Best Bets: An Insider's Guide to Vegas

The owners of Vegas companies tell you where to eat, imbibe, hit the tables, go 150 miles per hour, see the stars, and party all night.

By Amy Keyishian | 
 

iStock

Sin City has been on a roll lately. The gritty home of showgirls and one-armed bandits has developed an air of refinement, luring a bevy of businesses ranging from restaurants by celebrity chefs--Wolfgang Puck, Nobu Matsuhisa, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten among them--to tech companies. Last year, Inc. named Las Vegas the hottest large city for entrepreneurs, reflecting the city's job growth of more than 25 percent over the past five years. The city also continues to play host to countless conferences and trade shows like the annual Consumer Electronics Show, which takes place this month.

With so many new choices around town, where should a high roller go? We asked the owners of four companies that do business in Vegas to guide us through Elvis's old stomping ground.

 

Thomas Tait, Nevada Rose

 

Almost two years ago, Thomas Tait, 56, and former Nevada Governor Bob Miller founded Nevada Rose. Their company imports Sence, a Bulgarian drink, made from roses, that is typically used as a mixer in cocktails. Before that, Tait, who has been a Vegas denizen for some 37 years, was the head of the state's tourism commission.

The Best…

Outdoor Attraction

Nothing beats the Bellagio Fountains, particularly from the balcony of the hotel's Fontana Bar. It's a great club for older people, with more easy-listening dance music. It's spectacularly romantic.
bellagio.com

Old Vegas Nostalgia Spot

I recommend three restaurants: the House of Lords Steak House in the Sahara Casino, Battista's Hole in the Wall, and Bob Taylor's Original Ranch House. Sure, you can go to Binion's or Fremont Street, but even though those places were part of the old, pre-Strip Vegas, they haven't made the effort to retain that old glamour.
saharavegas.com
battistaslasvegas.com
bobtaylorsranchhouse.com

Place To Drive Fast

At the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, they train you, suit you up, and get you into a NASCAR-type stockcar. Then you get to drive 150 miles an hour.
1800bepetty.com

Place To Stargaze

Take the Desert Princess Cruise on Lake Mead, about 45 minutes away from the center of the Strip. The ship holds about 300 passengers and looks like something you'd find on the Mississippi. At night, the black sky over Lake Mead is really something to see. There are zillions of stars. And you get to see the Hoover Dam all lit up.
lakemeadcruises.com

 

Valerie Bent, Big Feet Pajama

 

Valerie Bent, 38, moved to Las Vegas after a medical condition left her with frequent chills. She founded Big Feet Pajama in 2005 to make footed sleepwear for adults. Last year, the company had sales of $1 million.

The Best…

Place To Stay On A Budget

The Luxor always has inexpensive rooms, sometimes as low as $60 and $70 a night. It's centrally located on the Strip, and the rooms are decent-size and quiet. Plus, there's an indoor walkway to Mandalay Bay, which is where all the shopping is.
luxor.com

Place To Stay When You're Not On A Budget

I'm a poker player, so the Bellagio is my fave. You can order food service right at your table, and you'll see Hollywood celebrities in the high-limit room. The rooms are the best on the Strip, especially those with a mountain view. I'm also partial to the Wynn, where every room has a flat-screen HDTV.
bellagio.com
wynnlasvegas.com

Table Games

For blackjack, the Las Vegas Club Casino has the most liberal rules. You can split as many pairs as you like. The Casino Royale has 100 times odds at the craps tables. For poker, you've got to hit the Bellagio, where there are heavy action games on weekends. You'll always see the pros there.
vegasclubcasino.com
casinoroyalehotel.com
bellagio.com

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