It’s no where near a beach but the Arroyo Course at Red Rock Country Club has plenty of sand. Lots of it.

The Arnold Palmer signature golf course has close to 100 bunkers, but even more importantly, some 40 acres that used to be irrigated turf have been returned to the desert – ergo more sand … and rocks and cacti.

The plentiful sand doesn’t make the course difficult but just makes it more striking. It’s really more a  natural landmark of Red Rock Canyon.

The bunkers, though plentiful, are shallow and generally not difficult to play from, and the new desert landscaping shouldn’t come into play if you’re smart and moderately skilled.

Playing at 6,857 yards to a par-72 from the back tees, the Arroyo Course isn’t overly long and not particularly tight either.

Keeping the ball in play is fairly easy for most players. Couple that with superb conditioning, and the Arroyo Course, which is situated in the master-planned community of Summerlin, is enjoyable for all skill levels.

After a satisfying round in the desert sun, players can enjoy a country club feel in the Arroyo Grill, which features a full bar, appetizers, salads and entrees. The grill is also open for breakfast, and there are both men’s and women’s locker rooms to use before and after the round to give the daily-fee player the country club-for-a-day feel.  Full article

The Mirage, which revolutionized the concept of the megaresort in 1989 (ancient history in Las Vegas) got tired of being known as yesterday’s hot property, and these days taps into the Palms/Hard Rock market of young, good looking party people. Jet, the property’s first nightclub, was conceived by The Light Group — the people behind Mist, Fix and Light. Apparently monosyllabic titles are the keys to hot reputations.

The Jet nightclub in the Las Vegas Mirage, has 15,000 square feet, three unique rooms and a multilevel environment crafted by designer Jeffrey Beers from wood, stone and arching steel.

Each room has its own dance floor, DJ booth and sound system. Option #1: rock, hip-hop and popular dance music; Option #2: house music, featuring guest and international DJs; Option #3: a little bit of everything with a dance beat, from rock to classic ’80s tracks.

Jet also boasts a one-of-a-kind light and laser grid, state-of-the-art cryogenic effects systems and four full-service bars. European bottle service is available in each room.

Photo by: Douglas Peebles/Corbis

In my opinion, few drives are more beautiful than the Road to Hana on Maui. It’s a curvy coastal road with views of cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, and rainforest. It’s a well paved road, but you do need to keep your wits about you when you drive it because of the many sharp curves and one-lane bridges.

Before we dive into the tips, let me be clear about what I mean about the Road to Hana. Take a look at this Google map below and notice Highway 360, also known as the Hana Highway. That’s the Road to Hana. I want to make it clear that I am not referring to the Palani Highway that brings you to Hana from the South. (Note: that rental car companies advise that you don’t drive the Palani Highway. Plus, a portion of the road is closed due to earthquake damage.)

Here are a few tips for enjoying your drive on the Road to Hana.

• Definitely plan to make a whole day of the drive there and back.
• Share the driving time with your travel companions, if possible. The drive can be stressful for one person. Consider whether you should add an additional driver onto your rental car contract as most contracts only allow one driver as a standard. Additional drivers can be added for a fee.
• Get a good Maui guidebook that will detail what to see along the way. Find one that provides references by mile markers. (I’ve used Maui Revealed in the past and found it was a good reference. Just make sure you never trespass or do any hiking or swimming that are beyond your skills. If it looks dangerous, it probably is!)
• Try to get an early start, say around 7am. You’ll avoid traffic with an early start.
• Avoid driving a long distance on this Road to Hana at night.
• If you notice a local driving behind you or a long line of cars, please be considerate and pull over to allow cars to pass as soon as you find a safe spot to do so.
• Do drive beyond Hana to the Kipahula area which about 10 miles beyond Hana. See the Oheo Gulch with the cascading pools and spend a bit of time walking around this area. Note that this area is part of Haleakala National Park. So, when you purchase entry into the park, it is valid for both entry points for 3 days from purchase.
• I like to drive all the way to Kipahula, then back to Hana and stop into the Hana Hotel for lunch on their lanai. The hotel grounds are beautiful and it makes for a nice relaxing break from all the driving.
• Don’t miss the black sand beach at Wainapanapa State Park.
• Bring sunscreen, water, snacks, and mosquito repellent (particularly if you are going to do any hikes)
• Make sure you have a full tank of gas before you start the drive. Gas stations are few and far between!
• If you think you might do any swimming, then make sure to bring beach towels.
• Always lock your car if you are going to be leaving it for a few minutes or longer.
• Don’t forget your camera with lots of film/memory and fully charged batteries.
• On your way back to your hotel, don’t miss watching the windsurfers on Hookipa beach.

Have you driven the Road to Hana?  What did you think of it?
What tips would you add?  Please share them.

A substantial number of online food lovers, as well as many Las Vegas locals I know, credit Bellagio with offering the best buffet in town. It costs $20 at lunch, and the crowds can vary from teeming to nonexistent to teeming again in a matter of minutes. If the line swerves round the corner, don’t sweat. It moves quickly.

It is, as buffets go, classy. Among the many choices: a composed salad station offering a decent niçoise; kurobuta pork shoulder braised in apple cider with apple compote; dry-rubbed, St. Louis-style ribs; pizzas that emerge constantly fresh from the oven; curried duck breast (the most polished dish I sampled); sushi rolls; turkey with stuffing; and soft-serve ice cream.

Roving servers are sweet souls who won’t prod you to rush. I spied folks who looked like they’d been lingering for quite some time.

A remodeling of the buffet’s Parisian café setting, street lamps and all, will soon occur. No word yet on what the new look might be, though the hotel will be installing a new station offering – wait for it – flambéed dishes. Yeehaw!

Bellagio
3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South
702-693-8111
www.bellagio.com/restaurants

If you want to live like Hugh Hefner for a night, be prepared to dish out at least $40,000 to rent out the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at The Palms in Las Vegas. Sitting atop the Palm’s Fantasy Tower is a two-story luxury suite, modeled after the world famous Playboy Mansion.

This incredible space, 9,000 square feet in all, takes up the entire 52nd floor of the hotel and showcases the best of everything including: a large living room, full bar, media room, dining room, fully equipped gym with sauna and a spa-style treatment room.

For some unexpected panache, enjoy the glass elevator, eight-foot, round rotating bed, an extra-large show tub, and pop-up plasma TV.

In the Hefner villa, the iconic bunny is everywhere – in the middle of the pool, in the artwork, even facing the Vegas Strip 18 feet high on the side of the building. They’re not quite yet sewn on the suite’s bathrobes. “We’ll get that on there, of course,” Palms owner George Maloof, says with a grin. “How could we not?”

“Our aim is to create something you’ve never seen before,” Maloof continues.

All this is sweet, but the true centerpiece is the cantilevered Playboy Jacuzzi pool (see above) with a glass end wall and the ultimate spectacular view of The Strip that seats you and 24 of your best friends. Time to go make that reservation!

Las Vegas hotel rooms used to be fairly basic with enough conveniences to make your stay comfortable. But come on now, your room was just the launching pad to unlimited hours of gambling, buffet meals and stage show entertainment.

Well things have changed for the better in Vegas. Rooms now have become a guest’s “home away from home.” The entire industry is on a hospitality trend. Existing rooms are being remodeled and upgraded, new ones are being introduced with luxury amenities.

For example, Mandalay Bay just completed a massive $154 million room remodeling project. Almost three fourths of the rooms were given complete makeovers.  Full article

Celine Dion is stepping down after years of success headlining at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Whoever took her place would have some big shoes to fill.  I think Caesars did just fine with their choice.

Cher is the epitome of glitz and glamour and will bring the proverbial house down at Caesars. Las Vegas symbolizes the pinnacle of capitalism where money morphs into a chip in a game, where could you find a more appropriate place for an American icon?

At Caesars Palace Cher won’t just be a former sex symbol and idol from the 1970′s she’ll become enthroned as a immortal siren, glittering and perfect like a rhinestone. Luring you into the place where the basis of our society (money) so clearly becomes an abstraction. All meaning will melt away into an atmosphere of glamour.

There’s a quaint, surf-town on the North Shore of Oahu called Haleiwa. After some sun bathing on the white sandy beaches, surfing in the warm Pacific Ocean or shopping and taking in the sites …. it’s time to eat. The mouth watering smell is Huli Huli Chicken being barbecued.

A huge rotisserie is covered with chicken halves and slowly grilled over a bed of mesquite charcoal. Huli Huli barbecued chicken is a Hawaiian specialty and must be tried. It gets its name from the Huli Huli sauce, which is made from a recipe of Asian chili paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil, ketchup, honey, lime juice, minced garlic and ginger root, salt and pepper.  Full article

When discussing fine art, Las Vegas will rarely come to mind.  But the MGM Mirage is developing a $40 million public arts program, promoting Las Vegas a destination for the art world. Several of the featured artists will be: Maya Lin. Henry Moore. Frank Stella. Jenny Holzer. Nancy Rubins.

Under construction is an $8 billion, 76-acre (31-hectare) development called CityCenter that MGM Mirage is building on the Vegas Strip. MGM Mirage is the city’s biggest resort corporation. The site is planned to open late 2009 with a 4,500-room hotel-casino, five non-gaming boutique hotels and residential towers, and a 500,000-square-foot retail district.  Full article

The days of drab dress, expressionless people and communist rule are long gone. Eastern Europe is displaying a vast array of phenomenal vacation spots for all to enjoy. It’s virtually uncharted territory for the luxury traveler.

There’s a surge of luxury resorts being built. What causing this? Tourism is quickly becoming a source of economic growth. The other main reason is that historic buildings in the region are a virtual bargain, as compared against real estate in western and central European countries.

Many of these Eastern European countries, such as Poland and Hungary, offer tax breaks to foreign businesses that bring in tourism dollars. This allows hoteliers to save up to 15% on their investment.  Full article

Five hundred lucky shoppers will enjoy delicious cocktails and desserts, as well as exclusive shopping at 16 new mall retailers before the rest of the state!

Ala Moana Center will celebrate the unveiling of its highly-anticipated 100,000 square-foot, two-level retail wing with Ala Moana Center’s Preview Shopping Night & Fundraiser hosted by HONOLULU Magazine. The event invites 500 shoppers to be the first in Hawaii to explore the mall’s new retail wing, while enjoying desserts, cocktails, live entertainment. Attendees will also have an exclusive opportunity to snatch up the latest fashions at 16 of the wing’s 30 new stores before anyone else!

“We are looking forward to showcasing Ala Moana Center’s multi-million dollar expansion and new two-level retail wing at our Preview Shopping Night&Fundraiser,” said General Growth Properties Regional Vice President of Marketing, Sharon James. “The evening is a wonderful chance for local residents to come check out these exciting new stores – many which are brand new to Hawaii – all while supporting a terrific organization, Hawaii Habitat for Humanity.”

Ala Moana Center’s Preview Shopping Night&Fundraiser is held in conjunction with the mall’s new spring shopping and fashion festival, Shop a Le‘a, which runs March 3 – 9, 2008. Shop a Le‘a presents shopping enthusiasts from all over Hawaii and the Pacific with myriad experiences in fashion, beauty, active lifestyle, home entertaining, family, travel and cuisine.

Highlights of this year’s inaugural event include full-scale designer runway shows, celebrity-hosted events and appearances, expert styling and fashion demonstrations, mall-wide savings and discounts, a chance to win a spectacular shopping vacation to New York City as well as the grand opening of the state’s first Nordstrom department store!