VEGAS/TRAVEL: VEGAS TRIP–PART I: ONE QUEENSRIDGE PLACE

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VEGAS TRIP–PART I: ONE QUEENSRIDGE PLACE

 

Last week, I had a fabulous, upscale thirty-six hours in Las Vegas, so I must share the tale. And laud myself, and my travel companion, for being perhaps the only two people to ever visit Las Vegas and not gamble for even one minute! She tried to get me to cave on the way out of town, at a gas station, no less, but I stood my ground. So, as Mr. X spun it when I returned, I went to Vegas and broke even!!!

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

My friend Lauren was here from New York, and planned to go to Vegas because an acquaintance of hers had invited her out there to stay in a private “casita” at perhaps the most beautiful condominium building ever, One Queensridge Place, in the west end of town. Being the good pal I am, I accompanied her so she wouldn’t have to go alone, but wound-up having an excellent time myself.

The location of One Queensridge Place is perfect because it’s away from the hubbub of the strip, yet close enough to that area to easily visit when one wants to.

My friends, Lori and Rob, who live right there, recommended Cantina Laredo for us to eat dinner at, as it’s their favorite restaurant in town. So the whole visit was a success, (even though Mr. X has been making fun of me for spending such a short time there; he and I have been known to spend ten days in a row in that happening city!)

First I must tell you about One Queensridge Place today, and then on Monday we’ll get to the fun restaurant review. And on Tuesday I’ll tell you about the actual road trip, so please check-back next week for that horror show.

 

ONE QUEENSRIDGE PLACE

 

 

The magnificent lobby. Photo by Karen Salkin.

The magnificent lobby. Photo by Karen Salkin.

This stunning edifice contains equally beautiful condos, with a few still available for purchase, I believe. It includes so many amenities that living there must feel like being in a beautiful hotel, one in which strangers can’t stay. The artistic touches are too numerous to mention, but if you’re looking for a place to live in Vegas, I’m sure the amiable Sr. VP of Sales and Operations, Randy Char, will be glad to show you around. The stories of the tile inlays in the floors alone are enough to wow you!

We stayed in one of the Casitas; they’re virtually one-bedroom houses that are on the premises for guests of the condo owners. [Note: “Casita” actually means “small house,” but I found that out after I’d been describing it that way to everyone, so good for me.] Each consists of a full kitchen with a dining area, a living room with a couch that pullouts to become a bed, (although it was comfortable enough for me to sleep on without even pulling it out!,) a bedroom with what Lauren said is a very comfortable bed, and a wonderful bathroom and closet area that are bigger than some of my friends’ apartments! The kitchen is fully-equipped enough that you could live there for months at a time, and be very happy, (although I don’t think they’re available for that,) and the bathroom includes the same amenities that you would find at an upscale hotel, plus animals fashioned from towels, which you all know was my favorite part of the entire experience!

The living room in the Casita. Photo by Karen Salkin.

The living room in the Casita. Photo by Karen Salkin.

We were lucky enough to get a guided tour of the entire premises courtesy of the aforementioned Randy and a lovely woman named Nikki. It was one highlight after the other, (media room, anyone?, complete with freshly-made popcorn,) but I’m glad they saved the you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it Penthouse, the likes of which I’ve rarely seen outside of movies like The Great Gatsby, for last! In all my years of having the good fortune to visit some of the most fabulous places in New York, Los Angeles, Aspen, and Newport, Rhode Island, I’ve really never experienced anything quite like this place before.

The majestic whirlpool. Photo by Karen Salkin.

The majestic whirlpool. Photo by Karen Salkin.

I’m sure that many visitors to the area will be interested to know that One Queensridge Place has two hundred holes of golf within a five mile radius of the property, but I was more keen to discover the on-site spa! It’s beautiful!!!

There are, of course, separate men’s and women’s areas, with one long lap pool in-between. (By the way, there’s also an outdoor pool and whirlpool over-looking one of the golf courses, but, due to the high winds during my visit, the staff encouraged me to use the indoor facilities.) I was happy to go for a long swim, and can tell you that the water was the perfect temperature, length, and depth. I could have stayed in there all day.

After breakfast (which I’ll tell you about in a second) and swimming, Lauren and I luxuriated in the palatial indoor whirlpool, and then she chose the sauna while I opted for the steam room. With the fresh fruits, healthful snacks, and cantaloupe-flavored waters on-hand, we could have spent the entire day in that area. But, alas, we had to get back to L.A.

Just some of the many fun snacks that are offered from early morning til afternoon. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Just some of the many fun snacks that are offered from early morning til afternoon. Photo by Karen Salkin.

But not before we paid our second visit of the day to the fun snack bar! They have all kinds of daytime-appropriate foods flowing from 7AM-2PM daily, and every tenant is invited. A lovely girl is on hand to whip-up smoothies and coffees, and toast the assorted bagels. They also have several varieties of muffins and breads, (like banana and zucchini,) gourmet oatmeal “kits,” and Greek yogurt, among other items.

When we stopped back there on our way out, we were treated to bowls of freshly-cut fruit, healthful chips and hummus, and pistachios nuts. How much better is that for getting fueled-up for our many-houred drive back to LA than grabbing something at a drive-through along the way?

We left Vegas, and One Queensridge Place, relaxed, refreshed, and invigorated. That’s a lot for a condo building to do for its guests in just one day!

One Queensridge Place   9101 Alta Drive, Las Vegas   www.oneqrp.com

[Note: I took literally at least a hundred pictures of the property but, obviously, we could show just a few here. So I beseech you to check-out their website for much better images than I could ever take.]

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