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Resort
Living
Luxury Awaits Guests At South Shore
Casinos
By Katherine E. Hill
The roll of the dice, a spin on
the dance floor, a drink with friends, a memorable meal, a day
at the spa or the feeling of luxurious bedding. South Lake
Tahoe’s casinos offer its guests an experience – they are
resorts within a resort community. They offer superior service,
excellent dining, casino entertainment, shopping and countless
other amenities to enhance the experience.
MontBleu
 Metropolitan style has come to
Tahoe in the urban chic décor of MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa.
Deep blues and vibrant oranges, reminiscent of the lake’s waters
and the alpenglow of sunset, awash the hotel, casino and resort
for a sophisticated, hip style. The cosmopolitan décor is
carried through to the ceilings featuring a lavish glass
sculpture in the lobby and massive dome lights over the casino
floor.
It’s all part of the $25 million
renovation undertaken in 2006 when the casino resort
transitioned from Caesar’s to MontBleu, says Mike Donovan,
Executive Marketing Manager. During the remodel more than 10,000
square feet of gaming space was added for a total of 40,000
square feet of casino space featuring 50 table games and an
exclusive Wheel of Fortune room.
“It’s a high roller room,” Donovan
says. “It’s the only Wheel of Fortune Room in Tahoe.”
MontBleu features luxurious
accommodations with the signature Bleu Cloud Bed (anti-allergen
memory-foam mattress) in each guest room. The Tuscan Suites and
Sierra Suites on the top floor offer 1,200-square-feet of
elegantly appointed living space with an oversized Jacuzzi tub,
steam room, wet bar and stunning views.
MontBleu features five
restaurants, all easily accessible from the casino floor. The
signature restaurant is Ciera Steak + Chophouse. Choose from an
exquisite array of steaks and chops, fresh seafood and
vegetarian/vegan entrees, complemented by an international
selection of 300 wines and champagnes.
 There’s also 20-Four, a café
catering to a variety of tastes, The Buffet, Del Sol Mexican
features “great margaritas,” Donovan says, and The Zone,
features deli favorites located in the heart of the Sports Book.
Nighttime is when things kick off
at the Blu Night Club and Opal Ultra Lounge.
Blu is the casino’s world-class
nightclub boasting renowned DJs presiding over a dance floor
that’s ablaze with the latest technology in lights, sights and
sound. Plus there’s a blend of kinetic high energy and
tantalizing entertainment with VIP cabanas, bottle service and
exclusive promotions nightly.
Guests can enjoy the atmosphere at
Opal Ultra Lounge. Dance on the tables to the incandescent bop
of bongo drums and try not to trip over the hoses on the hookah
pipes. They also offer VIP tables and bottle service.
“Inviting, cool, calm, relaxed.
Lots of couches and lots of places to sit,” Donovan says of
Opal.
At MontBleu, don’t worry about
leaving Fido or Fluffy at home. The resort offers pet-friendly
accommodations on the third and fourth floors. Pets are pampered
at MontBleu with pet rooms set up with beds and water and food
dishes. There’s also the Bleu Pet Park onsite and the room
service menu includes selections for your cat or dog.
In the summer, the casino boasts
the largest indoor showroom, the MontBleu Theatre, with Smokey
Robinson, Eddie Money, Dana Carvey, Dobbie Brothers and Neville
Brothers among the acts scheduled to appear this summer.
Reward yourself with a day of
luxury at the full-service spa and fitness center, Onsen Spa.
Onsen provides contemporary cardiovascular machines and weight
training devices. Separate men’s and women’s locker rooms boast
saunas, whirlpool baths and eucalyptus steam rooms. Onsen offers
a variety of luxurious and therapeutic services including
massages, facials, body treatments, waxing and hair and nail
services. The spa features Aveda products and all treatments
include an all-day pass to the spa.
Harrah’s Lake
Tahoe
 Harrah’s has been a destination
since the casino first opened in 1955, and remains one of the
region’s premier casino resorts.
Sophisticated and luxurious
accommodations are the order at Harrah’s. Each standard room is
deluxe-sized featuring two complete bathrooms and data ports to
keep guests connected. The height of luxury rises above the Lake
with the Summit Suites.
“Harrah’s, especially Harrah’s
Lake Tahoe, had always been this feeling of being elegant and
upscale. I think we continue that with the Summit Suites,” says
John Packer, Director of Communications and Entertainment.
“We crafted a hotel within a
hotel. We have a separate concierge service, butlers to take you
to your room on a dedicated elevator that only goes to the 16th
floor,” he says.
The Summit Suites are elegantly
appointed suites that can be configured to provide guests with
up to 4,500 square feet of luxurious accommodations. Harrah’s
has about 20 suites available on the 16th and 17th floors and
most feature a two-bedroom suite with a parlor and dining room.
Packer says the suites are designed to appeal to a variety of
clientele from the sports-themed suites featuring a pool table
to suites with formal dining room to suites crafted in a modern
design.
The experience continues with
Harrah’s dining from the stunning 18th floor views from Friday’s
Station to the intimate and upscale Summit. Friday’s Station
Steak & Seafood started as a grill on the casino floor, but was
later moved to its prime location with stunning views of the
region. The menu offerings have been expanded with Friday’s now
serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“It’s just been an unbelievable
success over the years,” Packer says. “Every year it increases
in popularity.” It’s also become a favorite among locals, he
said.
For special occasions, there’s no
better choice than Summit.
“Not only is it high-end, it’s an
experience. You can have a five- to seven-course meal and its
three hours long. It’s an event in itself with great, great
service,” Packer says.
The newest addition to Harrah’s is
Gi Fu Loh, an all-new, upscale Cantonese seafood restaurant that
also offers a noodle bar for a quick bite.
There’s the Forest Buffet (also on
the 18th floor) offering breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, and
brunch on Sunday. Harrah’s food court is home to Fat Burger, LA
Italian Kitchen and Manchu Wok.
To top the evening off, visit VEX
Nightclub for a turn on the dance floor or head to the open
lounge at Center Stage, with Arthur Hervey, who the casino says
offers the best disco, dance and R&B party music in Lake Tahoe.
 For a truly luxurious experience,
book a day at Reflections for a one-of-a-kind spa experience.
Reflections offers a variety of treatments from massages,
aromatherapy and facials for men and women to body therapy and
other services. They also offer complimentary bath rituals with
full treatments including Roman Baths, Turkish Steam and Finnish
Sauna an hour before an appointment.
“The location is great because
it’s right next to the pool,” Packer says. The area features a
dome-covered pool to bring the outdoors in, an outdoor sunning
area and a tanning center.
To complete the Harrah’s
experience, a stop in the upscale boutiques located off the
lobby offer a variety of men’s and women’s clothing and jewelry
and sporting goods.
Located across the road and
accessible through a tunnel is Harrah’s sister resort casino,
Harvey’s Lake Tahoe.
Harvey’s Lake
Tahoe
 “Harvey’s is a little bit younger,
hipper, more fun,” Packer says of the atmosphere at Harvey’s
Lake Tahoe. “It’s a lot more fun and casual especially with the
Outdoor Concert Series featuring some of the biggest touring
acts available.”
Harrah’s purchased Harvey’s in
July 2001, with the Lake Tahoe location the only Harvey’s brand
still in existence, Packer says.
Harvey’s started in 1944 as a
small café and gas station with three slot machines. Today, it’s
Lake Tahoe’s largest casino with 88,000 square feet of gaming
space.
Featuring 740 elegantly appointed
rooms in two hotel towers, Harveys offers luxurious
accommodations in a mountain setting. Rooms in the Lake Tower
and newly remodeled Mountain Tower feature lake or mountain
views, respectively.
There’s also 36 suites with a
range of sizes available, all providing guests with spacious and
lavish décor and amenities including private balconies, marble
tile, shower/steam saunas and Jacuzzi tubs.
For a memorable meal, 19
Kitchen*Bar (formerly Llewellyn’s) is Harrah’s premier dining
establishment offering an eclectic menu with noveau American
cuisine.
“It’s a little more upscale,”
Packer says. “We made a decision to change it, to modernize it.
We came up with a different menu and a design to match. It’s
very linear, and have real nice sight lines. Practically every
seat has a lake view.”
19 features a new late-night menu
available from 9 p.m. to midnight and the South Shore’s most
extensive wine-by-the-glass list.
There’s also the Hard Rock Café,
Cabo Wabo Cantina and the venerable The Sage Room, a Tahoe
landmark since 1947. An elegant Western-themed steak house, The
Sage Room is popular with locals and guests alike. The Sage
Room’s décor includes original Native American lamps that were
given to Harvey’s by the Washoe Tribe, the original bar and
hand-hewn beams that were part of the original log cabin that
housed Harvey’s in 1944.
 Last fall, Harvey’s expanded the
24-hour restaurant concept and Sierra Choices now offers café as
well as a buffet option.
One thing that’s not to be missed
at Harvey’s is Bud Friedman’s Improv. Friedman was a frequent
entertainer at Harrah’s until he began a long-term engagement in
2000 that continues today. In the fall of 2001, Harvey’s became
Friedman’s new home in a move that stopped traffic.
“We started (the act) at Harrah’s.
Then he took the audience, walked through the casino and across
the street to Harvey’s,” Packer recalls.
Get your tickets early for the
Outdoor Concert Series, which kicks off June 28 with Robert
Plant and Alison Kraus and continues through the summer with
such greats as Toby Keith, James Taylor, the triple-threat of
Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick, Steely Dan, Alan Jackson and
Sammy Hagar & The Wabos.
Harvey’s and Harrah’s also offer
the yacht, The Tahoe Star, for daily cruises and special events.
The Tahoe Star was Bill Harrah’s Yacht that was specially built
for the sometimes-rough waters of Lake Tahoe.
While Harrah’s has made pampering
into an art form with Reflection, Harvey’s boasts a
state-of-the-art health club and steam room.
One of the highlights of the
Harrah’s-Harvey’s connection is the Total Rewards points program
that allows its members to earn and use benefits at any casino
resort in the nationwide group including Harrah’s, Harvey’s,
Caesars, Horseshoe, Rio, Showboat, Bally’s, Grand Casino,
Flamingo and Paris. “You can earn your points in Vegas and
redeem them in Lake Tahoe,” says Emily Myers, Public Relations
and Internet Marketing Specialist.
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