10 Extravagant Experiences in Las Vegas You Can Still Afford

The patio at Lago by Julian Serrano isn’t very large but it commands one of the best spots in all of Vegas. The eight-table terrace looks out on the Fountains of Bellagio, putting those who choose to sit there front-and-center for the waterworks throughout their meals. Understandably, reservations are required for these popular seats, and the patio often books up months in advance. How valuable is this perch? A table with a similar view at the Hyde nightclub next door goes for $10,000 per night.

Amid the hubbub of Block 16 at The Cosmopolitan hides Ghost Donkey, a speakeasy that specializes in tequila, mezcal, and drinks made with both (or either). Patrons can either order set drinks off a modest menu or spend five minutes telling bartenders what sort of agave liquor they like and letting the experts drive. The bar offers a nachos-only menu for those who get the munchies. Wondering how to access this paradise? Simply look for the black door with the donkey picture.

The man-made Lake Las Vegas sits like an oasis in the middle of the desert, and one of the best ways to experience it is by playing golf. There are two courses operating currently—Reflection Bay and South Shore. Both are open to members only, but guests of area hotels usually can get a tee time with help from the concierge. After a day on the links, return to either clubhouse for a stiff drink and a soak in the spa.

Not all Vegas spas are created equal. Case in point: The Sahra Spa at The Cosmopolitan, which is one of the only spas in town to boast a Turkish-style hammam. The hammam room features what massage therapists refer to as the “motherstone slab,” a giant circular rock that’s heated and is used as a relaxation platform before massage treatments. Hammam time can be added to any massage; the spa also offers exclusive treatment packages that include Hammam time and other special features.

It’s one thing to take a ride on the High Roller, the tallest observation wheel in the world. It’s entirely something else to sign up for the Happy Half Hour—one complete 30-minute rotation in a pod with an all-you-can-drink open bar. This option is available whenever the wheel is working, and it makes the standard experience feel ultraexclusive. What’s more, there’s something magical about throwing back gin-and-tonics while you’re circling the Vegas Valley 550 feet above the desert floor.

Old-school elegance is on tilt at Hugo’s Cellar, a basement restaurant at the Four Queens Resort & Casino downtown. Servers—they’re all men—wear tuxedos, female patrons receive a long-stemmed rose, and everyone is greeted formally. Dishes are throwbacks, too—Caesar salad and Bananas Foster are prepared tableside, and the menu includes dishes such as Queen’s Lobster, Beef Wellington, and tournedos Rossini. Everybody gets complimentary chocolate-dipped strawberries with dessert.

The Waldorf brand is synonymous with luxury, which explains why the only vending machine you’ll find on property serves up splits and full-size bottles of Moët & Chandon Champagne. The machine sits in the lobby near the elevators, providing everyone with an opportunity to buy and pop their favorite bubbly at any time of day. If you’re feeling particularly highfalutin, you can hand your bottle to a server or bellhop who will open it for free.

Most music fans go to the Smith Center for the Performing Arts to see traveling Broadway shows or big-name acts play the main stage at Reynolds Hall. For an even more exclusive experience, check out Myron’s Cabaret Jazz, held almost nightly in the more intimate, 240-seat Boman Pavilion next door. The entire experience is different here; seats come with tables, and you can get drinks and light snacks. Close your eyes and you feel like you’ve time-traveled to the 1920s. It’s always a night to remember.

There are only 18 seats at the iconic oyster bar inside Palace Station Hotel & Casino, but that doesn’t stop locals and visitors alike from lining up by the dozens. Regulars swear by the oyster special, which can feature raw mollusks from just about anywhere in the world, depending on when you go. The limited menu also features gumbos, oyster pan roasts, and chowders. Oh, and because the bar is open 24 hours, you can squeeze it into your Vegas schedule at any time.

Fans of imported Italian goods cheered when the international chain, Eataly, came to Las Vegas in December 2018. Today, the marketplace inside Park MGM offers prosciutto, pasta, sundried tomatoes, cookware, and literally hundreds of other items on any given day. If you’re looking for a particular item, you can request a personal shopper to help you to find it. Of course, you’ll have to hit the gelato stand before you head back to your hotel.