Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds — a high-energy, entertainment-packed getaway and all the pampering you deserve? Long known for its incredible resorts and gaming activities, Las Vegas has become the ultimate adult playground for smart travelers looking for more than a lucky dice roll.
Well-appointed suites with immaculate design details, craveable restaurants led by the world’s best chefs, and luxurious spas provide the backdrop for a vacation that melts the stress away and indulges the senses.
GayCities takes you inside three of our favorite Las Vegas resorts where you can get the most out of your Vegas vacation with rewards and perks.
Pack your bags, we’re going on an adventure
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Park MGM: Stay in style
Do you have an eye for design? Head to Park MGM, a stunning 2,700-room property completely reimagined in 2019 (and became the first smoke-free casino on the Las Vegas Strip). A vibrant palette of red or green imbues each room or suite, along with bespoke touches that reflect a modern sensibility, including gallery art walls, lacquered finishes, and upholstered furniture. Stay Well rooms & suites take rejuvenation to the next level, featuring an air purification system, mood-boosting aromatherapy, and Vitamin C shower infuser.
You’re destined for a good night’s sleep, even if it begins in the wee hours of the morning after a fantastic meal, world-class entertainment, and a late-night cocktail at the posh NoMad Bar within the adjacent namesake hotel.
When a new day begins, consider a refresh at Park MGM Spa & Salon. Bodywork highlights include the Athlete’s Massage, which uses therapeutic techniques to relieve overworked muscles and increase range of motion. If your face needs a refresh, the patented 50-minute HydraFacial removes old skin cells and extracts impurities, then bolsters your complexion with hydrating serums for non-irritating and immediately effective results.
Once you’ve had your Dorothy in Oz makeover, it’s time to show it off by strolling through some of the resort’s stunning public spaces. Strut your stuff over to Haus of Gaga/Las Vegas for an immersive experience with one of our favorite cultural icons. The free exhibit features never-before-seen fashion and memorabilia spanning over a decade of Lady Gaga’s boundary-breaking performances.
No matter which way you look, Park MGM’s art program turns the resort into a mesmerizing art gallery. Massive sculptures, murals, film installations, and multimedia works adorn the various spaces, including alluring male photography by Jaanus Samma and a series of illustration and photographic works created by queer artist David Hockney.
And when you’re ready to feast like royalty, Park MGM boasts plenty of dining options. French flair by way of Chicago can be had at Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar. The warmly lit bar and dining room will give you an alluring glow, but nothing will draw eyes like the arrival of the Royal Plateaux, a chilled seafood tower overflowing with lobster, oysters, and shrimp. The dry-aged bone-in ribeye and strip steak, along with a range of martinis and other classic bar cocktails, are equally impressive.
Brunch at the Nomad Library provides an equally decadent backdrop for a Bloody Mary and elevated comfort food. Live music enhances the experience, along with dialed-up classics like Wagyu steak and eggs or a truffle chicken sandwich.
Even a casual bite can be delizioso when sampling the offerings at Eataly. The sprawling Italian marketplace offers prepared foods, Italian wines and spirits, and hundreds of imported products to stock your luggage after a weekend of winnings.
Vdara Hotel & Spa: an oasis in the center of it all
Are you an introverted extrovert? Do you love the high energy of going out and the stimulation of the sights and sounds, but at the same time, need a place to rest, rejuvenate, and recharge? The all-suite boutique Vdara Hotel & Spa is perfect for those who love the excitement of Las Vegas but prefer to enjoy it in a non-gaming, smoke-free environment. (Even better, it’s pet-friendly, so bring your furry loved one!)
The 57-story tower, adjacent to ARIA Resort & Casino, provides a dreamlike setting for a reimagined Vegas experience. The LEED Gold-certified building’s crescent shape and patterned glass exterior evoke a trip to the moon — and what happens inside is out of this world, too.
We suggest giving yourself most of the day to experience the two-floor Spa at Vdara. Awarded the Forbes Travel Guide five-star rating for five consecutive years, the therapeutic environment begins with the spar’s signature European heat experience, where temperature changes relax your muscles and mind in anticipation of what lies ahead.
Customize your massage to suit your needs, and consider bundling it with one of the spa’s most requested services: the Knesko Skin Facial. The gemstone-infused facial features a gemstone mask and serum that can brighten your complexion, hydrate your skin, and give you that refreshing glow for what’s in store next.
And what that might be? A night at Cathédrale, one of the most anticipated openings of the year from New York City’s famed Tao Group Hospitality. The flourishing space, a decadent visual celebration designed by the Rockwell Group (also known for a host of performance spaces and Broadway shows, including Kinkiy Boots and Hairspray), sets the stage for a memorable meal from caviar service and king crab cocktail to craft cocktails featuring top-shelf spirits.
But Vdara’s charm also lies in its spacious suites, and where better to order room service and snuggle up for the night? Don’t change into your jammies just yet, though, if you want to experience Din Tai Fung, perhaps the world’s most famous soup dumplings. Order a mobile pick-up for an indulgent night savoring Xiao Long Bao, including Shanghai-style soup dumplings, hot and sour soup, and pot stickers. Enjoy on-site, or return to your spacious suite, put on a plush robe, and dive in.
To make the most of your stay, MGM Rewards members with Gold or greater status receive priority dining reservations online.
Bellagio: a landmark in constant bloom
When Bellagio opened 25 years ago (at a whopping cost of $1.6 billion), it became an instant hit. The glorious Fountains of Bellagio and the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens became a calling card of the new generation of Las Vegas hospitality. Since then, visitors have flocked to the resort for its glamour and amenities. Newly remodeled rooms in both the Bellagio Tower and the Spa Tower offer upgraded features and amenities, including luxurious soaking tubs, 24-hour in-room dining, and plush robes and furnishings to bliss out any time of day or night.
The Bellagio Spa & Salon draws design inspiration from the Conservatory and offers various traditional treatments and services, including Ashiatsu massage and aromatic body scrubs. If you’d like to discover your inner Aquaman, try the Watsu massage, an aquatic session that combines Zen shiatsu and stretching while floating in a private heated pool.
Some of us prefer our zen experience on dry land. The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens’ seasonal offerings leave visitors of all ages wide-eyed (and Insta-obsessed). The seasonal display spans 14,000 square feet, with plenty of spots for a multi-sensory experience. Book the Conservatory’s Garden Table, which might be the perfect place to propose and return for nuptials at one of Bellagio’s famed wedding venues to take advantage of the surroundings.
No matter who you’re traveling with, Bellagio’s stunning backdrop will make you feel you’re living the high life, including dining with the masters. Pablo Picasso’s paintings and ceramic pieces add even more wow factor to executive chef Julian Serrano’s Spanish- and French-inspired menu at Picasso. The pre-fixe menu can be enhanced with Iberico ham, Wagyu filet mignon, and wine pairings from the cellar with over 1,500 selections.
And when the day turns to dusk, there’s nothing more captivating than the Fountains of Bellagio, a synchronized water extravaganza that soars up to 460 feet into the air, reminding you, at least for the moment, life isn’t just good—it’s grand.
Ready to plan a relaxing LGBTQ+-friendly Las Vegas getaway? MGM Rewards offers plenty of perks, from guaranteed lowest room rates and upgrades to travel and dining credits.
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