscular guys. Any bathhouses? Please kindly let me know if you have any suggestions.   Moderate price is preferred..not cheap, but not pricey either…thank you for your time.

–James via email

Here are a few suggestions from my friends in Toronto.

Lodging:

• The Bearfoot Inn – http://www.bearfootinn.com/rooms-rates.htm
• Courtyard Marriot – http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yyzcy-courtyard-toronto-downtown/
• Ramada Plaza Jarvis Street – http://www.ramadaplazatoronto.com/sql/
• Best Western Primrose – http://www.torontoprimrosehotel.com/

Bathhouse:

• Steamworks – The biggest/cleanest bathhouse in the city – http://www.steamworksonline.com/toronto/toronto.html

Leather scene:

• The Onyx Ball – This is the big leather/bear party at the Opera House on New Years eve.  It draws a crowd relatively early and clears out by around 3 or 4 when people either go home or to the gigantic party that is usually held at Sound Academy.  There is no website for either yet, so I suggest he pickup a copy of Xtra or Fab when he gets to town to find out details.
• The Eagle – http://www.blackeagletoronto.com/Black_Eagle/Black_Eagle.html