Just at the top end of the Strip, and opposite the Mirage and Treasure Island is the Ventian. I hadn't stayed at the hotel before, and was in for quite a surprise. The football field-sized porte cochere was a treat, but nothing like the entrance hall to the lobby, and the lobby itself. Purely magnificent, a building that is a great credit to the developers, designers and architects.
A speedy check-in and I was en-route to Room 19216 on the 19th floor. I had to show my check-in details and key to security before moving to a bank of lifts, located a reasonable way through the casino area. When I arrived at the designated floor I moved down one of four hallways to Room 19216. When I opened the door, it really was a treat. The room was approximately 650 square feet, there was an entrance hall into the bedroom, which was at a raised level (about a foot higher than the second living room area). The split-level room had a king bed on the upper level, with a two-door wardrobe, drapes swung across the polished timber, sculptured headboard, two bedside tables with statuette lamp shades stood at attention, luxury prints, a foot table, cabinet with a large screen TV, safe and 3 large drawers, and a selection of current magazines, adorned the level.
Two steps down (the steps were permanently lit up), there were 3 sets of drapes (ornamental, block-out, and see-thru), 3 dining chairs with blue and gold coverings, a dining table (round), a complete lounge setting, two big arm chairs, and a 3 seater lounge with cushions. A work desk with my own fax machine, and an awaiting fax with a number for my stay, welcomed me. High speed Internet access (for $9.95 a day) was available. There was a big cabinet housing a fridge, another TV, ice chest, lamps, mirrors and prints. The fridge contained mini-bar stocks, all of which were reasonably priced. The layout of the room was truly excellent, the furnishings were all top quality, and the spaciousness was a knock-out. I later learned the hotel has the record in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest hotel rooms in the world. The outlook was over what looked like a parking station, and on top were ventilation, and air-conditioning plants, one of which was extremely noisy. I was surprised at such a fine hotel that the rooms wer not double-glazed as the noise was really quite annoying. In any event I decided to set up my computer to do some work. I was having difficulty locating the high Internet access point, when there was a knock on the door. It was the porter bringing up the bags. I asked where the access point was, and he indicated that only one of the towers (at that stage) had high speed Internet access. He suggested I telephone 'Priority Services' which I did, but the girl answering said all rooms had the access. The porter checked under the work desk and found an access point. I thanked him and then went to connect, however it became obvious the point was not active. I telephoned Priority Services again and after some checking the girl who originally answered the phone, established there was only one wing with access points. I was then asked to take the luggage to a nearby room on another wing, 19312, and wait for a security attendant who would bring up new keys immediately. After about 15 minutes I had to telephone again from a hallway phone, and probably about a further 10 minutes later a security attendant arrived, and let me into the room. He then said I had to go back to the registration desk to get new keys.
In any event the room was the same, other than the lay-out was around the other way. This time the room overlooked a construction site, which was idle as it was a Saturday. The construction was of additional rooms, which a cab driver told me was to take the Ventian to over 7,000 rooms, which would make it the largest hotel in the world. At this stage I hadn't reviewed the bathroom so I ventured in to a very spacious, and luxurious marble and gold fittings area with,twin his n' her basins with good bench space, and a separate vanity desk with mirrors. The toilet was in a separate room. There was luxurious towelling, robes, and amenities.
I then went out to explore the hotel. There was a bank of 6 lifts servicing our floor and certain others. There appeared to be 3 wings of hotel rooms converging on the lifts. I took the lift down to the ground floor, and emerged into the casino area. I then wound my way through the tables and slot machines past a couple of lounges to a cluster of restaurants. There was the Pinot Brasserie, Star Canyon, Delmonico Steakhouse, and Valentini Italian Grill. Just arounbd the corner there was Noodle Asia. At first I thought this was the extent of the restaurants, however I then found a food court which had fresh Italian pizzas, and other Italian dishes, a deli, a grill offering hamburgers, chicken, fries and salads, and a cafe. I then discovered the Grand Canal, a fantastic waterway which weaves it's way through a mecca of shops, boutiques, sidewalk cafes, restaurants, taverns, and attractions. Bridges, roadways, it was simply astonishing. There were gondolier boats taking couples up the canal, being serenaded as they went. I couldn'yt imagine Venice, or any part of Europe being as beautiful as this. It was simply surreal. Everyone in the place was soaking up the atmosphere. There were even security guards dressed in traditional Italian police uniforms. If the rooms were not enough, here was an attraction within a hotel which quite clearly sets it apart from other great hotels in the world. I was later to visit the Paris Hotel and Casino, and Caesears Palace which had similar, but not as well done, areas. I also last year reviewed the New York New York Hotel which had similar themed areas, but again not up to the magic of the Venetian. I decided to try a local beer, but alas I couldn't find a bar that served draught beer, until I stumbled across a bar outside the American Restaurant. I had a beer and then tried the restaurant. I didn't quite work out the proper name for the restaurant. It had a neon sign outside saying American Restaurant, but in the map it was displayed as the WB Stage 16 Restaurant. Nonetheless the food was provided quickly, was delicious and was reasonably priced. I then decided to get some background information on some of the other outlets. In doing so I came across a Brookstone store, which had an impressive range of interesting devices, and I bought up there. I then came across another food court which featured deli foods, gourmet pizzas, Chinese food, burgers, shakes, Mexican, dougnuts, coffee, Haagen Dazs, and pastries. I then found Zeffirino, which overlooks the canal. The following day I lunched there, a buffet. It cost $75 but it was truly magnificent. Peeled shrimps, crabs, a variety of salads, meats, hot dishes and desserts. There was a violinist who serenaded the guests, and sometimes broke into song, as they lunched over the streets and waterways of 'Venice'. There was a number of great eateries around the hotel and the Grand Canal. Another to become a favorite during my stay was the Delmonico Steakhouse, an 'all-American restaurant with a New Orleans flavor. There was also the Grand Lux Cafe, which operates 24 hours a day at the casino level. The French restaurants including Lutece, and Pinot Brasserie were special, and the Italian restaurants, including Piero Selvaggio Valentino and P.S. Italian Grill, and Postrio were popular. The American restaurants, the Mexican, I could write on for hours. You really need to visit the Ventian, even if you don't stay there, on a visit to Las Vegas.
