Adrienne Maloof on New Year’s Eve, Casinos, and More
With New Year’s right around the corner … I don’t think I’m alone in trying to decide where to ring in 2011. Last year I was in London, so I played with the idea of perhaps tangoing in Argentina or swimming in Turks and Caicos. But a tried and true good time for anyone in Los Angeles… is Vegas, baby, Vegas!! I have quite a few friends who will already be there since Angelenos go to Vegas all the time. (Here’s my article about The Palazzo.)
So, when I received this assignment about GR88.com and their Top 8 picks for NYE casinos around the world, I was excited about the chance to hear from Adrienne Maloof herself for an exclusive interview with Jetset Extra.
“I love spending New Year’s Eve at the Palms in one of our suites and my favorite is the basketball suite,” says Adrienne. “There is just something amazing about going to the clubs in the hotel to ring in the new year and then coming back to a private party where you can shoot hoops on the basketball court, drink fabulous champagne and watch the sun come up.”
Well, I have to agree with Adrienne and GR88.com, a casino on New Year’s makes sense, because these properties really know how to keep the party going all night long… well into 2011.
Each destination in the following list has its own traditions and party habits, so there is sure to be somewhere on the list for everyone to say goodbye to 2010 and hello to a prosperous 2011! “With our players in mind, we are pleased to list the Eight Greatest casinos to ring in the New Year,” said GR88’s Charles Exeter.
So in no particular order, we bring you the NYE Top 8!
1 – The Palms, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
For loyal Vegas lovers (like me!), the Palms is the perfect spot to spend the last minutes of the year. This splendid casino will showcase a wide list of events in its nightclubs, featuring celebrities such as Playmate of the Year Kara Monaco, and Paul Oakenfold on its guest list. And if you have ever been to a party with Paul Oakenfold, you know that the music is going to be epic.
Jetset Extra was lucky enough to catch up with Adrienne herself on what makes The Palms so special.
“I think that the Palms differentiates itself from a lot of other casinos because it’s family owned, so you get those very personal touches no matter where you are in the hotel. For example, we have some of the most unique suites you’ll ever see,” she said. “In addition, there really isn’t any need to leave once you get there – we have internationally-celebrated restaurants, like Simon at Palms Place – as well as incredible spa services, movie theaters and many places to dance all night long.”
“We’ve made some of the biggest celebrities in the world feel right at home, and we take great care to cater to each and every guest.”
We have to agree. The Palms makes you feel like a Star! For more on what Adrienne is up to for the holidays, click here.
2 – Sun City, South Africa
We’ve talked about this amazing property before, so we thought we’d check in directly with the casino itself to hear about the latest and greatest for NYE and 2011.
“The best thing about celebrating NYE at Sun City is that no other resort offers an experience quite like it,” spokesperson Anna Kwon told Jetset Extra. “Sun City is the only place in the world where you can have a big five safari game drive (in a malaria-free zone) and a high-roller Vegas-like casino experience, .. all with world-class accommodations.”
For NYE, Sun City is fully booked with spectacular concerts and shows, but there is such a wide variety of activities to choose from: Segway and Balloon safaris, the Valley of Waves with a multitude of water activities, unparalleled golf on the legendary Gary Player and Lost City Golf Courses with nesting crocodiles and majestic eagles, the list goes on.
3 – Atlantis Resort, Bahamas
The Atlantis resort is one of the most coveted locales to spend your New Year’s Eve. The resort is home to the largest casino in the Caribbean and it offers its guest world-class gaming including roulette, craps, blackjack and Caribbean stud poker, and a high limit table area called the Baccarat Lounge. The resort’s variety of nightclubs and elegant restaurants promise to impress guests worldwide.
And as you know, Jetset Extra is comprised of real travelers.. so we loved hearing directly from a guest on her experience staying at the Atlantis Resort in January 2010. (Psst… parents… pay attention!)
“I went to Atlantis Resort, Bahamas with my 5-year-old son in January 2010. The kids club was INCREDIBLE with a Lego-Atlantis theme. My child was frenzied with joy to go there each day, leaving me with zero parental guilt for stashing him in the kids club while Mama went and enjoyed grown-up activities, delicious food, and white sand beaches.” says Can Can Broom in this exclusive recap to Jetset Extra.
“Together, we swam with dolphins, explored the giant saltwater aquarium, traveled a million miles on the lazy river (with rapids!), stuffed a plush giraffe at Atlantis Pals, painted pottery to take home, watched a movie in a full sized theatre, and ate our fill at various buffets. The staff did everything to make our stay amazing. One evening at dinner, my child fell asleep. I am a small person and I couldn’t physically carry him back to my hotel room (it was about 20 minutes away on foot). I asked the staff for help thinking they would bring a wheel chair or luggage cart. Nope, a staff member CARRIED MY CHILD for me back to my room! Unbelievable! We ended up getting 2 Atlantis storybooks and 2 Atlantis Lego sets before we left. My son asks weekly when we are going back to Atlantis. He is in Kindergarten and is always writing stories about Atlantis. I had to explain to his teacher early in the year where the idea came from!”
Can Can Broom
Social Media Promotions, Mom Most Traveled
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
4 – Crown Casino, Melbourne Australia
This Australian multi-venue, circus party will feature three difference party arenas, mixing the tracks of the best DJ’s in the world such as Finlo White, Phil Ross, Tate Strauss, Joe Sofo and Kitty Kat, Jono Earle & Chris Mac. The casino’s New Year celebration will include stunning burlesque dancers, cocktail specials and giveaways all night long.
5 – The Venetian Macao, Macao, Hong Kong
This iconic Venetian Macao resort, modeled after its Las Vegas sister hotel is one of the most extravagant New Year’s options. The entire resort is large enough to hold 90,747 jumbo jets and it features the largest casino in the world—where over 550,000 square feet of gaming await guests, such as the Black Eyed Peas. Apart from the outstanding nightlife and entertainment shows, the resort boasts a wide array of luxurious facilities including canopy bed, sunken living room and deluxe marble bathrooms. Poker players can indulge in a spacious gaming arena, and choose from 870 gaming tables and 3,400 slot machines.
6 – Casino de Monte Carlo, Monaco
For a quieter New Year celebration, this classy casino is well known for belonging to the country’s Société de Bains de Mer. The Casino de Monte Carlo was designed by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera (I have been here, it is gorgeous!), and its lobby features a marble-paved atrium with 28 Ionic columns as well as lavish bronze and gold ornaments. The casino features 316 slot machines and 35 tables for Roulette, craps, and blackjack.
7 – Casino Metropol, Moscow, Russia
For those traveling to Eastern Europe during the holidays, The Casino Metropol, part of the Hotel Metropol, is a highly recommended spot to stop by on Dec. 31st. The elegant casino is located just a few minutes from the Red Square and the Kremlin. The 24-hour casino also features 11 tables with blackjack, roulette and poker.
8 – St. James Club, Mamora Bay, Antigua
A small but flamboyant New Year celebration alternative is the St. James’s Club in Antigua. The St. James Club is a high-end resort is nestled on a 100-acre private peninsula, with the sea bordering three sides of the resort. The resort has plenty of options for everyone: and at night there’s the disco and the small but glamorous casino, which is the place to gamble on the island.
So, what do you think of the list? Did we miss YOUR favorite? Let us know, Jetsetters… this is your website too! Oh, and by the way, we wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year filled with lots and lots of TRAVEL! Game on.
