Vdara

When Vdara opened in December 2009, meeting planners discovered an all-suite hotel, spa, and small- conference venue for groups who love the excitement of Las Vegas but prefer a nongaming environment.

Designed for gatherings of 10 to 400 people, the conference facilities promise a world of sophistication as rich in design as it is in support services and technology. Outdoor events gather on an elevated pool deck flanked by spectacular views of Vdara's CityCenter community and the lights of The Strip.

Participants can count on over-the-top residential comfort in the suites, a sanctuary for the senses at the spa, and new culinary sensations at the Silk Road restaurant. While groups will no doubt appreciate the hotel's proximity to The Strip, they will also appreciate Vdara as a quiet retreat from it all. There are no reviews posted at this time. There are no packages available at this time. There are no hot dates at this time. Posted 01 Dec, 2009 by Concierge Elite By Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-JournalMcClatchy-Tribune Regional News

Dec. 1, 2009--And so it begins.

When the nearly 1,500-room nongaming Vdara hotel welcomes its first paying customers late tonight, the $8.5 billion CityCenter development moves into its operation mode.

Finally.

The Strip project will open in phases this month after more than five years of development and construction. The 500,000-square-foot Crystals opens Thursday, and the 392-room Mandarin Oriental opens to customers Saturday. Aria, CityCenter's centerpiece 4,004-room hotel-casino, opens Dec. 16.

For now, Vdara commands the attention.

Aria President Bill McBeath, who also oversees the operation of Vdara for MGM Mirage, said the hotel is a separate brand from the nearby hotel-casino, which is easily reached by a short walk. And Vdara is about 100 feet from the entrance to Bellagio's south tower via a pedestrian walkway.

"It was designed to complement Aria, not operate as an extension of Aria," McBeath said. "It has its own style, own flavor and its own personality. We really believe the Vdara brand is going to be the sleeper of CityCenter."

The 57-story Vdara, designed by RV Architecture, which is led by Rafael Vinoly, has 1,495 suites, all with fully equipped kitchens. The units include deluxe suites and one- and two-bedroom units ranging from 500 to 1,650 square feet. There are also penthouse units and 250 corner-end suites with panoramic views.

Nightly rates at Vdara are expected to range from $159 to $2,000.

Vdara is a condominium hotel, which means the units can be bought and then placed into a rental program in which they can be leased as hotel rooms when not in use by the owners. The owners and MGM Mirage would share in the revenues produced by the units.

McBeath did not say how many of Vdara's units are under contract with potential buyers, but those under contract will not be used as hotel rooms. Condominium sales closings at Vdara aren't expected to start until March.

The plan, he said, is to have 600 units available by New Year's Eve with more to open as a need exists.

He said Vdara was built for customers who want the benefits of a casino, without the noise, volumes of people and the energy a casino often provides.

"I think there is some overlap with Aria," McBeath said. "The target demographic in terms of age is very similar."

Vdara will have a signature restaurant, Silk Road, created by chef Martin Heierling, who developed Bellagio's Sensi restaurant. Bar Vdara is in the hotel's center lobby. Vdara also has an 18,000-square-foot spa, 10,000 square feet of meeting space and a 40,000-square-foot pool deck.

McBeath said Las Vegas has a growing customer base that wants a nongaming option.

"Vdara is marketed and branded as everything Las Vegas has to offer, and everything it doesn't," he said. "All you have to do is walk across to Aria or Bellagio. Then you can come back and escape from being in a casino."

Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3871.

Copyright (c) 2009, Las Vegas Review-Journal Posted 30 Nov, 2009 by Concierge Elite CityCenter has partnered with Vanity Fair to co-host the grand opening gala of the newest luxury boutique hotel - the sophisticated all-suite Vdara Hotel & Spa. Host Sebastian Copeland, will be joined by friends Orlando Bloom and Rosario Dawson, to celebrate the evening in support of the Sebastian Copeland Foundation. The invite-only event will treat guests to their first glimpse of CityCenter, the dazzling vertical city destined to transform the Las Vegas Strip.

Vdara Hotel & Spa is designed for those who love the excitement of Las Vegas but prefer to enjoy it in an exclusive, non-gaming, smoke-free environment. Physically connected to Bellagio and directly adjacent to ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara will offer access to all of the excitement of Las Vegas, while providing a retreat from it all.

Solidifying CityCenter's commitment to sustainability, Vdara has achieved LEED®† Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Sharing in Vdara's commitment to sustainability, the star-studded evening will be hosted by famed photographer, adventurer and environmental advocate Sebastian Copeland. His pledge to environmental activism and global awareness has grown into a passionate dedication to the causes of sustainability and the preservation of the planet. He is currently working on the launch of the Sebastian Copeland Foundation whose primary mission is to advocate from the front lines of climate change. Copeland's friends and award-winning actors Orlando Bloom and Rosario Dawson will join him to celebrate this evening and support the launch of his charity.

Copeland stated, "We stand at a crossroads in our development as a species. After transportation, buildings are the single greatest source of green house emissions. "Green" building and development stand to reduce carbon emissions into the air by up to forty percent. Vdara, with its LEED certification, has committed to the simple notion that luxury and responsibility are not mutually exclusive and hence stands as a model of innovation. Vdara and CityCenter set a new standard for Las Vegas, one which hopefully others will follow."

Two of the hottest DJs in the business today, DJs Donovan Leitch and Mathieu Schreyer (kcrw), will entertain guests as they dine on exquisite cuisine from Martin Heierling, executive chef of Vdara and the hotel's contemporary Mediterranean restaurant, Silk Road. Guests also will enjoy Patron cocktails and Veuve Clicquot champagne as they stroll through the 18,000-square-foot, two-level wellness spa, Vdara Health & Beauty, featuring the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar. Vdara Health & Beauty, the first Las Vegas spa in the Green Spa Network, will offer a selection of signature treatments focusing on holistic health.

Edward Menicheschi, vice president & publisher, Vanity Fair, said, "We are proud to be partnering with Vdara in this exciting celebration. Vdara has combined luxury with green design and the alignment could not be better for both our environmental beliefs as well as that of our readers."

Angela Lester, general manager, Vdara Hotel & Spa, said, "It is truly an honor to partner with Vanity Fair and famed photographer and environmental advocate Sebastian Copeland as we open our doors and showcase Vdara's remarkable services and amenities. Hosting the grand opening with Copeland and honoring his pledge to environmental activism will help create awareness of our commitment to sustainability and the benchmark set by CityCenter in Las Vegas and worldwide."

The Patrón Spirits Company, including Patrón, Ultimat Vodka and Pyrat Rum, as well as Veuve Clicquot champagne owned by Moet Hennessy USA, are sponsors of the grand opening gala.

Vanity Fair is the premier general interest magazine of our time. Covering the worlds of politics, business, fashion, entertainment, and society, its muscular, long-form journalism, luscious photography, insightful essays, and superb design make each issue of the magazine a must-read.

About CityCenter
CityCenter is an unprecedented urban metropolis opening in December 2009 on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World. CityCenter will feature ARIA, a 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort; luxury non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas' first Mandarin Oriental and Vdara Hotel & Spa; Veer Towers, the development's only strictly residential buildings; and Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district. Vdara, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers will include approximately 2,400 residences total. Additionally, The Harmon, a 400-room luxury boutique hotel, is slated to open at CityCenter in late 2010. CityCenter also will feature a resident Cirque du Soleil production celebrating the timeless musical legacy of Elvis Presley; and an unparalleled Fine Art Collection with works by acclaimed artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, among others. CityCenter is a design collaboration between MGM MIRAGE and eight internationally acclaimed architectural firms including Pelli Clarke Pelli, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Helmut Jahn, RV Architecture LLC led by Rafael Viñoly, Foster + Partners*, Studio Daniel Libeskind*, David Rockwell and Rockwell Group, and Gensler. At the forefront of sustainability, CityCenter will be one of the world's largest green developments. ARIA and Vdara are the first Las Vegas hotels to achieve LEED® Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Crystals also has received LEED® Gold certification, making it the world's largest retail district to receive this level of recognition. CityCenter's remaining venues are poised to receive a combination of LEED Gold and Silver ratings. For more information about CityCenter, please visit www.citycenter.com. Posted 04 Nov, 2009 by Concierge Elite Vdara Hotel & Spa at CityCenter introduces Vdara Health & Beauty, a sensuous spa sanctuary that spotlights holistic health and well-being in an intimate environment. Opening December 1, Vdara Health & Beauty will be an 18,000-square-foot, two-level spa, salon and fitness center celebrating the calming power of water. The spa will present a thoughtfully orchestrated journey, personalized to maximize each guest's experience.

Committed to sustainable luxury, Vdara Health & Beauty will be the first Las Vegas spa in the Green Spa Network and has carefully chosen retail partners that share its concern for the environment. The spa also will be committed to using organic or wild-crafted, paraben-free products; the implementation of a recycling program
and use of recycled paper for spa materials; and will provide natural nail services using a vegan treatment line.

All are invited to experience Vdara Health & Beauty's personalized service. The Spa and Salon now are accepting reservations via (866) 391-7111 or (702) 590-2030.


SPA ELEMENTS

Design
* Spa guests will have easy access to Vdara Health & Beauty; the elevator will open directly into the spa reception area on the second level of the hotel. As guests enter, they will be welcomed by a two-story waterfall comprised of shimmering strings of beads that glisten as water cascades down them into the reflective pool below. Sapele wood floors with mink marble and river-stone floor accents will create a sleek and modern look throughout the space.
* Each level of the spa will express a distinct atmosphere laced with luxury. The first level will be a light, social space where patrons can mingle in the main reception lobby, enter the fitness center and salon, browse the spa boutique or enjoy a glass of bubbly at the Champagne Bar. The wellness spa on the second level will inspire a calm and soothing energy.

Wellness Spa
* Vdara Health & Beauty's wellness spa will feature 11 private treatment rooms, men's and women's retreats, and serene lounges. As guests relax in their respective retreats, they will unwind with a selection of herbal teas and apothecary-infused water, and enjoy redwood saunas and eucalyptus steam rooms. Intimate lounges will feature inviting soaking tubs and dramatic circular waterfalls that spill over into the pools of water.
* The Relaxation Lounge and Meditation Lounge each will provide quiet getaways where guests can unwind amongst soothing water features and lighting. In the Meditation Lounge, a metallic mosaic sheathed in iridescent blue and gold tones will illuminate a curtain of water that flows behind a candlelit ledge.

Spa Treatments
* Treatments will be both classic and creative with a focus on holistic health and will incorporate high-grade and organic ingredients derived from fruits, herbs, flowers, vegetables and oils. The spa menu will be comprised of a variety of massages, body treatments and skin care services.
* Vdara Health & Beauty is the first resort spa in Las Vegas to launch Dr. Obagi's new line, ZO Skin Health, for facial services and home care. The philosophy of this line is to create change at the cellular level, to re-energize aging skin and constantly stimulate cellular function by saturating skin with stabilized retinol, advanced peptides and powerful antioxidants.
* Also featured at Vdara Health & Beauty, Naturopathica Holistic Health's signature products will inspire healthy lifestyles through innovative natural products. The products contain no petroleum-based ingredients, artificial dyes or fragrances and are fortified with the highest-quality therapeutic essential oils and herbs.
* Other spa treatment lines will include Akhassa, Chocolate Sun, Red Flower and Peter Thomas Roth.

Salon Services
* The salon at Vdara Health & Beauty will boast a full menu of services for men and women including professional hair design, spa manicures and pedicures, and makeup artistry. Professional hair care products from Morrocanoil and Kerastase will offer a variety of options for conditioning treatments and styling.
* Aveda also will be included as one of the lush options for hair treatment. Aveda was founded with the goal of providing beauty industry professionals with high-performance, botanically based products that are better for guests, and the planet. Aveda is one of the largest purchasers of organic ingredients in the personal care industry.
* SpaRitual, known for creating eco-friendly products, will be Vdara Health & Beauty's nail care line. SpaRitual has developed a collection of sophisticated nail elixirs to nourish cuticles, build strong nails and establish a flawless environment for color. SpaRitual also is the first to offer DBP, formaldehyde and toluene-free nail elixirs in the professional nail care industry and the first spa treatment line of vegan nail care products.
* Makeup artistry will incorporate BeingTRUE cosmetics, truly modern makeup that features ideal color palettes for every skin tone and promises all-day flawlessness. Surpassing the long-acknowledged benefits of traditional mineral makeup, BeingTRUE offers additional aging defense with super antioxidant Idebenone.

Fitness Center
* A variety of cardio equipment with individual entertainment centers, exercise machines and free weights will be available in the fitness center. Fitness classes will include strength training and yoga, with personal trainers and yoga instructors available for individual or group instruction. A registered dietician also will be available for nutritional consultation.

Champagne Bar
* Located in the lobby of Vdara Health & Beauty, the Champagne Bar will include a thoughtful selection of champagne and wine for guests to enjoy while relaxing in the lobby or experiencing a manicure, pedicure or hair service in the salon.

Spa Boutique
* The spa boutique will carry a discerning selection of products that support the spa lifestyle including wellness books, bath and body products, skin care, cosmetics, hair care, sun care and apparel. To complement the spa treatment menu, products from Akhassa, Aveda, BeingTRUE, Chocolate Sun, Moroccanoil, Naturopathica, SpaRitual, Kerastase, Peter Thomas Roth, Red Flower and ZO Skin Health also will be available for purchase.

Spa Cabanas at Sky Pool & Lounge
* Guests also will be able to enjoy spa and salon treatments poolside at Sky Pool & Lounge, located on Vdara's third level. Sky Pool & Lounge will boast six spa cabanas with interior seating, outdoor chaise lounges and private plunge pools. Poolside spa treatments will feature Akhassa, a line inspired by spa rituals from Thailand with properties of lemongrass, Kaffir lime, jasmine and hibiscus flower. Spa cabana rentals are available seasonally.

Vdara is an all-suite hotel and spa designed for those who love the excitement of Las Vegas but prefer to enjoy it in an exclusive, non-gaming and smoke-free environment. Solidifying CityCenter's commitment to sustainability, Vdara has achieved LEED®† Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Designed by RV Architecture, LLC, led by Rafael Viñoly, Vdara's distinctive crescent shape and unique skin of patterned glass will create one of the most striking design statements in the city. Physically connected to Bellagio and adjacent to ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara will offer access to all of the entertainment, gaming, shopping, dining and nightlife at CityCenter and throughout Las Vegas, while also providing a retreat from it all.

Vdara is located at CityCenter, a dazzling vertical city located between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. Nightly rates will range from $159 to $2,000. Reservations are available via www.vdara.com or 866-745-7767 for December 1 and beyond.
† The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. The 'LEED Certification Mark' is a registered trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used by permission.