With its Roman temples, heroic arches, golden charioteers
and 50-foot Italian cypresses at the entrance, it holds
all the spectacle that a great Las Vegas hotel should.
But enough with the luxury. Those visitors who want
a piece of Vegas' heyday will enjoy the kitsch. Cocktail
waitresses roam the casino in short togas (with their
Roman centurion counterparts), meandering between colonnades,
pillars and statues bathed in neon. But unlike Rome,
Caesars Palace has evolved to stay competitive and,
in 1997, spent $300 million to renovate its facilities.
Accommodations occupy four towers and are located within
easy walking distance of restaurants, meeting rooms,
pools, lounges and a spa. Furnishings tend toward neoclassic
styles -- Roman columns, pilasters and pediments are
common. The newer rooms are luxurious, if not as kitschy
as the classic ones, and have floor-to-ceiling windows
that offer a panoramic view of the Strip. Many of the
rooms have four-poster beds (with mirrored ceilings,
ahem) and lavish bathrooms that feature marble floors,
European fixtures and oversized marble tubs (about half
of which are whirlpools).
Caesars' casino is bright and airy and a favorite among
locals and tourists alike. Featuring some of the best
gaming facilities in Vegas, the 45,000-square-foot space
boasts the latest video and live games, as well as a
large and comfortable sports book. Stay away on weekends
-- the area is extremely crowded on Sundays during football
season.
The $95-million Colosseum features Celine Dion in 'A
New Day,' which showcases the international pop star's
singing and more. Other entertainment options include
magic shows, celebrity appearances and the 'Fall of
Atlantis' fountain show, during which children fight
it out for control of the underwater city, complete
with high-tech mayhem, plenty of lasers and a 20-foot
winged beast (10AM-11PM daily). The 50,000-gallon Atlantis
Aquarium lies at the base of the show, and includes
25 different families of tropical fish; they're fed
daily at 3:15PM and 7:15PM for all to see. Behind-the-scenes
tours are also available.
True to its name, Caesars Palace is a kingdom unto itself,
with lavish rooms, fabulous pools, gourmet dining, the
fabulous Forum Shops and world-class entertainment.
All hail Caesars! Since opening in August 1966, Caesars
has drawn countless high rollers, celebrities and dignitaries
to its giant, elegantly appointed casinos, two-story
Fantasy Suites, four-star restaurants and classic Roman
opulence. And one doesn't even have to stay there overnight
to sample the amenities of the empire.
The Forum Shops at Caesars takes a shopping and dining
experience and wraps it in historical touches that make
conspicuous consumption seem almost sacred and the Colosseum
-- home to Celine Dion -- brings a new face to entertainment.
More than any other place, Caesars Palace is where Las
Vegas' past meets its future, and the collision of time
lines creates something as spectacular as the ancient
place for which it was named.
